August 27, 2007
Posted: 12:10 PM ET

(CNN) – There is political irony to President Bush’s first stop Monday after the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

President Bush leaves Texas for Albuquerque, New Mexico in order to appear at a private fund-raiser with Sen. Pete Domenici. The city and the senator were both at the center of the U.S. Attorney firing flap.

David Iglesias was the U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, and one of the most outspoken of the eight fired prosecutors. He said he was called by Domenici twelve days before the 2006 midterm elections, and asked about the status of a corruption investigation into Democrats. He said when he told the senator that charges would not be filed before the election, Domenici said, “I’m very sorry to hear that” and hung up.

Domenici later admitted making the call, saying he never pressured Iglesias but acknowledging, “I regret making the call and I apologize.”

The Justice Department also said Domenici called outgoing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales or his aides four times to complain about Iglesias.

The president’s second stop Monday is in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue for another political fund-raiser. Seattle was the home to another fired U.S. Attorney, John McKay, who also contends his dismissal was politically motivated.

Domenici faces re-election next year in a race that promises to be heavily targeted by Democrats.

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Filed under: Alberto Gonzales • President Bush


Ed,Ellenville,New York   August 27th, 2007 12:17 pm ET

Nothing spells doom better that a visit from the president.Indictments must be looming.

Cary - Lowell, IN   August 27th, 2007 12:17 pm ET

You said it in your article — "flap", that's all this so-called controversy is. Just a ripple in the vast political waters and tomorrow we'll forget all about it and look for new blood.

spinstopper   August 27th, 2007 12:24 pm ET

It was no surprise Mr. Iglesias was recommended for dismisal. He ignored concerns over voter fraud in New Mexico. Valid concerns about illegals voting that we now know were real. Not only should he have been fired for ignoring voter faud, he should also have lost his law licenses..

But the dems are worried about voter fraud in NM are they..

Shrubtrimmed, Kingman, AZ   August 27th, 2007 12:25 pm ET

AMAZING…..God at work (some call it karma)…Irony in politics.

Bush now on the "07′ Fired US ATTNY's Tour" after "The Gonzo" is taken down internally by his own political/moral dishonesty?

Ironic…If Jesus himself were to sit on a bus right next to Pres. Bush…Bush wouldn't even know him. What's worse he'd prosecute him to the fullest extent of the kingdom's rule of law…Read "persecute" here.

"Heck yeah, a dictatorship would be easier"…"as long as I get to be the tin horn dictator."

"The Constitution is just a god damn piece of paper."

All hail the King, lil' GWB! Long live the king. Just remember, the captain is supposed to go down w/ his sinking rat infested ship please. Oooop's, all the RepubliRATS are escaping the sinking ship.

Watching 16%'ers still defending the DC swamp that the Oval Office has become is still good entertainment….

Chief, East G, Rhode Island   August 27th, 2007 12:31 pm ET

Bush's comments concerning Gonzales show he is once again out of touch with the facts. Our Nations is in trouble when the leader can not tell fact from self induced fiction.

Sid, Arlington, VA   August 27th, 2007 12:44 pm ET

Justice for the eight U.S. Attorneys. Good for America!

Just Joe in CT   August 27th, 2007 1:30 pm ET

Oh, boy!….Bush goes to New Mexico..then to Washington state? I guess I will really find out if that mens' anti-gray hairstuff really does work.

spinstopper   August 27th, 2007 3:17 pm ET

Iglesias refused to poperly investigate voter fraud in NM. Allegations that later proved valid. He deserved to be fired. And lose his law licenses. We need people that do follow the the law instead of the political winds as Iglesias did.

But of course the dems are not interested in voter fraud in NM.

Linda Carpenter, Phoenix, Arizona   August 27th, 2007 3:20 pm ET

How can Bush even show his face in New Mexico? He has no shame and I believe that both he and Cheney are mentally ill! Cheny is most likely suffering the begining of dementia, not even knowing what part of the government he works for these days. And Bush has wet brain from his long term alcoholism and drug use.
America will not regain its good name and ethical strength until all of these criminals are charged. Impeach Bush and Cheney now! Stop this illegal war and murder!

JBG, Boston   August 27th, 2007 4:02 pm ET

We may have come full circle with this meeting with Dominici and Bush. Someday someone will tell the truth about these firings but it wont be this cast of characters.

Lance, Monrovia, CA   August 27th, 2007 5:51 pm ET

The pathetic, downward spiral of George W. Bush continues.

My real question is… they fired 9 attorneys because they would not prosecute Dems for political reasons, that much has been documented and testified to, repeatedly.

What were the rest doing?

Ian   August 27th, 2007 6:31 pm ET

The real political irony today is that Gonzales, who has worked non-stop to dismantle the Constitution chose September 17, Constitution Day, to leave office. Finally.

Myron, Honolulu, Hi   August 27th, 2007 9:02 pm ET

No Pressure?
well we will all say when it's your turn to be arrested…
“I’m very sorry to hear that”

Barton Faulks, Texas   August 28th, 2007 8:29 am ET

This morning Bush made a comment that the war in Iraq must continue. His statement is that Al Quida is not a religious group but that they are terriorists who have highjacked religion to kill the innocent. Based on Bush's idelogical position it is clear that the same applies to him and therefore the U.S. Wether or not his original intentions were good, he has taken our nation into a war that has killed hundreds of the innocent for a an unachievable political agenda. Based on his comments this was the christian thing to do. Why is the press not calling him on this hypocritical statment?

David, Salinas, CA   August 28th, 2007 11:23 pm ET

Republicans for Environmental Protection named Pete Domenici their “Worst in Senate 2006″.

For this and for his disgraceful violation of Senate ethics rules in the Iglesias case, Domenici should lose his Senate seat.

The people of Arizona deserve better.

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