Breaking: Udall Reconsidering U.S. Senate Run (Domenici's seat)

[babylonsister]

http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5366&Itemid=40

Breaking: Udall Reconsidering U.S. Senate Run
Written by Michael Coleman
Thursday, 01 November 2007


I just got a call from someone very knowledgable about N.M. Democratic politics who says Rep. Tom Udall's people are calling the party's heavy hitters in the state this morning to inform them he is reconsidering a run for the U.S. Senate.

The source stressed that the congressman has not made an ironclad decision to run but wants people to know he's giving Sen. Pete Domenici's soon-to-be open seat a serious second look.

Shortly after Domenici announced his retirement on Oct.4, Udall said he would not seek the seat, citing his growing stature in the U.S. House and a new seat on the appropriations committee.

But a rapidly growing "Draft Udall" movement online, as well as major arm-twisting from the national Democratic elite (including Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer), has convinced the congressman to reconsider.

I'm not surprised - at all.

Udall, a former two-term New Mexico attorney general, has proven he can win statewide and his polling numbers are among the best of any New Mexico politician. Any ambitious politician would take a hard look at the more prestigious Senate senate seat.

Incidentally, I also heard yesterday from separate - but equally reliable sources - that Gov. Bill Richardson called Udall yesterday to tell him he DOES NOT plan to run for the Senate and would stay out of Udall's way if the congressman decides to jump in.

Wow. Just when we thought New Mexico congressional politics couldn't get much wilder we now have the potential for three open House seats and a U.S. Senate seat.

Stay tuned.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Good news! Though I wish Richardson would stop his transparent VP pandering and run for the Senate.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Excellent news!

Two Udalls in the senate would be fabulous.

[cali]

3. Please, Tom, please, please, please

run. You can do it, and you can beat "Nipples" Wilson.

[Hand]

4. Can't have too many Udalls!

His dad (I think) was Kennedy's Interior Secretary and an outstanding one at that. His bro Tom is a Colorado congressman--they're a great liberal family! :toast:

[zeemike]

5. Udall is a good man

He is my Rep and he has voted as a progressive most of the time. In fact I can't remember him ever disappointing me

[abq e streeter]

6. Hope Cybergata sees this...we've been talking about this...

Good news if true. Udall's a good man although I think Heather will be a formidable opponent for whoever we run... She's smart and slick and is seen as the heir apparent to our inexplicably beloved "St. Pete" since she was brought here for that very purpose. The local media, which fawns over him like he was a god , will be a big boost to her too. But Tom is widely respected here and it'd be a great victory for the entire country if Tom becomes a senator and Heather is no longer "fighting for our families" by crying on TV over nekkid boobs...Northern NM is generally a pretty safe seat too, so not a big worry about holding on to it if Tom vacates it.