Tom Udall was (is) an intelligent and effective congressman. Yes, he butted heads with conservatives, but he stuck to his guns. When I lived in New Mexico, I expected him to be a second-generation political hack, riding on the coattails. Instead I saw him as a thoughtful, dedicated statesman. A good senator. Probably one of the best. His political acumen was born in the cauldron of New Mexico politics, which in complexities, is second only to Louisiana.

Yet,even with the greenies, and the "patrons (old Spanish families)," and the Republicans, and the opportunists, the old-time Democrats, new Democrats and even Republicans, Udall has a reputation of fairness, intelligence, and responsibility to his office.

I no longer live in New Mexico, but were I there, I'd certainly be voting for Udall.