Pete Domenici's days in the U.S. Senate are almost over. But during many years of his six-term career on Capitol Hill, his was a name to be reckoned with, on national economic issues and those of importance to the American West. The power he wielded yielded much for New Mexico, and it'll take time for his successor to gain some back.

But in Northern New Mexico's Rep. Tom Udall, our state would have a highly credible and proven persuasive freshman senator; one who lost little time gaining a seat on the House Appropriations Committee that decides where our county's tax money goes. He also became a strong voice and influential champion of conservation.

As New Mexico's attorney general, his honesty and tough-mindedness made him the leading vote-getter on the state ballot; Republicans and Democrats alike found lots to like about his forthright manner — not to mention his refusal to be bought by the vested interests, and his willingness to prosecute and call attention to ethical lapses by fellow Democrats.

íf ever honesty — and respectable independence — were needed in the Senate, it's now. Only two years ago did the balance of power shift in the upper house — and barely:

As a result, Democrats supposedly in the majority are unable to overcome filibuster threats and other stunts by which administration proposals or obstacles are upheld. If this administration had an ounce of integrity, such minority force might be good. But this White House, and its partisans in Congress, have done enormous harm to this country — and to a world where, with military force alone, we still have power. Tom Udall is the voice for reform our state, our nation, and the world need.

As a representative, Udall not only resisted the jingoism pervading Capitol Hill during the Bush/Cheney demands for war powers against Iraq; he also was one of few lawmakers to oppose, and warn against, martial-law measures against our constitutional rights, the cynically named Patriot Act among them.

For the home front, he played key roles in federal purchase of the Valles Caldera and in fending off gas-drilling in the Valle Vidal.

And, in the face of nationwide criticism of Los Alamos National Laboratory, it's been Tom Udall leading efforts to diversify the lab's role from that of bombtrigger-builder to the nation into one of researcher and developer of sensible new sources of energy.

This is a national-level lawmaker who can — and does — work with allies as well as opponents, with a better nation in mind. His collegial approach to problem-solving is in too-short supply in a Senate long in the stranglehold of partisanship.

The 111th Congress faces crises foreign and domestic — maybe even disasters by the time it convenes in January. Its members, especially in the Senate, must be decisive, thoughtful and well-informed. Those qualities, and integrity to boot, are what Tom Udall offers — and New Mexicans should overwhelmingly accept.