Bingaman dodges question about end of Domenici, Richardson truce

Michael Swickard put Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in a tough spot on his radio show this morning.

Swickard asked what Bingaman thought of the recent end to the long-standing truce between Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, and Sen. Pete Domenici, a Republican.

Here’s the short version: Richardson believes Domenici was involved in the recent move by the Republican Party to replace his opponent in the gubernatorial race, then J.R. Damron, with fireball John Dendahl. Dendahl has said a Domenici staffer was involved. Because of that, Richardson is actively seeking a Democrat to run against Domenici in two years, and has asked Lieutenant Gov. Diane Denish to consider it.

Before this, the two political powerhouses had always stayed out of each other’s races.

Bingaman started by saying he thinks Dendahl has paid his dues to the Republican Party.

“I think he’s earned the right to be the Republican nominee for governor,” Bingaman told Swickard.

He wouldn’t say much more. Bingaman and Domenici have a better working relationship than most of opposing parties in Congress.

“I can’t be in the business of commenting on the politics between Domenici and Richardson,” Bingaman said. “I wish them both well, just as long as they leave me alone, which they both have.”