I just got a call from someone very knowledgable about N.M. Democratic politics

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. The congressman just grinned and said "I'm sticking with my (initial ) statement" when I asked if he was reconsidering a Senate run two weeks ago. But he also added that the amount of encouragement he was getting to run was "overwhelming."

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.