Sen. Domenici's reputation in the state is high, largely because he brings home the bacon, but also because New Mexico's journalists rarely question him.
He votes consistently for the powerful - major corporations, the individual rich and the military. I do not doubt his sincerity; my sense is that the Senator is a true believer in the status quo, as well as trickle-down economics. But attention should be paid.
This week, for example, when the Adminstration asked the Senate for big bucks to finance new nuclear weapons (the "bunker buster" and a "mini-nuke warhead), Domenci voted to spend the money.
(Only last week, the Republican House refused to finance the research.)
In another vote, the Senate decided to give gays and lesbians protection under the federal hate crimes law. Sen. Domenici voted against that move.
For the record.