Allard Suggests Campbell To Replace Norton

Sen. Wayne Allard (R)-Colorado suggested former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell as Interior Secretary:

(AP) DENVER Hoping to put another Coloradan in charge of the nation's public land and resources, Sen. Wayne Allard asked the White House Tuesday to replace outgoing Interior Secretary Gale Norton with former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

Campbell is "extremely flattered" but has not heard from the White House and had no other comment on the possibility, spokeswoman Kate Dando said.

Both Allard and Campbell are Republicans. In a letter to President Bush, Allard said "Colorado and the West need and deserve a forceful advocate in the president's Cabinet."

Campbell retired from Congress in 2005 after two terms in the Senate and three in the House.

Dando said he is happy with his new job as a senior policy adviser with the Washington law firm of Holland & Knight, "But a call from the White House would give anybody reason to consider serving their country."

White House spokesman Blair Jones would not comment on whether Campbell was being considered.

Campbell has twice been in the running for interior secretary, Dando said. He made former President Clinton's short list before Campbell switched from the Democratic to Republican party.

President Bush also considered him in his first term.

Norton endorses a Western replacement. (video)