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How quickly they turn.

The political sea change that voters ushered in two weeks ago - giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress - already appears to be paying a dividend for New Mexico.

A big asset looks like the probable protection of one of New Mexico's most spectacular natural areas, the Valle Vidal.

In a stunning turn of events Thursday that has all the earmarks of smart politics, Republican Sen. Pete Domenici of Albuquerque reversed his long-standing opposition to protecting the tract.

Domenici, who had bottled up Valle Vidal protection legislation in his committee this year, suddenly released the enabling legislation Thursday, brought it to the Senate floor with the support of fellow New Mexico Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman - a steadfast supporter of Valle Vidal protection - and saw it pass the Republican- dominated Senate unanimously.

That's not all. Domenici, who is chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Bingaman will take over next year, said he "is confident" that President Bush will sign the bill protecting the 101,784-acre preserve from oil and gas drilling.

Now that's what we're talking about: bipartisan cooperation to get things done that aren't necessarily Republican or Democratic, but benefit the country - and in this case the Land of Enchantment.

Since their victory, Democrats have been talking about reaching across the aisle and working with their Republican counterparts to get things done in contrast to the way congressional Republicans have operated with iron-control over the last five years.

But Domenici didn't wait. He deserves credit for reaching across now to get the right thing done today.

Singlehandedly, Domenici has earned conservationists' praise and returned some measure of honor to the Republican Party, which, prior to Bush administration, had a rich history in conservation since the days of Republican President Teddy Roosevelt.

Valle Vidal protection has had the strong support of conservation, environmental, hiking, hunting, fishing and tourist groups, which formed a coalition to stop the U.S. Forest Service from considering oil and gas drilling in what they called "a veritable Rocky Mountain paradise."

Hunters and anglers were helping to lead the charge because the area has excellent game - including the largest elk herd in New Mexico - and native Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

"It's a pristine, wonderful area, enjoyed by sportsmen of all kinds, back-country hikers and bird watchers," said Oscar Simpson, president of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation who learned of the development Thursday while attending one of the Valle Vidal Coalition's strategy sessions.

Everyone in New Mexico who treasures the state's raw beauty and magnificent wildlife has a hundred-thousand-plus new things to to be thankful for next week.

One of them: a distinguished senior Republican senator who knows when to blink.