“You know, Sen. Hagel, he probably could serve in a Democratic administration because he’s bipartisan,” Richardson said Friday on Fox News. “I’m not saying VP, I’m just saying that he’s a very valuable member of the Senate.”

Richardson made the remark in response to a question about the chance that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) could choose Hagel as his running mate. The Nebraska senator, who shares Obama’s opposition to the Iraq war, has not endorsed a candidate for president. Hagel told The Associated Press last month that he would consider joining the Democratic ticket if Obama offered him a spot.

Richardson stressed that Obama himself has said that he would include Republicans and independents in his administration.

“Chuck Hagel is somebody I know and deeply respect,” Richardson said. “I think he’d be a very good member of a president’s Cabinet."

When Richardson, also considered a possible vice presidential candidate, was asked whom the Illinois senator should pick, the New Mexican joked that he should make everyone wait.

“Look, you know, that’s his choice,” Richardson said. “And he should make that choice right before the convention. Look, if we don’t have some drama at the Democratic convention, everybody’s going to fall asleep.”