Richardson, who supports Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president, said in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday that the rejection of McCain's editorial is not surprising because The New York Times turns down many editorials from politicians, including presidential candidates.

"Well, look, The New York Times is very fussy. I mean, I've sent many editorials that they've rejected — in fact, most of them," Richardson said.

Richardson said he did not think the newspaper showed "preferential treatment" or media bias, because they have run seven editorials from McCain in the past.

"A newspaper shouldn't be expected to accept a politician's op-ed unedited," Richardson said. "I think what the editor was saying is that if you make it a pro/con editorial … that makes sense."

The newspaper refused McCain’s editorial after accepting one from Obama last week. Times Op-Ed page editor David Shipley told the McCain campaign to resubmit an editorial that "mirrors Sen. Obama’s piece" by specifically including "how Sen. McCain defines victory in Iraq."