Michael Bennet Named Colorado Senator, Will Replace Ken Salazar

DENVER — Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to name Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill a Senate vacancy that will be created by the promotion of Sen. Ken Salazar to interior secretary in the Obama administration, sources told The Associated Press.

One source close to the governor who is in a position to know and another source in the Democratic Party said Bennet is Ritter's choice. Both spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ritter scheduled a press conference for 2 p.m. Saturday to introduce his pick.

Bennet had been mentioned as a possible choice for Obama's education secretary, but Obama chose 44-year-old Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago public schools for the Cabinet post.

Bennet was considered a dark horse candidate for the Senate spot because of his lack of legislative experience. A message left for Bennet at his DPS office, which was closed for winter break, was not immediately returned.

The Yale-educated lawyer in 2003 was tapped to be chief of staff for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who then encouraged him to apply for the superintendent job for the 150-school city system two years later.

In June 2005, the Denver Board of Education unanimously appointed him superintendent of Denver Public Schools after he promised to provide each school with a highly skilled faculty and was able to get teachers to support merit pay. He also promised to track student progress and provide help.

The school board said Bennet delivered and students made strong improvements in reading, math, writing and science.

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According to Denver Public Schools, the district posted a 6.2 percent increase in reading scores over the three years, more than four times the growth of the state. In math, there was a 6 percent gain, more than twice the growth of the state, and in the middle grades, Denver saw gains of 10 percent in reading and 9 percent in math.

Colorado Republican Party chairman Dick Wadhams said the seat was already being targeted in 2010 by both parties, but he said the choice of Bennet was "perplexing."

"There are some admirable things Bennet did with Denver Public Schools, but he'll be judged by what he does in the Senate. There are major issues coming up this year, and he'll have to vote on tax increases and bailouts. Those votes will define Michael Bennet," Wadhams said.

Political consultant Floyd Ciruli said Bennet is a risky choice for Democrats, who will have to spend millions of dollars defending that seat in two years.

"He's the one candidate on the list who has the least political experience. I don't think anyone knows his views on anything except education. This is surprising," Ciruli said.

Among the other Democrats who competed for the vacancy were term-limited state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Rep. Ed Perlmutter. Hickenlooper also asked to be considered. A message left for Romanoff was not immediately returned.

Former Denver Mayor Federico Pena and Rep. Diana DeGette told Ritter they weren't interested in the job.

Salazar will stay in his seat until he's confirmed as interior secretary following Obama's inauguration, which could take several weeks.

The quiet Colorado Senate search was a marked departure from Senate searches in the two other states with Senate vacancies.

In Illinois, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces federal charges of seeking bribes in exchange for his appointment to Obama's Senate seat. Blagojevich has insisted he did nothing wrong and named an Obama replacement Tuesday, former state Attorney General Roland Burris.

In New York, where Sen. Hillary Clinton has been tapped as secretary of state, the high-profile search includes Caroline Kennedy.

Comments

[theone718]

Times this you realize the it's only one persons choice, and that's the Gov.

[BobsNotWorking]

"Colorado Republican Party chairman Dick Wadhams said the seat was already being targeted in 2010 by both parties, but he said the choice of Bennet was "perplexin­g." - It is comical to me that Republicans continue to feel they have a say in anything.

And, sorry about the unfortunate name there Dick.

[SiberianRat]

I'm a CO resident (legally, anyway) and I don't know too much about this guy, but I'm very glad someone who understands the importance of education is going. I despair at the state of our system, and I fear it'll be pinheads on parade soon if we don't turn things around.

[jcwtts1]

More likely it will be haves and have-nots with a permanent underclass. But you are right, I think it sounds like a solid pick, I'm interested to learn more.

J

[karela]

He sounds like a skillful choice who could be a very good Senator. He also sounds like someone who could lose the seat because no one's ever heard of him and we don't know if he has the connections or ability to fund raise in the quantities needed to hold the seat. This is all the more reason to chose Caroline Kennedy in New York and to make sure the Illinois seat is filled by someone who can hold the seat. If Democrats want to lose control of the Senate in 2010 or 2012, all they have to do is chose people to enough seats that they can't hold over time. We've done it before like this. Let's not do it again.

[jcwtts1]

He has us. We need to target races and send money starting in feb-march of this year. Seriously, instead of losing the senate I think we can win 7 seats in 2010. Money is what is going to decide this race and all the others. If we continue to out raise the GOP we win, if we fail to rally our financial support we lose.

J

[CherryIce1988]

Here in Ohio I'm gonna work to unseat Voinivich

[rachelwebster]

I am really scratching my head over this one....of all the super-qualified candidates he picks this guy who has almost 0 name reconnition outside of Denver and NO legislative experience? If the most important thing si retaining the seat for the dems when its up for re-election in 2010, a smarter choice would have been Polly Baca (female and hispanic) or John Salazar (hispanic) or Joan Fitz-gerald or Andrew Romanoff who both have been in state politics and have proven statewide popularity. Denver public schools will not be well served by this appointment either, as he's been on the job only 3 years and he was just starting to make a difference- they will have to back fill his job and god only knows how long that will take.

[jcwtts1]

We have to raise the guys profile, and we have to fund him. His seat goes on the board as one that needs double what a named pol would have needed to retain. I'm guessing 30 million maybe more now. We are victims of our own success. Now that we're trying to pick up seats in 2010, as well as hold the ones we have vulnerable through appointment, we need tons more money then originally supposed. Think of the open seats, FL and KS right now. If McCain doesn't run then AZ too. Add to that the ones we can steal away, LA, PA, OH, IA, I'd like to take a run at MO and SD as well, but seriously, are we going to be able to raise this much money? I was sure we could but PA is going to cost us about 75 million, OH over 50. FL over a hundred, NY a hundred, Illinois may cost us 75 to hold. Now an extra 30 to help a noname in CO. 30 in KS and Iowa. MO will need 50, and SD will need 25. That is too much money. 600 million, maybe more, and that doesn't talk about seats that may be in danger. Can we raise a billion dollars in two years? Wow. Maybe the Gov of CO wants the seat and picked someone who would give it up?

J

[vjoseph]

Well said.

[proudloudlib]

On the other hand, I'm betting he can SPELL "name recognitio­n."

[ArchAngel]

He worked for six years prior to his tenure at the City of Denver as Managing Director for the Anschutz Investment Company in Denver, where he had direct responsibility for the investment of over $500 million. He led the reorganizations of four distressed companies including Forcenergy (which later merged with Denver-based Forest Oil), Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theaters, which together required the restructuring of over $3 billion in debt. Bennet also managed, on behalf of Anschutz, the consolidation of the three theater chains into Regal Entertainment Group, the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world. Prior to moving to Denver, Bennet served as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General in the Clinton Administration.

[UncommonSenz]

Yawn.....

[ArchAngel]

Typical AP story. They left all of this very important information out of the story. They are the same as Fox News.

[lizziekw]

That's too bad. I'm not a fan of business executives in government. They mistake their profit/loss way of thinking for responsible legislation and leadership. Government is not a business and has very different requirements.

Still, I'm happy that he's had at least a taste of what it's like working with the big kahunas in DC when he was in the Clinton Justice Department.

[ThePhilosopher]

That's a shame; I was really hoping that Denver's mayor, John Hickenlooper, would get the appointmen­t...

[rachelwebster]

Denver has enough of its own problems and we need Hickenlooper to stay here and solve them like he promised to

[ArchAngel]

This guy is a long time servant of Philip Anschutz.

Philip Anschutz is the multi billionaire who owns and controls Colorado.

[Winski]

ArchAngel is correct. This clown worked for Anschutz for years before Anschutz bought his way in the Denver School System. NOW, Anschutz has his very own US Senator... Sounds like a rethuglican strategy gone amiss...

This is REAL bad choice for Colorado..­..

[EP1959]

As a Colorado resident, this nomination leaves me flat and uninspired. Of all the possible candidates, it seems like he would be at the bottom of the list. And the Anschutz link leaves me uncomfortable.

[BeasleysMom]

Servant? Oh, I don't think so. Anschulz probably paid him a handsome salary. Even rich people in Colorado still have to pay the help. And, Anschutz wouldn't pay that big salary to an incompeten­t..

[pupbayer]

Are they sure the Democratic leadership likes him and will let him come in and play?

[GeorgeP922]

As long as he is loyal and not in the pockets of corporate interests Im sure we are delighted.

The vetting will begin, but remember, Salazar was removed from the Senate for a reason, it would not be logical for him to be replaced with another DINO.

Im sure this guy is progressive, just with not much controversial past.

I can't imagine the sinking feeling Salazar had when Obama said he was pulling him from the Senate. I am 100% sure Salazar wanted to stay in the Senate, but how could he say no?

[eden4barack08]

Thank goodness for Colorado. At least one state getting it right AND quietly.

[BeasleysMom]

We are not there yet. Please notice that it is more unnamed sources bein qyoted. But, If it is true, Ritter made an excellent choice. Only downside of this is that the Denver Public Schools is in need of continuing good leadership. Hope we can find that person.

[BeasleysMom]

being quoted!

[GeorgeP922]

For a cause as noble as public education.

It blows me away how we cannot motivate our school officials to make our schools the best in the world.

Oh thats right, MONEY! Aside from the superinetdents and executives the teachers get paid next to nothing, and the students are considered lucky to have modern books and materials.

America will have realized "change" the day ALL of our school's biggest problem is being over budgeted, and private schools are going out of business.

(IMAGINE THAT, Private schools no longer to keep open become the socialist school systems beat them, thats Why we are progressives, that future TERRIFIES conservati­ves.)

[VikingQuest]

I wonder how much he paid for that?

[BeasleysMom]

Don't know if it is sarcasm because of Illinois, but Bennett is above reproach.

[EP1959]

Nobody is above reproach.

[nogimmicks]

Ken Salazar was a terrible cabinet pick in the first place, unless, as some suggested, it was just an ingenious scheme to extract the Salazar from the Senate.

[GeorgeP922]

It was an ingenious scheme, well I wouldn't call it a scheme.

Folks, I love Obama as much as the next guy, but it's not just his policies, it's his politics.

Salazar was the MAJOR force along with Evan Bayh to keep Lieberman in the Senate.

Salazar was so involved that his office was the ONLY Senate office not accepting ANY calls the week before Lieberman was "punished". Press at the time painted him as running around DC mad trying to save Lieberman.
MAny of us here thought Salazar was doing that to stop the netroots from funding primary runs against him and other DINO's.

NOW, I think Salazar made a deal with Obama to take the appointment and leave the Senate.

And what weirder than all of those facts, was right after Salazar was picked, Evan Bayh announced he was starting a BushDogDemocrat coalition in the Senate to challenge Obama if we went too progressive.

Well, when Bayh made a fool of himself that day, he didn't have the silly grinning man in a fake cowboy hat behind him. Obama literally pulled all the steam out any BushDog or DLC clubs in the Senate by removing it's most powerful member (Hillary) and it's most powerful prospective leader Salazar.

I don't think OBama bothered with Bayh as he will no one ever takes him seriously, he's just an empty suit.

[ArchAngel]

Very interesting analysis. Thanks!

[uglicoyote]

"Ken Salazar was a terrible cabinet pick in the first place...."

And your evidence for this, other than your opinion, is?

[who38]

He is a handmaiden of HoJo.

[bullwinkle88]

Exactly. Salazar is a Republican in disguise. This way once he is done with his appointment, it will (or hopefully should) be difficult to return him to the Senate.

Wise thinking by Obama.

[who38]

Is that why he chose Rahm and Hillary?

[GeorgeP922]

So is this guy on the level?

Is he a DLC hand picked shill to continue Salazar's seat.
I hope the strage optimistic feeling this guy is good.
And hey, it beats the pants off of Salazar's brother.

Everybody, if this pick is good make sure you donate to the DNC or Obama's 2012 fund NOW.

This is political skill, he CRUSHED the DLC's dreams by taking one of it's newest stars out of the Senate.
Same thing with Hillary but even though she is DLC and did smear Obama unesseraliy during the primary,
She is a Democrat, and she is a Team Player and she is "cough cough" a liberal,
there I said it.

But Salazar has been placated, next target, Evan Bayh.

[k6007]

Ssssh. Lets hope the dino crats don't realize until it's too late.

[who38]

Evan goes to Kosovo as ambassador. Bill goes to Micronesia. Lieberman goes to Iraq. Reid goes to Suriname and Pelosi goes to Nicaragua.

[PlantGod72]

WOW.......­.choosing bright, effective people with a trackrecord of results serving their communities for public office....­.....What a concept!!!

Happy 'Obama' New Year!

[tobyjack]

I think a lack of legislative experience is a plus. Maybe some highly educated people who are not into "Business as Usual" will be able to make a change in the cesspool that the senate has become. Teachers are our second greatest asset, just behind those whom they educate. He has shown that he believes in prioritizing education. Now if we could just get rid of Harry Reid!

[Telemachus]

The people of Nevada deserve to be represented by a vertebrate next time.

[afgail]

Bennet is an important piece of the puzzle. Obama wants to improve education in this country. What better choice than a senator that has actually improved the educational performance of school kids AND ushured in merit pay for teachers. Great pick.

[pupbayer]

You sound like merit pay is a good things. LOL!!!! Obviously you have no clue.