Obama Endorses Colorado's Appointed Senator

[ccharles000]

Two days after he stumped for Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, President Obama is throwing his political clout behind another politically vulnerable Democratic senator: Michael Bennet of Colorado.

Bennet's campaign on Thursday released a statement from Obama in which the president said that "families in Colorado and across America need him in the United States Senate to help us revitalize our economy, improve our public schools, and pass health insurance reform - and I am proud to count him as my ally in those efforts."

"Michael has had my full support from day one and I look forward to working with him in the Senate for years to come," said Obama, who considered nominating Bennet, a former Denver schools superintendent, as his Education Secretary.

Obama's statement of support came on the heels of an announcement Wednesday by former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff that he will challenge Bennet in a Democratic primary next August. Bennet was appointed to the Senate in January, following Democrat Ken Salazar's resignation to become Obama's Interior Secretary, and has mediocre poll numbers in part because he is not well-known statewide.

A half-dozen Republicans are running for the Senate seat.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/09/obama-endorses-colorado-sen-be.html

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Yo Obama - wrong choice.

I'm backing up my man - Andrew Romanoff. Bennet will be primaried out.

So I'd suggest you re-think the endorsement after the primaries are over.

[Captain Hilts]

2. And NY's, and Specter....nt

[paulk]

3. keep your nose out of this, Obama.

Let the Democratic voters of CO decide through the process of a primary.

I'm backing Romanoff, myself. Former minority leader and later Speaker of the CO House. He's paid his dues, Bennet hasn't.

[Autumn]

4. Sorry Obama

Bennet isn't getting my support.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. Not backing Bennet on this one.

I'm working my butt off for Romanoff - he was my state rep, and a damn good one too.

Obama's got it wrong, but that's his job - I guess - to endorse incumbents.

I don't think Obama has really met Romanoff.

Hawkeye-X

[Hansel]

6. This does bug me about Obama.

He really needs to keep his nose out of individual state's election. Once they have a primary nominee, then he can endorse, but it is not his role to influence who Democrats in a state nominate to represent them. It steps over the line.

It steps over the line for a president to campaign on a state level in any way, but it would be a little naive to be PO'd when Obama or any other national Democratic figure does it as Republican are going to.

The Republicans from outside of our state had their noses so far into the Minnesota race that I was beginning to think we were Wash DC. It really pissed me off that so many senators from outside of our state where sticking their noses in it. Especially those trying to postpone the inevitable. The seating of Senator Al Franken! Can't say that too many times.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. I don't think it steps over the line in any way whatsoever

Presidents campaign for candidates running for House, Senate, and Governor's races all of the time. The President is the most recognizable person in the country and the Democratic Party would be foolish not to use that to their advantage. The President would also be foolish not to use that advantage to get more Democrats elected so he can have a better shot of getting his agenda passed.

Of course you are totally free to disagree with the President about his choice in the primary. Maybe Romanoff is the best candidate for Colorado but not the best candidate for Obama.

[4lbs]

7. You ever think he's doing this because he made a deal with them to stump for them in exchange for

their vote on health care?

[otohara]

10. The Silent Senator

that's what the GOP calls him here and for once I agree with them.

The guy hides from progressives...just like the Gov. who appointed him.

[otohara]

9. Boo - Sorry Boss

I'm voting for Andrew