CO's just full of surprises (Senate pick)

[SportsFan68]

First Shanahan, and now this:



http://www.kwgn.com/pages/news_local_la ... feedID=202
(KWGN News)
Surprise! Bennet to be appointed to senate seat
RSS By Eli Stokols
January 2, 2009
DENVER -- In what is being hailed as a surprise by political observers across the state, Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet is expected to be named Saturday as the future U.S. Senate replacement for Interior Secretary nominee Ken Salazar.

In bypassing a bevy of formidable candidates, including Mayor John Hickenlooper, Gov. Bill Ritter's appointment is an unconventional, high-risk move that could bring high rewards, according to political analysts.

. . .

Outgoing House Speaker Andrew Romanoff was the clear favorite of the party's base, with widespread support from Democratic county chairs and editorial boards stretching from Grand Junction to Colorado Springs.

Hickenlooper, fresh off of hosting the summer's successful Democratic National Convention, had proven himself to be one of Colorado's most powerful and popular elected officials.

. . .

So why did Ritter choose to cut so hard against the grain? Let the speculation begin.

"I suspect, at least in some circles in the Ritter administration, there's a sense that Hickenlooper might overshadow Ritter's reelection, and I suspect that might be part of the rub," [Steve] Welchert [a Democratic consultant] said.

Ritter will be on the 2010 ballot with Bennet; and state Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams has already gone from licking his wounds to licking his chops.

"Mayor Hickenlooper would have been their strongest horse, for appointment to the seat and then to run for reelection in two years," Wadhams said. "I'm totally perplexed why Governor Ritter would bypass someone as strong as Mayor Hickenlooper, or for that matter Speaker Romanoff, and appoint somebody who has no track record in the legislative or political arena.

"I must say, it does make this seat much more in play."

Wadhams, however, is one of many people who are quick to praise Bennet's work as DPS Superintendent, where he is widely credited with turning around a failing, underfunded school system on the verge of complete collapse.

"He has distinguished himself as a talented and dedicated public servant who can work with people across the political spectrum," said Michael Huttner, president of ProgessNow, a netroots liberal advocacy group. "The more I get to know Michael, the more I like him. And he is really plugged in in Washington."

. . .

[Bob Juch]

He served as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General during the Clinton Administration.

His father, Douglas, was President and CEO of National Public Radio from 1983 to 1993 then worked during the Clinton Administration as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.

[SportsFan68]

I'm one of the County chairs who lobbied for Romanoff.

As one of the editorial writers said, we get our money's worth with this guy.