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"My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial and beautifully coordinated, there is not much going on."

--John F. Kennedy

As a reminder, the Rocky Mountain News reported last week:

A panel of three Democratic legislators and two Republicans will decide whether further investigation is warranted into vote-buying allegations against GOP Rep. David Balmer.

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, appointed the panel this week to look into a complaint filed against Balmer on Dec. 16 by House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker.

Balmer, R-Centennial, has until Jan. 8 to submit a written answer. May's complaint alleges Balmer may have coordinated with a lobbyist to offer campaign donations and a future committee chairmanship to another legislator in exchange for supporting Balmer in his race for minority leader.

A separate complaint has been filed against the lobbyist, who has given a sworn statement that he did not talk or coordinate with Balmer.

You'll recall this spat from a couple of weeks ago--Balmer stands accused of his improprieties, but somebody else took the opportunity afforded by Minority Leader Mike May's abortive resignation to anonymously remind the press about Balmer's well-known crackup and disgraceful exit from North Carolina politics after allegations of resume embellishment in 1994.

We don't pretend to know how the ethics complaint will play out (they usually don't), but this story is more interesting for the simple mystery: who got offered the plums? Who dished the goods on Balmer? Rep. May filed the ethics complaint against Balmer--does May by any chance know who got fed up about Balmer's checkered past at just the right moment?

And above all, is there any angle on this story that makes Republicans look good? And what about the lobbyists involved? Because there seems at a glance to be more than enough ignominy to go around, "perps" and "victims" alike.

The Rocky Mountain News reported today that Sen. Ken Salazar plans to meet with Sen. Mark Udall and incoming Sen. Michael Bennet to, among other things, make a recommendation for Colorado's next U.S. Attorney.

U.S. Attorneys are typically selected by the President in power, though usually at the suggestion of a particular state's Senator(s) - providing that they are of the same political party, of course. Current U.S. Attorney Troy "I'll Run for Anything" Eid is expected to resign before he is formally asked to leave by the Obama administration.

Two names have garnered strong consideration for U.S. Attorney: CU Regent Michael Carrigan and Adams County District Attorney Don Quick. Both are well-qualified and would be solid choices, though Quick is also considering running for Attorney General and is not thought to be in a hurry to leave his current position given the investigation into the recent murder of one of his deputy DAs.

Why didn't anybody notice that "Joe the Plumber" was a repackaging of "Tom the Tinker"?

news round-up by johne:

• Looks like Norm Coleman is about out of options.  Minnesota is expected to certify the results today. Making Al Franken the 59th Democratic Senator (counting Lieberman).
• Obama has selected Virgina Governor Tim Kaine to head the DNC.
• I'm sure you've all heard that NM Gov. Richardson has withdrawn his name as commerce secretary.  Pay for Play?  Say it ain't so Joe Bill.
• Things are so bad in Colorado Springs they're going to try to repeal TABOR.
• Want more info on Michael Bennet?  The Post has one, two, three, four, five articles.  The Rocky has one, two, three, four.
• State GOP complains about activist judges.
• Say goodbye to Allard and Tancredo.
• What are unions good for?  Saving your benefits.  Denver Post non union employees are losing their 401K matching contributions.
• Boulder's velodrome just opened.  It's about time this state had more than one track for cyclists.

Get to speculatin'.

So, you have finally decided to stop boring your Significant Other with how you could do a better job than those so and so's at the local political level, or perhaps the Party elders have cornered you at a dinner dance about the fact that it is time for you to run for that open seat. Now what? Well the Dog is here to help you, if only a little bit. There is a bunch of things that you should know and do if you are going actually be elected instead of being an "also ran".  
The first thing is homework. Yeah, you thought you left that all behind in school, but as M.C. Hammer said "Ring the bell, school is in session". No matter what level of office you are running for you will need to find out the following:

1) Who holds the seat now? Is the incumbent a Dem or Repug? How long have they held this seat?  All of these factors are going to effect how you go about wining. If the seat is held by a Dem that is not term limited you had better gird your loins for a real battle in the primary. That is not to say that you can't win, it is just a lot harder to when you do not have the explicit support of the Party, which you most likely will not if there is an incumbent.

If the seat is open or held by a Repug, you might still have as primary battle, but at least it will be more of an even field fight.

2) Now you need to look at the last four or five cycles. You need to know how many votes each candidate received. This is important because it will let you set a goal for the number of votes you will need to win. By putting this in a numeric form instead of 50% +1 it lets you target voters for contacts and will make your efforts more effective. You should be able to find this info on your local newspapers website.

3) For the same time period, what was the fundraising and what was spent? Be sure to look at the primary challengers, even the ones that lost. Knowing how much you will have to raise to be competitive is very, very important. After all it is no use being the gal or guy with all the best ideas if you can not get your message out. At the local and even state level there are lots of things you can do to keep these costs down, but you will still need a significant amount of money for things like direct mail. Consultants will tell you (and they are right) that you need eight direct mail pieces to win an election. Those will not be cheap. This should be a real gut check moment for any fledgling candidate. If you do not have tons (or any) money of your own to pour into a campaign, you need to be very confident that you will be able to raise the money needed. Sadly you can not count on the State or County Party to make this up for you. They may or may not come through with the dough, so your best bet it is to plan to do it yourself.

4) What is the registered voter make up of your district? If you are a Dem (which the Dog is assuming given where you are reading this) and you live in a district that is 68% Repug, you are in a bit of a pickle. You had better be a pretty damn conservative Dem to have a chance in a district like that. You can find this information at the Sec. of States website (most of the time) or you can request it from them. Don't forget to look for Indy voters, in some places they may be more than either the Dems or Repugs (like the Dogs district).

5) Now you need to know the population of your district and where is concentrated. Ideally you would be able to hit every door in the district, but realistically you are going to have to choose where you will get the most benefit for the time you are going to put in (you did know that this is going to completely take over you life for the next year or two, right?). What cities do you have in your district? Where are they in relationship to each other? Which ones have predominately Dem City Councils? What about the County Commissioners? Are they mostly Dems or Repugs? All of this is going to tell you a lot about the voting habits of your constituents, and it is far better to know the scope of the job you are looking at then to assume that everything will be groovy.

Now that you have the number and are still sure that you want to do this (you still do, don't you?) it is time to start working on yourself. You need to be ready to answer a couple of big questions, mostly because everybody and their brother is going to ask them:

1) Why do you want to do this? There are going to a million different answers to this question, but one that is a total loser is "Well, because I think I can". That is where Caroline Kennedy got into trouble. It is not enough to want to be in a position of power, it is all about what you want to do with it. From the Dog's point of view if one of the top reasons is not that you want to serve the people of the district; you should reconsider your actions. Good government requires people that know they are being elected to make decisions that will positively impact the people that elect them. You have a certain amount of ego if you are even considering running. Ego is not a bad thing, if you can back it up with actions, so be sure that you want to act in the peoples name and not just your own.

2) Why should you be the one to be elected? What about your experience or outlook makes you the one that should hold this office? It needs to be short and specific so that people can get a quick handle on you. Most of the voters (sadly) are going to vote for or against you on the strength of a few words, so be sure that your words give them a road map to your skills and ambitions (remember the ambitions should be about what you are going to do to make their lives better).

You will need to put in some real time and word smithing for the above questions. Start making notes, start practicing it in the mirror, practice on your friends and spouse. This is little stump speech is something you are going to say over and over and over, so it better sound like you and be pitched at the people of your district.

Next you need to start working on you extra circulars. Just like Junior year of High School you are going to need to put some time in on things that show what a great choice you are. If you do not already belong to a service club (Optimists, Rotary, Lions, etc.) you had better pick out at least one and join now. It seems like a strange thing but people will judge you ties to the community by your participation in these clubs. But there is an upside for you, when you start your serious fund raising the members of these clubs are a great source!

You should also find some kind of business organization and join it. No matter how you come down on the management/worker split, you will need some contact with the business community. They are also constituents just because you have an ideological difference with them is not an excuse to ignore them. By being part of some business org you will get to hear what is important to this community and perhaps, know how your opponent will come at you.

Be sure that you reach out to local party officials, both those that hold office and those that just work within the Party. They are going to have wealth of good information for you, but you will have to go get it form them, they are not going to rain it down on you. You want to cultivate as many as possible, as having the Party structure behind you can make the difference between winning and losing. Since this is your first run for office, be relatively humble. People love to show off how much they know, so Big Ears, Little Mouth is the strategy to pursue with them.

Finally, you should start to look for the issues in your district. If you don't subscribe to all the news papers, do so now. Start following the words and actions of the person that holds the seat you want to take from them. It is going to be important to know if they are serving the people or themselves. You are going to become an expert on the problems of your district and or State, so you had better start now.

Obviously this is just the beginning of running for office. In the future the Dog will talk more specifics of how and what you should do in your campaign, and most importantly when, but for now if becoming X-Elect in November 2012 is your goal, then these are the things that you should be doing in the next few months.

The floor is yours.  

As the Greeley Tribune reports:

In the halls of the Colorado State Capitol, state legislators will soon bounce echoes of deals off the stately columns and heavy wooden doors, and most of it will involve saving Colorado from a deep recession.

But how legislators do that in conjunction with Gov. Bill Ritter depends on whom you ask. Some Democratic lawmakers think Colorado needs fees or a modernization of the gas tax to help pay for things such as transportation maintenance and capital construction while Republicans say government needs to tighten its belt to make up for what could be a nearly $600 million Colorado budget shortfall.

But it must be sort of difficult to gauge just what you should cut or do with the budget when analysts disagree about just how much Colorado could be short this year. That figure ranges from $80 million to $600 million, depending on who you ask...

In an interview with the Greeley Tribune Editorial Board, [House Speaker-designate Terrance] Carroll said the recession might mean a retool of the economy and a mix of small-business jobs, urban and rural jobs and so-called "green-collar" environmentally sound jobs.

And cuts, and new taxes? Everything has to remain on the table, Carroll said.

Colorado, hamstrung as we've said repeatedly by decades of interlocking, counter-reinforcing, mostly Republican-engineered budgetary restrictions, is looking more screwed this year than at any time since the passage of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights in 1992. The hope of emergency federal stimulus aid from the incoming Obama administration is one of the last left to cling to.

Democrats can't really do anything to remedy this situation without a statewide vote of the kind that was tried and failed last year with Amendment 59. 2005's Referendum C was a temporary finger in the dike, and even it barely passed--with significant (moderate) GOP support. So when your trusted representative or senator tells you there's no money for the priorities you hold dear (health care, education, transportation, etc.), please don't assume they're just spinelessly capitulating to the Doug Bruce frame. The whole state capitulated years ago, and the bill for our collective hubris is merely coming due.

What would you cut?

"There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you."

--Will Rogers

As I said earlier, it's pretty clear that Michael Bennet was appointed to the U.S. Senate solely because of his aristocratic credentials - ie. connections to money and Establishment power and Beltway insiders. It had almost nothing to do with his relevant experience, because if that was the basis for an appointment, every other major candidate had more of that. And, as the Denver Post notes, it had absolutely, positively nothing to do with his public positions on issues:
But while everyone from business leaders to political heavyweights to education reformers agree that Bennet is almost always the smartest guy in the room, his positions on nearly every key issue facing the country are completely unknown.

"Soon," Bennet said both during and after the official announcement.

Foreshadowing the hard-fought senate race expected in 2010, state GOP chair Dick Wadhams seized on Bennet's silence.

"His continued refusal today to state his positions on issues suggests someone who isn't clear where he stands," Wadhams said. And then he demanded to know Bennet's stance on an upcoming measure in the Senate that would eliminate the secret ballot in union votes.  

One of two disconcerting realities is at work here: 1) Bennet's positions are known by the Establishment forces that got him the Senate job, and those positions aren't threatening to that Establishment (read: they are corporate conservative) or 2) Bennet himself doesn't yet have positions on the major issues.

I guess the latter would be better than the former in that it would hold out the possibility that Bennet will end up being a solid Democratic vote on issues like health care, ending the war, and the Employee Free Choice Act. But the fact that Colorado now has a senator whose never held elected office and therefore has no voting record*; has lived most of his life in D.C. and not in state; has served as a key adviser to a right-wing billionaire; and hasn't stated any public positions on key issues before the Senate highlights just how odd - and troubling - Ritter's appointment is.

*Note: I think having served in elected office - or at least having run for such office - should be a key qualification for a Senate appointment not as much for political/reelection reasons, but because in having served/run for office, a candidate has built up something of a public record on many issues (whether that public record is actual votes or public statements) and therefore the citizens being represented by said candidate at least have some idea of where that appointee actually stands.

As I said earlier, it's pretty clear that Michael Bennet was appointed to the U.S. Senate solely because of his aristocratic credentials - ie. connections to money and Establishment power and Beltway insiders. It had almost nothing to do with his relevant experience, because if that was the basis for an appointment, every other major candidate had more of that. And, as the Denver Post notes, it had absolutely, positively nothing to do with his public positions on issues:

But while everyone from business leaders to political heavyweights to education reformers agree that Bennet is almost always the smartest guy in the room, his positions on nearly every key issue facing the country are completely unknown.

"Soon," Bennet said both during and after the official announcement.

Foreshadowing the hard-fought senate race expected in 2010, state GOP chair Dick Wadhams seized on Bennet's silence.

"His continued refusal today to state his positions on issues suggests someone who isn't clear where he stands," Wadhams said. And then he demanded to know Bennet's stance on an upcoming measure in the Senate that would eliminate the secret ballot in union votes.  

One of two disconcerting realities is at work here: 1) Bennet's positions are known by the Establishment forces that got him the Senate job, and those positions aren't threatening to that Establishment (read: they are corporate conservative) or 2) Bennet himself doesn't yet have positions on the major issues.

I guess the latter would be better than the former in that it would hold out the possibility that Bennet will end up being a solid Democratic vote on issues like health care, ending the war, and the Employee Free Choice Act. But the fact that Colorado now has a senator whose never held elected office and therefore has no voting record*; has lived most of his life in D.C. and not in state; has served as a key adviser to a right-wing billionaire; and hasn't stated any public positions on key issues before the Senate highlights just how odd - and troubling - Ritter's appointment is.

*Note: I think having served in elected office - or at least having run for such office - should be a key qualification for a Senate appointment not as much for political/reelection reasons, but because in having served/run for office, a candidate has built up something of a public record on many issues (whether that public record is actual votes or public statements) and therefore the citizens being represented by said candidate at least have some idea of where that appointee actually stands.

Not much there yet (you'd get suspicious if there was), but you can sign up for updates. We took a posterity screenshot so you can watch it grow. The domain was registered on New Year's Eve.

There's also a quickie press kit up that features the 2007 New Yorker profile you've no doubt read by now.

And hurry up with the online donations! He is rich, but...

Reporters around the country are figuring out that when Google asks "Did you mean: Michael Bennett," the answer is no.

New York Times:

Mr. Bennet, flanked by his wife, Susan Daggett, and their three young daughters, said he would focus on health care, the economy and education, andhe promised to provide more policy details in the coming weeks. His positions on most prominent issues are relatively unknown.

"Innovative thinking, pragmatic problem solving and bringing people together have been the hallmarks of my career," he said.

Mr. Ritter's choice of Mr. Bennet, 44, came as a surprise when it was first reported on Friday, as several higher profile Colorado Democrats had been mentioned as possible candidates...

Washington Post:

Despite earning high marks in education circles, Bennet is not regarded as a political meteor, and Obama passed him over for the education secretary job last month. Bennet has also worked as managing director of Anschutz Investment in Denver, as a lawyer in the Clinton Justice Department and as Hickenlooper's chief of staff.

Colorado political observers were shocked by the pick, noting that Bennet's low statewide profile and untested fundraising skills could put a hard-won seat in jeopardy in two years, when Salazar's term expires. Bennet intends to run for a full term in 2010 and has launched an election Web site.

"What the hell?" exclaimed the popular site ColoradoPols.com. ". . . By all accounts Bennet is a brilliant guy who also happens to be fabulously wealthy from his days working with super-rich dude Phil Anschutz, but being smart and rich doesn't make this a wise choice." [Pols emphasis - we're popular!]
Denver Business Journal:

"Not only is Michael Bennet one of the brightest and most insightful individuals I have known, he also is one of the most effective," Cannon "Cy" Harvey, president of the Anschutz Co., said late Friday in an e-mail to the Denver Business Journal.

"That is a rare combination," Harvey added. "Results matter to Michael. He is thoughtful and weighs the pros and cons before he acts."

...Bennet will serve in the Senate as a Democrat, and he was an adviser to Obama during the presidential campaign. Anschutz is a staunch supporter of Republican causes and made numerous donations to GOP candidates and campaign organizations recently.

Harvey said he was commenting on Bennet's performance during his employment at the Anschutz Co. and afterward, and not on the possibility of his Senate appointment.

"His accomplishments as an attorney and businessman were in no small part due to his balance and common sense," Harvey said." "He is a good listener and has a great talent for bringing people together around common goals in order to reach a successful outcome for all of the interested parties; but he knows his own values and never strays from them."

Denver Post:

Skeptics point out that no one knows what kind of campaigner Bennet will make. They worry that he's little-known outside Denver or outside an elite group of national education reformers.

"This is a more Denver-centric pick than Diana DeGette even," said one Democratic insider who asked not to be named in order to speak more frankly. "It's a stunning choice, just totally stunning. I mean that in a negative way."

Another key Democrat characterized it as potentially a major political blunder: "I don't think Ritter has any idea what he's just done," said the insider, who also asked for anonymity.

Sources close to the selection process say that the force of Bennet's personality and his wide experience - he served in Clinton's Justice Department and made millions in business before giving it up to work for Mayor John Hickenlooper and then to redesign Denver's failing urban schools - impressed Gov. Bill Ritter and key players who had input in the choice.

But Bennet's close relationship with the incoming Obama transition team - a relationship forged as a top candidate to be secretary of education - also helped build a powerful constituency, one that sees Bennet as a critical ally for education reform in the Senate...

Latest AP (Wyatt):

The Bennet choice, when more seasoned Democratic politicians including two members of the U.S. House expressed interest in the job, shocked political observers across Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Newspaper on Saturday announced the selection with a banner headline calling him "Senator Surprise."

But people who have worked with Bennet, a Democrat, who at 44 will become the Senate's youngest member pending Salazar's confirmation to the Cabinet, say he's up for the challenge.

Educators joked that the halls of the U.S. Senate should be a breeze for Bennet after walking into the struggling 73,000-student Denver school system in 2005 with no education degree and managing to court teachers to a business-style turnaround.

Engineering has a principle called KISS -- Keep It Simple Stupid.  I guess there is no corollary in the law or in Ritter's experience.  Choose the most qualified, experienced, skilled and willing candidate who can run a campaign, serve the constituency well and keep getting elected.  Every opposition candidate's nightmare.

Ritter had at least a half-dozen candidates that fit the bill.  

Ok, so Ritter's contrary enough to reject the easy way to solidify Democratic party gains in Colorado.  What's next?
The race for both the Governor's office and this Senate seat in '10 has already begun.  It's going to be extraordinarily expensive and bloody, I believe. Unnecessarily so IMO -- but, so be it.

Presuming Bennet is not a placeholder (or a bone tossed at the other senate hopefuls to keep them out of the Governor's race), what can he do to win his first election?

It seems Bennet's fate will be tied to Obama's, not so much Ritter's (the 'pubs will try to do both anyway, particularly to whomever is the weaker politically).  So he should join himself to Obama's hip by being seen bringing federal dollars to Colorado in the way of energy, transportation, educational infrastructure and defense projects (especially to the Western Slope or the 'burbs) with full PR fanfare is paramount.

Appealing to independents by being on the forefront of fixing NCLB through common sense measurement standards, while maintaining accountability; working to improve accountability and efficiency in government, and modernizing our information systems for greater visibility and accountability (healthcare, education and open government budgeting).

Leave the bleeding heart liberal issues to the other candidates (even if some are near and dear to many of us, they'll either get done or not depending on the economy and the labors of the other 57 (D) Senators).  Bennet doesn't need to lead on those.

With his connections, and political insider experience, I suspect he'll have plenty of people to draw upon to fill both his Senate staff as well as his campaign staff.  He's plenty sharp to know what talent he'll need to support the Herculean challenges he faces in the coming 24 months.

I think fundraising will be the least of Bennet's problems.  Thank goodness for small favors!

I don't know that 24 months (or about 2 weeks, depending on when you start counting) will be long enough for anyone, no matter how talented, to build the organization and track record to win re-election.  So the doors are wide open to not just every Republican, but to many highly qualified Democrats that smell blood in the water.

It's probably too much to hope that Dick Wadhams will deliver another election to us on a silver platter.  We are about to find out just how "Blue" Colorado has become.

 

President-elect Obama is giving N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson the "Rev. Weaver push."

Richardson announced that he has withdrawn his name for secretary of commerce because of an investigation into a company that has done business with N.M., according to the AP.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28...

This just confirms my long-held opinion of Richardson's ethics and competence.

He was one of Obama's weakest appointments, and the president-elect probably is glad to be rid of him.

Indeed, Obama is famous for dropping aides and friends who make him look bad, and it's pretty clear that Richardson has been pushed out.

From the wire story, complete with blessings from President-elect Barack Obama--full Obama statement follows after the jump:

Gov. Bill Ritter on Saturday appointed 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...

Ritter praised Bennet, 44, as a proven leader and problem-solver in the both public and private sectors.

"This is a critical time in history. The economic challenges facing America and Colorado are unprecedented," Ritter said in a written statement. "Our challenges are so serious that it will take a new generation of leaders, a new way of thinking and a bold new approach to problem-solving to steer us through this."

In a statement from his office, Obama called Bennet an excellent choice who will be "a breath of fresh air in Washington."

"Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve," Obama said.
"Filling Ken Salazar's boots in the US Senate is a tall order. But in selecting Michael Bennet, Governor Ritter has made an excellent choice.

"Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve. An innovator in the public and private sectors, he has shown himself willing to challenge old thinking and stale policies.

"His breakthrough work at the helm of Denver's schools has reflected that commitment, and established Michael as one of the nation's leading education reformers.

"He will be a breath of fresh air in Washington," said President-elect Obama.

Outgoing Sen. Ken Salazar offers a friendly-but-stern
headpat to Sen.-designate Michael Bennet.

Gov. Bill Ritter just spoke at a hastily organized press conference announcing the appointment of DPS superintendent Michael Bennet to the US Senate replacing Ken Salazar.  Technically, he can't be appointed until Salazar either resigns, or is confirmed in the senate as Interior Secretary.  Hopefully his centrism will mean he's an easy confirmation, right.  Right?

I will update this shortly, but for now, here's the press release:

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that he is appointing Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael F. Bennet to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate, praising Bennet as a proven 21st century leader and problem-solver in both the public and private sectors.

"This is a critical time in history," Gov. Ritter said. "The economic challenges facing America and Colorado are unprecedented. People are losing their jobs. Businesses are closing. Families are hurting. Our challenges are so serious that it will take a new generation of leaders, a new way of thinking and a bold new approach to problem-solving to steer us through this.

More after the fold.
"Uncertain times call for certain leadership, and that's why Michael Bennet is the right choice to represent all Coloradans in the Senate. He has an impressive record of bringing people together to find common ground and common-sense solutions to complex problems, and of turning around troubled public and private enterprises and leaving them far stronger than he found them.

"Michael will bring a fresh, new approach to the economic crisis," Gov. Ritter said. "He knows we can't fix our 21st-century problems with 20th-century solutions. Working alongside Sen.-elect Udall and President-elect Obama, Michael will devote the same sense of forward-looking optimism, vision and energy to this new role that he brings to every aspect of his life and work. "

Bennet, 44, will fill the remaining two years of Sen. Ken Salazar's term. Salazar is expected to be confirmed this month as Interior Secretary.

"I am humbled and honored to serve the State of Colorado as your next U.S. Senator," Bennet said. "I stand ready to take on the serious challenges facing our country and our state. I have learned from Mayor Hickenlooper that there is no challenge without a solution and no problem too tough to withstand innovative thinking.

"My experiences, not only in public service but also in business, have taught me that when people come together, put aside partisan differences, and focus on pragmatic problem-solving, we can accomplish great things," Bennet said. "I will bring these values with me as I join a new generation of leadership in Washington, DC."

Bennet was unanimously selected by the Denver school board to serve as superintendent in 2005. Over the past four years, his achievements include:

?   Winning voter approval and implementing DPS' ProComp program, the nationally recognized teacher pay-for-performance system.

?   Improving student learning, achievement, graduation rates, enrollment and access to early childhood education opportunities.

?   Ending multiple years of multimillion-dollar budget cuts and increasing investments directly into classroom learning as well as teacher and principal training.

Prior to that, Bennet served from 2003 to 2005 as chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. He helped construct a new leadership team, balance the budget after years of deficits, renegotiate several collective bargaining agreements and redesign police oversight.

From 1997 to 2003, Bennet served as managing director for Anschutz Investment Co. in Denver. He oversaw the investment of more than $500 million, led the reorganization of four distressed companies, and restructured $3 billion of debt and consolidated three movie theater chains into Regal Entertainment Group, which today is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world.

"Michael is an accomplished and highly competent leader," Gov. Ritter said. "What impresses me most are his energy, strength of character, temperament and innovative thinking. Michael is the right choice for Colorado's kids, Colorado's families and Colorado's future."

"In Colorado we have been blessed, and we can show the nation how to lead on issues like a New Energy Economy and education reform," Bennet said. "But, we are not isolated and we face our own set of challenges with the economy and protecting our land and water. Through the work of leaders like Gov. Ritter, Sen. Salazar and Mayor Hickenlooper I have seen their efforts to keep Colorado a special place, and that will be my mission every day in the U.S. Senate."

Additional Details About Michael F. Bennet:

Education

Wesleyan University, B.A. history (with honors), 1987

Yale Law School, Juris Doctorate, 1993 (editor-in-chief of The Yale Law Journal)

Professional

Superintendent, Denver Public Schools, 2005 to present

Chief of Staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, 2003 to 2005

Managing Director, Anschutz Investment Co., Denver, 1997 to 2003

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Connecticut, 1997

Counsel to Deputy Attorney General, Washington, D.C., 1995 to 1997

Law Clerk, U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1993 to 1994

Personal Assistant, Ohio Gov. Dick Celeste, 1988 to 1990

Personal

Married in 1997 to successful natural resources attorney Susan Daggett. They are the proud parents of three daughters: Caroline (9), Halina (7), and Anne (4).

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FOR MICHAEL BENNET

"I congratulate Michael Bennet on his appointment as Colorado's next United States Senator, and Governor Bill Ritter for making a splendid choice. Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve. An innovator in the public and private sectors, he has shown himself willing to challenge old thinking and stale policies. His breakthrough work at the helm of Denver's schools has reflected that commitment, and established Michael as one of the nation's leading education reformers. He will be a breath of fresh air in Washington."

President-elect Barack Obama

"If I am confirmed to serve as Secretary of the Interior, Michael will bring to the United States Senate an impressive background and a wealth of experience - both as an accomplished public servant and a successful businessman - that will help us tackle the many challenges we face as a state and a nation. If I am confirmed, I am confident Michael will serve the people of Colorado well as our next United States Senator."

Ken Salazar

United States Senator

"Michael Bennet brings intense personal commitment, intellectual rigor and innovation to any challenge. In addition to his diverse experience in law, the private sector, government and public education, Michael's strong character and dedication to public service will serve Colorado well in the U.S. Senate."

John Hickenlooper

Mayor, Denver

"I called Michael Bennet to offer my warmest congratulations on his appointment to the United States Senate. Michael has been a friend for many years, and I wish him great success representing our state in Washington."

Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff

"Michael Bennet provided the visionary leadership that has allowed the Denver Public School district to make incredible progress. I know that Colorado will be greatly served by his compassion, his competence and his tireless advocacy. Michael's dedication and ability to bring people together will be assets as we face trying times in America. Michael Bennet is the right choice at this critical moment in our state's history."

Theresa Pena

President, Denver Public School Board

"Michael Bennet is a solid choice for Colorado. He has been a leader in school reform and has shown a strong commitment to Colorado's children. I look forward to working with the new Senator and building a partnership that will move our state forward."

Mark Udall

U.S. Senator-elect

"I am thrilled Michael Bennet will be our next U.S. Senator. He brings a wealth of knowledge from both the public and private sectors and has a proven ability of dealing with complex issues. Colorado needs that kind of new leadership in Washington."

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien

"Michael Bennet's appointment to the U.S. Senate signifies a new generation of leaders in Washington, D.C.  I know Michael will serve Colorado with the energy and tenacity that he has displayed on behalf of public school families during his tenure as DPS Superintendent."

Peter Groff

President, Colorado State Senate

"Michael Bennet is the right choice for Colorado. Families across the state are facing tough times, and it will take a proven leader to stand up on their behalf in Washington, D.C. Michael has unique experiences, an innovative approach to problem-solving, and the skills to bring people together to find real solutions. I am very pleased that we will have a partner like Michael in Washington, DC."

Terrance Carroll

Speaker-Designee, Colorado State House of Representatives

"Michael Bennet has demonstrated his expertise in a range of public and private leadership positions. His willingness to stretch beyond the familiar, coupled with his efforts to open Denver Public Schools to new ideas and fresh thinking, convinces me that he will represent Colorado extremely well in the United States Senate."

Dwight D. Jones

Commissioner of Education, State of Colorado

"I think the world of Michael and think that he's done a great job as superintendent of DPS. Perhaps most important, he has practical financial experience in both the public and private sectors, and this is desperately needed in Washington, D.C."

Bruce Benson

President, University of Colorado

"Not only is Michael Bennet one of the brightest and most insightful individuals I have known, he also is one of the most effective.  That is a rare combination.  Results matter to Michael.  He is thoughtful and weighs the pros and cons before he acts. His accomplishments as an attorney and businessman were in no small part due to his balance and common sense. He is a good listener and has a great talent for bringing people together around common goals in order to reach a successful outcome for all of the interested parties; but he knows his own values and never strays from them."

Cannon Y.  "Cy" Harvey

President, The Anschutz Company

"Michael Bennet is a proven and passionate leader who has worked tirelessly throughout his life to bring new perspectives to a variety of issues. As we try to find solutions to our struggling economy, we need people with Michael's background and experience to help usher in a new way of thinking and a new age in politics. I am very pleased that Gov. Ritter made this choice, as I believe it's what is right for Colorado."

Walter Isenberg

Chairman, Colorado Concern

President/CEO, Sage Hospitality

"Gov. Ritter made a fine choice by selecting Michael Bennet. Michael will make a great Senator because he brings tremendous business and administrative experience to the table and he's got the right set of eyes to determine what the real issues are."

Roy Romer

Former Governor, State of Colorado

Former Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District

"I believe Michael Bennet will represent Colorado in an A-plus way. I have had the good fortune of working with Michael in two different capacities: first as Chief of Staff for Mayor Hickenlooper and second as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools when I co-chaired the 'A+ Citizens Committee.' In both positions, Michael demonstrated the ability to listen to all points of view, sort out diverse opinions and arrive at a policy decision that is in the citizens' best interest. He has the sound judgment and genuine ability to represent the people of Colorado for years to come. Gov. Ritter made a great choice from a list of great people."

Wellington Webb

Former Mayor, Denver

"It is indeed a momentous occasion when a 'once in a lifetime leader' is among us. From the beginning of our search for a new leader for DPS some four years ago, I was absolutely certain that Michael Bennet was the very leader our troubled district needed. I never wavered from that belief and have never been discouraged by the decision. Michael Bennet is a person whose vision encompasses the whole: past, present and beyond. I hurt when I think of losing Michael for DPS, but I rejoice in the same certainty I have had for several years now: that his vision and gifts of reason and truth will lead this state and this nation to a better place for all."

Lucia Guzman

Former School Board Member, Denver Public Schools

"Michael Bennet brings to the office a brilliant mind, a caring heart and an exceptional commitment to public service. Gov. Ritter has made an excellent choice that is in the best interest of the people of Colorado."

Rosemary Rodriguez

Chair, U.S. Election Assistance Commission

Former President, Denver City Council

"Michael Bennet combines attributes of intelligence and collegiality that will serve him very well in the U.S. Senate. Gov. Ritter has made an excellent appointment at a time when the Congress faces extraordinary issues of economic restructuring, war and peace, foreign policy repair, and military reform. The Governor has wisely put the national interest ahead of politics.  Michael will be able to fulfill his complex duties immediately and I am confident will impress the people of Colorado more than sufficiently to be elected in 2010 if he chooses to run."

Gary Hart

United States Senator (Ret.)

"As Gov. Bill Ritter's enlightened appointment, Michael Bennet will encourage the change and momentum that the US Senate needs, while bringing to Coloradans a wide-ranging and charming intellect Michael's proven problem-solving capacity will be welcome across the State - he is more than up to the challenges he will face, and he will be a force for reform and our future for many years to come."

Tim Wirth

United States Senator (Ret.)

"Governor Ritter made a good decision.  Michael Bennet will make an excellent U.S. Senator and Colorado will grow to love him! He's smart, strategic, inclusive and is genuine in his concern for all of people of Colorado."

Michael B. Hancock
Denver City Councilman, District 11

"I look forward to working with Michael on the many important issues facing rural Colorado, including protecting our water, natural resources and agricultural base and improving access to health care."

Former U.S. Representative, Ray Kogovsek of Pueblo

With Michael Bennet being named to succeed Senator Ken Salazar, DPS will have to find a new Superintendent.  Perhaps this is a good time to consider the terrible state of public education in our State.

As it stands now, we are creating a disaster in human, financial, and collateral damage terms by what is happening to particularly the minority students that enroll in our public schools.

Let's look at some numbers and get some opinions...
In DPS, fewer than 16% of 10th grade students are testing proficient or above in math.  In science, it's under 26%.  Minority numbers are much lower.

How many Barack Obamas are out there that will never have a chance due to the fact that in 2008 only 73 African-American students in DPS tested proficient or above in math to the 10th grade level?  That's not percent.  That's total students, for crying out loud..

Is it just money?  I think not, and I think that's an easy excuse.  The D.C. School system spends nearly $20k per student per year and has one of the worst graduation rates in the country.

Is it parenting?  Is that really a valid reason or just an excuse for a flawed system to make to deflect accountability?

What role do the teacher's unions play?

They are the most powerful and largest union in the State and year after year our schools continue turning out horrific results in terms of graduation rates - has the need for political power eclipse the teacher's unions assigned vocational task as a priority?

What are we going to do to save these kids?

Selected quotes from around the state and nation this morning.

Fort Collins Coloradoan:

Poudre School District Superintendent Jerry Wilson said Bennet has displayed his political and negotiating skills in heading DPS, the state's largest school system, which has faced years of performance issues.

"In urban districts, those political skills are vital to the success of the district," said Wilson, who said he's had "limited interactions" with Bennet...

Bennet's position on teacher pay is a break from orthodox Demo-cratic policies, which generally have been resistant to merit-based pay for teachers, said Kirk Brush, chairman of the Larimer County Republican Party.

"From a Republican perspective, the fact that he's willing to look at different options for education is encouraging," Brush said.

Brush's Democratic counterpart, Adam Bowen, said Bennet appears to be the type of moderate Democrat - like Salazar, Ritter and Rep.-elect Betsy Markey - who performed well in recent years in Larimer and Weld counties.

Rocky Mountain News:

"It is surprising, and hopefully he'll surprise us," said Ted Textor, political director of the Colorado Council of Teamsters, which backed another applicant.

"I think you've got people who are personally unhappy, but there isn't a large faction that would be unhappy," Denver City Councilman and former Democratic legislator Doug Linkhart said of the pick.

"If (Gov. Bill Ritter) had appointed somebody with a long track record - let's say against labor, for example - then labor would have been mad. But Michael has never been in a position to vote on anything. That's a plus for him. He doesn't have a whole bunch of people who oppose him."

Grand Junction Sentinel:

Bennet, superintendent for the Denver Public Schools, lacks legislative experience to truly succeed in Washington, according to Mike Hesse, a Republican political consultant.

Hesse said Bennet's lack of statewide name recognition will leave him in danger at the polls in 2010.

"Even the average Denver resident, if you walk down the street, wouldn't know who he is," he said.

Mark Hillman, a member of the Republican National Committee and a former state senator, praised Bennet as "a sharp guy," but said his lack of legislative experience will be a boon for Republicans.

"Bill Ritter is the governor that keeps on giving to the Republican Party," Hillman said...

Former Congressman Scott McInnis, R-Colo., said unlike some of the other contenders for the U.S. Senate appointment, including Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Congressman Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., Bennet is a moderate.

"Mike's very capable," McInnis said. "I think he's fairly moderate ... and he'll be pretty strongly seated two years from now."
Denver Post:

"I think it's an outside-the-box pick," said [Senate President Peter] Groff, noting that Bennet was part of a new generation of public servants bringing a fresh perspective to Washington along with the 47-year-old president-elect.

"You have this new energy and this new idea of going to Washington and working outside of the beltway. And I think Michael brings that."

But many state politicians within the Democratic Party were surprised that Ritter would pick someone with Bennet's lack of legislative experience and his unfamiliarity with the state outside the Denver area.

"Our concern would be, 'How well does he know our rural issues like agriculture and water?' " said state Sen. Jim Isgar, a Democrat from the southwest Colorado community of Hesperus.

...some wondered if passing over Hickenlooper had something to do with the mayor continually toying with running against Ritter in a gubernatorial primary two years ago. After Hickenlooper finally opted out, he didn't endorse Ritter until two weeks before the November 2006 election.

..."Is Ritter just saying to John Hickenlooper, 'You were going to run against me in the primary, to hell with you,' " said Denis Berckefeldt, a political organizer in Denver and spokesman for City Auditor Dennis Gallagher. "In my mind, this is a slap in the face to John Hickenlooper."

AP (Paulson):

Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams said the seat already was 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...

New York Times:

From the start as schools superintendent, Mr. Bennet did not behave like a traditional educator. He liked to ride the bus with students on the first day of class and made it a point to be the public face of the district in public meetings with parents over some of its most wrenching decisions, like school closings. But he also came armed with a weighty Rolodex full of highly placed friends to personally lobby city officials, state legislators and others for what the Denver schools needed.

"Having a fresh set of eyes for the issues D.P.S. faced, but also being able to call the right people and get the right people involved - both were very important to his success," said the Speaker-elect of the Colorado House of Representatives, Terrance D. Carroll, a Democrat whose district is in Denver.

Politico:

Coloradans responded to the news Friday that Gov. Bill Ritter (D) had appointed Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet as their new senator with a collective "huh?"

"No one really expected this," said one House aide from Colorado.

"Michael Bennet? Seriously?" said Seth Masket, an assistant political science professor at the University of Denver and an expert in local politics, after a reporter broke the news.

Colorado Pols, a popular political website in the state, put it more bluntly in a blog entry: "What the hell?!?"

...Masket said Bennet will "have to educate his constituents really quickly about who he is and quickly attach himself to issues important to the state."

Appointed senators, he said, have "a tough road ahead," when they run for election. "Less than half of them win," he said.

Washington Times:

"The general assumption among the observant class is that there's tremendous bad blood between Ritter and Hickenlooper," Mr. Ciruli said.

At the same time, Mr. Hickenlooper is likely to throw his support behind Mr. Bennet because the two are friends -- Mr. Bennet served for two years as the mayor's chief of staff, and Mr. Hickenlooper enthusiastically backed him for the schools post.

Mr. Hickenlooper declined Friday to comment on the selection, noting that the governor had not yet made the announcement official...

Los Angeles Times

Bennet was viewed as a dark horse candidate in a field of Colorado Democratic luminaries. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, for whom Bennet previously worked as chief of staff, Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette all vied for the post.

Bennet, who has won broad praise for implementing merit pay for Denver teachers and keeping the district's budget in line, would have to run for election in 2010 to keep the seat. Political analysts said that makes his selection a big risk.

"He has no name identification. He's not well-known in Denver," said Floyd Ciruli, a Denver pollster. "The Republicans are now probably pretty ecstatic."

More Rocky Mountain News:

Among Romanoff's supporters was Progressive 15, a coalition of 15 mostly rural counties in northeast Colorado.

The group had written a letter to Ritter on Romanoff's behalf.

"We are disappointed," said Cathy Shull, executive director of Progressive 15.

Bennet is such an unknown in rural Colorado that members initially thought Ritter had appointed one of Republican Sen. Wayne Allard's former staffers, also named Michael Bennett, although it is spelled differently... [Pols emphasis]

Democrat Wally Stealey, a legend in Pueblo politics, said he called the governor's office recently and asked who was being considered.

The reply: Romanoff. Hickenlooper. Congressmen John Salazar and Ed Perlmutter. Former Senate candidate Tom Strickland.

"Michael Bennet was never on the list," Stealey said.

He said he fielded calls all day Friday from angry Democrats.

"We're in total shock," Stealey said. "We don't think he can win the next election. We think he is the wealthy man's candidate."

Other Democrats hailed the choice...

"The secret to humor is surprise."

--Aristotle

Legislators under the dome in Denver are anxiously watching those in Washington, as the Federal government scrambles to prepare a stimulus package in time for Obama's inauguration. Faced with the need to cut another $600 million from their already lean budget, the Assembly is hoping that an infrastructure bill would bring enough money to Colorado to expand Colorado's economic growth and opportunities.

At a press conference today, the Colorado Democrats listed the economy as their top priority for the new legislative session. Even when discussing other key issues such as health care and education, they did so with an eye to the impact on job creation.
Sen. President Groff said that unfortunately there were no sacred cows when it came to the impending cuts, and he expressed regret that at a time when people were likely to be turning to the government for help, it may be necessary to trim programs that would really help them. Nevertheless, the Democrats were optimistic that they could send the Governor new bills that would bring more of Colorado into what incoming House Speaker Terrance Carroll called the "circle of opportunity."

The ripple effect from Federal dollars could be substantial, each billion invested may create as many as 40,000 new jobs. But will that money make it's way to Colorado? If the criteria is on "shovel ready" projects, Sen. Groff said that we could see a lot of it coming our way, but that if the criteria was "needs based" then he thought Michigan, Florida, and California might receive it instead. Either way, the Federal money would be a catalyst and not the solution to our long term problems. For our roadways, Rep. Carroll hinted that legislative leaders, the Governor, and "outside groups" were working to create a "new sustainable revenue source."

Schaffer and Weismann, the Senate and House Majority Leaders, explained that their jobs would be to keep the focus of their caucus on the key priorities, but admitted that many side issues would be folded in. Weismann offered the example, "I'll be back with my death penalty bill." The press questions often explored the side issues, such as liquor sales in supermarkets and payday loans, but the leadership kept framing the answers around the topic of economics, a place where they (perhaps overly optimistically) felt that they had enough of a shared stake with the Republican members that the session can proceed with little partisan rancor. Republican legislators nearby seemed to not share the belief that economic issues are quite so collegial.

Betty Boyd, Sen. President Pro-Tem, spoke to the issue of education, and talked about programs designed to provide workers for high-tech jobs such as a partnered high-school/associates degree program. She also spoke of potential programs to mandate family leave days when employees with children need to attend parent teacher conferences. When the leadership was asked about C.U. President Benson's request that the school be "set free" to raise tuition rates, Sen. Groff suggested that, "They do need some flexibility to stay viable," but then said that there would need to be conversations about what obligations the schools would still be required to fulfil to the state if they were granted more independence.

One questioner asked if Colorado could stem job losses by revisiting our oil and gas rules, and Rep. Carroll said oil industry's claims about the rules were "disingenuous on its face" and a "red herring argument" and pointed to the general drop in oil prices and the lag in the implementation time line as evidence that the rules had nothing like the effect that the corporations were claiming.

Ultimately there are still four branches of Colorado government, the Governor, the Assembly, the Court, and TABOR. By design, what the legislators will be able to do will be shackled by the budget and by what Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid decide to do with United States' credit cards. But the legislative session convenes early this year on January 9th, and the Democrats are already getting ready, because as Sen. Boyd said in the hallway leaving the conference, "Life goes on while were waiting for Washington to act."