Ritter Appoints Michael Bennet to Senate

Ritter announced Friday that Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael (NOT Bill) Bennet would be filling Ken Salazar’s vacant Senate position. This appointment came as a shock to many, including myself, as Bennet is relatively unknown outside Denver and has never held elected office before. Although Bennet defiantly lacks legislative experience, he looks good on paper. He graduated from Yale Law School and went on to make bank as a corporate restructuring specialist. Bennet first served as an aide to Denver Mayor Hickenlooper, and proceeded to takeover Denver public schools in 2005. Bennet appeared to be the black horse in the competition for the vacancy, as he was up against Andre Romanoff, Ed Perlmutter, and John Hickenlooper, all who have more legislative experience than Bennet. While it is hard to say whether or not he was a good appointment so soon after the decision, many feel he was a risky choice for the Democratic Party. While his stance on education is somewhat well known- Bennet was among those who advised Obama on education- many voters have never even heard of him. His lack of a public image and legislative experience will make it difficult for him to be reelected in 2010. Bennet will have to work hard (and spend harder) to convince Colorado voters who have never seen his name on ballots. Overall, I think that Bennet was probably one of the riskier choices for the open Senate position, but he seems like an intelligent guy who is capable of upholding his Senate obligations.