January 13, 2009 02:45 AM UTC

Rep. Salazar Defends Choice of Bennet

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• by: Colorado Pols

Ahead of Sen.-designee Michael Bennet’s visit to Pueblo tomorrow, the Pueblo Chieftain reported over the weekend:

Salazar found himself having to defend Gov. Bill Ritter’s decision to appoint Denver Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to take Sen. Ken Salazar’s seat in Senate. The senator, John Salazar’s younger brother, has been nominated by Obama to head the Interior Department.

Pueblo County Commissioner Anthony Nunez said he was very angry at Bennet’s selection.

“I don’t think we’re going to have anyone representing us (Southern Colorado) except you in Congress,” Nunez said sharply, getting supporting comments from Pueblo City Councilman Ray Aguilera and others.

John Salazar, who had been among those considered by Ritter for the Senate seat, tried to smooth over the complaints, saying he believed the governor acted in good faith.

“I know the governor did what he thought was right and you can be assured that I will do all I can to educate Mr. Bennet about the issues facing our region,” Salazar said. “He has already told me he will be carrying Senator Salazar’s agenda forward.”

Bennet is by all accounts doing a good job on this tour so far, demonstrating an acceptable understanding of regional issues and relating well to surprisingly large crowds in his first-ever public exposure outside Denver. The skepticism expressed by Pueblo officials in this article has been echoed all over the state and is understandable, but months of patient bridge-building by a smart campaign lay ahead. And with most of two years to define himself as a Senate candidate with an actual Senate voting record, he’ll enter the 2010 season in a position closer to incumbency than running for an ‘open’ seat.

We’re not quite ready to declare “this too shall pass” to these or other criticisms of Bennet’s selection, including our own, but we begin to see how they might.