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February 10, 2009 10:13 PM UTC

Bennet Primary Moves Closer

  • 68 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

According to Roll Call Sen. Michael Bennet may be inching ever closer to a serious primary challenge:

In the weeks since Bennet took office, Colorado Democrats continue to keep an eye on [Andrew] Romanoff – who left office in January because of term limits – to see whether he will challenge Ritter’s hand-picked successor.

Romanoff could not be reached for comment Monday, but multiple Colorado sources said there has been increasing chatter in political circles that Bennet will not make it through the 2010 primary without a serious challenge.

“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there was a primary against Bennet,” said Steve Welchert, who heads up a Denver-based Democratic consulting firm. “It would shock me if he wasn’t challenged.”

There’s little question that Romanoff is seriously considering a primary challenge, and he may not be the only one if the rumor mills are correct. This was one of the potential problems that Gov. Bill Ritter created by appointing the unknown Bennet, because it’s hard to believe that another Democrat would have been considering a serious challenge to a more well-known incumbent Senator like Romanoff, Ed Perlmutter or John Hickenlooper.

If Bennet does get ousted in a primary in 2010, the irony in all of this is that it is Ritter who will be severely weakened. A more well-known Democrat might be tougher to beat in a general election than Bennet, which would highlight Ritter’s mistake to begin with.

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68 thoughts on “Bennet Primary Moves Closer”

  1. I like Bennet, I really do…but if I’m looking at a ballot with him and Romanoff side by side, I’m probably voting for AR.

    I’ve got to think this would be a huge gamble for Romanoff though.  What is he going to run on?  Do he and Bennet actually disagree on policy?  Or is this just a personality thing?  “I’m more interesting than Ritter’s appointee so vote for me” doesn’t seem like a winning argument.  Of course he’s got his four years as Speaker too…

    AR has an obviously bright future…but if he runs and loses to Bennet, that would be a major blow…

    1. The reaction to Romanoff at county party reorgs is proving his popularity among the people who would decide a primary.  These voters know who he is, like him and his legislative accomplishments, and may appreciate a chance to have a say in who represents them in DC.  I’d obviously support Andrew, with no disrespect to Bennet.

      2. This looks like a union drive to intimidate Bennet.

        He should understand that a vote against workers in favor of the union goons will cost him.

        And it looks like AR is allowing the union goons to use him to intimidate  both Ritter and Bennet.

        Fun to watch.

              1. I, for one, am not affiliated with a union, and nobody is asking, forcing, or “allowing” me to comment here.  I’m just a Dem who appreciates enthusiasm in the party.  I do solemnly swear.  Faithfully.

    2. Obviously Bennet’s YES or NO vote on EFCA cloture is key. If YES he loses business support, if NO he loses labor support.

      Now I know there are some out there (most of you) who will say I’m wrong. Well unfortunately regardless of the outcome, business and the non unionist sects are watching the cloture vote.

      I know you’ll prove me wrong when some spineless douche from the pro corruption crowd is quoted in the paper using smoke and mirrors to sell the far left and right on Bennet’s centrist positions.  

          1. …at least as far as EFCA happening.  I think Romanoff is a winner, too.  One of my favorite Dems.

            You think there will be a primary?

            I’ll bet everything gets worked out ahead of time.  I really can’t imagine the Dems wanting to give that seat back to us (as great as it would be).  I’d think a primary like that might give us more of a chance at the seat.

            1. If there were a primary on the Dem side there would be a lot a media coverage of the Senator that is so unknown. You can’t but that kind of media.

              However, there is the downside that he could also lose the primary so the added attention would be for naught.

              1. I imagine it would be one of the more expensive primary campaigns in Colorado history.

                With only so many usual fundraising targets to go around, and with so many newly registered Democrats potentially voting in the primary, the media blitz would be incredible.

                1. The CD-2 primary pulled in money but it wasn’t that much compared to the totals spent across the country. And it didn’t get that much attention because there wasn’t much of a policy disagreement between the candidates.

                  1. There were only three districts that pulled in more money than the 2nd…and they had competitive general elections.  It was easily the most expensive House primary of the cycle…

                    1. Yes it was an expensive primary, even if you don’t count Jared’s self funding. But it was still a small drop in the total dollars spent scross the election season.

        2. Ernie Duran will put a freak on Bennet and Udall; a freak the likes of a short-term jail house ‘romance’.

          I just can’t imagine what Udall’s check-in/check-out process would do to the UFCW choke hold at King Soopers, et. al.

          Oh yes I can, it would give them choice, but probably not the choice that Right-to-Work might provide.

    3. I am sure Bennet is a nice guy.  But I have not impressed by what we’ve seen so far. I get that he did some bold things @ DPS. But that aint’ enough for me to warm up to the guy. I have much respect for Romanoff and what he did for this state…Ref C, leading the Dems out of the wilderness, etc. He’s also a hoot to talk to. Bennet is kinda dry and I don’t think will make a very good campaigner.  

  3. A win by Bennet would prove his political chops and a win by Andrew would send a popular state lawmaker to Washington.

    I have to agree with Dabee though, Bennet seems impressive, and I’ll be looking to his votes during the next 2 years, but in a primary like that I’d be voting for Romanoff, and most likely volunteering for him as well.

    2. A “spirited (and not mean-spirited)” primary?

      These are Democrats we’re talking about.

      The only saving grace is that the Republicans don’t have anybody.

  4. A primary between these two is awesome!

    In fact, I’ve been talking to both of them, and you should hear the horrible shit they have been saying about each others’ mothers!!!

    I’m really afraid that it might be a really nasty, expensive primary!

  6. I met Sen Bennet at Arapahoe, but I have always believed that Andrew Romonaoff is the best representative of Colorado in the US Senate.

    Andrew said he hasn’t decided.

  7. It appeared as thought President Obama played at least some role in Ritter’s selection of Bennet (remember, he was a finalist for Sect’y of Education).  If Obama wanted Bennet there in the first place, it is likely he’d like to keep him in the Senate.  I’d bet within the next 6-8 months Obama will be doing some fundraising for Bennet and that could well quash any potential primary from Romanoff or anyone else.

    1. I can see how some Dems would want to take him on.  People like Romanoff worked their butts off in their positions, and higher office is the natural progression for smart hardworking pols.  When someone cuts in front via appointment for no apparent reason, it puts both parties at a disadvantage: the people who have come to like Romanoff feel that he’s been betrayed and that the new guy is being shoved down their throats, and the new guy doesn’t have any real base to work off of except for….well, Ritter I guess.  

      1. Romanoff has options, but it’s ludicrous to imagine he’ll “announce sooner.” Democrats are still getting used to a Sen. Bennet, but the selection process was quiet and quick, it was nothing like the divisive, destructive 5th CD primary of 2006.  

      2. if I am correct in my assumption that Bennet’s primary supporter is Obama.  The “no apparent reason” you refer to could well be, “Obama wanted him, so Obama got him”, and if that is the case, Romanoff wouldn’t be doing himself any favors taking on Bennet…

        1. The president isn’t stupid–he won’t intervene in a primary especially when he sees that Romanoff has 100 percent support among Democratic activists, people he needs to work for him in 4 years.

          1. But there’s where you’re wrong.

            Obama will already have the support of the radical Dems.  It’s the middle he needs, and Bennet might be the guy to draw them in, especially in Colorado.

            2. I don’t see a scenario where the middle Dems abandon the person they know and love, who has worked on local issues for years, and has a huge resevoir of good will for someone who was hand picked by Ritter and Obama, both of which are “new” when compared to someone like Romanoff.

              If Romanoff announces and Obama comes after him (either directly or indirectly), how does that help Obama with the base here?

                1. or out, or whichever one suits your fancy. A legitimate primary between Romanoff and Bennet would be expensive, ugly, and leave the Colorado Democratic Party in tatters, with no money, credibility, or infrastructure to mount what will surely be an expensive and tight general election campaign. The Dems have almost 60 seats in the senate now. The census will be handled by the next governor. That’s what’s important, and even if Romanoff didn’t see this (which I’m betting he does, because he is a smart guy), the CDP & DSCC would put the brakes on this before it got anywhere. On no level can or will this happen.

                  Bennet wasn’t my first choice, but a primary doesn’t solve anything.

                    2. Is the far left ever not angry?

                      Just wait until Bennet votes against EFCA.  Then you’ll be angry.  

                    4. reliably honest.  I’m sure you and I oppose each other on 95% of things, but you are definitely your own person, and I really respect that.

                    5. the compliment, LB.

                      I tend to be a raving liberal on social issues, I’m fairly moderate on fiscal issues and damned near Atilla the Hun on crime and punishment issues….

                    6. I don’t see a primary between the two as being destructive for Democrats.  Given the Democratic activitist’s anger over Bennet and such, I would think it would be easier for Republicans to run against him.  If Romanoff were the nominee, he’d beat any of the Republicans who are thinking about running for the seat.  So why would the Dems want to get behind the weaker of two candidates for the sake of avoiding a primary to pass over someone who would have a better chance of winning the seat?

                      There is a reason why Republicans became excited when Bennet was named.

                    7. Has shown Bennet ahead of all the likely candidates. I think either candsidate could beat the Republican field. It’s just not that strong.

                      My argument against a primary is that it makes Ritter look bad, and it further weakens an already weak Governor.

                      Either way, if you’re a Republican, all this scuffling around and haranguing must be delightful to watch.  

                    8. It’s not as delightful as you might think; only because you guys have a strong candidate like Romanoff (and another like Hickenlooper) that’s getting passed over for someone like Bennet.  You guys are having to settle for someone that you don’t really love for the sake of protecting someone who has poked you in the eye.

                      I would love to have a Republican equalivilant to Romanoff or Hickenlooper, but at this point we really don’t.  Why not go with who is best instead of protecting someone like Ritter?  

  8. nope, nope, nope.  It’s too problematic in so many ways.  And he really can’t bitch about the process by which Bennet was selected given that Romanoff was pleading to become a beneficiary of that process before he was rejected.

    1. I’m a big fan of Andrew Romanoff. Honestly, I would most likely vote for the man in a primary election, but you have it exactly right Jambalaya. If there’s not a huge ideological gap between the two, then what reason is there to run other than sour grapes?

      Anyway, it’s not like he’s going anywhere. He can always run for something else.

      1. Andrew Romanoff lacks the guts to run. Even if he had the guts he could not raise the money to mount an effective challenge.

        Chances of Romanoff actually running are zero.

  9. Since we’re on the subject of Senate primaries, anyone following the Louisiana Republican primary? What started as a joke may turn real – Stormy Daniels running against Vitter.

    What’s interesting is watching her in this interview – she comes across very well, much better than Caroline Kennedy.

    Granted she’s a movie star so she should do well on camera. But she does well answering the questions too. I think if she runs they’ll easily have the most entertaining race.

    Maybe we could get someone like that to challenge Lamborn…

  10. I’m just throwing this out there, and have no idea how solid these rumors are.

    Diana DeGette has recently hired a political director/potential campaign maanger. I haven’t looking into it, but I am told the last time she went outside of personal clutch of staffers was when she ran for Congress to begin with.

    So, some are seeing this as a prelude to a run for something other than CD1 in 2010.

    If DeGette were to get it in her head to challenge Bennet, than that would free up CD1 for Romanoff. Personally, I see this as a more likely scenario than Romanoff challenging a sitting Senator from his own party.

    Again, just a theory. Can’t even say it’s backed up by credible roumors yet.

      1. that DeGette is not a viable statewide candidate.  Either Bennet OR Romanoff better options than Degette for Senate.  It would be nice if an appointment got her out of the way and opened up CD1 for Romanoff, though.

    3. Even any preliminaries by DeGette are worth keeping an eye on since we now know she’s looking beyond CD-1. And certainly no-one in the state party could push her out of it if she decide to get in.

      That said, I think only Diane DeGette’s ego is the only entity in Colorado that thinks she could go state-wide.

      Is it possible that she needs a new political director to help her angle for some new leadership position or something? It’d be worth it to find out who this person is, what their background is, etc., etc.

      1. We do?

        Your last paragraph is probably more to the point, now that she’s in a more powerful position.

        And about those rumors Gary Hart is going to come out of retirement to challenge Bennet …

        1. She said so herself, remember?

          http://coloradopols.com/showDi…

          Not to say that she would actually get in it, but her previous announcement, and now the new political director/campaign manager (depending on who they are, etc.) is enough to give me pause at least.

          Hey, and if nothing else it gives us more reason to make fun of DeGette and her senate-sized ego.

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