Did Gov. Bill Ritter have a Jay Gatsby moment when he appointed Michael Bennet to Colorado’s vacant U.S. Senate seat?
Like the fictional protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” Ritter grew up far from the natural advantages of the elite. Was Ritter drawn to the siren’s song of privilege and ease when he eschewed overwhelming public support for Andrew Romanoff? What else explains his choice?
Like Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, our governor could have selected a placeholder to fill Ken Salazar’s vacant seat until the 2010 election. He could have chosen a senior statesman such as Gary Hart or Gail Schoettler with a promise not to seek election. A thoughtful placeholder would follow President Barack Obama’s lead, making the tough votes on controversial issues without looking squeamishly at the 2010 election or playing pander bear to big-buck contributors.
Instead, Ritter appointed a little-known dark horse with neither elective experience nor a public record. The public was stunned, politicos incredulous and the governor’s reputation for not listening to constituents and being politically tone deaf took another hit.
Former state Speaker of the House Romanoff’s primary challenge offers Colorado Democrats a choice they deserve to make. Party machinery — from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to local chairs tasked with raising money to re-elect local incumbents and deep-pocket special interests — hate primaries. Thus, it’s no surprise the usual suspects are wringing their hands over anything but a Democratic Party coronation.
However, Romanoff’s primary challenge has already paid off. Bennet in late August was decidedly ambivalent (an oxymoron) about health care reform’s public option, stating that it must not “unfairly” compete with private insurance nor resemble Medicare. With Romanoff entering the race, Bennet quickly recalibrated. By Sept. 1, Bennet stated his support for a public option.
Bennet has yet to take a position on the Employee Free Choice Act. Romanoff says he supports the bill but wants to preserve the secret ballot.
In April, a pro-American Banking Association vote found Bennet joining 11 Democratic colleagues in defeating a measure giving bankruptcy judges the power to modify home mortgages. The legislation might have preserved $300 billion in home equity and prevented 1.6 million bankruptcies nationwide.
A vigorous primary will undoubtedly force Bennet to explain to Coloradans a vote calling his judgment and priorities into question. In July, Bennet joined 20 Senate Dems in supporting the National Rifle Association’s failed attempt to gut local gun control laws. By contrast, Romanoff played a key role in passing thoughtful gun control legislation after Columbine. Without a primary, Bennet might never have to explain his vote for the gun lobby and against Coloradans.
Last year’s protracted Obama-Hillary Clinton primary boosted turnout, informing and energizing voters. A spirited Senate primary between two very different candidates will have an equally positive impact on the 2010 U.S. Senate race.
Game on!
Susan Barnes-Gelt (sbg13@ ) served on the Denver City Council and worked for Mayor Federico Peña. She is a consultant to local architectural and development companies.
