To Democrats, pick shocking, not disappointing

By Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 3, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Democrats are likely to head into the crucial 2010 election with a first-time candidate for the U.S. Senate who is little known outside the Denver area, a possibility that alarms some.

And Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet's jumping over 11 people who had expressed interest in the job will leave some bruised feelings, several analysts and Democratic officials noted.

But most expect those feelings to dissipate rather than leave a divided party staring at a primary battle in 2010. Most said their reaction to Gov. Bill Ritter's surprise appointment for the open Senate seat was one of shock, not disappointment.

"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."

Before Friday morning, most observers believed the contest was between House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Denver interests, particularly the business community, pushed for Hickenlooper, while Romanoff, a Denver Democrat, rallied support from organizations outside the metro area.

No one inside Ritter's decision-making circle commented Friday on the pick.

Not every Democrat was ready to embrace Bennet Friday. Susan Barnes-Gelt, a former Denver City Councilwoman, questioned how many people a Denver-centric educator with no experience in campaigning would appeal to in a statewide race.

She also wondered why Ritter would choose him over Romanoff when the outgoing House speaker had the legislative support that Ritter needs to pass his agenda.

"Here's yet another example of Bill Ritter making a strange choice that reflects nothing but the fact that he has not been listening to an overwhelming number of Coloradans," she said.

Staff writer Daniel Chacon contributed to this report.

The long list

Possibilities for the U.S. Senate appointment included:

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

Outgoing state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff

U.S. Rep. John Salazar

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter

State Senate President Peter Groff

Former state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald

Former state Sen. Polly Baca

Former U.S. Senate candidate Tom Strickland

Former U.S. Senate candidate Mike Miles