Dem says Bennet has 'the goods' to win in 2010

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 7, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Sen. Ken Salazar's would-be replacement, Denver Public Schools chief Michael Bennet, might be a political rookie heading into a hard-fought 2010 election, but "he's got the goods" to win, according to the man who oversees the national U.S. Senate battleground for Democrats.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, praised Bennet's selection on Tuesday, despite political analysts - both Democratic and Republican - who called Gov. Bill Ritter's appointment of Bennet risky.

Was Bennet the strongest person Ritter could have appointed? Many had expected him to tap better-known Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper or a political veteran.

"I'm not going to compare. He was a very strong choice, and we're very pleased with it," Schumer said. "I spent an hour with him yesterday, and the guy's got the goods."

Schumer made his comments after a reception for Sen. Mark Udall, who will become Colorado's senior senator after just a few weeks on the job if Salazar is confirmed to be Interior secretary, as expected.

Salazar is expected to resign his seat after being confirmed.

Senior senators often help their newly elected colleagues learn the ropes in the Senate. But Udall is a newcomer himself.

"Mark has had great experience. He's a great learner. He's a great listener. I'm not worried about that," Schumer said. "I'm glad that Mike Bennet has such a great teacher as Mark."

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