The 'Patients First' rallies held last week in protest of Pres. Barack Obama's health care reform plan demonstrate a growing skepticism about the federal government's designs for a near complete overhaul of one-fifth of the nation's economy. The rapid collapse of the "cash for clunkers" program is also a reminder of politicians' continuing inability to predict the cost of public benefits, and their ready willingness to let populism drive the push for even more spending.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: Michael Bennet
Follow this topic by RSSErnest Luning on the Bennet-Romanoff primary
Colorado Statesman staff writer Ernest Luning helps deconstruct the primary challenge by former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff to incumbent U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. The President recently visited Denver to raise cash for Bennet, but is 2010 the year for grassroots campaigns to best their establishment opponents?
Play audio - 13:20 minutes
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2/4: Bennet and the national debt
Is Sen. Michael Bennet for or against growing the national debt? It depends, what day is it?
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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Michael Bennet supports 'health care reform,' at all costs
Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet says he'll support Pres. Barack Obama's push for so-called "health care reform," even if it means losing next year's election. Does his position put him at odds with his constituents?
Play audio - 10:24 minutes
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U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet on the health care bill
FTS takes a critical listen to remarks made by junior U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet on the Senate floor this week. Of particular interest: Bennet's assertion that the bill will actually reduce the federal deficit, a claim made in a recent CBO report that's engineered to Democrats' benefit.
Play audio - 35:20 minutes
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9/9: Romanoff to primary Bennet
Will Sen. Michael Bennet see a primary challenge in 2010?
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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8/14: One Republican who isn't running for Senate
Finally, a campaign announcement that makes some sense!
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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FTS Humor: Can you hack it?
Face The State Humor
August 10, 2009The Denver Post reported recently that resumes had poured in for the vacant assistant press secretary position for Colorado Senate Democrat caucus. A highly-placed mole at the state capitol has relayed to us a transcript of one of the interviews.
The scene: A lazy Tuesday afternoon, where State Senate President Brandon Shaffer reads through some resumes, feet on his desk.
During August recess, Congress should take Americans' pulse
August 3, 2009Political cartoon for 7/27: Schumer & Co.
Face The State Humor
July 27, 2009
The Washington Post's Dana Milbank reports Colorado's appointed junior U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet sought permission from New York's Chuck Schumer before voting "yes" on a measure last week that would have strengthened rights to carry concealed weapons across state lines. Who's really calling the shots for Colorado's Senate delegation?
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 7/20/09 - Big money in health care, elections
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver about health care "reform" and legislative unintended consequences; plus, campaign finance reports are in, with a few surprises.
Play audio - 13:11 minutes
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Ballot initiative would neuter 'card check' in Colorado
A Face the State Staff Report
July 14, 2009
Unions have challenged the language of a ballot initiative that would amend the Colorado Constitution to guarantee employees' right to a secret ballot in unionization elections. Meanwhile, legislation is pending before Congress that would remove that requirement from federal law.
Bennet lunches in Mass. with U.S. Senator from Penn.; RSVP to D.C.
July 13, 2009
Freshman U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Denver, is busy amassing cash ahead of next year's general election. His next campaign stop: Martha's Vineyard.
Two new GOP entrants for U.S. Senate
A Face the State Staff Report
July 3, 2009
The Republican field vying to challenge U.S. Senator Michael Bennet next year has swelled with the introduction of two political newcomers.
Udall and Bennet name Habas to short list for federal bench
A Face the State Staff Report
July 2, 2009U.S. Senators Mark Udall, D-Boulder, and Michael Bennet, D-Denver, have forwarded to Pres. Barack Obama their list of recommendations for two federal judicial vacancies in Colorado. Among the six names is Denver District Judge Christina Habas, known recently for her ruling that Ritter's mill levy freeze amounted to an unconstitutional property tax increase.
OpenSecrets launches Facebook application
June 22, 2009At Face The State we're big fans of databases, government primary documents and open records. One of the best sources for information on political contributions and campaign finance is OpenSecrets.org, the nonpartisan online guide that tracks money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Recently, the site launched a Facebook application that allows users to view top donors and donations to their U.S. Senators and Representatives, targeted by zip code.
Bennet would take 'PayGo' one step further?
June 9, 2009President Barack Obama announced today he will push for the codification of "pay as you go" rules for Congress, requiring any new entitlement spending or tax cuts be offset by higher taxes or spending reductions. The plan exempts "discretionary" spending, nearly 40% of the federal budget, but junior U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet supports the PayGo principle for "any legislation that creates new spending, investments or programs," according to a spokesman.
Bennet failing to establish distinct voice in Washington
June 8, 2009Last month, Colorado U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall sent out a total of nine joint press releases, a sign of teamwork or dependency, depending on your perspective. Former U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard, a Republican, and Ken Salazar, a Democrat, sent out the occasional joint press release, but they were nowhere on par with Bennet and Udall’s shared communications.
6/5: No love between unions, Ritter
Will big labor stand to back Gov. Bill Ritter for re-election?
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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Statewide candidates' personal financial disclosures
June 4, 2009While elected officials and candidates are required under Colorado law to file personal financial disclosures with the Secretary of State, that information is not made available online. They are, however, public documents. As such, Face The State is posting this information on the Web as a public service.
State law requires those holding or seeking state office report sources of income as well as certain assets and liabilities. A major reason for requiring such disclosure is to aide the public in identifying potential conflicts of interest.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 6/1/09
FTS visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver for an extended update on state politics. Up this week: U.S. Senate hopeful Cleve Tidwell and Democrat incumbent Michael Bennet have very different campaign styles - and Bennet's brings in a heck of a lot more campaign cash. Gov. Bill Ritter faces some tough choices on legislation before Friday, and CU socks students with a new, $70 "Forever Buffs" fee.
Play audio - 30:03 minutes
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Political cartoon for 5/31: Bennet's out-of-state dough
Face The State Humor
May 31, 2009
A Denver Post analysis of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's first quarter fundraising shows less than half of his donations came from Colorado. Face The State cartoonist Milton asks, who needs in-state support when New York and California can deliver the goods?
FTS on 1100 KNZZ: State politics wrap-up
Face The State visits with 1100 KNZZ weekend host Rick Wagner to discuss state politics and elections. This week: Junior U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet posted strong first-quarter fundraising numbers, but out-of-state interests like him better than his own constituents; Gov. Bill Ritter risks losing the support of union bosses in his re-election bid, and U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette takes aim at the oil and gas industry.
Play audio - 17:39 minutes
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Chris Dodd and Michael Bennet have something in common: out-of-state interests like them better than their own states
May 28, 2009
Read More 'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 5/26/09 - Ritter's $1,200 greeting card; Dem intern goes GOP
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver. Up today: Gov. Bill Ritter's administration spends over $1,200 on a self-congratulating sign at a one-month roads project in Denver, and junior U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet is a little too excited about the stimulus package. Also, a Democrat state capitol intern switches parties after seeing the legislative process first-hand.
Play audio - 16:27 minutes
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5/22: Bennet still mum on big issues
Even nine-year-olds know Sen. Michael Bennet isn't fond of making decisions.
Play audio - 1:00 minutes
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National media recognizes Bennet’s vulnerability
May 14, 2009We know it. You know it. And now CNN is admitting it.
In an analysis of 2010 U.S. Senate races across the nation, CNN specifically cites Colorado’s freshman U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat, as someone who could face a tough race.
Tidwell announces 2010 run for Senate
May 8, 2009
At a Thursday press conference held on the Auraria campus in Denver, Republican businessman Cleve Tidwell formally announced his 2010 bid for U.S. Senate.
Tidwell 'making some sort of announcement' Thursday
May 4, 2009Cleve Tidwell, Denver businessman and political newcomer, sent out a Facebook message this morning with details for a Thursday event where he plans to announce the results of his exploratory committee for U.S. Senate.