The chronic inability of Colorado’s appointed U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to take a position on the union card check bill (also known as EFCA) has moved deep into the realm of bizarre self-parody. It’s a political joke that has lasted so long that the label of “Both Ways Bennet” has been branded permanently on his (hopefully brief) career.
A member of the Denver Post editorial board, Chuck Plunkett observes that the long-awaited seating of Al Franken as Minnesota’s U.S. Senator has once again ratcheted up the pressure that EFCA could come to a vote and force Michael Bennet into the uncomfortable position of, well, having to take one:
I’ve asked Bennet’s office whether he wants to come on with his position on card check. (We oppose it.)
As observers are aware, he’s been more than coy on the question, and our board is among those who’d love to know where Bennet, who faces re-election in 2010, stands on this important question.
Update: Bennet’s office says the senator isn’t prepared to comment at this time. So we’ll keep waiting.
Then again, Michael Bennet still isn’t quite ready. It’s been nearly six months we’ve waited thus far. What’s a few weeks more at this point? In honor of the never-ending saga, here’s a quick trip down memory lane 2009 for Mount Virtus readers:
- (January 13) Less than Independent Michael Bennet Invites Fresh, Articulate GOP Opponent
- (February 5)Is This How John Sweeney Will Convince Michael Bennet to Kill the Secret Ballot?
- (February 10) Growing Labor Clout Puts Michael Bennet in Bind Over Card-Check Bill
- (March 3) Will Colorado Democrats Really Line Up and Bow to Big Labor on Card-Check?
- (March 5) Study: Union Card-Check Could Cost Thousands of American Jobs
- (March 24) Card Check Bill’s Fading Prospects a Relief for Colorado’s Michael Bennet
- (April 16) Months Later, Michael Bennet Still Vacillating Over Union Card-Check Bill
- (April 22) Democrat Numbers Show Door Wide Open for Challenge to Michael Bennet
- (April 28) Which Nickname Should Honor Michael Bennet’s Ongoing Indecision?
- (May 5) Colorado Union Goon to Republican Operative: “You Gotta Delete That”
- (May 8 ) Is George McGovern Michael Bennet’s Way Out of Card-Check Indecision?
- (May 11) The Evidence Mounts Against EFCA, and Michael Bennet Still Can’t Decide
- (May 22) Big Labor Ramps Up Pro-EFCA Efforts with Biased Report, Religious Lobbyists
- (June 10) Harmful Card Check Bill Union Cash Cow, Michael Bennet Still Undecided
The beat goes on.
[…] with all such townhalls, this one was strictly formatted and the questions for Back-and-Forth Bennett were given to him in advance to reduce the possibility of unfortunate gaffes and/or departures from […]