Michael Bennet in U.S. Senate Creates GOP Chance–Not to Be Taken Lightly

Most likely one of the final big stories broken by the Rocky Mountain News: Gov. Bill Ritter names Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet to replace Ken Salazar in the U.S. Senate. Honestly, I never gave this possibility serious consideration.

My initial impressions? Fresh and outside-the-box, obviously. Bill Ritter definitely outperformed his Democratic gubernatorial colleagues in Illinois and New York with their appointments. But Ritter also has rolled the political dice. Besides being pretty good on education reform issues for a Democrat, where does Bennet stand? The next two years of votes on big issues like the Employee Free Choice Act will define him quickly.

While the state and national GOP should be perking up at the opportunity for 2010, they also should be careful not to underestimate Bennet and his wealth, connections, tirelessness, and savvy. That – and the roll-off-the-lips slogan of “Bennet for Senate”.