Three Down and One to Go: Imagine a Great Appointment
January 5, 2009
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has appointed Michael Bennet, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to be the new United States Senator from Colorado. Bennet, who will fill the seat of nominated Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, is heralded as a great problem solver who will bring 21st-century solutions to government. He has never held nor sought an elected position.
Many political pundits had predicted that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper would be appointed to fill Salazar’s empty seat. Instead, Bennet—Hickenlooper’s Chief of Staff from 2003-2005—has been appointed Senator. Prior to being named Mayor Hickenlooper’s Chief of Staff, Bennet worked for Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz’s investment company.
Denver political pundits recently began to back off their predictions of Mayor Hickenlooper’s appointment allegedly when they read the applicable city ordinance that would require a special election. An appointed Denver Mayor would only serve in such a position until an election could be held to name the permanent replacement. Three city council people were concerned that a “fluke” of a candidate might win such an election. How odd that a haphazard appointment of a United States Senator is considered just fine by the same people who fear a person who could earn the most votes of the general public would prove to be suspect.
Another oddity about the selection of Michael Bennet to the empty U.S. Senate seat involves Mike Miles. Truly a man ahead of his time, Miles once ran as a Democrat for the Senate seat which Salazar is giving up. In 2004, as a former military man, he opposed the war in Iraq. He was so charismatic that he convinced the Colorado Democratic Party at their state convention that he was the best candidate. Currently, Miles is Superintendent of a school district in El PasoCounty, the largest enclave of conservatives in the state. In 2004, he proposed a universal health care plan similar—if not identical—to President-elect Obama’s 2008 plan. As a visionary person of biracial and multicultural descent, he is both transformational and 21st-century—and he was willing to accept the position if it had been offered to him. His supporters communicated their support to the Governor’s office to no avail. Should Miles decide to run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 either as a Democrat or as an Independent, his core supporters will form the type of enthusiastic grass-roots campaign for him that Obama was able to create in 2008.
We await reports of the detailed positions of Michael Bennet on the critical issues facing the country and the Senate. We also look forward to his detailed financial disclosures, which will be particularly important given the trillions of dollars of bailout funds currently being distributed without the slightest oversight. Perhaps when these matters are reduced to writing and made public, it will become clear why Michael Bennet, of all citizens of Colorado, was appointed to this position. We cannot afford to give our elected—or appointed—public servants carte blanche with the future of our country.
—Sherry Seiber
Where is the Outrage?
December 30, 2008
Today, Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois appointed a replacement to fill the vacant seat of President-elect Obama in the U.S. Senate: former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris. Burris has a long history of public service to the people of Illinois, serving not only as AG but as the state’s Comptroller for twelve years. Also a former Vice Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Burris sought the Illinois Democratic gubernatorial nomination a number of times, most recently losing it to Blagojevich. Despite Burris’ impressive record of public service, there is great outrage about this appointment. In fact, U.S. Senate Democrats wrote a letter before the identity of the appointee was known stating they would not seat whomever Governor Blagojevich appointed. These politicians, however, are not concerned about the qualifications, positions on the great issues of our times, or financial disclosures of a person who would be Senator. They said they would not seat a Governor Blagojevich appointee because the Governor has been charged with a crime. Yet the presumption of innocence still applies in this country. Furthermore, the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature failed to agree on a law that would have required a run-off election so the citizens of Illinois could have decided who would fill this vacant seat, reportedly because of concerns a Republican might win such an election.
Meanwhile, the next U.S. Senator from Colorado is about to be appointed by Governor Bill Ritter. It has become an anointment rather than an appointment. There were no applications. There is no requirement for applicants to make detailed public statements on critical issues confronting this nation. There has been and will be no meaningful financial disclosures. Full disclosures from politicians are critical at this time in our history. The recent bailout of financial institutions has resulted in massive cash infusions to specific institutions, some of which are located right here in Colorado.
Where is the outrage from the media, the political pundits, the citizenry regarding this appointment? Perhaps the public can be excused. It is, after all, the holidays. Some people are observing religious traditions, some celebrating the New Year, and others are worried about their families’ future. Voters in Colorado—as well as those in Illinois—have every right to enjoy the holidays trusting their elected officials will do what is right. If only those same officials would do what is right solely for the sake of those same voters rather than for other interests.
Governor Ritter has an opportunity to open up the Colorado Senate seat selection process and take all the time necessary to make this appointment after all interested people have applied for the position and have made their pertinent professional, personal, and financial ties known. Revealing details regarding their positions on critical issues such as the recent bailouts of the financial and auto industries, immigration, or healthcare also would be greatly appreciated.
Asking the public for input about candidates without first revealing these candidates’ names—or their positions, qualifications, and financial disclosures—simply makes no sense. Governor Ritter, prove the people who say the appointment will be made this week—and the choice was made a long time ago—wrong. Make this appointment count for the people this new Senator will represent.