AFSCME backs Bennet

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Politico

The Colorado chapter of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees gave its nod to appointed Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, one day before Bennet faces off against former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in the statewide precinct caucuses.

In a statement today, the union praised Bennet for his backing of the public health care option – a position that has also won the Colorado senator the backing from the Service Employees International Union and other progressive groups.

“Senator Bennet has continuously stood up for us in Washington by championing the public option in health care reform and fighting for critical health care funding, while pushing to create and save jobs across Colorado,” said AFSCME Council 76 President Sharon Bonner. “Since he was called to serve last year, Senator Bennet has continued to put the priorities of Coloradans first and fight for real reform in DC.”

Bennet highlighted health care in accepting the endorsement today. “In Washington, I’m focused on solving problems, not playing politics. I’m glad to have a partner like AFSCME in the effort to reform Washington, get our economy moving and change the untenable status quo on health care" Bennet said in a statement.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34446.html

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Romanoff will get my vote tomorrow at the caucus

and he'll win tomorrow.

Bennet can go fuck off and die. PO letter is a little too late. That's playing politics, not solving a problem. Bennet has done NOTHING since Ritter appointed him. Two peas in a pod.

Romanoff has two of the largest unions in Colorado backing him. AFSME is OK, but usually backs the wrong candidates.

Oh, did I mention that Romanoff has the lead over any Colorado Republicans according to the polls? That includes the fruitcake, Norton.

Bennet is behind on all polls against generic Republicans - not good.

Hawkeye-X

[quiller4]

3. Actually Bennet has improved his position in polling substantially

and Romanoff has declined. SEIU announced their endorsement of Bennet while UFCW and Teamsters back Romanoff.

PPP's polling shows Bennet substantially ahead of Romanoff. Things have turned around substantially since the January Rasmussen poll that had Norton willing handily. Now the two are tied according to PPP and Daily KOS.

[El Supremo]

4. Bennet has done nothing? Here is his nothing:

Michael Bennet cosponsored or sponsored the following bills:

• a bill to reform the filibuster
• a bill to prevent former members of congress from becoming lobbyists
• a bill to fight non-native invasive species that threaten Colorado's land and water supply
• the DREAM Act, giving children of immigrants a path to legal citizenship and a brighter future (S. 729),
• the bipartisan "Troops to Teachers" legislation (S.1932),
• the Federal Stimulus Package which saved the United States from the brink of economic disaster (HR 1),
• a bill to establish the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (S. 1619),
• a bill to honor the Wilderness Act and the conservation stamp (S. Res. 244 and S. 1567),
• a bill to open a national office for Alzheimer's disease (S. 1555),
• a resolution to combat anti-Semitism (S. Con. Res. 11),
• a bill awarding women Air Force pilots with a Congressional Gold Medal (S. 614),
• a bill to increase energy efficiency (S. 1379),
• amendments to improve and support school lunch programs (S. 1343, S. 1226, S. 581, S. 1293, S. 934, S. Res. 67),
• a national apology for slavery and segregation against African-Americans (S. Con. Res. 26),
• a resolution against violence against women using reproductive health services (S. Res. 187),
• a bill to cooperate with the Southern Ute Native American tribe to improve water infrastructure to the area (S. 1264),
• a bill to assist family members who care for veterans, and to waive some of the charges they face from the VA (S. 801),
• bills to preserve and protect Medicare in rural areas and for people with mental illness (S. 801 and S. 1136),
• a bill to strengthen FDA regulations of the tobacco industry (S. 982),
• bills to expand or improve S-CHIP health benefits to low-income families with children (S. 1034 S. 935 HR 2),
• a bill celebrating the 60th Anniversary of NATO (S. Res. 20),
• a bill awarding a congressional gold medal to Dr. Muhammad Yunus for his work against global poverty (S. 934),
• a resolution honoring humanitarian organizer Cesar Chavez (S. Res. 92),
• a bill to make it easier for Energy workers to receive worker's comp benefits (S. 757),
• a bill to make community services more accessible for older Americans and people with disabilities (S. 683),
• a bill to improve reimbursement/compensation to certified mid-wives (S. 662),
• a bill to expand and improve opportunities for public service under the National Community Services Act of 1990 and the National Volunteer Program Expansion (S. 277, HR 1388),
• a bill to offer support services to schools in teaching geography (S. 749),
• a bill to establish a Transitions Program to improve Medicare (S. 1009),
• a resolution honoring the NAACP (H. Con Res.35),
• bills establishing or improving protection of the following national treasures: Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area, Baca National Wildlife Refuge, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Sangre De Christo National Heritage Area, Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests, Arapahoe National Park, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Arapahoe National Rec Area, National Trails System, Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, South Park National Heritage Area (S. 183, S. 191, S. 185, S. 188, S. 190, S. 189, S. 180, S. 186),
• bills to improve or expand services for veterans (S. 423, S. 691, S. 663, S. 546, S. 535)
• and more.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. So? All he did was lend his name on these bill.

He didn't write it. I'm guessing 80% of the bills he sponsored was written by someone else.

Romanoff still has my vote.

Hawkeye-X

[El Supremo]

6. Boy, you are totally unreasonable.

We'll see if Romanoff gets more that 50% tonight. If he doesn't then he may as well quit.

[Esse Quam Videri]

7. Romanoff has my

vote tonight as well.

[Omaha Steve]

2. I'm AFSCME & I vote!

I'm just in the wrong state. :-)

K&R!

[El Supremo]

8. My State House district went for Bennet...

but Romanoff got most others. 51% to 42% so far with 7% uncommitted.

[Hawkeye-X]

9. Now the caucus's over.....

The real work gets started. Andrew's always been viable, and he'll now campaign even harder and boot the useless carpetbagger out.

I'm still laughing over Buck's caucus victory over Norton. They'll still saying BUCK WHO?

Hawkeye-X

[El Supremo]

10. Senator Bucko?

Just where is Andrew going to get the money to defeat Bennet? After all, since the SCOTUS ruling, money is everything.

[Robb]

11. More importantly

...where will Romanoff get the money to defeat Buck or Norton?

I'd like to hear him say he'll take PAC money if he wins the nomination. Of course, he'd probably lose his support if he said such a thing.

[Hawkeye-X]

12. *cough* it's not all about the money.

Andrew has VERY strong grassroots support, and I will continue to donate him. He will NOT take PAC money at all whatsoever.

Buck or Norton? They're a fucking joke, and Andrew Romanoff will certainly make an example out of these two schmucks.

[Robb]

14. 50% in a caucus where the opponent stayed in DC isn't a runaway victory for the grassroots.

Remember Mike Miles. And for that matter Pete Coors, who shouldn't have garnered a single vote but got 47% because of one thing: $$.

Opting out of funding in an election that promises to be remotely close is stupid, unless you really don't want to get elected.

[Hawkeye-X]

15. You remember Ken Salazar stole that position from Mike Miles

after Nightmare announced his retirement?

Mike Miles had won his caucus, first name selection on the ballot, and still Ken Salazar stole it because of the name recognition.

Mike Miles would have been a far better candidate than Salazar.

And guess who Miles endorsed? That's right, he endorsed Romanoff.

So I'm still backing Romanoff.

Hawkeye-X

[Robb]

16. Salazar won because of name recognition?

No way. He won because he had the money to capitalize on name recognition. In my opinion.

Coors had better name recognition. He lost because he was an idiot. That it was so close was due to Coors having the money to capitalize on his name recognition.

You can't take money out of the political equation at this point in US history. Back Romanoff, he's a good candidate. But if you have his ear, for crying out loud, tell him to get more money. :)

[El Supremo]

17. Wow! Endorsed by Mike Miles!

:sarcasm:

[Hawkeye-X]

13. Grassroot support, naturally

and Bennet will be exposed for the hypocrite he is - taking PAC money and calling himself working for the people.

Fuck that.

Hawkeye-X