Why did Obama meddle in the Bennet/Romanoff primary?

[brentspeak]

This wasn't a general election -- a Democrat needing vital support against a Republican. This was a state Democratic primary, something that Obama had no real business involving himself in. There were even Colorado Democrats who specifically requested that Obama stay away from the fray -- requests which Obama completely ignored as if they weren't even made. And just like in Arkansas, where he supported corporatist Blanche, Obama felt compelled to robocall and raise funds on behalf of whoever wasn't the establishment candidate. Bennet's not as bad as Blanche Lincoln, but he's not nearly as good as Romanoff, whose vow not to take money from corporations and Wall St. if elected Senator apparently made New Democrat Obama uncomfortable.

[tridim]

1. Because he is an incumbent with a 100% Democratic voting record.

[Powdered Toast Man]

2. +1

[niyad]

5. you do know he was appointed to replace salazar, don't you? what do you think about the

story about the denver schools debacle? is THAT the kind of person obama should be supporting?

or how about him being caught on camera, voting no on consumer protection--and only switching his vote to yes when it was clear the measure was going to fail?

[tridim]

6. Of course I do. I voted for Romanoff.

My post was about why Obama supported Bennett.

[fogonthelake]

18. As you know, Bennet is a close friend of Arne Duncan.

[karynnj]

23. The school story is more complicated than it appears

The same thing happened in NJ with some state funds. Corzine approved something very similar and something that at the time it was entered into stood to save the state money on interest. Corzine had many flaws - but he was a very savvy, successful Wall Street man, who in the Senate and as Governor showed that he was a genuine liberal.

As to Senators changing their votes - it happens all the time. I have seen the best of Senators do it - often immediately after they voted. That is why before they give the tally, they always ask if there are Senators who want to change their vote.

[brentspeak]

9. 100% Democratic voting record?

Doesn't look like it:

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=28968&can_id=110942

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=30364&can_id=110942

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=30613&can_id=110942

[tridim]

11. There is more information in the overview..

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=110942

Looks like he voted yes on all the major Democratic legislation, and no on some amendments.

[brentspeak]

13. In other words, it looks like he didn't have a "100% Democratic voting record"

The amendments were vital legislative additions, proposed by Democrats, that Bennet helped nix.

[karynnj]

25. By your definition is there a single Senator who has a 100% Democratic record?

Not to mention, how do you define an amendment as Democratic?

[scheming daemons]

3. Because the President supports those Senators that voted with him

That's what Presidents do.



And *EVERY* candidate, when they're starting out, vows not to take money from corporations. It's meaningless.

[brentspeak]

4. Cite a single claim from Bennet that he vowed not to take money from corporations

Ball. Court.

[scheming daemons]

7. "when they're starting out" is the key phrase.... also... dont be so naive

Romanoff.. as a Senator.... would take money from interest groups. He just would.

[brentspeak]

10. Uh, let's go back

Back to the part where you said:

And *EVERY* candidate, when they're starting out, vows not to take money from corporations.

So where did Bennet ever make the claim that he would refuse to take money from corporations? You have as many years as you need to come up with the answer.

[Jennicut]

8. I don't know, why did Woodrow Wilson, FDR and Truman do it?

Some Presidents have been hands off and some have been more active in primaries.

[brentspeak]

12. Wilson and FDR supported the more progressive candidates

And Truman didn't involve himself heavily in Democratic primaries during his time as President.

[JI7]

14. shouldn't Obama endorsing Bennet helped Romanoff ?

considering nobody likes Obama ?

[golfguru]

17. Most democrats like Obama

so his backing Bennet must have helped.

[Aramchek]

15. Obama actually wants to win this seat.

[fogonthelake]

16. Bennet is a friend of Arne Duncan and supports his RTTT et. al.

[lillypaddle]

19. Now I've heard it all

I wish. sheesh.

[babylonsister]

20. Your first mistake is thinking Obama is 'meddling', but then again,

coming from you, that's not a huge surprise.

He's allowed to support whomever he wants. Seems it might have worked, whether you like it or not.

[karynnj]

21. Where is your parrallel criticism for Clinton backing Romanoff, Lincoln and Coakley?

In addition, you are reaching when you claim that it was Romanoff's vow not to take money from corporations and Wall Street. Romanoff clearly was at a huge disadvantage in terms of money. This might be an example where the real problem is that there is still far too much big money in elections - and it is far easier for an incumbent to raise money. However, going forward - as Bennett is the candidate, the "Wall Street" bit is over played in terms of where Bennett got his money.

If you care to look at open secrets, only a small portion of Bennett's money comes from PACs - and little of that is from Wall Street.

The fact is that only 17% of Bennett's money is from PACs, and only $40,000 of that came from the "securities and investment" industries. (It looks like a fifth of PAC money is from "leadership PACs - which is money from Democrats who have leadership PACs to help other Democrats. ) http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00030608&cycle=2010 and http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2010&cid=N00030608&type=I

[WI_DEM]

22. He meddled in this primary and won and meddled in other primaries and lost as others have

gleefully pointed out on DU. He is the leader of the party and if he wants to meddle he can. FDR did it in 1938 and other presidents have as well.

[Dinger]

24. Maybe This Is A Trend

Eliminate primaries, or Endorse (Like a coronation) a yes-man in a Democratic primary. What bullshit.

[phleshdef]

26. Because he has the right to do so, whether you like it or not.

So get the fuck over it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

27. Because Bennet is a sitting Senator who supported Obama on some tough votes

Apparently President Obama looks out for his friends.

[WI_DEM]

28. Just to piss you off.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

29. I guess the president in power tends to support imcumbents?

I guess?