Bennet Colorado Win a 'Whew' for Obama

But Tea Party upstart trumps establishment GOP
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 11, 2010 5:24 AM CDT
Updated Aug 11, 2010 6:40 AM CDT
Colorado Win a 'Whew' for Obama
Ken Buck won despite being caught on tape mocking "birthers" in the Tea Party movement.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A collective, though small, sigh of relief could be heard in the White House after incumbent Michael Bennet's victory in a bitter primary battle for US senator in Colorado yesterday. But the picture was not so rosy for status quo Republicans as Tea Party insurgent Ken Buck beat out establishment GOP candidate Jane Norton in the Republican primary. The races reveal that upstart triumphs are far from a certainty, points out the New York Times, but that Republicans are more likely to stray from the establishment.

Yet evens Dems don't have the kind of victory margins that will allow them to ignore those sick of DC business as usual. “We are going to reach out our hand for those independent voters and Democrats who are also fed up with Washington," Bennet said in his victory speech. “It is long past time to cast off the do-nothing, divisive politics of the past and get to work,” he added, sounding as if he had forgotten he was backed by President Obama. (More Michael Bennet stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X