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Debating Tonight: Michael Bennet on Corruption in Washington Debating Tonight: Michael Bennet on Corruption in Washington
(about 1 hour later)
Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, 54, is participating in the Democratic primary’s second debate on Thursday in Miami. He is a moderate who gained national attention after delivering a passionate speech on the Senate floor during a government shutdown.Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, 54, is participating in the Democratic primary’s second debate on Thursday in Miami. He is a moderate who gained national attention after delivering a passionate speech on the Senate floor during a government shutdown.
Mr. Bennet, a former school superintendent of the Denver school system, he has focused heavily on education policy in the Senate. He may be best known for being part of the so-called Gang of Eight: four Democratic and four Republican senators who negotiated a comprehensive immigration proposal in 2013.Mr. Bennet, a former school superintendent of the Denver school system, he has focused heavily on education policy in the Senate. He may be best known for being part of the so-called Gang of Eight: four Democratic and four Republican senators who negotiated a comprehensive immigration proposal in 2013.
[Follow our live coverage of the 2019 Democratic debate, night 2.]
He has made an overhaul of Washington a key part of his platform. Here’s some background.He has made an overhaul of Washington a key part of his platform. Here’s some background.
Since joining the Senate in 2009, Mr. Bennet has expressed frustration about the Citizens United ruling, which allowed for a surge in outside political spending that has significantly raised the cost of running for office.Since joining the Senate in 2009, Mr. Bennet has expressed frustration about the Citizens United ruling, which allowed for a surge in outside political spending that has significantly raised the cost of running for office.
He has argued the ruling, gerrymandering and changes to the 1965 Voting Rights Act have enabled Republicans to play “shutdown politics” and grind the federal government to a halt.He has argued the ruling, gerrymandering and changes to the 1965 Voting Rights Act have enabled Republicans to play “shutdown politics” and grind the federal government to a halt.
He often cites his work on a 2013 bipartisan immigration bill as a case study. The bill passed the Senate but died in the Republican-controlled House without coming up for a vote.He often cites his work on a 2013 bipartisan immigration bill as a case study. The bill passed the Senate but died in the Republican-controlled House without coming up for a vote.
While many candidates have plans to change the rules around campaign finance, Mr. Bennet says he is distinguishing himself by putting a reboot of American democracy at the center of his campaign.While many candidates have plans to change the rules around campaign finance, Mr. Bennet says he is distinguishing himself by putting a reboot of American democracy at the center of his campaign.
Among his priorities: a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, a lifetime ban on members of Congress becoming lobbyists, and a prohibition on political gerrymandering.Among his priorities: a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, a lifetime ban on members of Congress becoming lobbyists, and a prohibition on political gerrymandering.
The Atlantic has called Mr. Bennet’s proposal to ban politicians from lobbying “the most unrealistic proposal in the Democratic presidential primary,” saying it will be difficult to persuade lawmakers “to permanently cut off a lucrative source of their own retirement income.”The Atlantic has called Mr. Bennet’s proposal to ban politicians from lobbying “the most unrealistic proposal in the Democratic presidential primary,” saying it will be difficult to persuade lawmakers “to permanently cut off a lucrative source of their own retirement income.”
The criticism hints at how challenging it could be for a President Bennet to accomplish his other reforms.The criticism hints at how challenging it could be for a President Bennet to accomplish his other reforms.