WASHINGTON — Before accepting the traditionally partisan top job at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Michael Bennet got assurances from all over Capitol Hill that he could carry out the duty without being a bridge burner.
Bennet says he took almost a month to decide whether to take on the role because in part he wanted confirmation, from Republicans in particular, that the job would not imperil relationships he has painstakingly built in four years on Capitol Hill.
“I … wanted to make sure it would not interfere with my ability to work in a bipartisan way in the Senate,” Bennet said in a short, guarded phone interview. “I talked to people on both sides of the aisle about that and became convinced.”
He also wanted to ensure that Guy Cecil, his former chief of staff, stayed at the helm of the staff at the committee because Bennet knew he could work well with him.
Since arriving in Washington in January 2009, Bennet has strived to be viewed as a centrist willing to invite Republicans into his office and sponsor legislation with them.
Bennet’s bipartisan accomplishments include being a member of the “Gang of Eight” — a group of four Republicans and four Democrats seeking solutions on the fiscal crises facing the country. Bennet has also worked with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., on a blueprint to overhaul the tax code and reform entitlements.
Their work has been shipped to the White House and congressional leaders to help guide talks on averting the “fiscal cliff.”
But the former business executive’s fundraising prowess also means his star is rising on Capitol Hill in Democratic circles.
Heading the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee pushes him into a leadership position in his first full term in the U.S. Senate and likely means he’ll get an “A list” committee assignment for the 113th Congress, skipping ahead of many people who have served longer.
Committee assignments should be announced this week.
Bennet points out it will be a boon to Coloradans to have one of their own in leadership. No Colorado senator has served in this capacity since 1985, when Republican Sen. Bill Armstrong did.
“I think it gives me the chance to bring Colorado’s perspective into the discussions about how to move the country forward in a way that’s much harder to do if you’re not in leadership,” he said.
Bennet — who didn’t grant interviews last week to talk about his new position — said he decided to take the job because the committee was helpful to him two years ago. He turned down the same offer in 2010.
The job is a big one: Bennet will likely be expected to raise more than $100 million and defend at least 20 Democrats — including Sen. Mark Udall — facing re-election in 2014.
“It’s going to be a very tough cycle. Others have helped me, and I think it’s incumbent on people to have that kind of help,” Bennet said. “We’re going to have to figure out how to make it work with the other responsibilities I have. I have had hard jobs before that have taken a lot of time.”
Bennet said he doesn’t see this work marring relationships he has painstakingly built with Republicans.
The Republican offices of Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns — also on the Gang of Eight and up for re-election in 2014 — and Alexander did not return requests for comment.
But political observers point out that the 2014 midterms are really more about defense for Democrats to keep their slim Senate majority. It’s unlikely that Bennet would even go after a politically safe senator such as Johanns or Alexander, and would instead focus money and energy to keep seats for people such as Udall, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu or his friend Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.
Bennet hosted a top-dollar fundraiser for Udall on Friday night at a restaurant attached to the Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
To host, Bennet and his wife donated $5,000.
Udall, through a spokesman, said he looked forward to the help.
“Sens. Bennet and Udall have had a great partnership, and certainly Sen. Udall looks forward to continuing that work together on the campaign trail,” said Mike Saccone, a spokesman for Udall. “Like Mark, Sen. Bennet has also won statewide, so having that knowledge in the DSCC will ultimately be a positive thing for Sen. Udall heading into 2014.”
Allison Sherry: 202-662-8907, asherry@denverpost.com or twitter.com/allisonsherry
