The lead editorial in today's Denver Post states, "Colorado's senators should take a principled stand and vote against the travesty that the Senate health care bill has become."
Now, the Denver Post has traditionally touted conservative themes and has on many occasions taken positions contrary those that I hold. For instance, they endorsed George W. Bush for president - twice. I almost canceled my subscription for that one.
But recently they published an editorial that called for the adoption of a public option in the healthcare bill as the most important vehicle for bringing down costs. And today, they are urging Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall to vote against its passage.
Although one might argue that the Post is only doing this to set up Colorado's two Democratic senators for the inevitable shower of criticism they are about to receive when they vote for the bill, I really don't think that is what is motivating the editors of the Denver Post. I think that they, like me, see this bill as just a horrendously bad piece of legislation. As they succinctly state, "This is a bad bill for the nation It is also a risky bill for Democrats to the extent it fails to achieve some of the goals they have rightly touted - and which the public seems to support. If for no other reason than pure political self-preservation, it would be smart to defeat this bill."
This puts Senator Michael Bennet in a particularly tough situation since he is up for election in 2010 and is facing a primary challenge from popular former Speaker of the Colorado House, Andrew Romanoff. Bennet has recently tried to emphasize his progressive credentials in an attempt to hold onto voters who might be attracted to Romanoff. And while he has publicly criticized the centrist Democrats who won major concessions in the healthcare bill in order secure their vote, he has also stated that he will vote for the bill in its final form. Things could get real interesting in Colorado next year. Stay tuned.