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Sen. Ken Salazar Not Ready to Disengage

Colorado senator Ken Salazar's replacement, Denver schools superintendant Michael Bennet, has been named by Gov. Ritter. But it sounds like Salazar, soon to be Interior Secretary, is having trouble handing over the reins to his successor:

Salazar said Sunday he would like to provide recommendations on filling two vacancies in U.S. District court in Denver as well as picking a new U.S. attorney and marshal before stepping down later this month.

Shouldn't those be Michael Bennet's choices? It's highly unlikely any of those appointments will be made before Salazar's confirmation hearings. Not only that:

Before leaving, Salazar said he'd also like to pass eight bills dealing mainly with wilderness and conservation issues. One would define bans on mining, timber harvesting and new roads and constructions in Rocky Mountain National Park. Another would establish the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.

Someone needs to tell Sen. Salazar it's time to move on.

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  • Display: Sort:
    He is still the Senator, isn't he? (none / 0) (#1)
    by oculus on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 12:08:06 AM EST
    Plus, these guys have sooo many opinions.  See Reid.

    Since Bush has been doing some last minute (none / 0) (#2)
    by nycstray on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 12:24:41 AM EST
    "work", are any of Salazar's moves perhaps to counter or protect the parks/land against something Bush is pushing/pushed through?

    Hmm. (none / 0) (#3)
    by Dalton Hoffine on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 12:29:13 AM EST
    Sen. Salazar is still technically the Senator since his term doesn't expire until 2010 or when he resigns to become Interior Secy. I don't think there's anything wrong with him holding his position until he's confirmed (as Sen. Clinton and Sen. Biden are doing), and pushing through what he'd like.

    That said, I do think it's a little bit offputting to see an outgoing politician do a spree on pet projects and things the last few days before he leaves office. It kind of gives off a feeling of inefficiency and incompetence to me, and yes, ungraciousness to the incoming Senator. He and Bennet see eye to eye on a number of things, though, don't they? Wildlife protection being one of them, I thought. I should really read up more on his and Kaufman's stances.

    I agree he has the right to do all this (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by ruffian on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 09:43:11 AM EST
    But I'm wondering why we haven't heard much from him in the last 4 years if he had all these strong opinions and projects.

    Parent
    Nope, Senator-elect Udall's choices, probably (none / 0) (#5)
    by andgarden on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 08:25:23 AM EST


    Sounds like a little prep work... (none / 0) (#6)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 09:01:09 AM EST
    ...prior to taking the reins at Interior.  Don't see anything wrong with that--and as a Coloradian who fully supports conserving our natural beauty and heritage, I say good for him.  

    Picking a new U.S. attorney? (none / 0) (#8)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Jan 05, 2009 at 10:46:36 AM EST
    Does that mean that Troy Eid is being replaced?  If so, yippee!!!