U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet

Another day, another media outlet puts a target squarely on Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s back. In Stu Rothenberg’s first 2016 forecast, he notes that Democrats are vulnerable in just two states – Colorado and Nevada.  Here’s what the Roll Call wrote:

“Democratic vulnerabilities appear to be limited to just two states. Former Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Michael Bennet’s re-election in Colorado is rated as Leans Democratic. His home-state colleague, Democrat Mark Udall, was defeated in November. And Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid can expect a tough race in Nevada if he seeks re-election. His race is also rated Leans Democratic, as Republicans search for a challenger.”

Lumped into a bucket of vulnerable Senators alongside Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is the last place we would imagine Bennet would like to be going into a tough election. Despite his obvious partisanship as the former head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, he would prefer the unwashed masses view him as a centrist.  Harry Reid?  Notsomuch. That said, after 2014’s liberal bloodbath, Bennet’s vulnerability should come as no surprise.  As the CEO of the Bannock Street Project, which was thought to be unbeatable (yet proven to be entirely beatable), there would appear to be a chink in his armor.  Of course, careful political observers have understood this for some time.  After all, he only won in 2010, arguably definitely the worst year ever for Republicans in Colorado, by less than one percentage point.  That’s after Buck imploded on national television.  That’s with Bennet’s brother serving as editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.

That said, we assume Bennet will be a better candidate this go-round.  Or maybe not.  He will have five years of record to defend.  His model has gone bust.  He may just be as vulnerable as Rothenberg predicts.