The Animas River and the Animas River Trail through Durango were featured locations during Sen. Michael Bennet’s visit to town May 5. That’s appropriate. The health of the river and the quality of its water after last year’s release of an estimated 3 million gallons of acidic mine drainage from the Gold King Mine near Silverton remain question marks in the minds of all who depend upon it for irrigation, recreation, a sizable share of local tourist dollars – and in the case of communities downstream from Durango – drinking water as well.
Bennet, a Democrat who is running for re-election this year, was beaming during a news presentation held on a popular beach on the east bank of the river across from Durango High School. The event highlighted the ongoing effort by a coalition of local and state agencies to monitor water quality in the wake of the spill.
Out of the public eye, however, his mood was more somber. Because of frustration, he said, with the partisan gridlock in Congress and the difficulty in pushing party doctrine aside to cooperate for the common good. And while he didn’t come right out and say so, it was apparent that part of his frustration is likely rooted in his sense that many Colorado voters, in an election year characterized by anger at incumbents, might think that he is just another partisan part of the problem.
That perception, the senator maintains, is mistaken, and to back up his claim he presented a graphic that outlined over 30 instances where he has partnered with Republican senators and House representatives to pass legislation to benefit the nation and the state. Examples include working with Sen. John Thune of South Dakota to secure a provision in the Farm Bill conserving Colorado grasslands that will save taxpayers $200 million, and passing a Senate bill with Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey to protect law enforcement retirement funds from unfair penalties.
He also teamed with Republicans Burr (N.C.), Ayotte (N.H.), Graham (S.C.), Collins (Maine) and Isakson (Ga.) to introduce a bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has helped fund parks and trail projects in Durango from 1967 to the present time.
His willingness to work across the aisle has been tested by the recent declaration by Republican senators that they will not vote to confirm anyone nominated by President Obama to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court caused by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. “I know Merrick Garland, and he is an outstanding choice,” Bennet said, adding that Scalia, always in favor of strict interpretations of the Constitution, would likely not approve of any political tactics that “would, as the late justice put it, willingly impair the Supreme Court.”
Bennet has said more on this issue, and the best place to see and hear his views are on his website, which includes a speech he recently delivered before the Senate. It’s titled “Redlining the Constitution,” and it is an impressive presentation. Colorado voters trying to decide whether Bennet has earned another term would be wise to give it a listen.
