Education, intelligence, and competency have returned to America. Thank God.

I'm so sick of hearing about people's freaking comments not getting posted! Oh, whine whine whine, I'm blocked because my comments are just too truthful for your worldwide news organization to withstand so you decided to block me! Shut up, that comment made it through! Just stop, take your socks off, and count a little. 60-150 comments per thread. Thousands of commenters. Hmmm, is it just me or does simple math make it simply unlikely, not conspiracy, that your comment is gonna make it through everytime? You're so freaking ate up with mantra, you guys are making me hate you. For god's sake, you were given a brain for a reason. Breathe. God's in control, right?

Clifford my dog is sitting next me as I read your post, and she's you Challenging you to take a I.Q. with her. She swears that she would score higher.

"Clifford" are you the God of Village Idiots? You sure could be one of it's leaders.

Why show a picture of Salazar?He has the look of a pencil nosed republican to me,and lipless to boot.lmao

Susan = I thinks it's safe to say you will never have the problem Caroline Kennedy is having of being appointed to the Senate. Your a Idiot and couldn't run the surplee machine at 7-Eleven. Stop worrying about Caroline and get hooked on Phonics. Idiot.

This guy does not look really smart.

Good lord you need to get hooked phonics or start posting pictures. Are you on drugs or really this stupid.<<<

Hooked ON Phonics, you nitwit.

It's like this. If you like Obama then he could pick any idiot and you would think it is okay. If you don't like him then nobody will be satisfactory. Personally, I think D.C. is so full of idiots that keep picking more idiots (Kennedy, Emmanuel, Salazaar, etc. etc.) that Obama could put the smartest people in the world there and it won't make any difference. Blago has it right!!! The seats in Congres and the Senate go to the highest bidders anyway. Quit whining and watch the circus continue!!!

I liked Hickenlooper, but an education-centered senator is badly needed. Also, is Salazar a cool name or what?

Amusing how so many of the same people have something negative to say as soon as anything is posted usually without even reading the whole article and certainly with no knowledge of the subject or person involved.

Your faith in your own "intelligence" and "inate ability to know everything" is almost as astonishing as the picture your comments reveal about how sad and pathetic your life must be!

Griff – Nearly dying in Kenya isn't good enough please go back and try again. Good Lord your a Idiot.

If there ever is a man who should stay put it is Michael Bennett. If this whole Obama craze could make me any more upset it is by taking Mr. Bennett out of the Denver Public Schools. I'm not sure why he would even want to be in the middle of liars and thieves. I was really hoping he would say "no" to the appointment and continue to do the wonderful job he's done with in our public schools.

@Perusing-Through…………

THE PLOT THICKENS . . .

Recent report has it that U.S. Senate Chairman & Democrat Harry Reid was also caught on U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's wiretaps trying to pressure Gov. Rod Blagojevich 'NOT' to pick Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Congressman Danny Davis, and Illinois State Legislative Senate President Emil Jones (whom are all Black) to fill President-Elect Obama's U.S. Senate seat.
———————————————————————————————–
Do you have concrete proof of this, if so, this could really be explosive

Clifford, weren't you a crack baby?

Griff……..OMG we can't take any more of your disjointed incoherent ramblings!!!

The guy in the hat is a putz.I think we have a binge drinker here on this ticker.Any agreement?Lets get a blood test.

@Matthew, what do we have a quota system? Do we need to replace an AA Senator(Obama) with another AA(Burris)? A woman(Clinton) with a woman(Kennedy), a Biden with a Biden, and a Hispanic with a Hispanic? What ever happened to the best qualified PERSON? By the way, Hispanic isn't even a race. It was an artificial creation generated by Congress in the 1970's to try to get Spanish speaking people to be qualified for Afirmative Action programs. There is no such thing as the Hispanic race, any more than the German race, Italian race, or Polish race. So what's the Congressional quota for German Americans? Or Swedish Americans? Or Italian Americans? They are just as much a 'minority' as Hispanics. Other than in the US, most Hispanics self identify themselves as Latino or basically descendents of Latin speakers (i.e. the Romans). Before I get blasted by PC liberals, google 'hispanic' first before replying.

@Timothy, Obama hasn't said squat about Gaza because he doesn't have a clue what to do. His total foreign policy experience is the rock tour he took last summer.

Please, CNN set up a TICKER so we can vent regarding Israel..show our support even…..

Texas Teacher: Do you have ANY education whatsoever??

Timohty = Mr Obama becomes President of the United States on Jan. 20th at noon, until then your it's sitting President is still in charge. By the way what has he or any member of his staff had to say? Stop being a Idiot.

Troy C = Very bright man.

Griff = Good lord you need to get hooked phonics or start posting pictures. Are you on drugs or really this stupid.

Salazar has been a disappointment to so many–it's time for his blandness to go. I think Ritter has had a mistake in appointing someone with little name recognition outside of education in Denver–and if you don't have kids, it's Bennett who? Unless the new Senator does several things to make him stand out throughout the State, his tenure will be very short term. Hickenlooper would have been outstanding and easily re-elected and even Bill Strickland should have been a player, his race with Allard was fairly close.

I realize that many of you possess the 'holy grail" of intelligence and wisdom. But being the mere human that I am, I tend to believe that no one knows who will succeed and who will fail until they do so. Ms. Caroline K. is not experienced and inherited the legacy of a name, you say. Mr. Burris' drawback, as far as I know, is that he accepted the accused Gov.'s appointment. Given the fact that there are many "experienced" lawmakers in office, who have long forgotten that they are there to serve the people and not themselves, I say, let these individuals prove themselves before you begin to complain and bash without sound reasons. Be patient.

Proud American: How can you "thank God" when are obviously led by the devil! You are SUCH an idiot!!

@ Anna Merkens, January 3rd, 2009 8:42 pm ET

Look at the picture shown on Bennet. He is inside a building, in front of the American flag with his hat on. This is not the American way, and I don't believe it is the way most Coloradans behave either. What kind of representation will he give to the nation when he doesn't even respect common courtesies and behavior in front of our nation's flag?
————————————————————————

Before you start ranting about respect and behavior, maybe you should be more concerned with literacy, as in being able to read. As in reading the caption before spouting off:

"Bennet replaces Salazar, ABOVE, Obama's choice for interior secretary."

The photo is of outgoing Senator Ken Salazar, not Michael Bennet.

(As if his wearing a hat inside is somehow indicative of the type of legislator or cabinet member a person would be.)

@ Anna Merkens, January 3rd, 2009 8:42 pm ET

Look at the picture shown on Bennet. He is inside a building, in front of the American flag with his hat on. This is not the American way, and I don't believe it is the way most Coloradans behave either. What kind of representation will he give to the nation when he doesn't even respect common courtesies and behavior in front of our nation's flag?
————————————————————————

Before you start ranting about respect and behavior, maybe you should be more concerned with literacy, as in being able to read. As in reading the caption before spouting off:

"Bennet replaces Salazar, ABOVE, Obama's choice for interior secretary."

The photo is of outgoing Senator Ken Salazar, not Michael Bennet.

(As if his wearing a hat inside is somehow indicative of the type of legislator or cabinet member a person would be.)

Anna Merkens, before you said anything , check first, the picture is Ken Salazar and not Bennet.

This is for Anna Merkens – That is not Bennet sweetie, that is Salazar.

Anna, that is Ken Salazar pictured, not Michael Bennett.

Just who does this Obama think he is? His tenure as a US Senator was voting "present "40% of the time during his first two of six years. The next two years of his remaining four,were used to run for president (which any democratic nominee could have won) ,and now with his last two years, this do-nothing (yes we can, with alittle "Hope" sprinkled on for good measure) US Senator he's arguing at who get's his past position! Think about it folks, this guy is wet behind the ears, and from the most corrupt state in the United States is praising his(condescending others) contempories? Shameful,he's broken just about every promise to date ,and completly surrounded himself with the same administration he once subtly vilified! Come on people this guy is all fluff,with an ego so large you'll have to widen, and lenghten the doors for his head to get thru! Show me the money PE Obama ,from the meaningless books you wrote,without any substance ,that you yourself new were bogus! I don't like the arrogance that's starting to show,…just my humble opinion?

OK, I'll bite.

WHAT'S WITH THE HAT?

He looks like a little boy.

Um…hey…GOPers commenting here with your reflexive comments about Mr. Bennett. You do realize that the picture you're making the jokes about is actually Sen. Ken Salazar.

That picture is Salazar, not Bennet. As a former resident of
Colorado when Salazar was elected promising to work with everyone and represent all of Colorado, I say good riddance.

Funny in all salazar's press releases /official websites it is never mentioned that he is a Dem. It seems the party is only mentioned on CNN when it's a REP.

i WON AGAIN CNN…. America is too Multi Racial…. You will never elect a leader…. Your to Brain Dead…. I nearly died in Kenya….
SO??????????????

Matthew, the days of counting and keeping track are over. A latino doesn't *need* to be dropped into the slot just because another has left it vacant. Contrary to your statement, I've not heard this argument for Obama's slot. In fact, the Obama camp even recommended a white woman – not an African American – to fill Obama's slot (that is of course until the Obama camp actually nominated that white woman to a post on Obama's team). With our country in the state that it's in, there's no time for quotas. Let's get the best people in position and in our service regardless of their race, gender, etc. We simply can't afford otherwise.

Look at the picture shown on Bennet. He is inside a building, in front of the American flag with his hat on. This is not the American way, and I don't believe it is the way most Coloradans behave either. What kind of representation will he give to the nation when he doesn't even respect common courtesies and behavior in front of our nation's flag?

I totally agree with "What". I do not understand why Caroline is vying for the job. Just because she is a Kennedy !!

Then Hillary was right. She had the right to nomination.

By the way, I totally fail to understand why there is a provision of nomination when we can have the election. Elect the senators not nominate them.

Look at the picture shown on Bennet. He is inside a building, in front of the American flag with his hat on. This is not the American way, and I don't believe it is the way most Coloradans behave either.

Interesting! How will this change the balance of power in the Senate???

The only sad thing here is all the whining by other people posting. Give the guy a chance.

Don't know the man, but according to what Obama said, he sounds like some kind of trouble-maker, making confusions and disorderly processes. This is progress?

Family will never make up for a Liar,,, Lie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama. Kenya!!! No test just another Idiot determined Obama will be…
Lady????? Who are you??? Do you have little one's. Why waste them on this Idiot…. America is a rainbow….

TO Matthew –There are plenty of qualified Hispanics that could have filled this seat – particularly in Colorado. As the largest minority group in the nation, it's particularly sad that there will only be one Hispanic (and a lame duck at that) in the Senate******* only one African American and Reid and Peosi are trying to Block …. that. Bennett guy looks so much like Phil Gramm now that is scary…… I love America

Michael Bennet is a man who's serious about education, he has done a good job stopping the bleeding here in Colorado, {lower test scores low graduation rate} convinced merit pay critics to get on bored and best of all he's a Washington outsider thus why most people were perplexed by his pick that old argument about experience.

Well every day I run into Washington outsiders you know average people saying they can run the government better than well, Washington can so when the democrats start picking Washington outsiders I say good on them lets see if these people can succeed where Washington insiders have failed.

Ok, the cowboy hat doesn't exactly inspire me to respect the man.

I support Obama completely… If he says Bennett is a Good Man…. well, I will believe he is until he might prove to be otherwise.

PSSSSSSSST,YOU HAVE TO BE A LEGAL CITIZEN.

This has to be Phil Gramm's long lost brother. Cause this guy is a split image of Gramm. Kind of scary.

When will CNN stop this Crap against Israel…. Toto's, Arabs or not. Stop allowing Muslims to Program these kids… I forget what I have to say; I get so upset with you CNN… You can switch Anchors… But the message; is still stuck in Space, the Internet has no access to..

oooh and he gets to wear a cowboy hat too. I am not impressed.

Race doesn't matter… it's the person. The person who has the balls to get in there and run will win. So what that there is more of one color in the senate. I worked for Barack for 2 years… if I wanted to campaign for a so called "shoe in" I wouldv'e gone Edwards… but my heart told me otherwise.

Hey Proud American. What's so hard to believe about McCain losing? He chose dimwit Palin as VP. I'm a Republican and chose Obama for his intelligence (multiple degrees), strength, energy and great ideas. What did McCain-Palin offer?

Congratulations Senator!

Old Washington politics happens again. Iowa doesnt need that it needs New People in office, its time to vote out all the old repubs and dems and get some new ideas in politics. Old time politics must go.

excuse me, but biden's seat isn't being given away to anyone. beau biden will have to run in 2010 and get elected.

O.K. don't try to fool me. This is really Phil Gramn.

This appointment puzzles me…a school superintendent becoming a U.S. senator? Is it just me or is that a little far fetched? I think Joan Fitz-Gerald, the former President of the Colorado State Senate, would have been a much more logical choice, especially after she lost the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Primary to Jared Polis, former chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education. Fitz-Gerald has plenty of political experience, so why not appoint her to the Senate seat? Besides, it is very difficult in the current economic circumstances to find a good school superintendent. The school district I live in just found a superintendent that I don't even like after a year-long search. Oh, and in response to Matthew, there is still Sen. Bob Menendez from NJ in the Senate–and he is currently the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

To What.

I believe they call it "payback in Chicago" (and Dem) politics.

Ye-Ha. He does look like Phil Gramm. Maybe it's just the western garb. Just what we need, another cowboy.

To-Proud American January 3rd, 2009 5:24 pm ET
Is it just me or does this guy remind you of the Idiot Phil Gramm from Texas? Yes !!!!!!

It's a new dawn in America! The Washington elite are making the Obama's stay in a hotel reminiscent of the Chicago PROJECT'S!! I guess so they'll feel right at home! YA!! L.O.L.L.O.L.

people in Gaza are being slaughtered by american bombs and all CNN can talk about is how two-faced obama praises Bennett. I am disgusted at Obama . I am a muslim and had very high hopes. He is the same as Bush. Bush is the biggest muderer worst than Hitler.

I like this decision very much. Many of my colleagues in the non-profit sector have worked closely with Bennet and I've heard only good things. His track record is impeccable; definitely the man for the job.

Did Obama praise Blagojevich as a great leader before, it is all talk?

@Proud American

What are you talking about? Real leadership[? Where is it and who is it? You can't mean Obama because he isn't saying anything about the major situation with Israel right now. Oh, and don;t give me that junk about "He hasn't been sworn in yet" because that hasn't kept him from announcing economic policy. Why is he keeping quiet about that? Maybe the polls aren't in yet to tell him which way to lead. My gosh this appears so much like Clinton all over again, but it might as well be since Clinton's cabinet is back in place.

And for the record, I didn't vote for either Obama or McCain. I voted for REAL change and voted for a 3rd party candidate. I also can't wait for the first idiot that tells me I wasted my vote…go ahead and prove your ignorance.

See yaaaaaaaaaaa….

godbless the new america run by thought and care for 2009 and i hope for decades to come lets all pray not another republican wins until they grow up.

Obama was a God sent to United State and the whole entirely because he is not going to play the game on his own. Let me be specific here, If Michael whom Obama choosed for the senatorian sit is the right person then let him be. Personality don't matter in pst what matter's is what you have to display for your people, This is all i have to say for now.
FRANKIN UZOMAH from Ahiazu Mbaise in Imo state Nigeria.

the King has spoken…

Hey, Matthew,

Why don't you just take your thought to it's logical conclusion and propose legally mandated racial, ethnic, and gender quotas in Congress and the Cabinet? And maybe a legally mandated racial, ethnic, and gender rotation of the Presidency?

Whatever happened to just picking the best-qualified candidate for the job, regardless of all that irrelevant stuff?

I fail to see how the party of the Welfare State and socialised medicine can honestly value anything that can be characterised as "ruggedly independent." The Democratic Party fosters dependence on government handouts at every opportunity and, by such means as perennially attempting to disarm the public and requiring us to participate in the Social Security Ponzi scheme, treats American citizens like irresponsible and not-too-bright children. Being truly "ruggedly independent" these days will get you characterised as one of those most suspicious of people, an anti-social loner who's probably planning to shoot up a school or a business.

"Filling Ken Salazar's boots in the US Senate is a tall order. "+++

Filling his boots. Obama is such a goofus. Or someone in his transition office is.

"Michael Bennet perfectly reflects the qualities of the ruggedly independent state he has been chosen to serve."+++

Now it sounds like an episode of "Bonanza".

An innovator in the public and private sectors, he has shown himself willing to challenge old thinking and stale policies," Obama also said.+++

As opposed to what? A person who embraces stale policies? Dumb.

If Obama really wants to challenge old thinking and get rid of stale policies…let him get rid of Social Security. But he really only wants to "change" things he disagrees with, which makes him just like every other politician he's ever heard of.

You read it again… Black CNN…

GREAT CHOICE: CHANGE HAS COME TO AMERICA!!!

stand up to the teachers Union, they have been doing as much damage to our schools as the UAW to the auto industry

Is it just me or does this guy remind you of the Idiot Phil Gramm from Texas? You know "Americans are a bunch of whinners" John McCains economics advisor. I still can't believe John McCain lost the election. lolololololol

What?

The people of Colorado are really perplexed by this selection.

It's starting to look like our party is starting to make some serious mistakes and continues on the path of Old Washington Politics.

First we have the Delaware Senate seat that is being kept warm so tht it can be given to Bidens son

Then we have the whole Illinois Fiasco

Top that off with the New York Senate Seat that is being GIVEN AWAY to a Kennedy simply because they have a Kennedy name.

What the heck is going on with our party?

It's a new dawn in America, we will finally have real leadership in Washington. Thank God

It's sad that with Salazar getting this appointment and Martinez retiring, that a Hispanic was not appointed to this position. That's been the argument for filling Obama's empty seat with regards to an African American. There are plenty of qualified Hispanics that could have filled this seat – particularly in Colorado. As the largest minority group in the nation, it's particularly sad that there will only be one Hispanic (and a lame duck at that) in the Senate.