
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/16/art.bennet.0316.gi.jpg caption ="Sen. Michael Bennet at a fundraising event with President Obama in February."](CNN) - Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado faces his first test Tuesday in his bid for a full term in office, when state Democrats and Republicans hold precinct caucuses.
Party members are expected to gather to pick their favorite candidates in this year's top races, including senator and governor. While the caucuses are open to all registered party members, they usually attract political insiders and junkies. And while nominations will be decided by the state's August primaries, a strong showing in the caucuses could give some candidates a boost.
Bennet was plucked out of political obscurity last year, when Gov. Bill Ritter named him to replace Sen. Ken Salazar, who stepped down to serve as Interior Secretary in the Obama Administration. To reach November's general election, Bennet first needs to successfully fend off a Democratic primary challenge from former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.
Bennet leads Romanoff in the battle for campaign cash, thanks in part to a fundraiser appearance in Colorado last month by President Obama. Romanoff has criticized Bennet for raising out-of-state money.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn


BENNET...one and done
He prays that Obama will simply stay away... just stay away!
Since Benet was selected for the seat, he should be primaried. That goes for all moderate dems and thos dems holding up healthcare reform.
Bennett may be a great guy, but it is foolish for governors to appoint senators who have no significant political track record and expect the voters to rubber stamp them.
Romanoff was the Speaker of the House, did a good job, and doesn't appear to have major negatives. Given the anti-Washington mood in the country, I'd think he has a better chance of winning in the fall.
The Republican candidate seems to be just a clone of the right-wing of her party. It would be a shame if she got in the Senate.
Hey Bennett!!
Did n't you see how BHO's help worked in campaigning last time??
When he's involved in your campaign, you'd better pack your bagss and go home.
"[T]hey usually attract political insiders and junkies."
Heroin addicts are an underrepresented minority in the Democratic party. Hats off to Colorado for empowering them!
Anyone else notice the big hand pumps the Obamanator has been handing out lately at all of his recent photo-op shoots. Would someone tell him the campaign is over and it is time to lead on something other than a piece of crap healthcare bill, we are still without JOBS. It is obvious the DEMS don't even care what's in it, as long as they can say "we passed healthcare America" to keep their little progressive wingnuts happy. What a bunch of douche bags and November will be a SLAUGHTER, thank you President Obama, thank you!
Dem's...... Your out of time. Too many lies and NO JOBS
Your lies will not be tolerated by the voters this Nov. You think HC can save you? Only the ones that vote NO along with the American voters will be spared.
Obama is far more radical than I thought , Pelosi and Reid will go down and take a bunch of Dem's that fall for their plan with them.
You promised all efforts would be on JOB CREATION "YOU LIED"
Romanoff has strong backing in the state and we expect him to win!
NO to Obama Health Care!
If not, expect to get voted out next election!!
Romanoff is another camoflaged neocon mole.
We love Sen. Michael Bennet, he really listens his fellows Coloradans!
We do not need another "chum" for obama. NOVEMBER is VOTE time – TERM LIMITS
Get the DO-NOTHINGS out and bring in some FRESH YOUNG RESPONSIBLE blood. We need politicians that will WORK FOR the People WHO elect them.
A picture of him and Obama chumming around??? Sure doesn't look like he wants to keep his job!
Heard Bennett on the radio the other day. He sounds smart and fair. Wish he was my rep.
As a supporter, I feel strongly about what Obama's biggest mistake so far really is. His administration has soaked up many of the Democrats' best senators, and the nations' governors have appointed incompetents (Burris?) or unknowns (Bennet?) who either aren't running to retain the seat, or whose chances of election to do so are far from secure. When they say they have to get so much done in Congress right now because they'll never have this numerical advantage again, it is much more true than most of us realize.