The Washington Post reports that the ballyhooed vote by Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall in favor of nationwide reciprocity for concealed-carry permit holders was a sham, staged with the permission of anti-gun-rights Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.):
Only two Republicans went against the gun lobby, but that was enough to leave supporters just short of the 60 votes they needed. The slim margin was no accident: Other Democrats, such as Pennsylvania’s Bob Casey and Colorado’s Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, were said to have been willing to vote “no” if necessary.
Twenty minutes after the voting began, Bennet and Udall left the cloakroom together and walked into the chamber. Bennet went to the well to consult with Schumer, who indicated that it was safe for Bennet — a product of D.C.’s St. Albans School — to vote with the NRA. Bennet looked to Udall, who gave an approving nod, and cast his “aye” vote.
If this political phoniness weren’t enough, this case is yet another demonstration that Bennet, Gov. Ritter’s Chosen One, is a virtual blank slate whose guiding light on key issues isn’t any consistent philosophy other than “How do I get elected next November?” and “How do I avoid controversy?”