The race between Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet and Republican Ken Buck is the closest in the nation right now. So the last thing Bennet needs is an Obama visit to tip independents toward his opponent.

That’s basically what he told CNN, although not in so many words:

“The — personal reaction by the Independent voters that you’ve described based on a lot, uh… the political rhetoric that’s gone on back and forth might not make it helpful. I think the president should be in places around the country where it will be helpful. And we are running this race, uh… on the facts on the ground in Colorado, what people are really interested in working on.”

Beltway Confidentialcoelection 2010US