Politics

Romanoff: Washington is a "Rigged Casino"

By Robert Hendin

July 8, 2010 / 2:43 PM EDT / CBS News

Calling Washington a "rigged casino" -- where politicians take money from the special interests, Wall Street gambles with taxpayer dollars and Washington bails them out, Democratic Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff hit the airwaves today with an ad promising to shut down the what he casts as the special interests casino.

The ad is the first in his campaign against incumbent Democratic Senator Michael Bennet in Colorado's August 10 primary.

"The special interests in Washington have more power than the people and that's not just wrong, it's corrupt," says Romanoff, speaking directly to the camera. "The difference is I don't take dime of their money, I stand with you."

According to The Washington Post, Romanoff is trailing Bennet in the polls and in fundraising. Romanoff got a boost recently when he won the endorsement of former President Bill Clinton. President Obama is backing Bennet and has already appeared at a fundraiser for him this year.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010
Photos: Campaign 2010

Robert Hendin is a CBS News White House producer. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.