The Denver Post alleged that Obama White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina offered a high ranking job with foreign aid agency USAID to ex-Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in exchange for dropping plans to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. <ref>[http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13429758 D.C. job alleged as attempt to deter Romanoff, Denver Post, September 27, 2009]</ref> Romanoff turned down the overture and the White House endorsed Bennet. The White House would say that no job was ever offered to Romanoff and Romanoff declined to discuss any such communication with the White House. | The Denver Post alleged that Obama White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina offered a high ranking job with foreign aid agency USAID to ex-Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in exchange for dropping plans to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. <ref>[http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13429758 D.C. job alleged as attempt to deter Romanoff, Denver Post, September 27, 2009]</ref> Romanoff turned down the overture and the White House endorsed Bennet. The White House would say that no job was ever offered to Romanoff and Romanoff declined to discuss any such communication with the White House. |