A Consequence of Minner’s Bitterness
What if…..what if Minner appoints a Republican to fill Biden’s seat? There is no requirement that Biden’s replacement be a Democrat. What if the wench, in a final “F*ck You” to the Democratic Party, appoints Mike Castle?
Fine… then we take the House seat in the next election, and start recruiting for an open Senate seat.
Hey, wait a minute… Doesn’t the incoming governor get to make that appointment?
I think it depends on when the sitting senator resigns.
If there is one thing that Ruth Ann does, it is to mind her handlers and I doubt that Biden would submit a resignation until the succession plan was signed, sealed and approved by him.
Anon….Minner’s term ends on Jan. 20, and that is when Biden is sworn in as Vice President.
So, no, Minner will be the one appointing the next Senator, since it is very likely Biden will resign after he is sworn in for the next Senate term on Jan. 3.
LOL.. Minner could resign and let Carney have at it…
Seriously though, Carney could resign and Minner could appoint him to the Senate, not?
Remember, Castle resigned in December to go to Congress… there were no appointments involved but the game was the same.
Sure. Carney does not have to resign beforehand. Minner can announce she is appointing Carney, Carney will then resign and then go to Washington to be sworn in.
Biden controls the game here. He could resign at any time.
Delawaredem – It’s more likely that he will resign BEFORE the Senate term begins. That would allow for an early appointment by the governor, giving Delaware’s interim senator an edge in seniority over the incoming senators – and even the tiniest bit counts.
I’ve always been confused about the Senate “seniority” thing. Is that like why Jason is Chief-bitch on this site because he’s so freakin’ old?
LOL. No, he is Chief-Bitch on this site because he started this site. While he may not post that much anymore, he will always be the Head Honcho around here.
Depends on the time Jack Markell is sworn in as governor (yeah, I’m jumping the gun). If Jack is sworn in at 10:00 AM on January 20th, and Biden resigns after Jack is sworn in, then Jack will appoint Biden’s successor.
As soon as Obama – Biden win the November 4 election, the clock starts ticking.
As VP elect, just waiting to be sworn in, Biden can exert serious influence on a Governor looking for another job / position.
Biden can Resign anytime between Nov 5 through January 19.
Biden controls all of the timing… anon2 – YES
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What if Ruthie puts McCastle in the Senate?
Then Delaware would have the two worst senators in the country.
Exactly. If he’s worked out a deal with Minner to appoint someone he likes, he could quit Nov. 5 – heck, even Nov. 4 – and give the new senator a huge jump ahead of everyone else. Choice committee assignments, better offices, etc.
If he can’t work out a deal with Minner, he could do business with Governor Markell and wait until the 20th.
If Governor Lee is going to take over, he’ll probably take his chances with Minner.
There is an uncommon event this coming year. Both the National Presidential Inauguration and the Inauguration of the Governor of Delaware fall on the same day. The Delaware inauguration is, by law, the Third Tuesday of January. This means it can vary from Jan 15 to Jan 21. There is no time mandated for this swearing in. The Presidential inauguration is mandated to be at Noon on Jan 20. The VP by law must be sworn in before the President. So, if Markell is sworn in at some hour before about 11:30 am on the 20th, he would legally make the appointment.
http://www.state.de.us/facts/constit/welcome.htm
Article III §5. Term of office.
Section 5. The Governor shall hold his office during four years from the third Tuesday in January next ensuing his election; and shall not be elected a third time to said office.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inauguration_Day
The oath of office is traditionally administered on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Vice President takes the oath of office at the same ceremony as the President. This tradition began in 1937. Before then, the vice presidential oath was administered in the Senate. The vice president takes the oath first:
Well, we’ll try to save you all the consternation, and let Joe Biden stay in the Senate! 🙂