Breaking: Beau Biden Announces He’s Not Running For U.S. Senate
In my inbox just now:
As many of you know, since returning home from Iraq, I have been giving serious consideration to running for the United States Senate. I have received strong encouragement both here in Delaware and all across the country to undertake this effort – and this outpouring of support has truly been humbling.
I understand why people care so deeply about this election. The challenges we’re facing as a country are extraordinarily difficult. The economy. Jobs. Health care. Energy. Education. Climate change. Financial regulation. Foreign policy. These are not only the issues of the moment – they’re the issues that will determine our children’s future. And as someone who has had the privilege of serving with the bravest men and women on this planet, I care deeply about how we treat our returning veterans and how we resolve our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I feel strongly about these issues. However, my first responsibilities are here in Delaware. I have a duty to fulfill as Attorney General – and the immediate need to focus on a case of great consequence. And that is what I must do. Therefore I cannot and will not run for the United States Senate in 2010. I will run for reelection as Attorney General.
One of the primary reasons I ran for Attorney General was to protect the most vulnerable among us: children. As the father of two young children, I can think of no worse crime than those committed by child predators. It is why one of my first actions and top priorities as Attorney General was the creation of the Child Predator Task Force.
The idea that any child can be a victim of abuse is horrific. The fact that it has engulfed an entire community is unspeakable. The pain and trauma suffered by the children, their parents, and the families, can’t be measured. But justice can be done. And I am determined to see that it is.
I have a job to finish. And that’s what I must do.
Thank you for all your support,
Beau Biden
Time for Plan B! I’d say draft Kaufman, but I’m not sure he’d agree. After Kaufman, who’s next? Who’s likely to jump in?
Nah.. Take on Castle, you have a chance…
You’re the expert. Name some Delaware Democrats that have won statewide elections in past years, that are not too old to start something like this. Did Castle finally officially declare to run for senate?
Carper can now support Castle openly.
Biden, too.
Denn has been raising money. Denn is the candidate.
How do you know Michelle Obama is Eco-friendly?
A: She drives a hybrid
So the News Journal was right even though it was wrong.
Right. LOL.
Yes, but they completely mangled the quote. I wonder if the NJ story changed any timelines on the announcement by Biden, though.
Denn isn’t going to run. Coons is.
I,m sure it had nothing to do with the Mass. senatorial election.
Chuck the Wizard is gonna run. Why else would
he be shining his forehead with so many News
Journal expert opinions? What WE in the state
truley need is new talent from the University or
the colleges. There’s way to much of a clique in
our state, a state which has the highest percentage
of doctorates in the nation. Hopefully somebody
fresh, with bold ideas outside the box ,will step up
and speak bold. I think Judicial reform is way overdue.
I know that’s utopian, tho one can dream.
Kaufman!
If i were you guys i would run the most conservative blue dog you got.
Honestly.. Let somebody new try!
An honorable decision by any measure – I hope he’ll run in the future, but it’s good to know Delaware comes first for Beau Biden.
FBH: There’s already a Blue Dog in a Delaware Senate seat. Who needs two?
So now we know why the Vice President would be recruiting a local columnist to talk to Ted Kaufmann. And I’d love to see him run — he has been doing a pretty good job, I think.
How ’bout Carney? Carpe(tbag)r Is like his political grandpappy. IT would be tough for him to ignore him in favor of castle without coming off as a total traitor.
Fightingbluehen, Tom Carpet can’t hold both seats at the same time.
Honestly.. Let somebody new try!
We have been trying that every two years against Castle. Hasn’t worked. The problem is, the Dem establishment won’t support “somebody new.”
I think the plan was for Castle to retire and Beau to walk into the seat. I don’t think Joe Biden or any Delaware politician ever had any intention of campaigning against Castle.
This cock-up confirms what I already knew: The national Dem establishment doesn’t care if it controls the Senate or not. Dem Senators are just as happy in their minority offices as in the majority – maybe happier.
While this morning’s news was breaking, the weenies at CRI sent out a hyperventilated release that Brendan O’Neill and Beau got into an argument:
“The Caesar Rodney Institute was told the two attorneys began yelling at each other, frequently using the ‘F-Word.’ A Senate staffer – worried that the screaming and profanity could be indicative of a security risk – called the Capitol Police Department, the agency charged to maintain order inside Legislative Hall.”
Meanwhile, Ferris pled all his clients guilty and headed to the YMCA.
Honorable decision, my butt. The Bidenistas engineered the ‘caretaker’ appointment with Aunt Bea. Beau waited…and waited…and now the D’s are screwed.
Unless Denn runs, we’re looking at a Spivack-style candidacy for a bleeping US Senate seat.
The Delaware Way is alive and well.
anon, the problem is the DDC hasnt tried very hard. Castle is a buddy of carper and biden and all them. So they haven’t put much energy into beating him. HE belongs to that club of “everyone gets a turn at every elected position in the state”. Only a machine democrat like Carney… or maybe someone with a hug grass roots following started on high powered political blogs like Scott Spencer (he said he would wait and see what Biden decided)….. would have a chance against castle
People are still paying attention to Delaware’s Own Wingnut Welfare Recipient?
Karen Peterson.
So, what I read in BB’s statement is, “I never really wanted to run this year, Massachusetts scared the crap out of me, but Earl Bradley gave me the best excuse to back out.” At this point, is it really worth it to waste time and money putting up much of a challenge to Castle? The reality of this state is that name recognition is about 95% of the battle. There’s no one left on the Dem side that can challenge Castle on that. Besides, since I’d put money on BB sticking with his original plan, running in 2014, why would a Dem want to put themselves into a position of running against him in 4 years?
Bear in mind, I’d like nothing more than to see Castle be sent into retirement, I just don’t see it happening with anyone else but a Biden.
Beau waited…and waited…and now the D’s are screwed.
If the Dems are screwed, I don’t think that is Beau’s fault. You’d think that having a Plan B and Plan C in a state where there are possible good candidates (who would need time and energy) would be SOP. The fact that it isn’t is more indicative of the Delaware Way than anything else.
I TOLD YOU HE WAS NOT GONNA RUN!!!
But what do I know???
CRI is a joke… Lee Williams is a sell-out.
This means we’re likely to see an Earl Bradley show trial. If ever a case screamed “cop a plea,” it’s this one — videotapes are going to be impossible to overcome for the defense, making this a slam-dunk for the AG’s office. It could be argued — I’m not arguing it, just saying it could be argued — that NOT putting the community through a trial would be better for the victims. It will be interesting to see what happens.
I think I saw in the NJ this AM that there is already a discussion of conducting the trial outside of Sussex. “copping a plea” is pretty much under the control of Bradley and his lawyers. I am quite certain the AGs office would take a quick win that makes sure this guy never gets out of jail.
Although I am loathe to say I told you so…
http://delawareliberal.net//2010/01/02/good-news-bad-news-for-beau-biden/
I told you so.
This is the real news in the announcement:
” I will run for reelection as Attorney General. ”
If CRI wanted to hyperventilate, they could have speculated the the “heated exchange” was in part fueled by Biden’s letting a man sit in jail for a year before admitting that the evidence proved him innocent.
“I am quite certain the AGs office would take a quick win that makes sure this guy never gets out of jail.”
Quite certain, eh? You do realize, I hope, that the defense does NOT control the process — AGs (or DAs) are political animals, and often will not pass up the opportunity to look the hero by prosecuting a public trial. That’s why I say this should be interesting.
Geezer, The defense can control what witnesses that it wants to call. If Biden cares about the kids, I hope he recognizes that the trauma of calling children to witness stand to relive the horrors in a trial is something that should be avoided, if possible.
The dems will put up a sacrificial lamb so Beau can run when the pastures are greener in 4 years and Castle retires….
Well, no one at all is “putting me up” but I tell you I’ll run, unless a better candidate shows up this week. And I WON’T do that to ‘hold a seat for Beau” or for “The Delaware Way” but because the people of this state deserve to be represented and that MATTERS to me.
A1, the extra pain comes when the parents read about it in the press, even if their kid isn’t on the stand.
Imagine if Beau tries to convict at trial WITHOUT calling the kids, and loses. Or gets anything less than life.
It seems the problem they are having now is, the videos are so old they can’t identify the kids who are now older and look different. I don’t know if you can convict or not on an unidentified victim?
So the parents will have to come forward, possibly even with the kids in court. That is partly why they are now trying to find all the victims – not all of them will have parents willing to cooperate. They just searched his office again looking for anything that might turn up additional victims, or ID the victims already on tape.
“If i were you guys i would run the most conservative blue dog you got.”
Yeah, we’ll make sure not to throw you into that there briar patch.
I’ll support you, Brooke. I’ll send a check to your committee.
I want Denn, but he’s loudly ruled it out previously. If he’s pushed to enter though, he’s a good campaigner, a hard worker, and probably would make a better Senator than Beau, Carney, Coons, or even Markell.
You’re right, anon, there is no way through this without a lot more anguish and trauma for the parents. I just hope that pervert is never allowed in a room with those kids or their parents again, even if it is a courtroom.
Kaufman announced he won’t run. Just saw this on Twitter.
My guess: it’ll be Coons.
There’s no way they can risk a trial without calling at least some of the kids.
On a lighter note: Harry Themal’s job is saved.
LG, you’re about 3 days out from running my committee. Consider yourself warned. I downloaded the filing PDF this morning.
“I’d put money on BB sticking with his original plan, running in 2014, why would a Dem want to put themselves into a position of running against him in 4 years?”
Beau won’t run against an incumbent Democrat. He’ll replace Carper in 2012 or 2018.
I’d like to point out that often in these kinds of cases (especially with young children) they will videotape the testimony, or conduct it via satellite. So at the very least the children will avoid being paraded around. Also a huge trial is a MOUNTAIN of work. I agree that they’d take his plea (assuming he’d give one) as long as they could guarantee the punishment was just. Beau doesn’t strike me as the attention hungry Gloria Alred type.
also can you imagine the attack ads? “Beau Biden ignores child abuse victims while wining and dining campaign donors”. He’s better off.
Some of the victims may have been too young to remember what happened. Why do the children need to testify if there is evidence on tape?
after Castle wins, you dems will face the prospect of an ugly primary strugle in 2014 as Biden, Coons, Denn, possibly Markel fight for the chance to run for the open seat (assuming Castle retires).
Brooke, let me know. I’ll run you ragged on the campaign trail.
U.I., Because defendants have the right to cross-examine their accusers and call their own witnesses.
We had a primary between Carney and Markell, and the republic did not fail. The only people who hate primaries are the party bosses who would rather just select a candidate for us.
A1-
Actually, the video evidence does not need to be corroborated by the victim. It could be introduced by the officer that discovered it.
BB can stick his ‘original plan’ where the sun don’t shine.
It’s not about HIM or Joe or anybody else.
His decision now makes this senate seat likely to flip. A lot of D’s will not forget this, and THEIR plans might interfere with HIS plans in 2014.
I disagree with Cass (rare, but it happens) that it’s the D’s fault. Biden used up all the oxygen in the room, and his backers constantly reassured everyone that he was running. In the face of that, who could have mounted a credible challenge? Not to mention that, for better or worse, nobody in Delaware Democratic politics would presume to buck the Bidens. At least, until now.
There ARE possible credible challengers, i.e. Denn and Coons, but they’ve got a real short timeline to make a decision and start raising $$’s. That’s what the Beauhisattva’s indecision has caused.
No prosecutor would risk basing his case on a single piece of evidence. If the tape gets called into question or thrown out, there goes the case. Beau just got knocked for losing a murder case with not enough evidence. If Beau lost this one he would have to move to Antarctica.
When you read about it in the paper, the Bradley evidence sounds overwhelming. But remember you have to prove your charges one count at a time. When you break it down into individual counts it’s not as easy as it looks, plus the defense is busy breaking it down and chipping away at each count.
Plus, not sure how sentencing works in Delaware but it seems the emotional content of the kids testimony would assure the maximum sentence.
I’ve heard of cases where the kids were allowed to testify by video with no cross. Good protection for the kid, but it doesn’t sound kosher to me.
There ARE possible credible challengers, i.e. Denn and Coons, but they’ve got a real short timeline to make a decision and start raising $$’s
Whoever does run, Beau and Joe better work overtime raising money and supporting them.
Run Schwartzkopf. He loses, Denn runs for the seat in 2014, Pete moves up to Lt. Gov. from where he runs for Governor in 2016.
Just love it. The insiders didnt groom anyone to replace themselves. Doesnt matter anyway, even if a great democrat came forward, one who we would all trust and support the Democratic Party wouldnt support them. Gotta sign that loyalty oath to protect and serve corporate Delaware. Thats the litmus test.
Interesting Beau waited so long to make this announcement thereby not permitting a real candidate who to real organzation and funds together. Its all been decided.
UI, the defense can choose what witnesses it wants to call.
It’s gotta be an outsider. If an insider thought they could win… the insider would have run.
I would rather work for an outsider anyway. It would be fun to work for a real progressive for a change even if he/she doesn’t stand a chance.
And who knows… maybe we could pull out an upset.
anon, often no cross on video because the attorney declines to cross-examine for strategy. Pushing a young child on the stand doesn’t do your client any favors, it just makes you kind of look like a jerk. Also if they’re parents testified they’d be fair game for cross.
Good, James, I’m putting you on the list.
Castle IS the designated placeholder for Beau.
Anon’s ‘Run Schwartzkopf’ idea is interesting. However, his House seat is put at risk, the House loses its best (granted, this is damning with faint praise) political mind, and he could move up in latter years anyway.
Besides, the Democratic Party could never execute such a thing with clockwork precision. And, Schwartzkopf could well move up withOUT taking himself out of the equation.
Here’s the upside. With the rest of the year to campaign against someone as reluctant as Castle, Schwartzkopf could conceivably win. He really IS an impressive person, and I think the grassroots would be activated by him.
V, nobody wants to puts the kids on the stand, but, in a case like this, avoiding a trial is one of the few bargaining chips that a defense attorney has in trying to negotiate a plea. That is why I would be shocked if this case went to a jury, and I hope that it doesn’t.
The Bidens waited until had Castle raised $1 million before making the announcement.
‘Bulo,
I would probably argue that a Dem really interested in the Senate seat should have jumped in anyway and not deferred to Biden.
Two words: Karen Peterson.
AP – Scott Spencer is a joke. If we want to really waste campaign money, why don’t we get Mike Miller to run. He’s run for everything else in the state.
MJ – I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he threw his hat in …
Coons will announce this week…
Joe Biden on Beau’s decision:
Scott Spencer might not have much chance at statewide office, but he is not “a joke.” When he was at APRI, he lobbied DelDOT for years before his persistence and research helped knock down the agency’s refusal to run Sunday bus service.
Mike Miller, on the other hand, IS a joke. A bad one.
Denn is out.
“However, his House seat is put at risk, the House loses its best (granted, this is damning with faint praise) political mind, and he could move up in latter years anyway.”
Can Schwartzkopf not run for both at the same time? And, after the census the 14th will be redrawn to make it democrat for a long long time. can anyone even name a 14th district republican?
Mike Protack has run a lot too and he is a total joke. I think the only hope is a heavily grass roots supported newbie. If D’s want to keep delaware, they need help from the DNC. There are already going to be losses. Unless they have something planned like exploiting the Teabag influence in places like florida, it is going to have to be a situation in 2010 where they lose as little as possible rather than hope to hold a 19 seat majority. Will the republicans take control? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. but, remember according to the MSM, even ONE DEMOCRATIC loss is a total rejection of Obama and everything he stands for. losing the VP’s former senate seat to a republican? i cringe at what Hannity will turn that in to.
Here’s your guy!
http://resolutedetermination.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/bo-for-us-senate/
“Duty above any personal ambition” I love it. we all know how hard it’s going to be to get a conviction in the Bradely case. A nutless monkey could do the job.
Fbh, you would be screaming “dereliction of duty” if he went for the Senate. This is a wise choice for Beau, a wise choice for the people of Sussex County, and a crappy decision for Delaware Dems.
If he ran for the senate i would put out the spin that far greater good could be done for the children world wide if he was a senator.
it’s no great relief for the people of Sussex Co.
beau is still running for elected office (AG not Senate) and it’s not like he is qualified to lead the prosecution himself.
http://www.schwartzkopfforsenate.* is available
Pete is not going to run for Senate. Why would he give up being Majority Leader? And who’s to say that Matt is not running for reelection in 2012 with Jack? No, Pete is more powerful and influential as Majority Leader and we in the 14th are quite pleased he’s our representative.
I second for Karen Peterson,with her gloves off,and a down and dirty campaign against that closet case Castle.
Who said Denn wasn’t running for re-election? Who said Pete would give up being Majority Leader? Not until he takes over as Lt. Gov. for the newly elected Senator Denn in 2014, on his way to the Governor’s mansion in 2016. On the very outside and super unlikely Schwartzkopf WON a Senate bid, who can the repubs run in the 14th? Even MJ might be able to win that seat against a no name republican in the 14th.
Denn will not seek the Senate seat. He is planning to run for reelection as Lt. Gov.
No one’s listening…Denn seeks the Senate Seat in 2014, after he wins re-election as Lt. Gov in 2012.
From Politico.com: New Castle Executive Chris Coons tells me he’s seriously considering DE-SEN bid. Coons will likely make decision later this week.
Anon – there are several candidates already positioning to do something… from a GOP perspective, there is no doubt Kathy McGuinnes (Rehoboth City) wouldn’t consider it (although I bet she is also considering a run at Bunting) – and I bet Joan Deaver herself would try to step up on the Dems Side – but the 14th RD is a powerhouse…. lots of progressives and activists within the organization who seem to be well connected and ready to move if required.
Having said that, Schwartzkopf will not be making a move.
Denn doesn’t want to be the guy….yet, and Coons has his hands full. If we’re going to run a balding middle aged politican, lets run our best, with an eye towards the future!
I don’t think Schwartzkopf loses anything by being the guy who steps up and falls on the Mike Castle sword. He gets state-wide face time, first dibs on Lt. Gov. if it becomes open, and then better than average chances to get our nomination for Governor in 2016, and if we really want to stretch him out, the Carper seat might be opening up pretty soon after that. OR, we could sit around and pretend Carper will never retire, and wait around to be disappointed that he doesnt have a son who wants to pretend he might run.
Sorry to disappoint you, anon, but I can’t run for partisan office. Small thing called the Hatch Act.
And a lot of us are tiring of McGuinness. She recently became a republican and the rumor is she’s going to run against Bunting. Actually, a lot of us are over the entire city commission down here.
My feelings are hurt that I didn’t go on the poll.
As soon as you get a committee, I’ll get you on there…
Who else has a committee? Honestly. 😀
Well, they all have committees, just not for Senate.
Is eye-rolling appropriate, in a prospective nominee for federal office? Sounds to me like Delaware Liberal is supporting “professional politicians” over citizens. 😉
Brooke–I will send you a check–albeit a small one–for being so brave, and willing that Delaware have a choice. It’s lonely being the underdog–but I greatly admire your putting “your dukes up” amongst the weenies. That’s POLITICAL COURAGE right out the gate!!!
JC, just as soon as you have the name of the committee to write the check out to, let me know. 😀
If Scott Spencer wants to be a Senator, he might want to run against McDowell.
I like the Schwartzkopf idea. He definitely has the gonads to run a good race and has a great political mind. I would prefer he run during a year where his victory was more assured however. The House needs him, though, to set a course and fight all the tough battles noone else has the courage to take on.