What If Beau Doesn’t Run?
It has been widely assumed that Beau Biden would coast to reelection for Attorney General this year, then set his sights on a gubernatorial run in 2016. Why else would he be sitting on a gargantuan campaign war chest? To defeat a non-existent Rethug challenger in November? No.
However, I think that anyone other than the terminally-gullible can recognize that there is a reason that Beau has remained largely out of the public eye since his emergency medical stop in Houston last summer.
I think someone needs to say it, after all, the election is less than seven months away: What if his condition, whatever it is, prevents Biden from running in both 2014 and 2016?
Who runs for Attorney General in 2014? Do the Rethugs even play? Who runs for Governor in 2016? Who runs for the seats of whomever runs for those seats?
And so on and so on.
This is not merely fantasy political speculation. This could really happen, and we could well know soon. In fact, we’d better know soon.
So, come on, pipples, speculate responsibly to your heart’s content.
Matt Denn runs for governor and Drew Fennel for attorney general.
Beau “Hamlet” Biden may not know himself what he will do. Perhaps he has been told his medical status is “wait and see.” In that case, there would be no benefit to disclosure of uncertainty, if the outcome will be known soon enough. The man had brain surgery and a stroke. Even if you come through it with all your marbles, that kicks the shit out of you in ways you keep finding out about months later. It sucks to keep the party hanging, but from his point of view ruling out a run would be an opportunity he won’t get back. Sure, he can always run later, but if he runs now he is a sure thing, and later on that might not be the case.
As for raising money, he’s doing that because that’s what Bidens do.
He’s running.
In the off chance he doesn’t run for AG, there’s plenty of people who will come out of the woodwork.
But if he didn’t, Carney is much more likely to run for gov than Matt.
If John ran for gov than Matt would run for Congress.
Try this scenario out:
Matt Denn takes Jacobs’ seat on the Supreme Court this summer, giving his family more stability and income than politics and a part-time law practice can afford, and removing one of Delaware’s best progressives from electoral politics.
Alan Levin gets nominated to fill the lieutenant governor’s job and switches parties to become a D, while remaining head of DEDO.
The GOP nominates some unknown but ambitious former DAG to challenge Beau, who wins with 55 percent without lifting a finger.
In early 2015, Beau backs out of the governor’s race without citing a reason, remains a part-time AG and slowly pulls out of the public spotlight. He doesn’t run again in 2018 and fades from public view after joining Hunter’s lobbying firm.
The gubernatorial nomination fight in 2016 is between Carney and Gordon, with Levin hanging loose as an independently wealthy backup to continue the Markell legacy/to defend the Markell record/just in case Carney fucks it up. Former State Treasurer Chip Flowers also runs, coming in last with 8 percent. By default, Carney becomes the liberals’ standard-bearer against the old-guard, union-backed Gordon, and wins in November against the GOP’s Gerald Hocker with 54 percent.
State Treasurer Sean Barney gets the nod for lieutenant governor, whupping Greg Lavelle, and Auditor Brenda Mayrack snares Carney’s seat in Congress by beating Colin Bonini, who will be safely in the middle of his state Senate term and thus run for something else and lose again. Carney then gets to appoint people to fill both seats, tapping Ann Visalli for Treasurer to assuage the Markellites and Bryan Townsend for Auditor to assuage the libs.
Ok, I know it’s a stretch, but it could happen …
Beau is fabulous and I hope he has good health and runs…..BUT if you have seen him recently at public events you would wonder . BOTTOM LINE : trust Beau to take care of him and his family . We have a surplus of candidates to carry on if he decides not to run.
Vacancies in the office of Lt. Gov. remain vacant for the rest of the term.
http://delcode.delaware.gov/constitution/constitution-04.shtml#P416_56933
You’re correct, John. I was mistaken. The LG’s job is specifically exempted from the vacancy-appointment power of the governor, along with legislative seats.
Odd, that. But I’ve come to the conclusion that the framers of our current constitution were drunk and stupid when they wrote it.
Still, the rest of the scenario hangs together, and Levin could still run in 2016.
SW: Now THAT is a narrative! Gotta admit that the only thing I like about that scenario is Brenda Mayrack succeeding John Carney.
But that’s what I’m looking for…although I much prefer Matt Denn as Governor and Drew Fennell as AG.
I didn’t say it was my favored scenario, just a scenario. I’d love Denn as governor, but can’t see why his organization isn’t more active now – so I think some other role for him is more likely. He’s been gearing up to run for Governor for so long, I don’t see him moving aside for a lesser job like a second shot at IC. Maybe U.S. Attorney, maybe a judgeship. I think the latter more likely, given the longer term and guaranteed stability. He’s the type of guy who’s going to put his family first.
I have no inside knowledge, for the record.
No, I agree with you. Except…it is kinda ‘Waiting for Beau’ as opposed to ‘Waiting for Godot’. Biden has a lot of people sitting in limbo.
And anyone who recalls the Samuel Beckett masterpiece will be quick to point out that…Godot never shows up.
Ian McConnel runs for AG if Beau does not.
Ian McConnell or Kathy Jennings are tee’d up for AG if Beau doesn’t run. I’d guess Ian would not challenge Kathy if she decides she wants it. Kathy almost ran back in the 90s against Brady, but now-Judge Butler took that bullet instead.
I don’t think Drew would ever run for office. Lisa Goodman maybe…but not Drew. (Though she’d obviously be great).
NCCDweller: Do you know this for a fact? And, if so, do you know whether people in the AG’s office are questioning whether Beau indeed will run?
If Jennings runs, Barrish is going to rip her to shreds over the Richards thing.
Barrish to go all Hannity about the Richards case?
Seriously, the divide in the Richards case [and the shrapnel tossed at Judge Jurden] is becoming ugly. The scarecrows from Elkton and Delmar are hoisting the pitchforks. The folks who’ve looked at the facts carefully tend to support the judge, and not crazy Crumplar.
Don’t believe Jennings had her current position when the prosecution on the Richards case was done……
they might want to check those dates….just saying
Richards was a client of hers in private practice.
Can’t rip Jennings for the clients she represented in private practice. Only a problem if Chris Coons would ever have to vote on her appointment for a federal position.
I’m not saying it’s a problem. I’m saying that Barrish will cover the AG’s race from that angle and that angle only, and be relentless in his beating of that drum.
I find it somewhat amusing how y’all tore Mr Biden anew one over the Robert Richards affair, yet now you’re just terribly, terribly worried that he won’t run for re-election as Attorney General.
And we all know the truth: no matter what you’ve said about Mr Biden due to the Richards affair, if her runs, you’ll vote for him.
Dana, it is possible to totally disagree with somebody on one case but support them overall. That being said, if he runs, who’s the alternative?
Why would you want Beau to run for AG again? As Chief Law Enforcement Officer, he has failed miserably. Wilmington’s murder problem is surely not getting any better.
Yeah! And he had his own police force and everything!
Oh, wait.
Teh Stoopid has ended its hibernation, I see.
Feels great to be a welcomed contributor.
Actually the AG does have his own police force, albeit a small one.
More importantly, he has numerous tools at his disposal that can be used to
assist the local police. With regard to Wilmington’s problems, he seems content to
just lurk in the shadows.
He has his own police force. He arrests people and then prosecutes them? Gee, thought those two elements of the criminal justice system were separate. Little did I know. Guess I’ve watched too much Law & Order. So…this tiny police force, should it exist, which it doesn’t, could curb lawlessness in Wilmington. Brilliant, why didn’t I think about that?
He also has ‘numerous tools…to assist the local police’. Please, tell me more. I’m…intrigued.
Thanks for setting me straight. Looking forward to more scintillating commentary from you. It’s not every day that we’re fortunate enough to have someone of your intellect join us.
Yeah! And he had his own police force and everything!
Oh, wait.
Teh Stoopid has ended its hibernation, I see.
Beau is officially the top law enforcement officer in the state. He has every police force in the State (including those useless retired Troopers who infest the DRBA police) at his disposal.
Beau sucks as AG. He’s repeatedly failed on major cases, yet for some reason many DL regulars continue to kiss his ass.
It seems that you white people (I’m white-ask Cassandra, she’s met me in person) are happy as a pig in shit when Beau locks up the low hanging fruit (usually young black men for petty offenses) and cuts deals for middle aged wealthy white child molesters.
Are you fucking kidding me? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?
Do you even read this blog? Seriously.
Go through everything I’ve written since I’ve been here, and tell me where there’s even a scintilla of proof or even innuendo to support this graf:
“It seems that you white people (I’m white-ask Cassandra, she’s met me in person) are happy as a pig in shit when Beau locks up the low hanging fruit (usually young black men for petty offenses) and cuts deals for middle aged wealthy white child molesters.”
You won’t.
Which means you’re just pulling stuff out of your ass.
Yes, I read this blog. I also listen to Al Mascitti on WDEL.
Care to refute anything I’ve said, or are you just blowing smoke?
What’s to refute? If you’ve listened, then you know my position. I’ve blistered Biden on the Richards case, and blistered Biden on his obsession with rounding up degenerates with sweaty palms looking at bad pictures on his computer.
And the AG STILL doesn’t ‘command’ the police agencies, the chiefs of those agencies do. Prove it to be otherwise.
I don’t need to refute utter stupidity. Which is what you’ve written. I’m not defending Biden here, just trying to keep Teh Stoopid from taking over what had been a fairly intriguing thread. Howsabout YOU actually come up with some, you know, facts to go along with baseless assertions for once?
It’s not up to us to try to try and refute Teh Stoopid. It’s up to those making those utterances to demonstrate that they have a clue.
I’m not defending Biden here…
Keep believing that, water boy.
I’ll take that as a you ain’t got nothin’. Lots of people listen to the show and read this blog and KNOW what my position is. So, you’ve officially outed yourself as willfully ignorant. Congratulations.
“And the AG STILL doesn’t ‘command’ the police agencies…”
Never said the AG “commanded” the police agencies. I said they were “at his disposal”.
Check your reading comprehension skills.
I’ll look for advice on my reading skills from someone who demonstrably has them, thank you.
I’ll take that as a you ain’t got nothin’.
Take it any way you like it.
The truth is the truth. You & other DE Democrats carry the Bidens’ water.
And I’m still waiting for you to address the FACT that Beau is the top law enforcement officer in the state.
You can obfuscate & shit on me all you like. Just come up w/ something to refute my first sentence.
“I’ll look for advice on my reading skills from someone who demonstrably has them, thank you.”</
That’s great. Make sure you’re not looking in the mirror when that happens.
Have a great night. I love you. You’re pretty. /sarcasm
From the AG’s own website:
“Delaware’s Attorney General, our State’s chief law enforcement officer, has broad responsibility to combat crime”
How has he fulfilled this responsibility especially with reference to violent crime in Wilmington?
From the DE Code:
“(a) The Attorney General may appoint five qualified persons to be state detectives who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Attorney General”…”(c) State Detectives may make arrests and serve writs anywhere in the State.”
“(d) To investigate matters involving the public peace, safety and justice and to subpoena witnesses and evidence in connection therewith”
“(a) The Attorney General may authorize such members of any county or municipal police departments as the Attorney General deems necessary to have full statewide police, arrest and enforcement powers equivalent to those powers held by members of the Delaware State Police”
“(c) The Attorney General may authorize such members of police forces of jurisdictions outside the State as the Attorney General deems necessary to have full statewide police, arrest and enforcement powers equivalent to those powers held by members of the Delaware State Police”
Yes, he does have at his disposal every police officer in the state as well as the ability to utilize out of state officers.
So, you tell me, has he been doing his job?
Please elaborate.
“Godot never shows up.”
Hey, how about a spoiler alert, eh? Well, that’s one I don’t need to read.
I sure hope Beau doesn’t need medical marijuana for his condition, because it apparently takes more than three years to grow it in Delaware.
Is anyone here old enough to remember when the AG’s office made it a priority to shut down human trafficking operations fronting as massage establishments a number of years ago? And, if you do, have you noticed them springing up like weeds and being fairly straightforward about what’s on the menu at various websites which advertise and discuss these sorts of things?
I’m sorry, but to pretend that the AG’s office just haplessly deals with whatever the police turn up as the “catch of the day” is delusional. An actual AG sets law enforcement priorities and goals. Oh, wait, there is a 20-something with a bag of weed somewhere – sound the alarm!
I’m the last one to stick up for Beau, but seriously — when has any AG used any of the powers being cited here? It hasn’t happened in the 40 years I’ve lived in Delaware.
Nobody pretends that’s the case, Lazy Reader. But the argument that the AG is the reason that crime in Wilmington is so great is BS. Unless he’s got those five detectives deployed on crime-riddled corners. Which means they’re not doing anything else. Unlikely, since you never see the cops there either.
BTW, you’ve made a point worth addressing. It’s indeed true that these Asian ‘spas’ have sprouted up all over the place. At least two within a couple of miles of my house.
If he’s not addressing this, he’s not doing his job. I think it’s very likely that human trafficking is going on at these places.
Of course, I have not argued that he IS doing his job effectively. The one area where I give him some, but only SOME credit, is that he’s joined other AG’s in going after some of the worst corporate scofflaws, especially the banks. Other than that, nothing.
I’ve blistered him for not going after politicians who violate their oaths of office (Minner and cronies), who are illegally double-dipping (DeLuca); blistered him for his ineffectiveness when working with the General Assembly; blistered him on the Bradley and Richards cases, and blistered him on his parading degenerates who look at bad pictures before the public before they’ve even been tried. Which seems like how he most likes to ‘partner’ with local police. Oh, and blistered him for not even letting anyone know whether he’s actually doing the job of AG on a day-to-day basis.
What’s that, Beau? Excuse me, guys, he needs some water…
Reading the string of recent messages leads me to conclude that the Sentinels breached Zion’s hull. To semi-quote Morpheus:
“There is no negotiating or reasoning with a Sentinel. The Sentinels receive orders from agents or from higher commands within the Source and will invariably complete their mission unless destroyed or the order is rescinded.”
Is there a translation for that from the original Geek?
Yes Geezer, I think what Ain’t Taking in Any More is trying to say is that people are hacks for the Bidens. Even when they seem to be “blistering” them. Not my opinion, just translating.
I take it the reference is to the Matrix movies, but I never saw them and have no idea what ATIAM is trying to say.
Most of the criticism based on Beau’s crime-fighting agenda is bullshit. No AG would ever take actions that would make the cops look bad. Delaware isn’t one of those states in which the AG is a mostly ceremonial position from which lawyers can polish their credentials for higher office. Ours prosecutes every criminal case in the state, so must work with the police on every case. The notion that they would shame the police by adopting the policy stance proposed above is laughable.
Before you wish Beau would beef up the office’s crime-fighting abilities, try to remember that the office almost always is held by a Republican.
If Biden doesn’t run I still wouldn’t want to see Matt Denn as AG, I would rather have the empathetic and intelligent hand of Matt Denn in the Governor’s seat.
There are plenty of lawyers in the state who can step in to the AG’s shoes, like Mike Barlow, John Brady, Drew Fennell, Shaku Bhaya and Brian Townsend. Jennings is a non starter for AG, she’s too entrenched in the system and the AGs office needs new blood.
You know what I find interesting? We’re three days into this thread now, and no one has categorically come on here and said that Biden is definitely running. Here’s the closest:
“He’s running.
In the off chance he doesn’t run for AG, there’s plenty of people who will come out of the woodwork.”
In addition to seeing what speculative scenarios people might come up with, I also wrote the article to see if there would be any strong pushback from the Biden folks against even considering such a scenario.
There wasn’t, which, I believe demonstrates the likelihood that Biden is in no way certain to run for reelection. Time to look for a real good alternative. Lisa Goodman for AG and Matt Denn for Governor would be my dream team.
ES – Lisa Goodman should have been on my list. Good call.
Yes of course- have Mayrack run for AG, have Matlusky run for Auditor– have the Democratic State Committee manage NOT to have another state- wide primary to deal with — and get some cred in this process. (in case Beau doesn’t run)