1. Beau.
Beau Biden’s ‘letter to his supporters’ announcing that he would not run for reelection for AG but, rather, would run for Governor in 2016, was an act of breathtaking cynicism. So let’s make one thing totally clear: He is not running for reelection because of his health. Period. With perhaps a dollop of ‘I suck so bad as AG that maybe people will forget just how bad if I’m out of office for a couple of years’. Biden announced back in December that he would run for reelection as AG. Now, all of a sudden he just got to thinking that, “You know, since I’ve been planning to run for Governor in 2016, perhaps it would be injudicious of me to run for reelection as AG”? That thought never occurred to him before? Bullshit. To even throw that out there without even mentioning his health status, which he has resolutely refused to discuss since, what, August of 2013, defines the term disingenuous. And disrespectful. The Bidens must think we’re idiots. Even with this purportedly momentous announcement, Beau has remained completely out of sight. Who the fuck announces for Governor like this? Only somebody with something to hide. In this case, his physical condition. All the guy has is a last name, a crappy record as AG and…over $9 mill in the bank. You can bet that what passes for the Biden Brain Trust were high-fiving it when they found this way out of the problem of how to run somebody who is physically unfit to run. By the way he has completely lied to all Delawareans about the reason for his decision, I now believe he is morally unfit to run or serve.
2. Apres-Beau.
So, let’s first look at 2016 and work our way backwards, shall we? With all that money in the bank, Beau hopes to scare off would-be challengers. If Biden’s successful, this would make it almost a certainty that your Democratic nominee for governor in 2016 would either be Beau Biden or…Tom Gordon. You see, Tommy’s waiting in the wings with the implicit blessing of the Bidenistas. Either way, Joe Biden gets to play kingmaker. You like that? Neither do I. That’s why I find this maneuver so cynical. And so typical of all involved.
OK, let’s become Matt Denn for just a second. He’d like to be governor, but he’s enough of a realist to recognize that waiting for 2016 in (a) the oft-chance that Biden won’t run and/or (b) the hope that he’ll somehow be able to raise enough money to be competitive with Beau are possible but far from sure things. The position of AG has just opened up for this November. I betcha Matt Denn thinks he’d be a great AG. I agree. I also betcha that leaders in the Party are already beating a track to his door. I don’t think anyone could come close to defeating Denn, should he run for AG. With no information whatsoever, I think and hope that that’s what he’ll do. He’d be an effective and progressive AG. Which is better than what we have now.
3. Matt Denn.
It’s already being reported (things are breaking even as I write this on Thursday afternoon) that Denn is considering running for AG in 2014 and for Governor in 2016. Denn has the potential to demonstrate in two years what Beau could not in eight–that he can effectively enact progressive legislation that has a genuine impact on people’s lives. After all, he’s already done that as Insurance Commissioner. That’s a very important skill to have. If Jack Markell had that, he might have more influence in getting infrastructure improvements and waterway cleanups funded. Denn has none of the governor’s political tone deafness, and he seems determined to make a real difference. I kinda thought that Denn could end up as AG, since I was skeptical of Beau’s ability to carry on a campaign. I hope he runs and, should he not, I hope Lisa Goodman is waiting in the wings. One final point: Denn should be keeping his options open for 2016, regardless of whether he runs for AG this year or not. Biden has his name and a fat bankroll going for him, nothing else. If he’s unable to run for reelection this year, already a full eight months following whatever his medical emergency was, it’s far from a sure thing that he’ll run in 2016. The cynical attempt to clear the decks for Beau (or Tom Gordon) in 2016 could well backfire, and Denn could be the beneficiary. I think the Bidens’ hold on the state is waning, not growing stronger. God damn, I love being a political junky.
4. Townsend-Tackett.
No need to rehash this, we talked about it earlier this week. Except…to ask the question: Who are Tackett’s backers? There are whispers out there that a couple of undistinguished, if unjustifiably powerful, legislators, are backing Tackett. Is that true? Anyone have any info? Is DeLuca in any way involved? If so, it’s time for Markell to pull the plug on the Napoleonic martinet and his labor job.
5. Filings.
Rep. Ed Osienski (D-24th), who has been more than a pleasant surprise for progressives, he’s been great; County Councilperson Janet Kilpatrick (R-NCC-Dist. 3).
OK. what’d I miss?