Let’s Gossip
There were a couple of eyebrow-raising articles in today’s News Journal.
First, Joe Biden for President 2016?
But when pressed on whether he’d rule out a White House run, Biden said, “No, I won’t. I won’t rule that out. No.”
Seriously, Joe? As the NJ points out, Biden would be 74 years old on inauguration day.
The second article is by Ron Williams. I know how some people here feel about Williams but I love the title of his column today “Republicans are trying to shoot their own feet.” Williams pretty accurately diagnoses the Republican strategy of trying to win over state workers, and why it won’t work for them. I really want to call attention to this part of the column:
Castle will be the GOP Senate candidate
Connecting dots on U.S. Rep. Mike Castle’s political futures page leads to only one conclusion: He’s running for the former Senate seat of Joe Biden next year. Expect a public announcement in the next month.
Castle is not yet talking, but there are a number of high-ranking Republican operatives who know Castle’s moods and inclinations, and they say hands down that he’s in for the seat now held by Ted Kaufman, Biden’s former chief of staff. Kaufman is stepping down in 2010.
If I owned a ranch, I’d bet it on a Castle candidacy. Whether it will be against Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, however, is another matter. Rumblings in the Democratic ranks indicate that Biden will stay put rather than risk a career-damaging defeat to Castle, one of the most popular and successful political candidates in Delaware history.
So, what do all of DLers think? Will Castle run? (If Castle doesn’t run, expect Jason to post I-told-you-sos for days.) Will Beau Biden run? Would Beau be able to watch another Democrat possibly take his father’s seat. Unlike a lot of people, I don’t think Mike Castle is unbeatable, especially if he keeps aligning himself with the party of no. If not Beau Biden, then who?
I invoke the Ric Flair Rule.
Beau Biden needs Castle to run.
Also…Castle will not run. Too bad for Beau in a way.
Why do you think Beau needs Castle?
The Ric Flair Rule: “To Be the Man You Have to Beat the Man”
Beau needs to beat up on Castle or be seen like a guy who has had everything given to him in life.
wince … pain … to admit: jason is right that Beau actually has to beat the Man, and the only GOP man left in DE is Mike Castle.
Beau is in a no-win situation. Carney has announced for Congress, which is frankly what Beau should have done first.
Castle will run, but only after (a) moderating his way back toward the center for the next twelve months, and (b) maneuvering Beau to look too indecisive.
Beau’s only chance was to declare before Castle even expressed interest, which is tough when you are in Iraq.
I see your point but it doesn’t really matter when you have your 6-year job in the Senate, does it? I agree, Beau should have run for the House.
Beau will not run.
We need to start a Draft Ted Kaufman movement.
There are two potentially superb progressive candidates who ‘bulo believes would beat Castle, assuming that (a) they run on the issues and (b) that they challenge Castle’s record, which is nothing like his PR.
First is the sitting LG, Matt Denn. Proven strong vote-getter statewide. A real progressive currently in as close to a do-nothing job as there is. Great sense of humor, a robo-candidate (meaning he campaigns real hard), he could carve up Mike Castle w/o even appearing to wield the scalpel.
And, First A, how about the best and most effective progressive officeholder in Delaware? Someone who has run and won (New Castle) county wide? Someone who has demonstrated that, in a political body not known for its progressive principles, they can be effective? Someone who has demonstrated that they would have no fear, and, in fact, might relish, running against Castle. Both as a progressive and a populist. Ladies and gentlemen, the next US Senator from Delaware…Karen Peterson!
KP would be an excellent choice, but… there is no way that she runs at this point. Trust me.
Denn on the other hand…
I would love it if Karen Peterson ran for U.S. Senate, but I think she’s up for election in 2010. She’d have to decide to retire from the Delaware state senate for a run. Denn could jump in, it’d essentially be a freebie, since he isn’t up for election this time. Does Denn have the capability of raising the huge sums of money required for the race? What about Chris Coons? Isn’t he interested in a political career?
Should Castle announce a run for the Senate and no one of the stature of either Denn or Coons announces, there should be a draft Kaufman movement.
I’d love to see Peterson run, but we need her on the state level. She’s doing what few others will.
I agree with starting a “Draft Kaufman” movement.
What’s stopping John Carney from running for the Senate seat (the last I checked, the Senate IS part of Congress). This opens the door for Denn or Kaufman to run for the House seat.
Do this soon enough, and Castle will head to the exits.
I think Carney would look a bit foolish now announcing for Senate. I think Carney’s jumping into the House race probably helped push Castle out of it.