WaPo Wonders About Biden’s Senate Seat
A couple of interesting things here.
First of all, the Washington Post posits that it is kinda a given that Obama/Biden will win. Great. Second of all, could Chris Czillia (sp?) could not know less about Delaware politics? A Ruth Ann victory lap? Sky Dad save us.
I’m grabbing a big section so no blockquote:
“In Delaware, the machinations are complicated by the recent call-up and deployment to Iraq of Attorney General Beau Biden, the senator’s son. The younger Biden, who was deployed Sunday for a year-long tour, was widely seen as the heir apparent to his father’s seat whenever the elder statesman decided to vacate it.
With Beau Biden in Iraq for the next year, Minner could come under pressure to appoint a caretaker to the spot so the junior Biden could run in the special election in 2010. If so, Minner herself might not be a bad pick — perhaps seeing a two-year Senate stint as a capstone to a career that has included stints in both houses of the Delaware legislature as well as eight years a lieutenant governor and then governor of the First State. It’s not clear, however, whether Minner, who would be 74 when sworn in to the Senate, is interested in coming to Washington.
If Minner doesn’t appoint herself, the leading name would probably be that of Lt. Gov Jack Carney, who was beaten in the Democratic gubernatorial primary this year by state Treasurer Jack Markell. Minner and Carney have been close political allies for a number of years, and the governor endorsed his unsuccessful primary candidacy.
For Republicans, who have grown increasingly less competitive in the state over the last decade, Rep. Mike Castle may be their last best hope to win a Senate seat. Castle served as governor of Delaware from 1984 to 1992 and has been in the House since. He would be — by far — Republicans’ strongest candidate in a 2010 open seat race.”
I happen to think that Minner is vain and clueless enough to appoint herself for the two year stint in order to add to her pension.
My Prediction: Minner -> Special 2010 – > Carney
Lt. Gov. Jack Carney? Ouch.
I think that if Chris Cilizza had been reading us a couple of months back, he might have a more nuanced take on this situation.
😉
Someone, and I can’t remember who, brought up a great point about Joe and Beau Biden and the Senate seat.
Joe Biden is not going to put Beau Biden in a situation where he may fail. A Senate race in 2010 against Castle is a situation where he may lose. It would be much better for Beau’s career for Beau to run for House in 2010 to replace Castle. He should have no major competition from the Dems or the GOP, as Carney will be Senator running against Castle, and Copeland will be running for Governor in 2012.
I hope Minner (or Markell) appoints a placeholder so we can have a real election in 2010. If it’s a placeholder – why not Minner?
Well, if Minner appoints Carney, wouldn’t we all want Carney to run in 2010 anyway?
Yeah, don’t you know Jack? He serves under Gov. Ann Ruth Minner and with Treasurer John Markell, Insurance Commissioner Mike Denn and Auditor Tim Wagner.
Well, it is obvious Castle would be the strongest guy for Biden’s seat if Obama wins. However, Copeland won’t be running for Governor, likely his career is over.
Lee is going to get beat 2 to 1 or worse. Copeland will lose by 18-20%. Yes, Charlie volunteered to jump on the grenade but what the GOP forgot to tell him when a soldier jumps on a grenade, the soldier dies and the family gets the Medal.
If Obama wins a lot could change in Delaware politics but for the most part the GOP will wake up on Nov 5th and realize they wasted three elections for Governor on Bill Lee. Lee assured his primary win when he refused to debate Protack but by doing so he guaranteed his loss this November.
Treasurer will come open, maybe Senate and thereby Congress. The GOP will try to pull someone out of the business community (it won’t be Levin), I have to be sure Protack by bowing out and debating credibly with the Dems will be in the mix (inside deal?) and possibly Copeland but how does he explain that huge loss? I think the Delaware GOP is just about extinct so in the end it doesn’t matter.
Minner? What an embarassment to Delaware to have “that woman” be our Senator. Wake up liberals! Wake up! Or is there someone else the progressives think should take the seat? Fess up!
Exhibit A: What Minner did to Delaware in eight years.
Do you trust her in DC for two?????
Why not Karen Peterson as your “placeholder”?
Says quite a lot for the GOP to nominate Herman Holloway Jr. for the Republican candidate in the city Council President race, and still let Holloway call himself a DEMOCRAT.
Margaret Rose Henry, is now vindicated and absolved.
VERY sad indeed. Tell me again why Republicans did not support a real Republican in Protack?
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