Beau

I can understand the concern about potential political dynasties. But they aren't necessarily bad.  

But I think it would just be very interesting to see how the Washington establishment reacts to a deployed soldier being named as a Senator.
I assume CinC Obama (or actually his Sec of Defense to be) can order Beau's tour deferred while serving as a Senator

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by: homerun @ Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 23:02:44 PM UTC

Is It Just Me?

Or does anyone fine this whole process somewhat reeking of political entitlement? If Joe resigning to get sworn in as VP and his son getting to take his place is bad enough, there's this law in your country in some states that allow the incumbent to run for reelection to the Senate even though they are seeking another office in the same year?

It seems to me the honorable thing to do would be to resign your seat and then run for Vice President, so you would be able to fully commit your political energies to getting Obama in the Oval Office. The only argument I can find is that running for reelection provides a safety valve for (in this case) an honorable and dedicated public servant to continue his service.

Too bad John Edwards couldn't do that in 2004. Or could he (does North Carolina do the same as Delaware?), or did he just choose on his own not to serve another term that year?

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by: Don't Tase Me, Bro! @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 00:14:20 AM UTC

It's common enough

I don't have a big problem with it in this case.  I had a huge problem with it though in 2000 when Lieberman did the same thing.  The difference in the Lieberman case was the fact that had he and Gore won his Senate seat would have gone to a republican.  And since the Senate ended up being 50-50 it would have given republicans control of the Senate.  But it's Holy Joe, what else would you expect?

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by: ChadInFL @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 00:19:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

It varies

from state to state; in some states you can't run for more than one office at once.

There seems to be a strange correlation running for VP in the same year as you're up for your Senate seat again. Not just Biden now and Lieberman in 2000, but also Lloyd Bentsen in 1988 and LBJ in 1960. (And it could've been Edwards in 2004, although he chose to leave the Senate to focus fully on his presidential run.)

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by: Crisitunity @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 00:23:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why Leave it to Chance...

This is the safest thing to do for the Democrats overall. When Obama/Biden win, Joe keeps the seat from any GOP member who might have won it in the general election (Rep. Castle) and allows an out-going Democratic Governor to appoint a replacement. If McCain somehow wins this, no reason Joe shouldn't continue to serve if his state so elects him to do so.

As for appointing Beau or not, it's not as if Joe Biden is making the appointment (a la Gov. Murkowski, R-AK did in Alaska of his daughter). If Beau is considered qualified, he is the Attorney General of the state as an elected official, then there is no reason not to appoint him if he's interested - an outstanding question.  

KELL

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by: ryanlkelly @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 01:47:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wait a second...

from the article:

It could fall to the current governor to choose a Biden successor. Democratic Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is barred from seeking re-election, but could still be in office after the new president and vice president are sworn in at noon on Jan. 20, by which time Biden would have to officially relinquish his Senate seat. Delaware's new governor also will be sworn in that day.

If the governor's inauguration comes after noon, Minner could choose an interim replacement for Biden as one of her last acts in office. If not, her successor would make the appointment.

So actually, those couple hours could make the difference whether Minner does the pick, or whether the next governor does the pick.

And while it also says this:

Democrats outnumber Republicans in Delaware, so the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary likely will be favored over the winner of the GOP race between Bill Lee and Michael Protack. Protack is also running as the Independent Party's candidate.

Lee did get 45% of the vote four years ago against the incumbent Minner.  Given the demographics of Delaware, that means either he cleaned up among Independents, or there were a substantial number of Democrats who voted for him.  And given how Minner's term has seemed lackluster at best, what if there's a buyer's remorse in Delaware that has them giving Lee a second look?

I think we underestimate the DE-Gov race at our own peril if we simply assume it's in the bag for us.  Keep in mind they keep sending a Republican to the House, and will almost certainly do so again, even as they pull the lever for Obama/Biden.

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by: BruinKid @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 06:15:21 AM UTC

We have this shit locked.

Don't worry. Biden will most likely resign from the Senate earlier than the 20th of January -- especially if a repuke wins the gubernatorial race.

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by: James L. @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 06:22:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

don't overthink it

this is the safest course.  and by janueary 20th joe biden will be well aware of who is the elected governor of Delaware and will insure that it is a Democrat who does the appointing - whether it's minner or her successor is immaterial.  i recall that dan quayle resigned early inorder to insure the republican governor who was leaving got to appoint his replacement.

and it does reek of family entitlement which would probably make it a better choice to appoint the loser of the Gov primary although having a democratic serviceman in the US Senate could be a very powerful symbol as well.

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by: st paul sage @ Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 14:13:13 PM UTC