As for the Delaware GOP

They are in a state of disarray. They haven't held the governship since 1992, they have only a slim grip on the Delaware State House, and they're the minority in the State Senate. They're certainly not looking to win the governship once Ruth Ann Minner steps down due to term limits this year.

As for any potential candidates, yeah Castle is definitely too old (he's older than Biden himself, who's been around for 36 years). Jan Ting was expelled from the Republican Party for supporting Barack Obama, and Christine O'Donnell may be good looking but she's just another right wing nutjob.

However, I don't know the wisdom of selecting Beau Biden to fill out the term until 2010. He's actually in Iraq right now, and wouldn't it look like some sort of family entitlement to have another Biden as Senator?

---

by: Don't Tase Me, Bro! @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 06:03:53 AM CDT

Didn't know his son was still serving in Iraq

I wonder if this could affect his service.  Unfortunately you have a big bullseye on your chest when your dad is on the Presidential ticket.  

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by: ChadInFL @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 13:19:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Don't worry, he may be deployed but I doubt he's anywhere near trouble.

Isn't he a JAG or something? He's probably sitting in the air conditioning right now.

---

by: nrimmer @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 13:48:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Isn't all of Iraq 'near trouble'?

I guess it's been a few months since anyone lobbed mortar shells or RPG's into the green zone.  That might be partly due to 'the surge' but I wouldn't be surprised if it's mostly just because everyone's waiting to see what the next election -- ours, not their's -- will bring.  I sort of imagine a lot of Iraqis hoarding weapons in case McCain is elected, and learning enough English to paint banners saying, "Don't let the door hit your ass as you leave" if Obama wins.

---

by: david78209 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 16:52:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lol, that is funny. I gotta say though there's a lot of personnel in

the Middle Eastern theater who are out of harms way. A friend of mine is also a JAG and she's expecting to be deployed sometime this year or next. I'm not sure where she would end up but I'll ask her. From what she's said, the chances of her being blown up are pretty slim. However, its probably an unwritten rule that if your in the Army you have a better chance of being blown up then a private citizen. Either way, I hope they all come home alive.

---

by: nrimmer @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:41:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Don't worry about that

Congressman McHenry (NC-10) is always around to detail damage done to the Green Zone to the enemy.

---

by: ChadInFL @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 19:19:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Can he wait until after the primary to withdraw?

In that case, Delaware Democrats could choose the loser of the gubernatorial primary (Lt. Gov. John Carney or Treasurer Jack Markell, both strong statewide candidates) to replace Biden on the ballot.

Also, no way would the Republicans pick up this seat. The Delaware GOP is one of the most moribund, ineffectual state parties in the country.

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by: Johnny Longtorso @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 06:52:06 AM CDT

Alternate Possibility

Carney, Markell, Biden, and Minner could reach an immediate agreement. Biden could step down now, Minner could appoint either Carney or Markell to the Senate, and then all involved would have a fairly smooth electoral path (and would jointly campaign together - I don't buy the idea that the rift between Carney and Markell is all that serious). My guess is that Carney would rather stay in-state and that Markell would have an eye on DC. And given that Markell has a strong relationship with the local liberal blogosphere, I'd love the chance to vote for Carney, Markell, AND Biden in November.

Visit Election Inspection for analysis, polls, and predictions!

---

by: X Stryker @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 22:30:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Other Democratic opportunities

Could be the loser of the Gubernatorial primary(Treasurer Markell or Lt. Gov. Carney), Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn, and one of Castle's many former or current Democratic challengers(Miller, Northington, Nagle, Spivack, etc...).

Waffle House celebrated its 50th anniversary and my steak celebrated its 25th-Larry the Cable Guy

---

by: SE-779 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 08:18:33 AM CDT

Denn

is running for Lt. Governor

Liberty Avenue Politics - a place for politics in Southern Queens

---

by: nrafter530 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:20:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I understand,

But if Denn loses to State Senate Pro-Tempore Charlie copeland, Denn would be a good option. I hope that is not the Scenario cause Denn would make a great Lieutenant Governor.

Waffle House celebrated its 50th anniversary and my steak celebrated its 25th-Larry the Cable Guy

---

by: SE-779 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:45:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Obama followed Rule #1

"Do no harm"

Biden does not result in the loss of a senate, house, or governor seat. Of the final five candidates; Biden, Sebelius, Bayh, Kaine, and Chet Edwards - only Biden and Sebelius followed this rule.

Biden's poop joke earlier this week won me over. Should be a fun 2 months.

---

by: trowaman @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 09:36:31 AM CDT

Yes. I never understood how Kaine made it

to Obama's "short list".
Totally apart from one's opinion of Kaine as the VP candidate (good or bad or terrible), the Republican Lt Gov would've taken over in VA.  A Repub VA Gov couldn't have been good with redistricting on the horizon

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by: homerun @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 20:01:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I never understood Kaine

By most accounts he's been an average at best Gvoernor of VA.  Also, the few times I've heard him speak he sounded horrible, definately not ready for VP.  He did the State of the Union Democratic response a year or two ago and I literally cringed he was so bad.

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by: ChadInFL @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 22:29:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Personal sympatico

Kaine endorsed Obama early and both grew up in Kansas and lived overseas.  The fact that Kaine has been an ineffective Governor (especially compared to Warner) and is blah might not have mattered if the race looked like a blow out.  My guess is that Obama wanted to pick Kaine but wanted to win the election more.

---

by: David Kowalski @ Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 16:31:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

He probably needs to run for re-election

I took a read of Delaware election law on-line and it appears that Delaware has a situation similar to the Texas law that kept the GOP from being able to designate a replacement for Delay --- it seems to only allow party committees to replace a candidate in the event of death or major incapacity of the candidate. I couldn't find any other provision in law for a party to replace a nominated candidate because of withdraw.

(Major caveat - I don't pretend to know anything about Delaware election law, I'm not a lawyer, and I could easily have missed something while reading the election code on-line)

If that is the case, the only options would appear to be

- Biden running for re-election. As correctly noted above, Gov. Miner would name his replacement if he wins re-election and resigns to become VP.

- selecting another nominee through a write in campaign in the September 9th primary. The time table seems rather unrealistic for organizing something that complex in a short period, especially since there are probably quite a few ambitious Delaware Democrats who might not really want to step aside for Beau.

I assume Joe Biden will do what Lieberman did in 2000, and Lyndon Johnson did in 1960... assuming Delaware law allows him to be on the ballot for 2 federal offices at the same time (I didn't find anything in the code that seemed to rule that out).

---

by: terje @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 09:48:20 AM CDT

link to Delaware election code

for anyone inclined to try to read for themself, here is the link to Delaware's election law

http://delcode.delaware.gov/ti...

---

by: terje @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 09:52:34 AM CDT

Hmm

Beau Biden is being deployed to Iraq for a year in October. Biden would probably love to hand the seat to Beau but Beau would be gone for the first 9 months of the job. So I doubt that's a possibility.

I bet the loser of the gubernatorial primary will either replace Biden on the ballot or be appointed for him.

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by: Populista @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 11:46:27 AM CDT

I hope

Markell loses cause of thie soon-to-be open seat.

Waffle House celebrated its 50th anniversary and my steak celebrated its 25th-Larry the Cable Guy

---

by: SE-779 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 11:58:09 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'd rather it wasn't Beau

I know very little about Beau Biden's politics, but as a general principle I would rather another candidate got the nod. Dynasties are unappealing at the best of times, and tapping him would play straight into Republican charges of elitism.

---

by: Englishlefty @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 12:20:48 PM CDT

I like Dynasties because it means you

will have strong candidates on the bench.  Two top tier senate candidates both come from the Udall dynasty this time around.  I haven't heard you complain about that one ;-)

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by: JeremiahTheMessiah @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 15:32:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, it was already a done deal

And the Udalls at least made their careers in different states to their fathers.

But still, all thins concerned, it would be nice if we had equally good candidates who did not in any way owe their prominence to family ties.

Hereditary succession is fundamentally anti-Democratic, it tends to lead to beltway-centric viewpoints and it minimises the possibility of getting in new blood.

That's not to say that some dynastic members aren't great. They clearly are. Just that they're balanced out by the likes of Harold Ford and Evan Bayh, and that as a group they have little incentive to shake the system up.

---

by: Englishlefty @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 06:12:28 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

No to Beau

I lived all my life in DE (and still work there). I hope it's not Beau. Not a bad guy, but it wouldn't go over too well. He barely won the AG (by 4 pts), and he only won due to his name and having a (D) next to his name. I hope the Gubernatorial primary loser takes it. It looks like Carney will win, so I would love to see Jack Markell run for senator. Carney has all of the state Democratic Party support and I feel he is the weaker candidate. I'd be happy with either as Senator and governor, but Markell seems more progressive, especially about LGBT issues. DE is stuck back in the stone ages for gay rights, but I have faith both men will turn that around. The Democratic folks running for Mike Castle's seat have NO chance and would have little chance for the senate seat either. There could always be some surprise from the state house or senate. Either way, it should stay in Democratic hands, just a Beau pick I am afraid would be much closer result than necessary.

Almost wish I didn't live/vote in PA, the Democratic party in Wilmington this year is going to be amazing (it was in 06).  

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by: Airb330 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 15:22:09 PM CDT

Markell is great

he's been a leader in the effort to bring wind power to Delaware's coastline. I would love to see him in the Senate.

Carney just seems like another "meh" moderate Delaware Dem.

---

by: Johnny Longtorso @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 16:53:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

oops, I must have the two mixed up

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

---

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:29:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

nope, looked it up,

Carney is more liberal, Markell was one of the DLC's rising stars, a Tom Carper Democrat, which is basically an environmentalist pro-choice Republican in political views. Wind energy or not, I'd rather have him as the gubernatorial candidate.

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

---

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 19:40:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

neither is close to a Republican

Well considering Minner has been a huge disappointment, I'd prefer some fresh blood. Carney is pretty boring and is tied to the Minner administration obviously. I fail to see how he is any more progressive by any means. Jack Markell has done an amazing job as state treasurer. The Minner/Carney administration has had problems with spending. DelDOT seems to pave every road every year; a huge waste of tax dollars. I'd prefer Markell as governor and would love to see Carney as senator. Either way, both guys are good guys, but the "it's Carney's time" view from most of the party is frankly disgusting.  

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by: Airb330 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 22:02:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The only way the Senate pick could be a disaster

Would be if Gov. Minner picked herself.  I really hope that isn't going to happen.

---

by: ChadInFL @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 15:57:04 PM CDT

Doubtful

She's 73, so she'll probably be retiring from politics this year.

---

by: Johnny Longtorso @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 16:54:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Are the Rethugs even ..

fielding a token candidate against Biden this year?  I doubt Biden will pull the Lieberman stunt

---

by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:01:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, they have a token candidate

http://christineodonnell08.com/

Christine O'Donnell is her name.  She's very attractive, but that appears to be about all she has going for her in the race.

---

by: ChadInFL @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 19:23:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

one other precedent.....

In 1988, Lloyd Bentsen ran for Senate as well as VP, and won re-election.  I still think even with the depleted state of the Delaware GOP, it might be wise for Biden
to run for both offices.  Has he made a decision yet?

---

by: mikeel @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 16:04:27 PM CDT

Appoint the Soldier

"...especially as Beau Biden is currently serving in Iraq."

Can you imagine the media event it would be if Delaware named an active soldier on duty as the Senate replacement?

There is precedent, I believe -- w/ WW II, various sitting officials signed up to serve -- until Roosevelt, as commander in chief, ordered the federally officials to serve in their elected office.

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by: chicagoexpat @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 16:35:06 PM CDT

Would the military

really allow a US Senator to serve anyway?  Like when Prince Harry was sent to Iraq, they were like, um hell no.  

I could certainly see an honorable discharge in this case.  I dont know how good this would look though.

It's almost too bad, I dont like political dynasties like this (unless the kid couldve won it without the dynasty factor, the Udalls excellent examples) but it would be just such an excellent touch that the DEMOCRATS are the party with someone currently serving in Iraq.  He's only a JAG and not really patrolling the streets of Baghdad, but what a nice thing to shove in the Republicans faces.

I believe the Tinsley (that's the guy running in NM-2 right?) and the cut your throats bullshit.  We have a Senator serving in Iraq right now, now sit down and shut the hell up.

---

by: Andrew @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 23:26:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not really

Prince Harry did serve in Afghanistan and in the front lines at that.  He was only pulled out when his cover was blown.

I don't think an honorable discharge is needed, just put the guy someplace outside of Iraq where he isn't a big target.  

---

by: ChadInFL @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 00:12:15 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

But

Harry is an inbred moronic fratboy with slightly less brains than a basset hound. Him getting shot might have been a public relations nightmare, but it would have made no difference at all to the machinery of government.

Hell, I was all in favour of him staying there and being used to draw fire and give cover to the rest of the British army.

A senator may not be such a propaganda coup, but he does have actual responsibilities. For a start, if he's in Iraq then he can't vote for cloture.

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by: Englishlefty @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 06:17:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

LBJ was one of them

Johnson somehow got a serious medal (Bronze Star I think) in a really short tour of duty.  He was an observer and his plane got shot down.

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by: David Kowalski @ Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 16:37:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Markell is probably going to lose

but he's really conservative, really economially conservative, probably to the right of Carper who is the most conservative Democrat representing a state that went for Kerry, indeed in 2006 while we were primarying Lieberman, Carper's record was more conservative. We don't want Markell in.

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

---

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:26:30 PM CDT

oops, meant

CArney I get the two mixed up. It was Carney who was listed as the DLC rising star,  

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

---

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 17:29:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

oh, wait, nope I didn't

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

---

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 19:40:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

GEEZ!

Make up your mind already! Gosh!

/snark

---

by: trowaman @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 20:41:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Where do you get that?

Obama was listed to that list once, it doesn't mean shit.

From everything I've heard Markell is more progressive and also stands a good shot of winning beacuse he's not tied to the very unpopular current governor like his opponent.

If you have any specific things showing that Markell is in fact a reactionary like you say I'd be happy to see them but I don't know where your getting that from

---

by: Populista @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 00:10:34 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

ok now I'M confused

which one is the DLC rising star??    

Check out http://electioninspection.word... for the latest news, election results, poll analysis, and predictions

---

by: skywrnchsr509 @ Sat Aug 23, 2008 at 22:31:47 PM CDT

I think that was Markell

But I think Carney was listed as DLC also.

These guys are DLC like John Kerry was DLC - I wouldn't base your judgement on that label alone.

I will point out that Markell is the favorite of the blogosphere and was endorsed by Progressive Democrats of Delaware. However, as a former business executive and state treasurer, he has a strong appeal to pro-Business Democrats (of which there are many in Delaware).

Carney is more of the traditional labor Democrat. Both men are Obama endorsers.

I am undecided in this race - I have met both men, and I think either would make a great governor. Both are fairly progressive - the real problem in Delaware lies with GOP control of the State House (which will likely be broken this year) and conservative Democrats controlling the state senate (Thurman Adams, Harris McDowell - who aren't going anywhere, but we might get some better senators elected as well this year).  

Visit Election Inspection for analysis, polls, and predictions!

---

by: X Stryker @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 22:45:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Aww, I wanted Richardson!

Swing state chock full of races + popular governor (domestic issues) + energy (under Clinton) + foreign affairs + border state (immigration) + Hispanic.

Oh well...

Bill Posey is not half-alligator...and is outclassed by Davy Crockett anyway: http://www.washingtonmonthly.c...

---

by: Glenn Magus Harvey @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 02:50:52 AM CDT

Man,

I was actually hoping for Tim Kaine, Evan Bayh, Jack Reed, or Bill Bradley.

Waffle House celebrated its 50th anniversary and my steak celebrated its 25th-Larry the Cable Guy

---

by: SE-779 @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 08:35:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

My Top 2 were Biden and Richardson

The things you comment on for Richardson were my reasons as well for him being tagged as the No. 2. I think Biden was my top choice for all the reasons we are reading about now. I think overall he took Biden because of his ability to debate, his ability to attack, and his massive foreign policy experience and creditials abroad.

KELL

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by: ryanlkelly @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 10:50:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Dynasties

It's interesting to see all the negative dynasty comments on this page, given that the Democrats have two of the biggest political dynasties in the Kennedys and the Gores.  It would be interesting to see if the anti-dynasty posters are also down on those two families!  Plus it seems like every member of the Carnahan family has held office in MO, and two are frequently cited by Democrats as rising stars.  Then there're the Landrieus in LA.  How do we feel about them?

Seriously, though, politics in this country have always featured dynasties.  Back in my home state there were the La Follettes, at least one of whom held major elective office in WI for the better part of a century.  The woman I'm trying like heck to get elected to the Senate this year from NC is the niece of a man who served as both a governor and a senator, so I guess she's part of a dynasty, too.  Won't keep me from supporting her!

Might be a fun post - have everyone write about political dynasties in their states.  I think a lot of folks would be overwhelmed by how many there are.

---

by: LanceS @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 11:26:08 AM CDT

Wow

I really cant think of a single one from Minnesota.

---

by: Andrew @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 14:03:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Humphrey? Mondale? Freeman?

We've got lots.

---

by: Populista @ Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 14:57:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]