http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7925436Oh my.
Joe Biden's been replaced, apparently.
JDwho (264 posts) Tue Nov-25-08 09:00 AM
Original message
Biden replacement creates blowback
Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner’s (D) decision to appoint Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s longtime aide Ted Kaufman to the Senate has upset local Democrats who believe the move was a ham-handed attempt to engineer the election of Biden’s son, Beau, to the Senate in 2010.
By selecting Kaufman, who has said he would serve only two years before a special election is held in 2010, Minner bypassed other interested Delaware pols and ensured that Beau Biden will have a clearer opportunity to succeed his father in the Senate.
Beau Biden, the state’s attorney general, is currently serving in Iraq as part of the Delaware National Guard.
“There is definitely going to be some blowback,†said Delaware State political science professor Sam Hoff.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15959.html
Local Democrats are upset about Biden's replacement in the senate? Beau Biden (whom I assume is a Democrat), who is now serving in Iraq; is already being accused of his father's seat being gifted to him.
The more Democrats, the better, IMHO. Why on earth is our party upset about this?
Donnachaidh (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-25-08 09:32 AM
Response to Original message
10. why? perhaps it has something to do with the 'L' word?
LEGACY. Or perhaps it's the appearance of Biden's aide 'keeping the seat warm' for Beau Biden?
The country hasn't done so well lately with legacy candidates. No one should seem to have a foot up, compared to other potential candidates. And yes, he'll have to run for the office, but his presence will have immediate recognition, especially with the shadow of the Vice President making sure all the right hands are shook, all the right fundraisers are attended, etc. He certainly DOES have the advantage over poor Joe Schmuck who wants to run because he sees too much being done in Washington, but doesn't have the political connections.
Yeah. Vast Teddy was a legacy of his older brother, and look how well that's worked out for America, for the world, with that pompous boozing decadent fat ass.
murbley40 (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-25-08 09:35 AM
Response to Original message
11. This Delaware democrat ... is just fine with the appointment of Kaufman. Some supported Carney (Minner's lt. governor) for the appointment. In my opinion, he is too close to Carper.
LynneSin (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-25-08 10:07 AM
Response to Reply #13
16. Another Delawarean that's glad it's not Carney
Don't get me wrong - John Carney is a good guy but he's another Tom Carper. And Tom Carper is strong DLC, I think he has like a Vice-Chair position in the organization. Don't get me wrong - Carper is no Lieberman but he still makes me cringe from time to time. Carney would have been a huge bonus for the DLC. Appointing Kaufman, whether permament or to fill in for Beau, means that the DLC has not picked off another seat.
LynneSin (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-25-08 10:18 AM
Response to Original message
17. I'm gonna tell you who the big losers are with this appointment - the DLC
First, I'm from Delaware. I'm no expert but I can give you some info about what is going on.
We have another sort of 'legacy' going on in the state that started with Tom Carper, our other senator in DE. Carper was governor for 8 years. When his term limits came up, his Lt. Gov Ruth-Ann Minner ran and John Carney became Lt. Gov. Ruth-ann's term limits are up and it was assumed that John Carney would be the next Governor of the state. But the state treasure, Jack Markell ran and pulled a surprise upset.
Some assumed that Carney would be given Biden's seat as a show of appreciation for his work at Lt. Gov.
HOWEVER, Carper, Minner & Carney are all DLC stalwarts. If Carney was to get the senate seat it would be a pick-up for the DLC and because he's a product of that 'legacy' he would probably fit in quite well with one of the top dogs in the DLC, Tom Carper (the other senator from DE). (mind you, Markell is also DLC but for some reason DLC governors aren't as bad as DLC senators and representatives).
I think Joe Biden had major influence over who was going to get that seat and with governors switching in DE, he would give the decision of who to replace him to the governor willing to pick the person Joe wanted as his replacement. Biden is not nor has he ever been DLC (although DUers claim he is - he's not). So getting Kaufman is getting someone who is not DLC and pretty much knows the mindset of how Joe would do things as senator.
As for the other issue - holding the seat for Joe's son Beau. Well, unless Mike Castle, our lone US Rep, decides to make a run for senate there isn't one strong republican in the state that could really take on Biden Jr. or Kaufman. (Provided that there isn't some major Democrat backlash like we saw in 1994 with the 'Contract on America').
It's funny that people bitch about Beau being a 'legacy' but these are the same people that had no problem voting for George W. Bush. At least Beau is a class act who served our country during an unpopular war even when he had the connections to get out of it. And Beau has no skeletons in his closet either.
So it'll all be interesting to see what happens. I'll be happy to vote for whomever the DE candidate is in 2010. And I'm glad it's not John Carney. I loved having Joe Biden as my senator (mind you I came from PA where for 8 years Rick Santorum was my senator) and with Kaufman I feel like I'm getting the same kind of Biden representation that I've come to appreciate.
chimpymustgo (1000+ posts) Tue Nov-25-08 04:16 PM
Response to Reply #26
30. Nepotism. We'd be screaming if the rethugs did it.
Uh-huh.
