by Mark Silva and updated
Add another uncertainty to the 2010 midterm election lineup: In Delaware, where the son of the former longtime senator and now Vice President Joe Biden, was expected to seek his father's seat, state Attorney General Beau Biden now says he'll take a pass.
Since Biden's seating as vice president, former aide Ted Kaufman has served as a placeholder in the Senate seat. Republican Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware is seeking the seat, and now could have a clearer path without another Biden standing in the way.(He recently delivered the Republican Party's weekly address.)
An associate of Beau Biden this morning circulated a letter from the attorney general and National Guardsman who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq:
"As many of you know, since returning home from Iraq, I have been giving serious consideration to running for the United States Senate. I have received strong encouragement both here in Delaware and all across the country to undertake this effort - and this outpouring of support has truly been humbling.
"I understand why people care so deeply about this election. The challenges we're facing as a country are extraordinarily difficult. The economy. Jobs. Health care. Energy. Education. Climate change. Financial regulation. Foreign policy. These are not only the issues of the moment - they're the issues that will determine our children's future....
"I feel strongly about these issues. However, my first responsibilities are here in Delaware. I have a duty to fulfill as attorney general - and the immediate need to focus on a case of great consequence. And that is what I must do.
" Therefore I cannot and will not run for the United States Senate in 2010. I will run for reelection as attorney general.,,, I have a job to finish. And that's what I must do.''
The National Republcian Senatorial Committee, for one, welcomes the news.
"Clearly, Beau Biden's decision not to run for the U.S. Senate represents a major recruiting setback for national Democrats, who have been counting on his candidacy to keep the vice president's former seat in Democrat control,'' NRSC spokesman Colin Reed said today. "As we saw in Massachusetts last week, voters clearly stated that these seats belong to the people - not to either political party or dynasty.''
(And for the record today, Kaufman (D-Del.) said today that he will make good on his commitment not to seek the seat in November: Senator Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) released the following statement today:
"Serving the people of Delaware in the U.S. Senate is as fulfilling, challenging, and humbling as I imagined when I was appointed. But as I said at the time, I will not seek election for the balance of the term. I will continue to spend my time as senator serving the people of Delaware and our nation and not running for office. It is a commitment I made when appointed, and one I will fulfill.")
Comments
Sounds like Beau is taking a pass because he can read the mid-term writing on the wall.
Scott Brown - the gift that keeps on giving!!!
Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2010 10:53 AM
This is the most interesting story of the day instead of all the political propaganda items we are getting from the two parties and their more fervent supporters. I wonder if Beau Biden and his father Joe realized that this may not be the year to run as a Democrat after the recent losses in Virginia, New Jersey and especially Massachusetts. Maybe they see a possible Republican wave developing that is going to sweep many Democrats out of office? The Democrats have lost touch with the country, especially the Middle Class, and historically the out party wins seats in an off year election. The GOP will probably seats in both the House and the Senate but they big question will be ho many? Time will tell.
Posted by: Depot- Jim | January 25, 2010 10:57 AM
Beau Biden is smart, he sees the turning tide and knows that president panty waist has no political capital left in his wallet.
Besides, Mike Castle has never lost an election in Delaware and would have crushed him.
Just another big name democrat dropping out or passing on a run to save face for a certain embarrassing loss.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 25, 2010 10:58 AM
Good for Vice-President Biden's son, Beau, honoring a previous commitment, unlike that illustrious leader from Alaska and the quitting of her elected office. Also, we wouldn't want Attorney General Biden, a veteran of the Iraqi war, to have his name dragged through the mud, by the Republican-Libertarian's (not to) SwiftBoaters !! You know they have that talent for besmirching our war heros, just ask former Senator Max Cleland. They are devoid of patriotism, but big on lies.
So, good luck to you in the future, A.G. Biden and keep your head down. Those (not so) Swiftboaters know how to bushwhack veterans, especially Democratic ones !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | January 25, 2010 10:59 AM
Now you see! there is a Biden with brains, he's not running for the Senate. The reason is clear he sees the writing on the wall. This administration has mucked up our economy so bad it will take decades to undo the harm its created in such a short time. And this is all in Nobamas' first year, I'm sure in the next three years he can really put us behind the old eight ball.
Posted by: Paul | January 25, 2010 11:09 AM
Sounds like Biden's son has a lot more integrity than obama ever had. obama ran for the Senate in Illinois, promising he'd do the job and wouldn't run for president. He did NOTHING as a senator, except run for president (breaking another promise) for 2 of the 3 years he took up space and drew a paycheck off taxpayers. All obama is and ever was is a good campaigner without any substance or experience!
Vote all incumbents out of office, along with thier kids and their kids kids!
Posted by: worsethanbefore | January 25, 2010 11:21 AM
Good for him it is not often that somebody does that and fulfills their commitments. But, right now may not be a good time for him to run for his father's old seat. He seems smart enough to know to sit back and learn from what is happening out in the political landscape and how it is changing. He is the opposite of Obama whose commitment to the people of Illinois when he became our Sen. lasted a whole 150 days.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | January 25, 2010 11:24 AM
Yeah Don...
Beau sure showed his courage and leadership fighting in Iraq for us. He certainly is a "war hero" and everything......ummmmm wait a second....wasn't he in the JAG corp. Are those guys even issued weapons other than fountain pens?
I'm sure he's still really brave and courageous thought.
Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2010 12:06 PM
There goes old DonF – what about Obama? He did not serve even one term..
But that is OK because he is the chosen one.
Posted by: LostinSeattle | January 25, 2010 12:20 PM
You sure are lost in Seattle. President Obama did not quit our Senate, he resigned, to become the President of the United States. Need I draw you a picture !! Maybe, then you would understand the difference, but I doubt it !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | January 25, 2010 1:32 PM
Would just like to take this moment to point out that, should current trends hold or intensify, by this time next year the "Regional Party of Mouth-Breathing Hicks and Hayseeds" will have members holding Senate seats in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Nevada and perhaps even Wisconsin, Illinois and New York, if the chips fall right. And that would be on top of almost assured pick-ups in North Dakota and Arkansas. Ah, for the good old days when the only conservatives left were destined for a future as the centerpiece of an exhibit in a museum somewhere in Utah or Alabama, eh? Good luck, Democrats. You're going to need it.
Posted by: JB | January 25, 2010 1:40 PM
You're hired, " JB ". You get to fill-in for Conan !! That comic routine you have going, is a real wiener. I love a really good laugh. Between you and " Terry ", I don't know, which of you is the funniest. Don't stop posting, I need all the laughter, I can get !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | January 25, 2010 2:01 PM
To Don Fitzgerald, keep laughing Don, but you may be in for a big surprise in November. Politico is reporting today that retiring Arkansas Democratic Congressman and former Clinton White House Adviser, Marion Berry, says the signs are there that the situation today is very comparable to 1994 when there was a midterm bloodbath and 54 House Seats switched from Democratic to Republican. That election enabled the GOP to take control of the House for the first time since 1954 (40 Years). This has been brought up after the New Jersey elections and later again after Massachusetts. But according to Representative Berry the White House response is, "They just keep telling us how good it was going to be." The President himself, when that was brought up in one group said, "well, the big difference here and in 1994 was you've got me." Well, the President's approval rating has fallen below 50% in many recent polls. The President and the Democrats may be in for a big surprise. Time will tell.
Posted by: Depot- Jim | January 25, 2010 2:51 PM
Yeah, and Barack quit the Illinois State Senate when elected to the US Senate.
Just think of him as a rocket taking off, slicing through the various layers of the atmosphere.....
Hold that thought. Unless it might make your head explode.
Posted by: ornery | January 25, 2010 4:25 PM
Dear DonF,
Be nice for a change.
You are short and narrow sighted. No focus or view of others point of views.
Posted by: LostinSeattle | January 25, 2010 7:04 PM
JB - You forgot California.
Lost in Seattle - FITZ is extra happy today - his order of tin-foil arrived.
Posted by: Terry | January 25, 2010 7:29 PM