She Appointed WHOM?! (Kauf, Kauf!)
Wilmington News-Journal's Montgomery reports Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) said today that she will appoint Joe Biden adviser Ted Kaufman to fill Biden's seat, "a move that some warned" could leave some DE Dems' "feelings bruised for years to come." The selection "was widely seen as a move" by Biden "to protect his seat for his oldest son," AG Beau Biden (D), "now deploying to Iraq with his Delaware National Guard unit. Snubbed with the choice" was LG John Carney (D), "considered a party favorite for the appointment. Carney as recently as last week had said he would take the job under any terms offered, including as a 'placeholder' who would serve only until the 2010 regular election."
"Those assurances apparently fell short of Biden's requirements. Minner had said several times since Biden's election to the vice-presidency that she would seek his guidance for the appointment." DE State Univ. prof. Sam Hoff: "There's likely to be some blowback. People will ask why Mr. Carney has been stepped over, that this was a backroom deal."
"Kaufman worked for Biden for 22 years," retiring in '94 as CoS. He was senior adviser to Biden’s '08 WH camp and served the same role for his VP bid. He is also one of Biden’s two reps on Pres-elect. Obama’s transition team (11/24).
In a prepared statement, VP-elect Biden appears to indicate that his son will likely run for the seat in '10.
"I believe that today Governor Minner has made a decision, as she has made all her decisions in public life, in the best interests of Delaware. This was a tough decision -- but I think we all know that making tough decisions is not anything new for this Governor. She is tough, she is strong, and her legendary grit long ago earned my admiration and respect.
....
"I have known Ted Kaufman for over 30 years. He is a man of first-rate qualifications, unquestioned integrity and a long-time commitment to public service. As my Chief of Staff for 19 years, he was involved in many of the most important decisions I’ve made in the Senate. ... Ted has also done the hard day-to-day work of a Senate office -- answering constituent concerns, overseeing their casework and making sure the voters of Delaware have a strong advocate for them. So whether it’s debating the biggest issues that come before the Senate, or helping a veteran or a senior citizen get the help they need, Ted has done it. He knows Delaware. And he knows the Senate. He’ll be able to hit the ground running.
...
"It is no secret that I believe my son, Attorney General Beau Biden would make a great United States Senator -- just as I believe he has been a great Attorney General. But Beau has made it clear from the moment he entered public life, that any office he sought, he would earn on his own. He proved that two years ago when he turned down an appointment as Attorney General. Instead, he ran on his own and won election. Typical of Beau, he made it clear again his year that he would not accept an appointment to the United States Senate. As he said when he deployed overseas, he is determined to fulfill his military obligations and then return to his duties as Attorney General. If he chooses to run for the Senate in the future, he will have to run and win on his own. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
"In making her decision, the Governor has made it clear that whoever seeks the office in 2010 will do so from a level playing field. The voters will make that decision. For now, my concern is with Beau’s safety, not his political future" (11/24).
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