Wednesday, November 11, 2009

JOE BIDEN

Is Beau Biden Having Doubts About Running for Senate?

One of my Delaware guys writes in with this interesting on-the-ground assessment:

Last night at the 2009 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Beau Biden [state attorney general, son of the vice president and rumored Senate candidate] attended and had brief remarks in presenting a local award to a party activist. Two weeks ago it was rumored that Beau was going to make his formal announcement at this dinner — with more than 1,000 Democratic faithful in attendance.

Last night Attorney General Biden did not sound like a candidate for the US Senate. It is now rumored he will not make the Senate race (of course the Democrats will assert it had nothing to do with the NJ or VA results).

The Delaware News Journal also recently had a clip in which Governor Markell (D) offered only lukewarm support toward a Biden Senate candidacy at a recent governor’s association meeting.

I have said all along that Biden’s best move is to run for re-election as AG and inherit his father’s seat in 4 years when Castle has completed the term. (Castle will then be 74). Castle also recently appeared on Colbert and did a good job.

Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker last night. He spoke entirely too long and mispronounced the name of our Governor. About 1 in 20 of his sentences resembled anything rooted in fact or reason. The theme of his speech was that “The American people call upon Democrats to get them out of Republican messes.” Clinton started with Johnson, Vietnam, and the start of inflation, which contradicted his thesis but he plowed ahead anyway.

Apparently quite a few folks in the room expected it last night:

State Senate Pro Tempore Anthony DeLuca said he thought a Biden announcement was going to be in the night's program when he heard Markell's comment.

"It's a good crowd to make an announcement in front of," DeLuca said.

DeLuca said he thinks Biden would make an "excellent candidate," but he understands the need for him to think about the decision and mull his options.

"You have to really wait for the candidate to make his mind up," DeLuca said.

Obviously, the lack of an announcement last night doesn't mean Beau Biden won't run for Senate. But it does suggest he may be having a second thought or two . . .

11/11 09:50 AMShare