So What Now?
Welcome to Plan B. The alternate reality that we had to talk about and plan for should Beau Biden not run for Governor, or not be able to run. But it is more of an alternate reality than who will fill the Governor’s seat come 2017. We might also be entering the post-Biden era of Delaware politics, which I think partly explains the large outpouring of love and affection for the Biden family, for Joe, and for Beau, over this past week. Because Delawareans thought that, maybe, this will be their last chance.
Which is why I want to talk about a modified Plan A for a second before we move on to Plan B. I’m sorry, but I love Joe Biden. He is my favorite office holder, favorite politician, and at this point, my favorite human being, my favorite example of what a father and a man should be. And I am being selfish here, but I don’t want his last 18 months in office as Vice President to be the end. Plus, not to be cynical here, but the love for the Biden family in this state is a political asset and brand you don’t just walk away from. So why doesn’t Vice President Biden run for Governor?
Think about it. It is not without precedent. President John Quincy Adams was elected as a Congressman after his Presidency and served in Congress for an additional 17 years. He also attempted to become Governor of Massachusetts in 1833, but he lost. President Andrew Johnson served in the U.S. Senate following his Presidency. President William Howard Taft was appointed to be Chief Justice of the United States.
Then again, the reasons on the “NO way, are you out of your god-damned mind?” list far outnumber the pro list. The Vice President probably views the office of Governor as a step down, a demotion. After decades being concerned with national and international affairs, would be really be interested in the small minutiae of running a state government? And after this devastating loss of his son, does he really want to continue in politics? Maybe he feels he has given enough of his life to us. Maybe is ready for the porch and retirement. Maybe he is ready for that Elder Statesman role. Maybe it is time for the Biden Era to end (or at least pass on to Hunter and Ashley if they ever want to seek public office).
I just don’t know. A man who stands for 15 hours to greet thousands of total strangers is a man that loves reaching out and loves the community.
Moving onto Plan B, the death of Beau Biden makes the political scene look like an Etch-A-Sketch. And these are the potential candidates for the Big Three statewide offices up in 2016.
Current Congressman and former Lt. Governor John Carney, Current and Former New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon, and State Senator Karen Peterson. Carney and Gordon have both expressed interest in running if Beau Biden did not. Karen has not expressed any interest that I am aware of, I just think she should run.
New Castle County Council President Chris Bullock, State Senator Bryan Townsend, State Representative Bryon Short, and Former DNREC Secretary Colin O’Mara. Bullock has said he is running for something. Townsend is strongly rumored to be running, but I can easily see him stay in the State Senate. It would be a no-lose situation for him if he did run since his Senate seat is not up until 2018. Rep. Short initially was thought to be running for Insurance Commissioner against incumbent Karen Weldin Stewart, but it seems the bloom is off that rose and now it is rumored that he may run for one of the two offices (Congress or Lt. Gov.) And the way Colin O’Mara is making appearances downstate, he must be running for something.
This one is a free for all. Bullock, Townsend, O’Mara and Short could all also run for Lt. Governor instead of Congress. Add to that mix our already announced candidates of Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Brad Eaby and former Sussex County Register of Wills Greg Fuller. I threw in Senator Bethaney Hall Long because I keep hearing she has aspirations for higher office. And then we also have House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf and Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Kathy McGuiness. I have a very hard time believe that Schwartzkopf will give up the power of the Speakership for the office of Lt. Governor, but I keep hearing it.
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…for 15 hours to greet thousands…
Yeah. I could see him running for Gov, or Obama putting him on the Court if someone (Scalia?) suddenly dies.
Why no Denn in the Gov’s race? Too early in his AG tenure, I suppose.
I might be willing to tolerate Carney as Governor if it gets him out of Congress.
Jason, at your illustrious birthday party celebrating your long half century on this mortal coil, I got the distinct impression that it was Mr. Denn’s intention to continue in his office and not run for any other. Yes, it is possible he would, but it is probably way too soon to run again for another office.
” A man who stands for 15 hours to greet thousands of total strangers is a man that loves reaching out and loves the community.”
And this is why he probably does not want to ride off into the sunset. I get the impression that he loves being with and talking to people. His political ambition could even take second place to the glad handing and accessibility comes with a lesser role as a governor. Plus he gets to be home every night. I’m not sure that Biden thinks in terms of lesser or greater offices. For him, because of what he thinks about family (and the people of Delaware for that matter) it might make sense OR Clinton could decide that his stock is pretty high and offer for him to continue in the same job.
Could we convince Bryan Townsend to run for Gov? I can’t stomach any more Carney or Gordon… Also, if Gordon and Bullock seek higher office, who is going to run for Exec and Council President… Penrose Hollins? Joe Reda? Mike Protack lol! I really don’t see anyone else on Council attempting to move up.
The difference between Chris Bullock and tits on a bull hog: You occasionally see tits on a bull hog. He redefines useless.
Small thinking. Everyone watching cable news on Saturday was able to see that Joe Biden is the real thing. The huge outpouring of love and grief felt by everyone in Delaware resonated across the Nation. Americans feel like they know Joe now. They’ve shared in his and his family’s pain. He has something that Hillary Clinton will never have, and that is humanity.
It’s time to run Joe Biden for President.
I wouldn’t count Denn out of the Governor’s race. I don’t have any inside info, but he didn’t rule it out when he announced for AG.
The vacuum created by Biden’s death will take a while to work through politically. All bets are now off and people will start making moves in the next few weeks. But for now, no one wants to jump the gun and look like they are opportunistic or worse. 4th of July parades will be interesting.
My money is on Carney. Let’s not overlook that the general public doesn’t pay attention to how they govern, it’s all about what they say. He remains obscure enough that not many on the street can give you examples of what he’s done but he has the statewide name recognition which is key.
I agree with Dave. A Joe Biden Governorship would INCREASE, not decrease his legend.
Denn will not primary Carney.
And I seriously doubt Joe has any interest in being governor, but why let that stop you?
Personality cults are distasteful no matter who the personality might be.
Would Carney primary Denn?
LG,
Good question, because you’re presupposing that Denn would enter the race ahead of Carney and position himself as the presumptive frontrunner. Doing so would carry the risk of appearing to be the serial campaigner, hopscotching from office to office until he finds one he really likes. That said, the tactic gives Denn a clear advantage because he still has the AG’s office to fall back on while Carney would have to give up his relatively safe House seat to make the challenge.
It’s a neat question because of the insider political considerations.
In terms of outcome, I don’t see much difference:
Carney lost in ’08 because his 8 years as LtGov. left the perception that he was too much like Minner.
Denn spent 6 years at LtGov. under Markell. Extrapolating a bit, if Matt runs, the question becomes whether we really want 8 years of someone who acts a lot like Jack. I say no … and I’m not certain that Matt will be able to persuade anyone that he would be significantly different from either Carney or Markell.
I see Joe as the next President of UD. Perfect retirement job, and there are powers at the university that have been looking for a figurehead to hold that position for awhile.
Markell to Congress, Carney to Governor, Denn stays put, Townsend of Lt Gov (all my bets, not necessarily my preferences).
Media watch, so you’re a Gordon man, then?
Might be a good spot for Markell, won’t do too much damage as SOC. Hopefully, not education.
O’Mara for Congress, he can go back to New York.
Joe Biden at Uof DE, great choice! Joe has served his country and the people of Delaware and has done a great job. He would do great things for UD!
Denn has young children and a job that does’t require constant running. AG makes a great place holder until Denn picks his spot to move up.
I guess one thing is certain – this being a Presidential election year – the Dem primary IS the election.
Simpler has already said that he is sitting this one out, and other than him, I really don’t see anyone on the GOP side that can compete for any of these offices.
DD,
No, I’m hardly a Gordon man. I just don’t see a dime’s worth of difference among the corporatist Dems who have held or sought the governor’s office for the last 16 years.
And, as much of a Delaware treasure as Joe Biden might be, let’s not get carried away with thoughts about him as our next governor or as UD’s next president (BTW, the timing for that opening isn’t quite right either). For all his great experience on the national level, Joe Biden does not have experience managing an organization the size of either UD or the state government. There’s a big difference between making laws and making sure that a government carries them out. Not saying he can’t do it — only that it’s easy, in the case of a Biden, to set expectations higher than they should be.
Joe’s next job is going to be spending as much time with his grandkids as possible. There is no more important role for him and Jill to play.
I’m with you, SW.
Joe’s family values are the reason his political stock is so high this week … and it’s also why he’s all but finished playing political games.
I’m with you, SW.
Joe’s family values are the reason his political stock is so high this week … and it’s also why he’s all but finished playing political games.
With a LT Gov field that split on the D side, I’m surprised Simpler doesn’t take a run in the hopes there will be large number of disaffected D’s among the primary losers.
Do you think Kowalko will take a run at anything?
I don’t think the Biden era is over by a long shot. I’d look for Ashley to make a try somewhere, maybe not this cycle but soon.
Have you lost your F’ing mind? The best thing to happen to DNREC, and Delaware was Colin leaving! He should stay in D.C. as he has done enough damage here.
Public mourning is a strange thing. Most of us did not know Beau or even Joe in any meaningful way. I wouldn’t trust the sudden (political) warm fuzzies we are currently feeling for Joe.
I have my own Biden stories, but the one I remember most does not involve contact with Joe at all. Years ago I heard there was a bill afoot to repeal consumer bankruptcy protections, while leaving corporate bankruptcy protections intact. I was outraged at this travesty by (apparently) Senate Republicans, so I naively thought to contact my Democratic Senator to see what I could do to fight this bill. But first I looked up the bill, and found that it was in fact sponsored by my Democratic Senator, Joe Biden. My confusion and sense of helplessness knew no bounds.
And then there was Joe’s leading role in cutting deals with Senate Republicans, and undermining good Democratic bills from the House, during Obama’s “Compromiser In Chief” years.
I am sorry for Joe’s tragedies, and he seems quite personable, but I will always think of Joe as “the Senator from MBNA.” I will be happy for him if he retires from politics.
I feel ya. When I said that Gov would increase his legend – I wasn’t saying that was a good thing.
The vote I can’t forgive was the vote to go to war in Iraq knowing it was complete bullshit. He had the stature in the Senate, and a lock on his seat, to call out Bush and he didn’t do it. Pitiful.
He could have been carried into the White House in a sedan chair if he voted his conscience.
Carper and, more recently, Coons are far more deserving than Biden of having “D-MBNA/BofA” attached to their names.
On the local level, Biden deserves far more credit (if that’s the right word) for sponsoring legislation and pushing for grants that benefited the NCCPD and the DSP.
Amid all the chatter about who will run for lt. gov., keep in mind that unlike most statewide offices it is considered only a part-time job, and pays like one. Simpler would be taking a major step down to go from treasurer to lieutenant governor. Both jobs are powerless, but treasurer pays almost twice as much.
I, too, wish Townsend would consider a run for governor. Otherwise, who in the race will even have a clue when it comes to public education?
So many possibilities…Could see Carney, Gordon primary-ing for Gov; Carney winning…Bullock, Townsend primary-ing House…Townsend winning; Short, O’Mara primary-ing Lt. Gov…Short winning; Markell going on to become Rodel Fdn CEO and possibly running for Carper’s seat in 18 if Carper doesn’t do a re-elect…If Carper doesn’t do a re-elect, god, that’d be a whole other juicy thread…My question, who does NCCO Exec? And who does NCCO Council Pres?
Next Gen… I am now hearing that if Gordon runs for Governor, Bullock may just forgo statewide offices and run for New Castle Executive. He is still unknown in a lot of places, so that might be his best path. For NCCo President, I would love for Bill Dunn to give it another go.
Great update DelDem. Thx for that. I dont like Bullock personally, but find it smart on his part that he stays county wide for a bit. Bill Dunn, another interesting point. I remember his gusto from ’08 and ’12 primaries. Id like to see a darkhorse in this one. Young, personable, fresh face with some substance and ideas…also, interested in seeing who gets scooped up as campaign managers for some of these races. I wonder if someone will take Obama vet and freshly victorious Kenney campaign manager (Philly Mayoral) Jane Slusser.
If Chris Bullock has any talent for public service, he has kept it well-hidden to this point. Where do these delusions of competence come from?
Agreed, Geezer…Bullock has shown no skill, similar to many on NCCo Council and of course exec. I just think he shows a slight bit of political saavy if he realizes he has no statewide recognition. Do i want him as county exec, no, and hope he gets a strong challenger if he runs for that spot. Or a strong challenger if he stays in Council Pres spot. But lets see how fate turns. Any bench candidates for county exec you like?
Geezer, I offer no opinion on the talent, skill or competence of Bullock. I really know nothing about his service as NCCo Council President (his first elective office).
According to the News Journal, both Townsend and Short are seriously looking at a run for Congress if Carney runs for Governor:
http://www.delawareonline.com/story/firststatepolitics/2015/06/09/bryan-townsend-congressional-run/28751969/
And Carney’s running for Governor. No ifs at all.
While I like B. Short, he’s a Carney/Carper D. Townsend is a real-deal progressive. I wish B. Short would run for Insurance Commissioner, where he’d be an upgrade.
If Townsend is in play, we need him more in Congress than in the Governor’s office. Remember though that Delaware is a banking state, and whoever we send to Washington will eventually break your heart.
Before I support Bill Dunn (and I am inclined to) I would need to understand his baffling primary of Kim Williams. That happened, right? Or was it just a weird dream?
A progressive on the House Financial Services committee?… lol I know how this story ends for Bryan Townsend. He either lets you down or gets run out of town by every bank in Wilmington. I lean more towards him letting you down. Remember, at the end of the day, he’s still a corporate lawyer.
Is this going to be like the time that everyone supported Jack Markell because he was a “real progressive” even though republicans from chateaux country were switching parties to vote for him? Just reading the tea leaves
Ciro Poppiti well-poised for county executive.
Bryan Townsend is the real deal.
Let’s add one more name to the long list of moves on the political chess board
. Trinidad Navarro’s name has come up several times. When I recently asked him , if he was making a move he indicated he was considering a new challenge .
What Joe Sixpack said.
I have long heard Navarro wants to be county exec. And while I love Ciro Poppiti, I don’t think he is qualified to become county exec.
The problem with the county exec job is that there’s no way to make yourself look good doing it, so no ambitious pol wants it.
Just what we need. Another megalomaniac ex-cop of negligible qualifications, registering as a Democrat solely for convenience, becoming county executive.
@JM: It’s not as if there’s lots of competition for the job, and given Delawareans’ track record of voting for ex-cops, what’s to dissuade him?
I am leery of his ties to the first Gordon administration, and disapprove of the chickenshit lawsuit he filed against a county employee for spelling out the obvious for him. But I’ve not seen the megalomania you cite. Was that a specific or general pejorative?
I just heard earlier this evening, from someone very close to Mike Katz, former state senator from Greenville, that he has been quietly organizing to run for Lt. Governor for 2016. He apparently already has significant financial support and has quietly put together a strong campaign organization. This will be interesting to see how the field for Lt. Governor plays out.
I thought Katz moved north. I guess I was wrong. He’s been out of sight for three years
I’ve heard that Navarro is looking at a statewide office.
We need a competent governor who can effectively run state agencies and assure that his appointees do more than funnel money to their incompetent cronnies
Dr. Katz is a straight shooter all theses other guys are Delaware thugs that couldn’t survive in a real job..