DE-Sen: Joe Biden's Senate Seat To Be Filled By Former Aide

by Todd Beeton, Mon Nov 24, 2008 at 01:06:51 PM EST

Edward "Ted" Kaufman, a former aide to Sen. Joe Biden, was named Monday by Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to fill the Senate seat Biden is leaving for the vice presidency. Kaufman is president of a political and management consulting firm based in Wilmington. Kaufman served on Biden's Senate staff from 1973 to 1994, including 19 years as chief of staff. He is an advisory board member to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team.

Kaufman also served as a senior advisor to Biden during the general election. Kaufman will reportedly serve until 2010 at which point there will be a special election to fill the seat permanently.

So who is this guy, other than a Biden ally? There doesn't seem to be much to go on other than that being a Biden ally is probably the most important thing there is to know about him.

From The Daily Times (h/t Kagro X):

The selection of the former Biden chief of staff was widely seen as a move by Vice president-elect Biden to protect his seat for his oldest son, Attorney General Beau Biden, now deploying to Iraq with his Delaware National Guard unit.

Delaware Liberal doesn't mince words:

1) You can say that Ted Kaufman is qualified to serve two years in the Senate, that he will (like LBJ) serve out his predecessor's term in honor of the man whose shoe (he will state) he has no hopes of filling. And you can say that with this pick Ruth Ann Minner has done the right thing in not installing a Senator, but is allowing the voters to choose in two years.
2) You can say that th above rationalization is is transparent bullshit and that Joe Biden has now rigged the seat for Beau Biden.
Unless you are a child you know which one is correct and which one is spin...

Update [2008-11-24 18:11:47 by Todd Beeton]:My "1 down 3 to go" line refers to the fact that there are several Senate seats still outstanding but it occured to me that there's actually more than just MN-Sen, GA-Sen & IL-Sen left, although perhaps not officially yet: NY-Sen will soon need to be filled as well. Any others I'm missing?

Tags: DE-Sen, joe biden, ted kaufman (all tags)

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GA-SEN

Let's scratch that one--new PPP poll has Chambliss up 52-46.

by esconded 2008-11-24 01:18PM | 0 recs

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Re: GA-SEN

Without Obama campaigning for him, Martin is toast... The conservatives are motivated to vote, and the Obama voters aren't as motivated as they were in the general election...

by LordMike 2008-11-24 01:51PM | 0 recs

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Re: Obama can't help him

No, and Martin won't win GA, either... The only reason it was even competitive was the Obama voters who came out as well as the republican votes being siphoned off from the libertarian candidate...

Turnout is lower in special elections, but republicans are certainly more motivated than democrats desperately trying to check power, while Obama voters have already won what they wanted and aren't as likely to want to pile on...

That's just my take, anyways... the investoru community agrees, though... Intrade is giving Chambliss an 85% chance of winning...

by LordMike 2008-11-25 05:02AM | 0 recs

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Senate Seats

Clearly this is a ploy to allow Beau Biden to run in 2010 without opposing an incumbent Democratic Senator.

I would like to see Tammy Duckworth fill Obama's Senate seat, though I would be very happy with her at Veteran's Affairs. I also would like to see Cuomo take Clinton's seat.

by RJEvans 2008-11-24 01:20PM | 0 recs

4a2fab88-ed3b-47a4-8f14-3ec8a24504ac_normal

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Re: Senate Seats

Tammy Duckworth-- talk about failing upward.

by Jerome Armstrong 2008-11-24 03:18PM | 0 recs

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Re: Senate Seats

My preference.

by RJEvans 2008-11-24 03:18PM | 0 recs

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Re: DE-Sen: Joe Biden's Senate Seat To Be Filled B

It was clear that there'd need to be a proper election come 2010, which will include a primary. I don't see how this can be considered 'clearing the field' for Beau. He'll still need to run in a competitive primary and a general election to get elected.

by Illustrious 2008-11-24 01:42PM | 0 recs

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Especially since Gov. Minzner

could have appointed Beau Biden, his National Guard service notwithstanding.

by NM Ward Chair 2008-11-24 02:20PM | 0 recs

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Re: DE-Sen: Joe Biden's Senate Seat To Be Filled B

It "clears" the field in that there will be no incumbent running for the seat in 2010. Instead they will have a "seat" warmer for 2 years until Mr. Biden's son can run. What gets me is that this smacks of dynasticism. Wasn't this one of the arguments against Hillary Clinton during the primaries? That there couldn't be real change when you have Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton? How can we have have effective change when one family "owns" that one senate seat? Me thinks Joes Biden likes the word change but doesn't really want to do what is needed to insure it happens.

by realtarheel 2008-11-24 04:31PM | 0 recs

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Re: DE-Sen: Joe Biden's Senate Seat To Be Filled B

Very true illustrious. I don't understand why anyone has a real problem with it. Of course it's a political tactic, they're friggin politicians!

What did you expect Biden to do, appoint some unknown quantity whom he has little or no influence over? With the magic 60 so close? Are you people high? If I was Biden I would have researched whether it was possible to nominate a finger puppet for my old job, just to eliminate that whole independent thought possibility!

People, this is how you actually gasp get your agenda passed. Sometimes you have to work the system to your advantage. Biden has done absolutely nothing illegal and I think putting a known political ally (who arguably owes you a favor or two) in your former spot is smart.

by tlhwraith 2008-11-25 03:54AM | 0 recs

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Ted Kaufman

I imagine some in the state party see this as a slight against Minner's lieutenant governor, Carney, who was said to still have a future in state politics. That said, there was probably no one who would be more familiar with the responsibilities of the office than Kaufman.

It will be a closer race in 2010 should the current (moderate Republican) Representative run, but I would expect the Democratic nominee would still win.

by Mr DC 2008-11-24 01:57PM | 0 recs

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Re: Ted Kaufman

Mike Castle won't be Congressman forever. Or Carney could just run for that seat regardless of whether Castle retires in 2010 or not.

by Skaje 2008-11-24 03:02PM | 0 recs

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would Carney run against Beau

in the 2010 primary, and if so, who would be favored?

by desmoinesdem 2008-11-24 03:59PM | 0 recs

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Carney or Beau

I'm a Delaware native but haven't lived there for awhile so can only speculate.

From what I've read, the gubenatorial primary reflected more of a verdict in favor of Markell and the change he could bring than a repudiation of Carney. So I think Carney could mount a competitive campaign if he decided to run in 2010. Other Delawareans may have more informed thoughts about his intentions and prospects though...

by Mr DC 2008-11-24 04:39PM | 0 recs