(CNN) – Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s former chief of staff, Ted Kaufman, will fill his seat in the Senate, Delaware Gov. Ruth Minner announced Monday.
“His political views are close to Senator Biden’s, and he doesn’t need any on-the-job training,” Minner said in a statement. “He’ll be an effective Senator for Delaware from day one.”
The announcement was made amid rumors that Biden’s son, Beau, would take his father’s place in the Senate. But the Delaware attorney general, who has deployed to Iraq as a captain in the National Guard, said last week that he wouldn’t take the appointment if offered.
While this move was seen by some as a way for the vice president-elect to hold the seat for his son’s potential future run, Biden said Monday he is more concerned about his son’s safety in Iraq than his political career.
“As he said when he deployed overseas, he is determined to fulfill his military obligations and then return to his duties as Attorney General,” he said in a statement. “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.”
Biden, who just won his seventh term to the Senate, has to leave his seat before Inauguration Day. Kaufman will be sworn in sometime in the beginning or middle of January.
"It has been pointed out, that I will have limited seniority," said Kaufman in remarks released Monday. "However, having worked in and studied the Senate for 36 years, I can say with confidence that having a relationship with the President and Vice-President will help me to effectively represent the people of the State Of Delaware.
"I also want to make clear that I am very comfortable with retiring after 2 years. I don't think Delaware's appointed Senator should spend the next two years running for office," he added.
Kaufman is currently co-chair of Biden’s vice-presidential transition team and was Biden’s chief of staff for 19 years. He will serve as Senator until a 2010 special election.
From CNN Politics
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Have one on me Joe, o' you probably did already!!!!
Proud of you Joe.....Our prayers with Beau.
Let's hope Beau returns safely and takes over the seat in 2010.
Beau is smart enough to know his father is out of touch with what America needs and he doesn't want to have to say it in public.
The economy is going to hell in a handbasket and Palin is on image building duty. This train wreck hasn't got a clue.
How old is Palin's son? Maybe he could come back and have that seat. Otherwise, it will be some sorry, no good liberal.
I definitely think that Beau's decision can only honor both his father, himself and America. Senators–US Senators are not kings. Therefore, appointing the Vice President-elect's son, no matter how appropriate and just the move, would leave question-marks. I do believe that if he chose to run for senate later, he would be elected.
J-P
Don't listen to RUDE Bellamy below. He's envious.
Beau is evidently as dedicated to doing the right thing just as his dad does. He would feel he was shirking his responsibility, IMHO. Pray that God will keep him safe and bring him home soon.
His dad isn't "out of touch with anything"!!!
Sorry, Rudy. We voted that he is part of the team that we do need. Don't you get tired of being so bitter? I would imagine it's very draining.
I seriously doubt Senator Biden is out of touch with what America needs right now. If I recall correctly, 63million+ Amercians voted for Obama/Biden, its a mandate for change. The GOP is out of touch and Bush is simply running out the clock...all foam, no beer!!!
Joe has a wonderful son who love him and would do nothing to hurt his father. So get over it Rudy
Rudy Bellamy must have ate paint chips as a kid to say a comment like that.
I will miss Joe Biden in the Senate, and am excited to see Beau in there in 2010.
Sen. Biden has served his country with honor and distinction in the US Senate. He will make a superb VP. Cheers, Joe!
People like Rudy Bellamy are devisive and probably think that the Caribou Barbie are better suited to be Vice President. As much as I pray for a United States, ignorance will prevail and we will see in Red and Blue.
Rudy – Joe is VERY in touch with what America needs and Beau would back his father up if asked for comment.
Ted Kaufman is a good choice for the seat. Many of us thought Carney would get it.
The good news is that Christine O'Donnell – Delaware's Palin – didn't win the race as she is an evangelical screwball who is vocally opposed to pornography and premarital sex.
If an adult wants to buy a Hustler, or if two single adults want to have a one-night-stand, that is NONE of O'Donnell's business and she should keep her trap shut on such matters.
Fundamentalists like her threaten our separation of church and state. They also threaten to push totalitarian/fascistic rules down on us based on their own narrow values. Basically, they are the U.S.A's version of Al Qaeda – trying to force their rigid beliefs upon the populace at large.
So why is Biden's pic up on the article and not the person who's just been nominated?
Rude.
I am extremely impressed by the way Beau Biden has handled himself. The fact is that Beau has put his country first and his personal ambition to become a US senator from Delaware replacing his father's senate seat last. I am sure that his father is very proud of him.
Rudy Bellamy:
Awwww....what's wrong?
Did your wittle johnny mccain and your wittle sawah pawin not win?
Is little Wudy gonna cry?
LOL!!!! LOSER!!!!
Palin's son was told "Jail or Armed Services" – don't think he's quite qualified to be a Senator.
Grow a brain Adrian.
Adrian –
The last thing we need is anybody from the Palin family in politics.
They're all a bunch of fascistic, animal-hating, environment-hating evangelicals...nothing more than evil Nazis hidden within the guise of christianity.
Since when do you pick your successor.
The people vote for Senators
I do not understand why people like Rudy Bellamy make some disrespectful comment. Are you from the cave?
People, can't we quit sniping at each other and try to be more civil. This country has been going to he** in a handbasket the last 7 years and all people can do is snipe at each other. We're all in the same boat here, folks, let's try to get along.
Excellent. One more step in the right direction and away from this neocon engineered, eight year nightmare.
I love the way the right wing wackos make every story on these blogs into an attack on the incoming administration. It reminds me of how angry they got when Congress would not go all the way with Clinton's impeachment and how popular the man still is today. They HATE the fact that they have been swept out of power so it's down to name calling.
Yeah, his father is so out of touch he served in the Senate for over 25 years and was just elected Vice President of the United States. Great logic.
Beau is doing what he needs to do. that is forfilling he obligated service to the national guard of his state. something that the current President didn't do. He will come back next year and hopefully run and win that seat that his dad held for such a long time. This choice would be a slam dunk for dem's and we know it. Stay Tuned.
Fabulous!
I'm still waiting for Dr. Susan Rice! She's got to be in there!
Rudy, rudy, oh no, just goofy person.
Sung to the Animal House song.
Hey, Rudy...if Joe BIden is so "out of touch with America" then why did he win the election? Did someone pee in your Cheerios this morning? Why don't you go run Palin's campaign for "Overexposure of the Year?"
how was he served with honor and distinction?
Rudy @4.31
And George Bush is in touch with the American people?
The average I.Q. of you Republicans must be in the negative.
Sounds like all the rights decisions were made. Go Joe! Kuddos to Beau, and congratulations Ted Kaufman!
Rudy Bellamy is a complete idiot and I use that term rarely and only in extreme circumstances. I have lived my entire life in Texas but have always been a fan of Joe Biden and was very excited to see him as Vice President. Did Rudy not see Beau's speech about his father at the convention? It was one of the best that was given with the exception of Obama, his father and the govenor from Montana. I can't wait until Beau comes back and runs for the seat. He'll win in a landslide and be a great Senator for the state of Delaware.
That says a lot.... they couldn't find anyone better from Delaware other than a Congressional staffer? More Washington elitism. The good people of Delaware of should be offended.
Seems a good choice, i prefer it to appointing his son simply because the look of appointing his son is not what the President Elect needs at this point. Good job and continue the good work in Delaware!
Adrien, what in the wide world of sports does your comment have anything to do with Palin? Seriously, let it go. You guys won, and you still want to talk about a VP candidate. Which Roosevelt said was the most meaningless position in politics.
Mr. Vanderbosch,
Excited about Beau? Please tell me this is a joke. This man has accomplished nothing to represent me and my fellow Delawareans. I am appalled at this decision, but at this point I can expect anything from Ruth Ann the worst governor in our history. I appreciate Beau's service in the Delaware National Guard, but he is in no way qualified to be my representative in the United States Senate.
Joe Biden will be king
Wait, didn't Biden say he wouldn't resign until January 20? Since that's after Gov. Minner leaves office, won't it be Gov.-Elect Markell's job to pick a replacement?
I keep forgetting that this loose canon is part of the package. Every team needs a straight man and a sidekick who gets the laughs, so we get Obama and Biden.
What's the point of a 2-year senator? Does this really benefit the Delawarean taxpayers?
beau took the right decision. Return safe with all the other troops. you all are in our prayers.
good pick joe! i would like to see his son beau take the seat within few years. joe got a great family, so smart and full of love just as his boss obama family!
No surprise here. Kaufman steps down in 2010, Beau Biden runs and wins as easily has his father.
I believe in this country
Ibelieve in Obama and Biden
I believe in fairness
I believe in love
I lelieve in hope
I believe in change
I believe in you
Second post: Anyone watching the DOW? Greatest 2-day gain since 1987. Could it be that Obama is actually SMART and is choosing the BEST economic team to get us out the toilet the 8-years of Bush/Cheney so generously gave us? Sit and spin on that, Rudy!
What are this man's qualifications other than working for Biden? How long? What did he do before? Has anyone ever heard of him until now? Why?
People on here talk as if they know these people personally. You all don't have a clue who these people really are.
If Joe Biden is such a honorable person, why does he keep writing legislation to take away our freedoms? There was a word for that kind of person during the time of the founding fathers....
Biden didn't win anything. He rode the coattails of Obama.
To Anonymous: Were you asking how Sen. Biden served with honor and distinction? I hope you are genuinely interested. If you are, check out wikipedia.org and look up Joe Biden. It has a really good section on his congressional work. Just to name a few – Drug Czar, Violence Against Women Act, Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, Chairman – Committe on Foreign Relations. I could go on, but you can check it out for yourself.
Rudy Bellamy sounds like a bitter, out of touch republican. I am so proud of Joe Biden and what he has done for our country. Evidently I am not the only one... Pres. elect Obama must think so too!
Even though I agree with Biden most times, I think he is a power monger. I hope he doesnt do anything to President Obama. I pray for both men.
Go Joe!
Yup, another day, another win for the "anything-to-do-with-Palin" Story.....over 500 posts...any other story here get even close to that??? If you libs hate her so much, stop reading and commenting on the stories about her!!!!
And for those of you who posted on her "thank-you" story, Please go back and see what was said about Reagan early on.......media thought he was stupid....boy, they just can't seem to get things right, can they?
Palin 2012
Chris and Rudy. Two sour faced Republican sore losers. Get a life both of you. The man is off to Iraq and his father has served this country in the senate for probably longer than you been out of diapers. Man, I just can't understand Repukes. They hootand howler about Obasma and his cabinte, yet the man is not even the President yet. The average Repukes IQ must be their show size. Repukes = No Brains, No McCain, No more America in the Drain. Why don't you Repukes get a life and get educated.
Re: Chris, I don't think there's anyone in Delaware truly qualified to be in the US Senate.
I <3 Joe
Did Biden's senate replacement receive the requisite plagiarism training from our new VP? It's pretty scaring imagining Biden being only one step from the Presidency. Real scary. ::: Shudders :::
I am sure the people of Delaware will be well served by someone groomed by Biden himself. Biden has done so much for the state and the country: the governor has done right by them by this appointment. Kudos to her.
I thought nepotism was bad. Guess Obama/Biden don't see it that way.
joe you make us proud, God guide your son.
And the republican whining begins in 3....2....1...
It strikes me again how most Republican comments are excessively hateful while most 'liberal' comments are very kind. This is not a coincidence.
Thank you for your support Joe and God Bless Beau it is our prayer he makes it home safely!
Out of touch? Biden is one of the non Millionaire Senators. if John Mccain was your pick maybe he was in touch. I dont understand how, he wasnt even intouch with his banks, for he lost track of his money and houses.
Adrian and Rudy:
Sure Palin's son would be great, did you not know he had the choice of Iraq or prison for cutting the brake lines on the school buses? He would be great to run for office. Let us forget the Palin family.
Rudy you are just a hateful, nasty Repug (no doubt) or you would not say what you did about Joe Biden who is one of the finest anywhere. You are just trash.
who?
to: Adrian from Chicago, IL
I believe you need to be a high school graduate at least and I don't believe the Palin family has produced one of those yet.
...just sayin'
Hey Joe:
I agree with you, but it should have read:
He must have eaten, not must have ate.
Jim
Rudy Bellamy... obviously, you have been living under a rock for the last two years! Obama/Biden won.... they are NOT out of touch with the American people! But, obviously YOU are... right along with the GOP! Pfft.... You need to turn off Limbaugh and his ilk.... and start thinking for yourself..... sheep end up following their leaders over clips.... recall?
NOT CLIPS.... dang.... following their leaders over CLIFFS! Sheesh.. pardon me and my auto pilot typing fingers!
the comments against Rudy Bellamy are unnecessary and if you do not agree with him/her then just give it a rest
Yay for the Liberals!! If being a Republican is acting ugly and negative all the time then its the Liberal Life for me.......sung to the tune Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work we go......
Excellent choice!
BTW....I love Joe Biden!
I wonder if he is as clueless as Biden? I bet he isn't, there can't be anyone as clueless.
To Michael Donovan – I, too, was a life long Texan until I got tired of the crime, pollution, traffic, heat, bugs and Republicans. I want to thank you for acknowledging the wonderful speech given by our Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer. There is always enough room in Montana for any Texans looking for change. Come on up and stay awhile!
Biden is nothing, but another corrupt politician despite all the attempts to dress him up as some poster boy for single dads and as a crusader for protecting women ... fighting against drugs. Plain and simple Joe Biden's first rule as Senator was to do what was best for Joe Biden.