Ted Kaufman: Biden's Replacement Picked

WILMINGTON, Del. — 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, co-chair of Biden's transition team and an Obama-Biden transition project advisory board member, plans to serve until the 2010 election, when a new senator is elected. He said he is comfortable stepping down after two years in office.

"I don't think Delaware's appointed senator should spend the next two years running for office," Kaufman said. "I will do this job to the fullest of my ability, and spend my days focused on one thing and one thing only: serving Delaware."

Speculation on Biden's successor had centered in recent weeks on his son, Attorney General Beau Biden. But last week the younger Biden announced that he planned to fulfill his National Guard duties and wouldn't accept an appointment to his father's U.S. Senate seat.

Biden is a prosecutor for the 261st Signal Brigade, which left for Iraq last week. The unit is due back in September 2009, in time for Biden to run for his father's Senate seat.

Kaufman, 69, said Monday night that he was "not a placeholder for anyone. At the end of the two years, anyone who wants to run can run."

The elder Biden said in a statement, "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."

Just before announcing Kaufman as the appointee, Minner acknowledged speculation about the younger Biden being picked for the post and said she would have strongly considered him.

"The fact that Beau Biden is committed to fulfilling his obligation and not seeking appointment to this office tells us everything we need to know about his character," she said. "Should Beau choose to run for this office in 2010, he will _ as will whoever runs _ have to earn on his own the trust of the people of Delaware."

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Minner said she thought Kaufman was the best qualified candidate and she also looked for an appointee whose political views were close to the Biden's.

Kaufman said he couldn't think of anything he and Biden disagreed on and he was impressed by that even back in 1972 when Biden was first running for office.

"I was struck by how many things he believed that I also believed," he said.

However, Kaufman's experience in Washington will differ from Biden's in one respect. He does plan to spend time in Delaware, but he and his wife will get a home in Washington, unlike Biden, who rode Amtrak between Washington and Wilmington.

Biden will be sworn in on Jan. 6, but in mid-January he will step down and Kaufman will be sworn in, Kaufman said.

Kaufman held a senior position in all of Biden's federal campaigns. He served on Biden's Senate staff from 1973 to 1994, including 19 years as chief of staff.

He is a senior lecturing fellow at Duke University and has served by presidential appointment since 1995 as a charter member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. He also heads a political and management consulting firm based in Wilmington, Del., and previously worked for the DuPont Co.

Comments

[MudKitty]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15959.html

[rucksplash08]

Now I see why Biden is resigning so late.

By giving his successor the absolute worst seniority in the Senate, the incumbent won't have much to stand on in his reelection bid if it happens to be against Beau.

A brilliant political move.

Ted will do well for Delaware and America for 2 years, and Beau will do fine for the next 20+ years after that.

Pretty nice dynastic building for a family one generation removed from the mean streets of Scranton.

[suhud]

Way to go, Joe. Good pick. All the best to Mr. Kaufman, Delaware, and the USA.

[SparkyDash]

Congratulations Ted Kaufman, and to your family. I've heard good things about you. Having been a longtime aide to Mr. Biden gives us confidence as you take on this important senate seat for Delaware. Never mind the gossips and small minds...they will always be there no matter what had been decided. You'll do very well.

[Bitsko]

"Kaufman ... also heads a political and management consulting firm based in Wilmington, Del., and previously worked for the DuPont Co."

He'll fit right in.

[jalowe1957]

For some reason, all this has the malodorous reek of cronyism...like nepotism once removed.

I am not making a value judgment. I am merely giving voice to my observation.

[Bitsko]

It's politics. Happens all the time. Just ignore it. Nothing to see here. Run along.

[jbink]

Biden is wise in picking a successor who shares the same values and who will carry out his longtime senatorial goals.

[JayeSF]

I might agree with that if it was a full 6-year seat. However, clearly the pick here is for a caretaker of the seat until 2010...which is when the real election will take place. So kaufman knows and has already addressed the fact that he will only be there for 2 years. probably the best choice which could have been made. My understanding was there were only 2 other likely alternatives...either Beau Biden or someone who would have actively wanted to keep the seat as their own for many more years....

[strangerinthenight]

If you think there is quid pro quo, state them clearly, otherwise ...................

[livingfree]

I don't care how bad things may get but it makes me happy to see President-Elect and VP-Elect smiles on their face. No matter how hard the job maybe, we can still have a smile and a sense of hope to stay focus on a brighter future for everybody.

[JimGroom]

Nice recommendation Joe and finally the pick by the gov. Way to keep the seat in the side of the right.

[strangerinthenight]

"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."

Wise choice by Gov Miner. Continuity is the best policy to serve Delaware.

As to Beau Biden, I respect his decision to complete his term as AG for Delaware, and I have great respect for his decision to battle zone and serve his country. The VP raised such admirable children. Good for Delaware.

[Bitsko]

I see your point and agree, but isn't a large part of the problem in Washington the fact that so many incumbents in the Senate stay there figuratively and literally forever?

[strangerinthenight]

Bitsko, point well taken.

Kaufman was never in any elected office, but has served as chief of staff for the VP elect for 19 years. Like Biden, rarely if ever, do you see him in any of the Washington's glistsy party, neither has he been in any scandal that most of incumbents get into. They are the bad eggs whose agenda is power play and financial games.

Contrary , Kaufman's agenda was to served the Senator faithfully. Besides that, he is also a widely respected academic, senior lecturing fellow @ Duke, a charter member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. And most notably, heads a political and management consulting firm based in Wilmington, Del. Indeed well connected both in Delaware and Washington.

Kaufman is a good egg, very rare breed. Yes, he deserves to stay in Washington, figuratively and literally, may not be forever, but as long as he wants to serve.

Great to have a good conversation, instead of snarky exchange.

[Jonathan621]

No, Obama cannot pick his own replacement. You people should read the Illinois and Delaware constitutions sometime.

[strangerinthenight]

I always thought that the Governor of the State has the legal right to choose a Senate replacement. I learned that from HS. There might be some differentiations between some States, but I always thought that the Governor reserve that right to choose. I could be wrong . Answer any one ?

[alieninvader]

You are right. The Governor asked for Biden's recommendation. He gave it.

[1IrishdeAztlan]

I'll get right on that.
"You people"

[Crozier]

JONATROLL - The Governor of Delaware is a Democrat. She asked the vice president-elect whom he thought should be considered by her to complete his term of office that he was elected to. Governor Miner could have constitutionally appointed anyone, but agreed with Mr. Biden.

Now, would you be surprised if Republicans do this as well? They do.

[Bitsko]

This is nothing new. It happens every time a Senator dies or leaves office during their term.

[Jonathan621]

He didn't make the pick, the governor of Delaware did.

[1201SLD]

Well, she named him, but just who picked him remains for the rest of us to figure out.

[ggmome]

Raises the question, Can President Elect Obama, choose his replacement?

[Progress08]

Technically no, but who's to say how much influence he'd have over Blagjovech in who he chooses.

[ShelaghC]

HuffPo has an unfortunate habit of writing inaccurate and inappropriate headlines at times.

This is one of those times.

[AddictedToHope]

More accurate to have said "Biden's choice for replacement appointed by governor"

[1201SLD]

Strangely, most newspapers' headline writing is done by people who are removed from the reporting and writing of the articles and columns; it often seems they don't read copy either.

[Bitsko]

Who ever said that?

[mikep]

"Kaufman is president of a political and management consulting firm based in Wilmington."

That means he's a lobbyist.

[Progress08]

NO, it means he's a consultant. I'm a consultant and advocate for disabled children and have never once lobbied any one. Just because someone is dumb does not make them George W Bush.

[Danny]

Touchay, Progresso!.

[taosyogi]

if George W Bush is "dumb'" then how about Democratic Leaders Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; or other democratic member that voted
for FISA, renewal of PATRIOT ACT, the Iraq war vote, ect?

[reason2008]

Yeah....I'm sure you would say that if it was a republican.

Everyone always complains about cronyism on this website from the Bush admin.

Hmmmm......must be okay if you're a democrat.

[triplbee]

Huh? I've been a management consultant, but I've never been a lobbyist. They're completely different jobs.

[demfriend]

Was that Cheney in the picture with Joe? It looked like him doing his duck impression. Don't know what Ted looks like but I do hope he doesn't look like Cheney!

[CaptD]

More well thought out CHANGES...