I hope that the Arlen Specter story helps keep Joe Biden's old seat blue

[LynneSin]

The governor appointed Ted Kauffman to complete Joe Biden's senate term and Ted has already stated he will not be running in 2010 to fill out the rest of Biden's term. So we have an open election here in Delaware for Joe Biden's old seat.

Well here in Delaware we have our own 'Arlen Specter' and that's US Rep Mike Castle. He's a moderate republican and the only one that can win a state wide election. Mike Castle, like Specter, is from the biggest city in the state and has an appeal to everyone across the spectrum politically. I've seen him a couple of times at my local ACME grocery store - one time I did shake his hand and said he was one of the few republicans I actually liked and that he should switch parties (Castle laughed and thanked me. Oh, I've never voted him but as a republican he's not vile and disgusting).

I think for the last decade or so there has been an 'unwritten promise' that Castle would never challenge Carper or Biden for their senate seat and in return the democrats would never run a serious challenge against Castle (there's always an opponent but you never see anyone big in the party campaigning for the candidate.)

The seat is open and there is strong rumors that Castle might run for it. Rumor also has it that John McCain asked Castle personally to run for that senate seat. And some early polls have shown that Castle would probably win the seat in a state that is overwhelmingly blue.

I'm just hoping that Mike Castle heeds the warning of Arlen Specter. Sure, Castle would be the easy pickup for the republicans in Delaware but they would be stuck with another moderate that is much more like Arlen Specter and less like these mouth-breathers that make up the rest of the party.

It should be interesting to see how it turns out.

[Skinner]

1. Here's an idea:

Castle should switch parties, and then run for Senate. As a Republican, he is virtually unbeatable. As a Democrat, he would be unbeatable, period. He's already more liberal than half the Democrats in the Senate.

Come to the light, Mike...

[LynneSin]

2. Hey Skinner!!

He should be a democrat. Some of the early polls have shown that Castle would beat Beau Biden easily in a senate matchup. And to add fuel to the fire - Castle has his first serious competition for his house seat (former Lt. Gov John Carney is running for our lone house seat making a serious fight against Castle).

Castle should switch or better yet - just retire.

[Skinner]

3. Oh, jeez. Beau Biden?

I think Beau Biden is probably a good guy, and I don't have any problem with him, personally.

But I hate dynasties. It just ain't right.

[LynneSin]

4. I don't mind but the guy has barely served one term of his first elected job

He barely won Delaware AG office and then he got shipped off to Iraq a year later (He's due to come back soon). Some say Ted Kaufman (Biden's former chief of staff) was picked to keep Joe's seat available for Beau once he is home from Iraq and could then run for office.

I think Beau would make a great senator but I don't think he's ready yet. If he runs now he is running as a dynasty. If he waits a few years (perhaps finishes out 2 terms as our AG) and then he runs for Senate he'll be running on his own merits.

Sure Joe Biden had little experience and won his senate seat at age 30 but I highly doubt that it could happen again in our lifetime. Let Beau get his experience as AG and then run for Senate when of of those seats opens up again in about a decade.