Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) "will make an announcement regarding the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Vice President-elect Joe Biden," her office announced today.
At this stage it's unclear whether she plans to announce who will replace Biden, or simply a timetable for a decision. There are so many unanswered questions about the situation, led of course by speculation over whom would be named.
Another revolves around when Biden plans to resign. During the campaign, he was apparently only asked once about the subject, and told a local Missouri TV station he would resign only shortly before taking the oath of office as VP.
Some have suggested Biden should resign sooner to allow his replacement the chance to get a leg up on seniority over other new senators. But even this is murky, given the fact that Biden was re-elected to a new term that would begin Jan. 6. A historian at the Senate says an appointee may have to be re-appointed if Biden resigned sooner rather than later.
"Since the appointment would cover two separate terms, ending and beginning on January 3, 2009, it is possible that an appointment would have to be made for the remainder of this term, and another for the term beginning on January 3 (the constitutional beginning of the term), which would then go until the next general election," said Senate historian Betty Koen, who cautioned that the guidelines on Delaware law "are not specific enough to answer this question."
The Wilmington News Journal runs down the latest list of names rumored to be in line for an appointment. What's interesting about Minner making an announcement today is that it may signal Biden is, in fact, planning to let the outgoing governor appoint his replacement, not Gov.-elect Jack Markell, who'd make the decision if Biden waits to resign until Jan. 20.
Biden and Minner are close, and she would be more likely to make a placeholder appointment if Biden hopes to see his son, state AG Beau Biden, eventually run in the special election (he's ruled out an appointment now, which was a given since he's now in Iraq). Markell was not the chosen candidate of the state Democratic establishment, and I've heard some speculation that he'd be less inclined to make an appointment that would transparently set the stage for the younger Biden to run, especially since that appointment would be one of his first actions as governor (though I suspect both would be deferential to Biden in the end).
Looming largest has been outgoing Lt. Gov. John Carney, who Minner had endorsed in last year's gubernatorial primary. "Send JC to DC" buttons were spotted at Return Day, the state's traditional post-election political affair, where Biden appeared, signaling Carney is eager for the appointment. Whether he wants it to be a temporary gig, however, is unclear.
Will update more once we hear from Minner at 2:30 pm.
-Mike Memoli
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