So there has been lots of speculation about who might replace Joe Biden when he leaves the Senate, opening up his seat for the first time in over 30 years.
The current governor has made her pick...
First off, I said current governor, because the timing of swearing-in ceremony for the new governor (the same day as the Presidential inauguration) was discussed as having an effect on this, seeing as how if Biden does not resign his seat until Jan. 20 (like his is rumored to want to do), it could be the incoming governor, Markel, who made the appointment.
Well, throw all that out the window, as Minner has named Biden's replacement today.
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner said today she will appointed Ted Kaufman, a longtime, close adviser to Sen. Joe Biden to fill the senator's seat until a 2010 special election, a move that some warned could leave Delaware’s Democratic party feelings bruised for years to come.
The rest of the article goes on to say how everyone though it would be current Lt. Gov. Carney, loser of the gubernatorial primary. He was thought to be the overwhelming choice, and had agreed to simply serve as a placeholder for Biden's son, Beau.
Interestingly, for me at least, there's no mention of what Markel is thinking, and whether he's going along with this plan. I can't imagine him bucking Biden (who it seems had a huge hand in this), however, so my guess is that he's do the same, if he has to officially appoint someone.