The picture of then-Senator, Joe Biden (with coffee pot in hand,) has been consistently posted along with a quote for many mornings within Kula's Morning Reaction series. It is what prompted the origin of this series to focus upon the transitions and daily activities of the other Executive Office holder: Vice President-Elect, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.
Today's Menu Specials:
- Swirly Gates.
- Delaware Hot Seat Covered in Illinois-style Gravy.
- Sweetarts.
As always (just over the bump), I start you off with a quote from The Gentleman to mull over with your morning Joe.
9 DECEMBER 2008 --
Stated in response to criticism by Delaware political opponents that the appointment of a Biden campaign insider, Ted Kaufman, to fill the State's vacant Senate position, was a blatant attempt to hold the seat for his son, Beau Biden, before he starts a 2010 election campaign:
"Beau has made it clear from the moment he entered public life, that any office he sought, he would earn on his own."
-- Vice President-Elect, Joe Biden
::::: COCKTAILS :::::
*** Breaking News***
Biden gets a puppy!
... Vice President Elect Joe Biden [sic] paid a surprise visit to Jo-Linda's German Shepherd Farm in East Coventry Township over the weekend with secret service agents in tow.
Biden, a Shepherd lover and staunch supporter of police, didn't have to ask twice when he wanted a New Castle County canine cop to pick out the perfect pup for his family.
Linda Brown says the officer took one look at this litter along with the pup's dad Rex and granddaddy Hans and knew paws down that this handsome, but sleepy six-week-old was the right one.
The canine cop will spend about six weeks training and more importantly housebreaking this little guy before he heads to Washington after the inauguration.
After all, Biden will have his hands full.
Biden and president elect Barack Obama have been busy filling their cabinet post.
Obama, too, has said he's looking for a presidential pooch, a campaign promise to his daughters.
By the way, Biden's grandchildren will have the pleasure of naming and, of course, playing with the newest addition to the family.
::::: APPETIZER :::::
Retained Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, met on Tuesday with Vice President-elect Biden to include him in the transition activities at the Pentagon. The brief story from The Washington Post describes the meet up through Pentagon press secretary, Geoff Morrell, as an information session in which Secretary Gates discussed "national security operations, everything from how to conduct meetings, appropriate participants, those kinds of things."
It's not like Mr. Biden's ever had to read a classified document or hold a meeting with top secret intelligence in the Senate or anything. Still... I'm pretty glad we picked this guy for Veep.
::::: MAIN COURSE :::::
Today's New York Times has a sweet comparative by Gail Collins of the "Senate seat sellathon" brand of gubernatorial appointments. Peaking my interest is the hat tip she gives to the expediency of filling Mr. Biden's vacant seat while adding the additional touch of calling it a reasonable question mark.
Given the fact that Biden wants his seat to eventually go to his son, Beau [Biden], who is currently serving in Iraq with the Army National Guard, some observers found it a tad convenient that [Delaware Governor Ruth Ann] Minner happened to choose a person no one has ever heard of who is intensely loyal to the Biden family and has already promised not to run in the next election.
But now Delaware is looking like the gold standard. It was only political expediency! The State Legislature isn’t going to have to set up an emergency election so the governor won’t have time to barter the seat away. And everybody in Washington knows the aides do all the real work anyway so nobody will even notice Biden is gone. Good work, Governor Minner!
Beau does his full tour, Joe rewards a long-time colleague, Delaware gets representation that lasts two years then picks what they really want after that. Plus the taxpayers' aren't footing a huge bill for investigations, legal battles, etc. in the meantime.
Compare that with the hack-away, post-dated piece on The New Republic by Michael Crowley and you can see where the hub-bub is coming into play.
::::: DESSERT :::::
I'm starting to work toward getting direct contact with the Staff of Mr. Biden. As suggested yesterday, the fat's now in the fire.
To the Staff of Vice President-elect Joe Biden,
My name is Patch Adam Perryman and I am an amateur journalist who voluntarily (i.e.: working in an unpaid position) writes a regular series on the blog Daily Kos. The focus of my series is on the day-to-day activities, career and background of Mr. Biden and the office of the Vice President in general.
I am formally requesting to make contact with members of Mr. Biden’s Transition team and Vice Presidential staff. The hope would be to perform some interviews via email, phone and (when possible and appropriate) in person with official spokespersons to offer the Daily Kos and blogger community as a whole some first-hand information about the activities of Mr. Biden.
At this time I have written about a month’s worth of entries highlighting the Vice President-elect’s post-election activities and career while the media tends to focus more on President-elect Obama. My focus on Mr. Biden stems from a personal curiosity on learning more (and simultaneously educating others) about the office of the Vice President and of Mr. Biden himself.
Past writings are open for your viewing for free by reviewing my Daily Kos profile: http://www.dailykos.com/...
I have included my contact information above should there be anyone that could help further my inquiry toward making contact with a member of Mr. Biden’s Team.
I thank you for your time and attention in what must be a very busy and exciting time.
Yours sincerely,
- Patch Adam Perryman
Portland, Oregon
Crossing fingers and continuing to write and read in the meantime. Persistence, they say...
::::: THE CHECK ::::::
Thank you for patronage here at Joe's Inn!
If I get a bite, what do you think I should ask? How about that Delaware Senate seat? Secretary Gates sure seems like he's changing his tune, doesn't he?
See you next time.