Biden considering Sen. Angus King for DNI Chief

[Wanderlust988]

I don't like Biden plucking any senators at all, but Maine does have a Democratic governor. But not sure I'm trusting special elections right now and Maine isn't exactly the most trustworthy state.

The ONLY way this makes sense to me is if Sen. King has maybe relayed to Biden that he doesn't plan on running for re-election, so it'll be easier for the Dems to run with a Dem already in the seat, rather than a full out open seat.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/13/biden-angus-king-for-intelligence-436462

[Celerity]

1. no no no. I do not trust ME at all. ME-2 is full stop Rumperville and those MAGAts up there carried

the despicable Collins over the line state-wide, plus gave Rump 1 EV. That may not sound like much (the one EV) BUT if I shift (atm) 45,000 or so (that is how close we came to losing the POTUS atm, despite a 6 million plus raw popular vote lead) votes in just 3 states (WI, GA, AZ) that one ME-2 EV would guarantee Trump was re-elected (and via the worst possible way (one sure to cause massive violence), via a 269-269 tie with the House electing him as the Rethugs control 26 state delegations, the bare minimum needed). IF Rump had lost ME-2, Biden would have won even losing all 3 of those states.

[Wanderlust988]

3. I agree. Not feeling this at all...

I hope he puts an informal ban on selecting any senator. We do horrible in special elections and I trust no state right now, except maybe California or Hawaii.

[Celerity]

7. and NY, the rest no way, as MD, RI, MA, VT etc play footsie with Rethugs on occasion

[Totally Tunsie]

23. RI is the third bluest state in the nation.

When are we "playing footsie" with the Repigs? I don't believe Senators Whitehouse and Reed or Reps. Cicillini and Langavin would agree!

[bdamomma]

27. I agree

not our Senators or Reps.

[Totally Tunsie]

29. ...

[Celerity]

31. Looking at history, RI has elected some R's

Other than one term of Sundlun at the very start of the 1990's, you did not have a Dem governor for almost 30 years, until Chafee switched parties.

Before Whitehouse, the last time a Dem was elected in that seat was 1970 (Pastore). The other seat was always Blue since 1937 (Green, Pell, now Reed).

Obviously the state is a blue state, but it has had a history of electing some Republicans. Hopefully those days never return.

[Cha]

2. TY.. you mistyped Biden's name, though.

[Wanderlust988]

4. Fixed!

[Cha]

5. Thanks.. I knew

you'd want to know.

[KT2000]

6. he is an Independent

a replacement would be a Democrat.

[tritsofme]

8. King caucuses with Democrats, this is a distinction without a difference.

[KT2000]

25. Of course but

wouldn't it affect the balance of the Senate? He is not counted as a Democrat.

[former9thward]

28. He is counted as a Democrat for purposes of who is the majority and the minority.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. I'd rather he chose Malcom Nance n/t

[BlueInPhilly]

26. No

Malcolm Nance is a blowhard who has exaggerated his "expertise"

[Rstrstx]

10. Would the other Senator from Maine be interested?

Asking for a friend.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

19. Collins? She just got re-elected and is a republican

Probably no and not a good idea.

[DFW]

11. King is 76 and has four years left in his current Senate term

Depending on Maine's laws for succession, if an appointee by the governor serves out the rest of his term, there is plenty of time for the new senator to get some name recognition, as well as build up a constituency. The governor, as the 700 year old knight in the third Indiana Jones film recommended, should choose "wisely." Keep in mind that as a popular former governor of Maine, King's endorsement of his successor for election to a full term would go a long way, even in fickle Maine.

At 76, it is quite possible that King didn't plan to run again anyway, and he is VERY knowledgeable on defense matters. Biden's people are not stupid. I'm sure King was contacted discreetly before this was ever leaked to the public. I haven't talked with him since 2014--at a defense-related event in Maine, fittingly enough--but he was a very youthful 70 back then, and I'm sure he could handle the position capably.

If his appointed successor serves out his term under Maine law, I'd say there is little downside. If a special election has to be held in 2022, that is another matter entirely.

[peacefreak2.0]

12. I am from Maine and I do trust Angus King.

I find him to be intelligent, measured and accessible. He would be a huge loss in the Senate, but would bring a sorely missed sense of integrity.
As far as Janet Mills, don’t underestimate her. She has been a steady hand in keeping Maine safe in the time of Covid. After the bombastic era of Lepage, she’s doing what needs to be done.
Yes, we are reeling from Gideon’s loss. She fought a good, hard campaign and I think $$$ finally won.

[Totally Tunsie]

30. From what I've seen and heard of King,

my impression of him has been favorable. He seems like a man who gives thought to his opinions and deeds, and he has often been in support of Democratic policy. In fact, he strikes me as a "typical" Mainer...deep, silent, considered, and reasoned.

Pity about Gideon. I thought she has a good shot against Collins. Sorry she didn't make it.

[Demsrule86]

13. Maine elects Republicans. ..bad idea.

[OnDoutside]

17. Angus King isn't Republican. The problem is getting the right candidate to fit the state.

[underpants]

14. Agreed. Leave the Senators alone.

[Mike Nelson]

15. I think...

... if Biden picks any Republican Senators, they should be from states with Democratic Governors.

[OnDoutside]

16. IF, he can be replaced by another Democrat, the obvious question then is, who ? Sara Gideon is

clearly not the answer, after her poor showing against a generally despised incumbent. Who else is there in Maine that has the gravitas to take the seat, and most importantly, can retain that seat in 4 years time ?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

20. You can't put in Gideon who ran against Collins

because she just lost. That looks like your subverting the will of the people. Honestly, a senate appointment from the governor of Maine is always a bad idea, but especially bad in this charged political climate.

[OnDoutside]

21. Which is what I said about Gideon, if you can't beat the hideous

Susan Collins, you shouldn't be given the opportunity if King moved on. The question I did ask though, was who would be a Democratic replacement of stature if King did go.

The idea of replacing him with 4 years to go, isn't a bad idea, as it allows the replacement a long lead in time to get their track record with which to fight an election on.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

22. I don't know

Honestly, I don't think King would give up his senate seat.

[OnDoutside]

24. He would surely have come out and batted it down if there was

no truth in it ?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

18. No current senators should be picked

and none should give up their seats (other than Harris, obviously). Granted the governor gets to appoint in Maine, but Mainers will be pissed they didn't get to pick and the republicans will whine endlessly about the dem governor Mills being able to pick. I think that will make that person weak for re-election because they were not directly selected by Mainers in the first place and then we'll end up will with a Republican senator the next time.

https://ballotpedia.org/Filling_vacancies_in_the_U.S._Senate
Gubernatorial appointment
In 37 states (listed below), U.S. Senate vacancies are temporarily filled by gubernatorial appointment. The appointee serves until the next statewide general election is held; the winner in that election serves out the remainder of the term.[1][2]

Alabama
Arkansas[3]
Arizona[4]
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii[4][5][6]
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland[4]
Michigan
Minnesota[5]
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey[5]
New Mexico
New York[5]
North Carolina[4]
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah[4]
Virginia[5]
West Virginia
Wyoming[4]