Posted: Nov. 15, 2011

THANKS GOBBLING

By Celia Cohen
Grapevine Political Writer

For 364 days a year, politicians mostly expect to celebrate thanks-taking. Thanks for coming. Thanks for straightening out that Social Security check. Thanks for killing that bill.

After gobbling up so much thanks, there is finally Thanksgiving Day for politicians themselves to gobble-gobble-gobble about what they are thankful for.

JOE BIDEN, the Democratic vice president. Biden is thankful for Rick Perry. He makes Biden's gaffes sound like Socrates. Oops.

TOM CARPER, the Democratic senator. After 35 years in public life? He is thankful for offices without term limits.

CHRIS COONS, the Democratic senator. He is thankful that an ancient political saying -- If there is a Senate nomination there for the taking, take it, because you never know what can happen -- really can come true. Especially if it means escaping from New Castle County.

JACK MARKELL, the Democratic governor. Easy. All governors give thanks for June 30. It is the day the legislators see their shadow and hibernate for six more months of no legislature.

TOM WAGNER, the Republican auditor. He is the only Republican elected statewide since 2008. It is obvious what he is thankful for. Ticket splitting.

TOM KOVACH, the New Castle County Council's Republican president, running for the congressional seat. He is thankful that an ancient political saying -- If there is a House nomination there for the taking, take it, because you never know what can happen -- might come true. Especially if it means getting out of New Castle County. With an office or without one.

CHRISTINE O'DONNELL, Republican ex-candidate for the Senate. She ran against Carper. She ran against Biden. She ran against Coons. She has run out of Democratic senators to run against. The voters are thankful she can give it a rest now.

BILL LEE, Republican ex-candidate for governor. He allowed himself to be drafted to run in 2008. The Republicans could use it if he would do it again. Thanks but no thanks.

DELAWARE VOTERS. They are thankful for odd-numbered years. It means the only turkeys around are the kind on the table, not the kind on the ballot.

RETURN TO COVER PAGE

###