Biden surprises Democrats, drops in for Sussex Jamboree

In a surprise appearance at one of Delaware’s most important political events, Vice President Joe Biden emotionally thanked Delaware friends and political allies for their support after the May 30 death of Beau Biden, his oldest son.

Biden climbed atop a picnic table and choked up as he began about 10 minutes of remarks at the Sussex County Democrats’ Jamboree in Lewes, referring to his son as “my Beau” and “my boy.”

“I came because Beau would want me to come,” Biden said. “The reason is to say ‘Thank you.’ This is where I got started.”

Biden arrived at Cape Henlopen State Park about 3 p.m. to a jubilant crowd chanting “Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe!”

The Vice President made his way through the crowd of more than 300 people, shaking hands, signing a few autographs and exchanging stories with old friends and political allies before taking to the microphone.

“The thing about Sussex is the soil is sandy but the roots go real, real deep,” said Biden, who spent more than an hour in Lewes.

Biden’s appearance, which was not listed on his public schedule, came as he weighs whether to enter the 2016 presidential campaign. But he said nothing about a potential campaign, and dismissed a question about his plans.

Saturday’s appearance was less a political event than a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Delawareans who have long embraced the Biden family, supporting his political campaigns for more than four decades and standing in line for hours to offer condolences after Beau Biden succumbed to brain cancer three months ago.

Beau Biden had attended Jamborees since he was four years old, the vice president said, first as the child of a politician and later as a candidate himself.

He said Beau Biden, who won two terms as Delaware attorney general and was also beloved by Delawareans, “deeply, deeply, deeply cared about you all.”

Saturday’s Jamboree was dominated by the excitement around the vice president, but Delaware’s political hopefuls also were making the rounds – with one notable exception.

Third-term U.S. Rep. John Carney was at home continuing to recover from hip replacement surgery, as Democrats buzzed about his expected campaign for Delaware governor.

Carney ran in 2008, losing to current Gov. Jack Markell in a Democratic primary, and is expected to enter the 2016 race as the clear frontrunner. Markell is already publicly urging Carney to run.

“What I really hope I’m doing next year is working on behalf of Carney for governor,” Markell said.

Markell is term-limited and leaves office in January 2017. He gave this answer when questioned about his own next move: “I have no idea.”

The second-term Democratic governor did rule out seeking Delaware’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives if Carney leaves it vacant. “It’s not something I wanted to do.”

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Delaware Democrats could be forced to choose sides in a potentially bruising primary election to fill the congressional seat, should Carney decide to pursue the governor’s office.

Delaware Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, is exploring a congressional race and was in attendance on Saturday.

Delaware Rep. Bryon Short, D-Highland Woods, was also in Lewes laying the groundwork for a congressional bid that appears likely.

“If Congressman Carney decides he wants to pursue the governor spot, we’re going to pursue the congressional seat,” Short said. “John’s my friend. We’ve worked together since the 1990s. I think he would be a great governor.”

But there was no mistaking it on Saturday: the Jamboree was all about Joe.

Biden’s schedule did not include plans to attend the Jamboree, which serves as an election season kickoff and is among Delaware’s most important political events.

When word circulated downstate this week that Biden had yet to RSVP for the Jamboree, his office contacted the organizers and said he would not attend, perhaps to avoid greater security restrictions.

But the excitement about a potential Biden appearance still might have boosted attendance. Mitch Crane, chair of the Sussex County wing of the Democratic Party, said the event typically attracts around 200 people.

Biden personally interacted with Delawareans one-by-one, and during his speech thanked Markell, Attorney General Matt Denn and Sussex County allies like Joe Conaway and Frank Calio, among others.

Biden recalled the services for Beau Biden, calling his Legislative Hall viewing service the “greatest honor the Biden family has ever been accorded.”

“All you can hope to do in your life is leave something behind,” Biden said. “I think Beau in a short time left an awful lot behind.”

The Vice President used his speech to again call Beau Biden “the finest man I ever met in my life.”

Contact Jonathan Starkey at (302) 983-6756, on Twitter @jwstarkey or at jstarkey@delawareonline.com