Though they don't yet have a candidate for the Senate, Delaware Democrats are beginning to train their fire on Republican Rep. Michael N. Castle, who has the early edge in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ted Kaufman.
The Democratic National Committee on Friday organized a conference call that was intended to pressure Castle into supporting a Democratic-written plan to overhaul health care policies. That bill, which is backed by the Obama administration, will receive a full House vote on Saturday.
"I think Delaware has made it clear that we want and need it," said John Daniello, the chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party. "I hope, really, that Representative Castle chooses to stand and vote with the people he represents, not with his party leadership."
Castle is expected to join a united House GOP Conference in voting against the measure, which Republicans describe as a federal government takeover of health care that will exacerbate the deficit. Some of the 258 House Democrats also plan to vote no.
Stephanie Fitzpatrick, a spokeswoman for Castle's Senate campaign, said that his congressional office would release a statement outlining his position on health care. CQ Politics will update this post when that is available.
Castle said in mid-July that he is "not convinced that a public insurance option is the best immediate solution."
Democrats are trying to puncture Castle's long-established reputation in Congress as a pragmatic centrist. He's bucked GOP leaders more frequently than most members of his party; for example, he's voted to expand embryonic stem cell research and government funding of children's health insurance programs.
Daniello declined to speculate on when Democrats will field a Senate candidate. The party's top choice is state Attorney General Beau Biden, who has said he's seriously considering running for the seat long held by his father, Vice President Joe Biden.
"I am not going to answer a what-if question at this point. We're not even into [2010] yet. When the candidates come forward, we'll be glad to discuss the qualities of the candidates," Daniello said.
CQ Politics rates the Delaware Senate race as Leans Republican.
To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.
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