Tales from the Trail

Congressman Mike Castle will not launch a write-in campaign for the U.S. Senate seat he once was heavily favored to win.

Castle had been considering the option of running as a write-in candidate since he lost to Tea Party favorite Christine O’Donnell in Delaware’s Republican primary election.

“While I would have been honored to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate, I do not believe that seeking office in this manner is in the best interest of all Delawareans. Therefore, it’s time for Jane (his wife) and me to begin thinking about the next chapter of our lives,” Castle said in a statement Wednesday evening.

Castle, who’s had a long political career (nine-term Representative, governor, lieutenant governor and state legislator), said he had been encouraged by people in his state who wanted him to fight on and that he had carefully considered their viewpoints.

“I understand why people care so deeply about this election,” said Castle, one of the last Republican moderates in Congress.

O’Donnell’s primary campaign got a big boost with support from the conservative Tea Party and an endorsement from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The political unknown who stunned South Carolina and the nation by winning the state’s Democratic Senate primary produced headlines again on Sunday.

Alvin Greene made what’s believed to be his first campaign appearance — ever — speaking to an audience in his hometown of Manning, South Carolina. Greene attracted an audience of about 300 people and national media eager to hear what he had to say.

As far as anyone knows, Greene did not make any speeches during the primary campaign. And, except for a few interviews, the unemployed Army veteran, has had little to say since his surprise win last month.