Kaufman is a Democrat who has been a political adviser to Biden for decades.
He's made it clear that he's not going to be around very long. Kaufman says he doesn't plan to stay in the Senate beyond 2010.
By then, Biden's son Beau -- who is the Delaware attorney general -- will be back from National Guard duty in Iraq, and there's been speculation that he would try to win the seat.
Senate turnover will continue when Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet takes over the seat now held by Ken Salazar, who was chosen by Obama to be interior secretary. And, New York Gov. David Paterson still has to pick someone to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton when she becomes secretary of state.
