‘A Hell Of A Thing’
May 3rd, 2008 by Dave
The Republican Party has turned the corner. We will now field the strongest ticket, top to bottom, that I can remember.
- Bill Lee for Governor
- Charlie Copeland for Lt. Governor
- John Brady for Ins. Commissioner
- Mike Castle for Congress
- Christine O’Donnell for U.S. Senate
I can honestly predict that thse five candidates will earn more total votes than any five GOP candidates from a previous election.
It is a new day, a great day. We have a tremendous slate of candidates. We have a new national committeeman in Laird Stabler, and a great new chairman in Tom Ross. We have a fantastic agenda to offer the people of our great state in the Delaware Plan. We have truly turned the corner.
In the immediate aftermath of the events today, where, among other things, Bill Lee exceeded his convention margin of victory over Mike Protack from 2004, someone came up to me and said “it’s a hell of a thing you all did today.”
He was right. It really is a hell of a thing. Delaware now has a chance to be the diamond state once again.
Congratulations on a job superbly done! Tom, I fully expect you will be a tremendous party leader! I am over the moon excited for this splendid ticket. Let’s put the pedal to the medal and put this thing in motion. Much work to be done; money to be raised and places to be and explain just how great Delaware can be!!!!! This is a day to be proud. When’s the first fundraiser. Sign me up!
See ya all soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“When’s the first fundraiser. Sign me up!”
Let’s just say we’ve got some more up our sleeve.
what happend to Terry Strine, I thought he was only stepping asside if he was elected NCM?
Give us a little flavor, what was the buzz on the convention floor?
If only they would regin in the IRS like Bill Roth did so that no one in Delaware had too many tax problems, once the IRS knew Roth’s staffers were going after them….it was a re-election frenzy in Delaware politics.
Terry stepped down to pursue a job as Chairman of the McCain campaign of Delaware. Tim Smith showed he is a real man and honorable political candidate by keeping his word and dropping out the second Christine O received the endorsement. Mr. Protack showed the exact opposite when he said on GMD that he would bet his oldest son that he would be on the ballot in November as the Republican nominee or an independent. Evidently, he was just at the convention to “socialize” since he had no other campaign events this morning.
Protack said he was running to get the party nomination not the endorsement so that makes him a man of his word. The people have a right to vote and he has a right to run. Lee is a strong candidate though. The party will be well represented. We just need both sides to stay on the issues and civil.
I think what Tim Smith did just makes good sense. Fighting a primary to face Biden would do no one any good. It would be a fool’s errand for what he wants to accomplish. Mr. Smith has a bright future in the GOP. Go Christine! It is an exciting prospect that Delaware will have its first female member in Congress. It is historic. Senator Biden should step aside and stop feeling wasted.
The one thing I’ll take from this convention, besides the historic drafting of Bill Lee, was Tim Smith’s response to losing a close race to Christine O’Donnell. He greeted her at the stage and gave her a hearty congratulations at what had to be a rough moment for him personally. Real character.
What happened today was great, everyday Republicans like Chris Theis, David Anderson, John Feroce, Jeff Mapson and many, many others came together to set a course for the future of the Republican Party in Delaware. And everyone left charged up and truly believing we will compete to win on every ballot line this year.
What a difference a month makes.
“We just need both sides to stay on the issues and civil.”
I think we know the likelihood of that happening, given the history of the last six years.
You are correct in that Mike did not say he would drop out. What I am referring to I guess is my gut instinct that Protack is going to show the opposite of civility, at least behind the scenes. I have a strong feeling I am going to see those “anonymous”pink postcards return to my mailbox, as tasteless and vile as ever.
[…] ANOTHER UPDATE: I was hoping Dave Burris would have something on his blog, and he does. […]
[…] are certainly encouraged by Dave’s optimism and will be closely tracking to see if more Republicans votes are totaled this […]
My hope is that Mike Protack continues to campaign..Let Delawareans practice the right of choice……
I can see the middle three,
But one and five are not to be.
Rick,
You’ve the soul of a poet
(In case you didn’t know it).
But I’ll tell you what’s what,
Nostradamus you’re not.
Everyone also seems to forget that of our three men in Congress, Biden is the most beatable. His last three statewide vote percentages were 62, 60, 58, an average of 60%. Castle’s last three were 72, 69 & 57 (66%) and Carper’s last three were 69, 55 (v. Roth), 70 (65%).
I’m not predicting he will be beaten, but I am hopeful that Christine can perform on par with Jane Brady & Ray Clatworthy and get herself in a position to be competitive, maybe even have a shot at the end.
Biden will immediately throw out the “religious right extremist” card which is the favorite of moderates and liberals who like to define their opponents instead of debate them. She will have to go toe to toe and ask for every debate she can get. If anyone can spar with Joe, Christine can. As far as the issues, she needs to stay focused on the economy and taxes. She has been making the point that he said that he feels his talents are wasted as only 1 of 100 in the Senate. I’m guessing she can get some mileage out of that.
Chris, everything you said is true, but I’d save the ‘1 out of 100′ line for radio and TV taglines. I’ve heard Christine speak, and she’s most effective when she isn’t looking for soundbites.
Christine is good at both sound bites and long form. That is what it will take. I think this will be a good election for us not only where there be five fine candidates in November on our side, but we could win 3 of them. No, I can’t predict which 3. Christine has the toughest challenge, but I think this change year make it happen. Senator Biden seems tired of campaigning after a year in IA, SC, and NH. I think she could just plain out work him just like he did an older senator 36 years ago. If the election were held today, she wouldn’t have a chance, but it is not.
The Republican nominee for governor has a great shot. The front runner and main challenger are both credible candidates and who knows maybe someone in the party will make the Rick19958 plan work. I would love to see that. The party would rebuild a NCC operation which would help turn around the statewide dynamic. Judge Lee is a great man, I would love to see him end his career on top and fulfill his dream.
Lt. Governor will be the race to watch if one wants to see the future of both parties for the next decade. A reformist Copeland versus a populist Denn would be some race. I can’t predict it. My heart goes with Charlie. I call it a GOP pick up. Mr. Blunt is a formidable candidate but downstate here, he has presented nothing and is AWOL. After nearly a year of neglect (by Sept.), he will get killed down here. Copeland is already a statewide figure, I predict he would get 62% downstate and keep it close enough in NC by losing it by only 14 points. Copeland wins a close one.
The Brady race–He wins if it is any one but Reed. Reed would split the Republican base. Brady could have Democrat/ Ind. crossover appeal, but I would have to see the campaign play out.
Congressman Castle is in trouble this time. He may only get 65%. Republican hold.
The Presidential race is unpredictable at this point. If Senator Obama is the nominee new Democrat voters will come out in addition, Wilmington will have its largest turnout in years. Nonetheless if he keeps taking on water, that may be muted by independents going Republican. If Senator Clinton is the nominee, Republicans will be motivated to turnout like they haven’t since 1994 or maybe even Reagan’s years. It will have an impact on these races, but not an overiding one. All politics truly is local.
Which reenforces my contention that the best way to push these guys over the top and make it happen is to hold the house. To hold the house we will have to find people willing to vote Republican in a majority of the state. We need to build from the ground up not the top down. That is how we can make it 5 for 5 and not 1 for 5. I can see either possibility; let’s get as close as we can to the 5 for 5 and the President while adding a house seat or two.
“If Senator Clinton is the nominee, Republicans will be motivated to turnout like they haven’t since 1994 or maybe even Reagan’s years.”
If the prospect of an Obama presidency isn’t enough to ‘motivate’ Republicans, then all is lost; he is more liberal than Hillary. Of course, it’s hard to get excited about voting for McCain; this time around, there is simply no viable choice for a true conservative.
What does “more liberal” mean? What issues are you talking about, Rick?
Mike Castle at 65%? When he only got 57% in 2006 against an unknown, underfunded candidate?
Al, he got 57% during a blue tide with crazy Bush disapproval numbers following a halth scare. While Castle clearly has recovered, I’d say his health concerns were considered more serious than those of Roth in 2000, and we know how that turned out.
“What does “more liberal” mean?”
It means he associates with vehemently anti-American leftists, and his answer to everything is governmental intervention, i.e., socialism. How anyone can believe that federal bureaucrats can run anything efficiently is beyond me.
Yeah. Castle gets 57% in a blue tide and it’s a big deal, but Biden gets 58% and it’s no big deal.
I thought so, Rick.
So you continue with the guilt by association tactic. It’s old and wrong, a gross exaggeration indeed. And then up comes that catch-all buzz word, “socialism”. Socialism, like liberalism, is anything the right abhors. Both are convenient labels used to rally the partisans. Note well: The Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, is basically a liberal (liberating) document, and one, of course, that sets up and defines a GOVERNMENT.
Governmental intervention? Without it (The Law) we would have total chaos, as with the credit crises we all now suffer as innocent victims of the extreme greed of others. Government oversight was absent. So there is always a requirement to satisfy the societal need for judicious, minimalist intervention, which first becomes the subject of partisan debate and division until compromises are negotiated.
But many of you on the right take the attitude of “my way or the highway” (no compromising), by which unity and order could never occur. Rightists like you are absolutists, which compounds our national problems without resolving them, in my view.
Copeland is going to have to explain his alliance with McDowell on the off-shore wind issue, as right now it is his albatross. His view on this issue is opposite 90% of Delawareans.
“Governmental intervention? Without it (The Law) we would have total chaos, as with the credit crises we all now suffer as innocent victims of the extreme greed of others. Government oversight was absent.”
LIMITED Government is the key, Perry. When your mindset is that government is the only answer to problems faced, than the trend is toward socialism. You explain it well, when you claim that we all suffer as innocent victims of others greed. What about personal responsiblility? Did Countrywide come to your house with a gun and force you to sign the dotted line for a subprime loan? Last time I looked they had severe corporate financial issues brought on by there extreme greed. Didn’t the market punish them for their mistake? I agree we need laws to obtain a civil society, but a paradigm that views gov’t as perfect and the only solution to obtain an ideal society is socialism.
How long will it take for the pink postcard guy to think up a clever rhyming name for Tom Ross? I suggest “back-room boss” but that’s just off the top of my head.
Looks like a pretty good card overall; has Judge Lee accepted yet, or is he still in his undisclosed location?
I didn’t say it was a “big deal” that Castle got 57%. I asked what makes anyone think he’ll do better this year, though of course a lack of a name-brand opponent with any money will help. Biden, unlike Castle, draws a lot of attention and criticism from many corners of Delaware. I’m surprised any time he tops 60%; indeed, when he does it’s an indication the GOP isn’t running a top horse against him.
Chris: “LIMITED Government is the key, Perry.”
I agree, which is why I said: “…the societal need for judicious, minimalist intervention, ….”
I agree that Senator Copeland needs to stay as far away from McDowell as he can, but are you really saying that the Democrats will take down their own Senate leadership to stop Copeland? It is the Democrats not Copeland who are bought and paid for. They are the ones trying to block the proposal not Senator Copeland. Let’s see the Democrats try that one.
Sorry, David, Copeland is in bed right next to McDowell. Aaron Nathans laid out in splendid detail the machinations Harris McDowell has been pulling in regards to the SEU, and Copeland made it clear he’s perfectly OK with it.
Good luck trying to prove that in the eyes of voters when Copeland has proposed a regional wind farm bigger than BWW.
I’m not going to need any luck with this one. I have those three paragraphs of quotes, and a state full of people who don’t like politicians who are playing footsie with Delmarva. And that includes your former golden boy.
I just got back to Wilmington after attending the convention and hanging out for a few days. The convention was great! I am a big believer in the old half and loaf is better than none. So the fact we have a new State Chairman is enough for me to regain some confidence in our GOP.
I was really impressed by the nomination speeches for Copeland. It was obvious his Senate colleagues think his is a talented guy. That gave me some insight into the guy.
I was disappointed in Mike Protack. No signs. No schmoozing. Just sort of a dark cloud. If Mike has any hope of reclaiming status as a viable guy, he should forgo a primary, bow out gracefully, consider running for Country Executive. Military pilots know when it’s time to eject. The party did us all a favor by getting a new chairman, there is a new energy, Mike should seriously consider a new path.
The only serious negative I can come up with is O’Donnell. I heard her on the radio when she was a guest host, thought she silly. Like Ann Coulter extralite. Her Jerry Falwell world view will make the DEGOP look like we are still mucking around in our dim discredited rightwing past.
Al — Whatever you say. There’s nothing in that article that achieves your goal as it pertains to Copeland.
Oh Lord, Dave, you really are blinded when it comes to your unbridled man-crush on Copeland. Maybe it’s just that McDowell’s got your boy on his knees wearing chaps and begging for more? Hope the voters bring lube to the voting box.
Dave says: “Good luck trying to prove that in the eyes of voters when Copeland has proposed a regional wind farm bigger than BWW.”
“Regional” does not mean Delaware, like BWW does mean Delaware. More importantly, we have no long term contract price on regional on shore wind. And equally importantly, “regional” provides not job one to Delawareans.
David says: “It is the Democrats not Copeland who are bought and paid for. They are the ones trying to block the proposal not Senator Copeland. Let’s see the Democrats try that one.”
Copeland has attached himself to the goals of this McDowell group of Dems, so on this wind power issue he is one of them. He will be rightly attacked on his position and association, not good news for him politically, I would think, unless he changes position and disassociates.
Anyone ever consider the fact that putting a complex power plant out in the ocean may not be the most efficient approach? Copeland seems like a thoughtful guy, I doubt he is part of a conspiracy. I just hope we don’t get so enchanted by the idea of windmills in the ocean that we end up with a boondoggle. Are there a lot of huge wind farms in the middle of the ocean or would our billions be part of an experiment? Bluewater Wind has a sort of Global Warming passion pushing it.
Don — There are certain people that just HAVE to have a Republican involved in this, so as to distract from the fact that the Democratic Party has killed BWW.
Dave - I read today that one of the BidenCarper earmarks was to the UD for a feasibility study of offshore wind power? I don’t know all the safeguards for taxpayers built into proposed approvals, but it seems with a “feasibility” study in the works, we are a little ahead of ourselves on BWW. I hope Republicans are prudent, very very prudent on this. Congress passed that rah rah green ethanol requirement, now they are asking EPA to rescind it based on starving people as an unintended consequences. Let’s not let Greenfever cloud our judgement on BWW.
What we should consider are State owned non-profit power plants. Lots of them. Clean as possible. All over. Feeding the grid. A windmill here. A solar panel there. Throw some fuel cells in. See if farmers have something to burn. Talk about making Delaware a nice place to live and do business.
Dave: “Don — There are certain people that just HAVE to have a Republican involved in this, so as to distract from the fact that the Democratic Party has killed BWW.”
Not I, Dave. Moreover, the BWW project has not been killed, yet. If it is, I will hold every single legislator who opposed this extremely beneficial project for Delaware politically and personally responsible, Dems and Repubs alike!
And Don, I think you are missing some of the facts about BWW. The project is driven not only by green, but also by low cost and jobs for Delawareans. Moreover, there is plenty of off shore wind technology tested and refined by the Danes and Brits.
The opponents in our Senate, in conjunction with DPL, have launched a campaign of misinformation on price as their main thrust to kill the project. Most unfortunately, the Dems involved are likely to use their desk drawer veto in the Senate to kill the contract — Government at its very worst!!!
Your suggestion of individuals employing solar and wind is a great one, though not a substitute for BWW, rather an addition, putting us more on track for energy independence and global warming minimization — win-win!
Man, I hate to agree with Perry, but he’s mostly right here. I wouldn’t place the emphasis on global climate change, but comprehensive clean power for Delaware ought to be the goal for all of us. Here in Sussex we have Indian River fouling up the air and water, but for some reason it isn’t emphasized in the cancer cluster talk.
Nice try, Dave, but I’m not trying to make partisan the attempt to kill BWW. Charlie Copeland is providing political cover for Harris McDowell. It’s that simple. Read the Sunday N-J story over again. Here are the last three graphs:
–Copeland said the SEU concept is a good one, and environmentalists should put aside their differences with McDowell and embrace it. “Senator McDowell has skepticism about parts of the Babcock and Brown proposal for offshore wind, and some people, I believe, have taken that personally,” Copeland said. Bluewater is owned by Babcock. “Sometimes politics gets personal, but the SEU in particular will be, in my opinion, a huge benefit in reducing our energy consumption,” Copeland said.–
This, after about 100 column inches laying out McDowell’s machinations for gaining control over the SEU without any oversight. Yeah, it’s just personalities, Charlie. Don’t be a schmuck.
If you think a day will go by without me reminding my listeners of this, Dave, think again.
“If you think a day will go by without me reminding my listeners of this, Dave, think again.”
Just so you’re bypassing the Democrats responsible in favor of the only Republican in the room. Real responsible of you. But hey. You’re not making it partisan, right?
Oh, and ask Attorney General Wharton how it worked out for him having WDEL bashing his opponent all the time.
Perry, glad to hear the Brits and Danes have experience maintaining ocean based machinery. All I know is I have a little place a half block from the ocean, and every piece of metal from the hinges to the lamps seems to corrode. My engineering brain tells me all that stuff in the ocean has to be a much bigger headache than on land. Is there a plan to built even a couple of them before we talk zillions of dollars? As far as jobs go, there are lots of ways to subsidize jobs. All I am saying is this is no small game here. No place for politics. This is a matter for accountants, engineers, and scientists. Not politicians, lobbyists, and talk show hosts.
If our economy is headed towards some kind of radical makeover where families really have to choose between food, driving, heating and cooling their homes, at some point the idea of not for profit energy has to be considered. The taxpayers can built energy plants, get this life sustaining resource directly from consumer owned and operated facilities at the lowest possible cost. If survival becomes the goal, the rules change.
Anecdote: I am working on a real estate project in Lancaster County PA. Today at lunch I asked a total stranger about the market in the small town the house is located in. He said the market is okay there. Here said this town has a reputation for low utility rates. In the next town down he said the average house pays $200 more a month for electricity and gas. I said how come. He said well the one town is supplied by energy company X and this cheaper town is supplied by energy company Y. Not sure how that all works, but just goes to show there are a lot of things to be considered as far as where and how you get your energy. Delaware should be doing something revolutionary, not just because it is wind in the ocean, but because it could cut costs in half.
“Just so you’re bypassing the Democrats responsible in favor of the only Republican in the room. Real responsible of you. But hey. You’re not making it partisan, right?”
Don’t be foolish. I’m not giving McDowell a pass, at all, nor will I give Thurman Adams a pass if HCR 38 dies in his desk. Copeland is merely an enabler. But, unlike you, I’m not pretending that doesn’t help McDowell. It counts, Dave, even if it makes him a minor player.
“Oh, and ask Attorney General Wharton how it worked out for him having WDEL bashing his opponent all the time.”
Considering how many votes he got vs. how many other Republican candidates got, he ought to be thanking us. Besides, the strongest opposition to Beau came from the other show, not mine. Don’t worry, though — I won’t claim to have played any role in the 30-point drubbing Charlie will get if the Dems bother to target him.
Ironically, if he chose to champion BWW, he might actually have a chance of being elected. How much Pepco stock does he own, I wonder?
“Is there a plan to built even a couple of them before we talk zillions of dollars?”
They aren’t our dollars, they’re Bluewater Wind’s. The risk is theirs, not ours.
“The risk is theirs, not ours.”
And if the PPA is signed, the risk is gone.
Come on, Al. There are 100,000 reasons to support BWW. ‘The risk is theirs, not ours’ is not one.
Originally Posted by Joe Walther
According to the most recent ballot qualified list, Protack’s name does not appear. David Graham, another Republican, does appear on the list. Bill Lee is not on the list, either.
There’s a major rub between Bill Lee and David Graham. According to Graham, Lee assured him that he would not run for Governor–nothing in writing, of course. So, Graham formed a committee and paid his fee.
The Republican’s then drafted Bill Lee by an 80% margin. Lee has all but formally accepted and will probably make an official announcement this coming week. He’ll also pay his fee.
Personally, I believe Graham’s anger should be directed at the State Republican Committee, not at Bill Lee. I’ve known Bill Lee for over 22-years. He was NOT going to run.
But, when a party in which you’ve been a member your entire political life drafts you with an 80% margin and assures you of its total support, what do you do?
In reality, given the status of the State Republican Party, Lee is the only candidate with a reasonable chance to beat Carney, IF Carney receives the Democratic nomination. It’ll be a close one. If Markell is the Democratic nominee, I don’t think Lee can beat him.
But, you never know. Robert Foraker might swoop in at the last minute and whomp all of them!
Regards,
Joe Walther
It would appear Rob Foraker needs to learn about sarcasm.
I’m sorry did I miss something….?
May 11th, 2008 at 9:10 am Sorry I can’t see the sarcasm directed at me…Apparently I miss took the statement without ignorance…I must not be in the same circle of ignorance as you….Again I Appologize….Can someone explain sarcasm to me…
May 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm