By now, we all know about the Delaware Democratic Party funding an ad lauding Carney and DeLuca as the true heros in the Bluewater Wind deal. In essence, the Party paid for a campaign ad for John Carney.
I strongly oppose the Party’s actions here, but to me, it was to be expected.
When the party endorsed Carney at the convention, we knew this was coming. The only thing I am surprised about is that they did not spend our money on behalf of Carney sooner. The Delaware Democratic Party needs to reform itself in ways too voluminous to discuss here today. But in relation to this situation, the Party needs to stay neutral in primaries.
I know John Daniello loathes primaries, but it is the responsibility of the Party to remain neutral while two of its members contest for the Party’s nomination for whatever office. This includes the office of Governor, Lt. Governor, Congress, or dogcatcher. Now, supporters of the current structure and establishment will say that the Party needs to line up behind a candidate early since the primary election is so close to the general election.
Well, there is one easy way to fix that problem, isn’t there? Move the goddamn primary up to May like normal states. It is not an adequate excuse that tradition says we must hold the primary in September. Traditions are made to be broken. Hey, we are liberals and progressives, after all.
But if the Party loves its September primary, then they must do away with the Party convention in May, or failing that, then they must not endorse any candidate who would be subject to a primary in September. This would seem logical and obvious, given that the deadline to file for the primary is in late July, a full two months after the party convention!
John Daniello and the Delaware Democratic Party needs to take its cues from its national counterpart. Look at the epic Obama v. Clinton primary we all participated in this past winter and spring. Howard Dean, Daniello’s counterpart on the national level, remained neutral, even though you knew that he preferred Obama due to Obama’s strategy and message echoing his own. Meanwhile, many of the party’s long serving establishment preferred Clinton. While individual Democratic officials endorsed, the party organization remained neutral. They let the voters decide.
Daniello and the Delaware Democratic Party has failed all Delaware Democrats in choosing sides. They are silencing the voices of their own membership, many of whom, if not a majority of whom, prefer Jack Markell to be our nominee to face Bill Lee for the governorship.
If Daniello refuses to change, then he must resign.