This was delivered this morning by hand. I will not blockquote it to aid in readability. I think it is spot on.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
July 27, 2008
Mr. John D. Daniello, Chairman
Delaware Democratic Party
19 East Commons Blvd.
New Castle, DE 19720
Dear John:
Progressive Democrats for Delaware takes strong exception to a recent party decision to spend state party funds on advertising for the party’s endorsed candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial primary. We recognize your right to do this and we certainly understand that John Carney is the endorsed candidate and that the party has an obligation to support him. However, we question whether this tactic will achieve a favorable outcome for either candidate or for the Delaware Democratic Party.
Both John and Jack have conducted outstanding campaigns up to this point and have worked very hard to conduct a primary that is not divisive or damaging to our party. They deserve our respect and our eventual support of the winner for the way this was handled up until last week. But, since the party’s decision to purchase advertising in support of the Carney campaign it’s “Game On” as yesterday’s front page piece in the News Journal states. Again, today, Ron Williams is all over it. The Republicans must be enjoying this tremendously.
This action feeds the public fascination with Democrats’ ability to fight among ourselves. It reinforces every old cliché about our party and plays into a media theme that will have the opposite effect of the desired outcome for the advertising campaign. In fact, it puts stress on BOTH candidates. They have been diverted from the issues to address this family squabble and the press and public are eating it up.
This tactic also damages down ticket candidates who will be tarred by the public with the same brush as John and Jack. Once again, the Democrats are determined to wrestle within our own party, disregard the voting public, and take a strong-arm position with our state government. While you worked very hard to be certain that the endorsement process was fair, transparent, and democratic, this action makes it look anything but. And, as you very well know, appearances are more important than the actual facts when Joe Voter goes to the polls.
We were not privy to the reasons for this ad and can only speculate, but from our perspective it seems much more damaging than helpful. So far it has been a small buy that will only reach a small audience. But oh, what an audience! Placement on WDEL insured that every party activist would hear it or hear about it, and that it would be very divisive. Markell supporters have been outraged. Threats are flying. I have heard you repeatedly state that primaries are damaging to party unity. They don’t have to be, as we’ve seen up until now. But this action practically insures that the 2008 primary season will be bloody. Once again, putting pressure on BOTH candidates and their supporters.
John, the party rules do not require the State Party to stay out of this race. You worked hard to make the party relevant when selecting our candidates and that was good. However, in this case where the two candidates are both good, solid, long-serving members of the party with strong support within the family, spending party resources in such a blatant manner in support of one over the other looks bad. In this case the party should stay out and let the voters have their say. Because, to do otherwise looks like back-room control of the state. The party needs to reverse this decision, not because the rules require it but because it is the smart thing to do. PDD asks that you rethink this strategy.
Onward!
Rebecca Young, Executive Director
Progressive Democrats for Delaware
Copies to:
The Honorable Jack Markell
The Honorable John Carney
Jim Paoli, Chair, New Castle County Democratic Committee
Theo Gregory, Chair, Wilmington Democratic Committee
Abby Betts, Chair, Kent County Democratic Committee
Tom Chapman, Chair, Sussex County Democratic Committee