The DE GOP’s totally unkillable Rasputin gets his hat in early:
Jason,
Happy New Year. After a disastrous 2006 (Ting) and even worse 2008 (Lee and others) I have no concerns about where I stand. I am sitting real good right now. I have a statewide recognition over 75% and the issues I care about are the same ones most Delawareans do also.
2006 and 2008 proved the Delaware GOP can stop a candidate but not elect one. Most Delaware Republicans want something better and for what it is worth the State GOP has lost any credibility on choosing candidates.
The things I debated Markell and Carney on in 2008 will be more important in 2010/2012. Universal Health care is one very important issue.
Plus I do not think Obama or Markell will be very popular given the incoming challenges they face. Wait till we all see the budget in Delaware.
Enjoy the New Year.
Happy new year indeed.
While I love the vision of Ron Williams’ head crashing down on his keyboard sending the “F,” “U,” “C,” and “K” keys momentarily into orbit around his giant noggin, I am equally pleased to know that Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Denn will be free to focus on policies instead of politics.
Thank you for your continuing service to the state Mike.
More comment rescue from this AM:
At this point the Republican Party is not a proper vehicle for anyone to run and win statewide in 2010. I have worked hard to change that fact and maybe after a total implosion it might be possible to rebuild. I hope so.
In 2008 we talked about a Universal Health Care plan which would work, about implementing Vision 2015, about having an Inspector General, about open government, about an aggressive move to renewable energy , Shot Spotter technology for gun violence in Wilmington etc.
Things which would be good for Delaware but for which I was roundly attacked for in the primary and things which are supported by most readers on this site. If and when the GOP realizes those priorities we might move ahead as we must move beyond the Reagan legacy to be viable.
In the end we suffered a huge loss at every level and not one GOP official stepped aside, not one. Every candidate in the state was hurt by the Lee candidacy especially Charlie Copeland. Charlie deserved better, he ran hard and gave it 100%. You folks roundly attack him but he worked hard.
While some of you take the courageous action of sitting behind a keyboard and making comments I stood up and ran on things I believed in. Many groups I have been in contact with since the election bemoan the disintegration of the GOP, they see it as a negative to have a one party state, I agree.
We in the GOP have to understand voters are disgusted with us and it isn’t all Bush’s fault. In 2009 we need to offer more than criticisms against Markell and Obama, we need to offer a plan.
Myself and others plan to launch an effort to offer a plan to rebuild the Delaware GOP, more to come. Guys like Tyler Nixon are essential to this sort of effort, let’s hope we can find more of them.