January Cattle Call
The Calendar tells me that it is 2010. But the real important date is July 30, 2010. That is the filing deadline. And until then we really will not know officially who is running for what when. But let’s play our game anyway. The game is rampant and unsourced speculation.
US SENATE
RATING: TOSSUP
BEAU BIDEN 
MIKE CASTLE
CHRISTINE O’DONNELL 
With Beau Biden, this race is competitive. Without Beau Biden, we are looking at Senator Castle. Let’s look the recent polls, with recent being a relative term.
PPP……….11/30-12/2/09……571 LV…..Castle 45…….Biden 39……….Undecided 16
Susquehanna…..11/10-15/09……..500 LV………Biden 45………Castle 40…….Undecided 14
Research 2000…….10/12-14/09…….600 LV…….Castle 46……..Biden……..45……….Undecided 9
Rasmussen……..9/30/09……….500 LV……….Castle 47………Biden 42……….Undecided 11
More polling on this race is no doubt underway, definitely internally, but also by Research 2000. To prod Biden into this race or to discourage him, that will depend on the results. Biden is waiting to announce probably by Spring, to allow the investigation into and prosecution of that Bradley monster to be unaffected by political announcements.
With all that said, this race is in a holding pattern until then. We won’t know if the Teabaggers will accept Castle. We know religious nutjobs like David Anderson are supporting O’Donnell, but how widespread is that support? It will be a fun summer. In the meantime, Castle raised $1.1 million last quarter, and is sitting on $1.7 million cash on hand. That is a good start. But he better keep raising money. Biden can raise that in one moneybomb in one day.
CONGRESS
RATING: SOLID DEMOCRATIC
JOHN CARNEY
SCOTT SPENCER
FRED CULLIS
CHARLIE COPELAND
TOM KOVACH
ANTHONY WEDO
Speaking of Beau Biden waiting…..where are the supposed strong Republicans Burris says he knows are gearing up for this race? Copeland? Kovach? We know Lavelle has decided against the race, for now anyway. So we are left with a Pennsylvanian millionaire (Anthony Wedo) and Fred Cullis. Wedo would make the race more interesting, since he could self fund, but he and Cullis are just sacrificial lambs to Carney. Copeland has made no recent moves to indicate he is running, and indeed his assine comments on his own blog Resolute Determination makes it an opposition research goldmine. But he may be arrogant enough to think that is not a problem.
So John Carney is strongly favored to pick up this seat for the Democrats.
TREASURER
RATING: LEAN DEMOCRATIC
VELDA JONES POTTER 
CHIP FLOWERS
COLIN BONINI
I almost rated this a tossup, because we just do not know how this race is going to play out. The attention in the state is on the AG office at the moment. Now, if the voters seek to voice their displeasure at Markell over the upcoming budget battle, this would be the race to do it. And if that happens, this race could be turned on its ear. But if things stay quiet, the budget battle not acrimonious, well, I think it stays in the Democratic column.
AUDITOR
RATING: SOLID REPUBLICAN
TOM WAGNER
RICHARD KORN
KEN MATLUSKY
A Republican incumbent in a Republican year? Yeah.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
RATING: LEAN REPUBLICAN
CARL DANBURG
CHRIS COONS
FERRIS WHARTON
Chris Coons has recently informed friends and contributors that he is not going to run for AG. The fix is in for Danberg? Ferris Wharton is running, and has to be the favorite.
Well-thought-out postings.
I disagree on one count: Wharton’s second run promises to be weaker than his first. He was unwilling to run against Biden. Where’s the guts? If he runs, he can’t rely on Biden Hatred to raise funds or his profile. Last time, all the GOP guns were on his team. This time, with open Senate and Congressional races, Wharton would have to assemble and run his own team, and he’s already acknowledged to be lazier than Derrick Coleman. His post-’06 career path is curious, to say the least.
Hmmm…interesting if Coons is running for AG. Does that means Beau is in for U.S. Senate?
Apparently Tony Wedo is a closeted Delawarean:
http://delawareliberal.net//2010/01/15/limbaugh-doubles-down-on-teh-stupid/#comment-169220
I’m sorry, reading comprehension skills error. Coons is not running for AG but Danberg is.
I agree that the race to watch is the treasurer’s race. Chip Flowers will probably upset Jones-Potter, but it is too early. Fundraising numbers are out this week, this will be critical for both of them. Flowers vs. Bonini should be a good race. If Markell is down, Flowers wins the primary. If Markell is up, Potter may sneak out a win. Looking at the budget, I’ll bet on Flowers.
Does Flowers have any campaign literature out yet? Anything charting out what he intends to do if elected? A manifesto if you will?
This site used to be objective, but now it has lost it’s way like so many blogs. Do you really have an up arrow next to Scott Spencer and a down arrow for Chip? That’s too funny. I guess you’ll be predicting Nader or Charles Potter will be our next President. I think that speaks for itself. These predictions are hilarious
Jason… I think his website is chipflowers. He has some nice videos. Not sure if I should tell you, weren’t you the one who posted that false video on him? Just kidding.
Toofunny, Here is the thing about this – and every blog. You could have posted a link to some piece of proof that Flowers merited an up arrow. Instead you took time out of your day to post empty criticism. That is telling.
Jason, it’s not personal and it was not a criticism. You have to admit, that’s funny about Spencer. I’m not here to defend or support Flowers, but I think that race, not Carney – Spencer will be competitive. I’m just trying to be objective.
Toofunny, first, Delaware Liberal is not objective. If you do not get that from the title Delaware Liberal, then I don’t know what to tell you. Second, as I explained re the Treasurer race, right now, as in at this moment in time rather than in the future, that race is flying below the radar with the attention on the AG race and the Congressional races. In that case, that favors Jones Potter. But, as I said (and you should read what I actually say), if the budget battle gets Markell in trouble, than Jones Potter is in trouble, and then Flowers will get the up arrow.
I gave Spencer the up arrow this week for challenging Carney on refusing party funds for use in their primary, and we here at Delaware Liberal agree with that challenge. The up arrow does not mean he is going to beat Carney. Far from it. The up or down arrow is just a SUBJECTIVE opinion on how their campaign is going, that is all.
Look, don’t be defensive and just take some objective thoughts on your analysis. Just because you blog does not mean that voters shouldn’t take you to task on your comments. Some of us just disagree with you, not a big deal. Now that you acknowledge that you are subjective, then readers can put your thoughts in context. However, I would like to see this blog emerge into a great forum for Dems to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. I feel that sometimes this blog favors some candidates and ignore others (or project false information about some of our stronger candidates). This is going to be a tough year for Dems and I think we must put the best candidate on the ballot – not focus on political strategy and weekly “up or down”.
Remember, Republicans read this website and we must stop eating our own without good cause. Alternatively, why don’t you interview or talk to each candidate and learn about their issues. I’ve heard Carney, Spencer, Danberg and Flowers speak (I haven’t heard Jones-Potter yet, but I will). Personally, Carney, Danberg and Flowers seem to lead the pack (subject to my listening to Potter). This is the opininon of many party district leaders. This is based upon listening to each of them, so DelawareDem, when and where did you hear our candidates speak? If you haven’t, you should and not use up/down arrows to represent the status of any race where you personally haven’t heard or talked to our party leadership. Just a small suggestion.
If you had offered your thoughts instead of just attacking me, my colleagues and this blog, then perhaps I would not have gotten defensive. That is a tip for next time. In this and my other post on the legislative races, I am offering my opinion, and you are completely and always welcome to offer yours at any time. Hell, more often than not, you would be right in your comments. Just offer your opinion without your little snide remarks next time. Thanks.
And toofunny, your insights are very informative, and we want you to comment here often.
Thanks, DelawareDem and my apologies for any snide comment, as my intention was not to offend. This is a great website and I think it could counter grapevine, Caesar Rodney, and other similar sites (those sites just opine based upon personal opinions of the candidates without going deeper or even talking to the candidates). Imagine if this site was able to talk to the candidates and provide a detailed analysis of Democrats based upon the candidates, issues, party opinions and talking to voters. It could be a powerful resource in the state. Thanks again for the offer and it should be a fun season.
I guess you are new around here, toofunny, and not to sound our own horn, but in the last election we interviewed Markell, Denn, and a number of other candidates for election. A few months into Markell’s first year, we, along with other bloggers like Dana Garrett and Mike Matthews and Mat Marshall, were invited to another interview with the Governor. Check in the middle column on the right for links to all of those interviews.
Every election year, we always seek to provide our readers and commenters with as much information on the candidates, Democrat and Republican, as possible.
And, not to be even more obnoxious, but Delaware Liberal is the #1 political blog in Delaware, far outpacing CRI (is that a political blog now, I thought it was a “nonpartisan” think tank? 😉 ) and Delaware Politics in terms of hits and readership.
Both Flowers and Jones Potter spoke at my RD (23rd) committee meeting, Chip two months ago and Velda last month. I thought that Chip was excellent, and expected Velda to disappoint. I was disappointed, for Velda did not disappoint–she also seemed quite strong.
I think that the Democratic party has two very good candidates here.
It could come down to campaigning–Velda will have some free face-time due to her office, however Chip may have some more opportunities for face-time due to not having current treasurer duties. Chip struck me as better prepared to campaign, hard. That leads me to believe that it will be close, but that Chip Flowers will prevail.
Again, whoever wins in September, we have a good candidate for state treasurer in November.
“I gave Spencer the up arrow this week for challenging Carney on refusing party funds for use in their primary, …”
Aside from the fact that no one can take party funds in a federal election, it appears that Spencer is refusing any funds whatsoever.
Here we go again. Name one thing Flowers has done? Why would we change horses in mid stream. Potter will have the backing of Jack, after all he appointed her and she has done an excellent job. Flowers has put forth recommendations that have nothing to do with the job of Treasurer, thats how little he knows about the job he seeks.
If anyone can explain (a) what the treasurer does that’s so important AND (b) why we should elect someone to that job, I might care about that race.
jk requests ‘Name one thing Flowers has done.’ His website chipflowers.com notes ‘He majored in economics at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his law degree and a Master’s in Business Administration from Georgetown University and earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.’
Those are some impressive accomplishments. He seems pretty well credentialed to serve as state treasurer.
the argument against ‘changing horses in mid stream’ never made much sense to me. what exactly is the point? Jack named Potter a year ago and therefore we don’t consider anyone else for the election of this post?
As with Ted Kaufman, Potter has not shown any expertise in running for office. Shouldn’t that matter? We need a candidate who can beat Bonini.
Just kidding, did you really question Chip’s credentials and platform. If you think fiscal responsibility, economic growth, revamping our financial agencies, planning and forecasting, and sti
ulating businesses are not part of the treasurers office, then your analysis is flawed. If you support Potter, then I’m certainly behind Chip. The question is NOT what the challenger has done, rather the question is what has Velda done – after all, she has had the job, not Chip!
This is quite comical to read… It seems the only way this Flowers guy can get people to talk about him is by having his 3 supporters write in… People have no clue who he is, and when you google his name, all you find is old articles where he talks about running for political office. And the best part is, he’s wanted to run for every office under the sun; Lt. Governor, State Senate against Sen. Ennis, US Senate and Congress! I guess now it actually makes sense that he’s running for Treasurer now, since that’s really one of the only offices he didn’t fantasize about holding before.
I read all sorts of things on here from his supporters talking about how great he is, but I challenge you to please show me where he has ANY experience WHATSOEVER in government finance. That lack of any experience, coupled with the fact that he obviously has absolutely NO IDEA what the State Treasurer does completely turns me off to his candidacy. But hey, that’s just my two cents… I’m sure ukiddingme, toofunny, and the entire Flowers gang who simply tries to keep Chips name in the conversation will set me straight… Not.
The last post was so negative and so spiteful it does not deserve a dignified reply. Typical behavior of Potter Jones fans. Try googling “class”, as us “Chip fans” would not resort to that level. Let’s keep the discussion clean and try not to show your true colors and identity (aka Jones Potter campaign team).
I have met both Velda and Chip. I have had a friendly relationship with Chip for about a year now. He is smart and very good on the campaign trail, so I anticipate very good things from him.
I met Velda at a fundraiser for John Kowalko a few months ago and she, too was bright and a pleasure to talk to. I have actually heard inner-circle Republicans say that she is very good at the job and would probably win re-election.
I have gotten approval from both candidates for an interview. I hope to get those interviews ‘in the can’ in the next few weeks.
And no matter who wins, they are both excellent candidates.
Agreed, LG.