Dirty Tricks In The Treasurer Race?
I received an email from the Flowers for Treasurer campaign about some possible dirty tricks. The Flowers campaign was getting word from voters that they were receiving late night, early morning and generally annoying phone calls purported to be from his campaign.
Hopefully, each of you saw the Dialogue Delaware story in Sunday’s News Journal regarding unauthorized calls made to likely Democratic primary voters claiming to be from the Flowers for Treasurer campaign. To keep all of you updated, our campaign received our initial complaints while at an event in Kent County last week. Our understanding is that likely Democratic primary voters are being called during dinner time and very late hours from someone stating to be from our campaign office, and once someone complains about the hour of the phone call, the caller hangs up. We believe the purpose of the calls is an early stage effort to manipulate the outcome of the Democratic primary. In short, these calls are not from our campaign office, and we (i) have initiated an investigation, (ii) are filing a complaint with the Delaware Department of Elections and (iii) will take legal action (civil and criminal) as this type of behavior will not be tolerated in this race. Chip has placed personal calls to both his opponents in the race, who have denied any involvement in the calls. Our campaign has initiated security measures with respect to our calling system and additional details will be announced at a later date.
However, to clarify, our campaign does not call outside of the late morning and early afternoon timeframe. It is a guideline within our campaign office to not call during meals or evening hours as your personal time is important to you and your family. Also, the phone numbers authorized from our campaign for outgoing calls are 302-656-7360 and 302-656-7390. We never call from a “blocked” telephone number or a number from outside the State of Delaware.
This race is getting nasty. I thought Delaware was resistant to this type of dirty politics but perhaps I was wrong.
Tags: Chip Flower, Colin Bonini, Delaware Treasurer, Velda Jones-Potter
This is the oldest dirty trick in the book. When you can’t get your message out, when voters are not responding to you, you do your own dirty tricks. Rumor has it that Chip has been calling people demanding they endorse him, he cant get any traction. He is a lawyer with no real financial background. He used to stick his chest out about being an attorney, so why is pretending he is also be an economist. He is no economist and would like to use the Treasurers position as a shadow governor or he would like to take Alan Levins job. Flowers is in the wrong race.
When on the stump Chip asks the people to “tell him what to do”, we don’t need a trainee in the Treasurer office. This man doesnt have a clue as to what the Treasurers job is all about. On one of the stumps, he made a statement at the Shore Democrat luncheon that a Triple A rating doesnt matter when the State has no jobs. Hes nuts.
Delaware is no longer immune to Nixon-type dirty tricks. We saw it during the gubernatorial primary in 2008 when pink postcards supposedly from the NRA were mailed throughout Sussex County during the last few days before the election slamming Jack Markell and his supposed pledge to take everyones guns. We are seeing it now with St. Bodie Girl and his acolytes and their anonymous attacks on Pete Schwartzkopf.
I must say that I have heard from Chip 4 or 5 times in the last few months seeking my support. I have yet to hear from Velda.
I’ve run for office and, like most candidates, experienced people saying and doing things that are bald face lies, offensive, mean, and down right cruel. Welcome to political reality Mr. Flowers.
Those in the know say: ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.’ Good advice. Here’s some free advice for the Chipster: Do not spend another precious minute on B.S. that you can not control. Furthermore, do not expect the A.G., Dept. of Elections, or the Delaware Democratic Party to take interest in your complaint(s)….just wait til those sign destroyers get busy. Concentrate on the voters; do not be distracted by silly sh*t….that’s part of the game too: keep the candidate busy on anything that will distract them from working on their campaign.
To MJ
Have you visited Velda’s website? Why wait for a candidate to contact you (1 out of 800,000) believe me at some point you will be in a tizzy over the number of mail/calls you’ll get before the elections is over.
Just Kidding, I attended the Shore Democrats luncheon and Chip Flowers was excellent and never asked the audience what to do. Why do you consistently lie about Chip? Are you making the phone calls on behalf of Velda Jones Potter. The debate was very good and I will be supporting Chip. Not only because he has a plan and his background, but because people like you are the problem with politics. You are all negative and wait for DL to post any message and try to lie. PLEASE STOP..YOU ARE REALLY ANNOYING. In fact, just move to New Jersey where you will fit in. Though I am no Velda Jones Potter supporter, she deserves a better advocate than you.
@Been There – since I am a member of the Sussex County Democratic Committee, I believe the candidate should be contacting me instead of the other way around if they want my support in the primary.
Agree with Anti Just Kiddin’. Flowers should hire just kiddin, because he\she loses more votes for Potter each time a posting occurs. Its sad that we have 2 talented candidates and a bunch of loonies supporting them. Right now, its a close call, but I agree with MJ, Chip seems to have a better field operation. Its funny, with all the negative stuff going around, its funny how the Potter supporters never seem to bring up her husband or the fact that she told us that she would not seek the job when she was appointed.
I guess people in glass houses really like to throw stones. LOL.
It is unfortunate that there is the anonymous postings by Just Kidding – someone who used to use their actual name FOR YEARS has suddenly gone underground to lie and cheat her way around the blogs on behalf of Velda and Charles Potter, her friends.
I don’t have any doubt that Velda would disapprove of the heinous things that Just Kidding is saying on her behalf. I might just have to give the Treasurer a call today and discuss this because Faithful DEM is correct. This trash talk and unwarranted attack with untruths against Flowers is not going to win Velda any fans. I am not committed to either candidate.
I do think that UI hasn’t had her ear to the ground if she hasn’t heard of all of the dirty tricks in constant play in Delaware Politics. I brought this up on WDEL just now with Al Mascitti and my call was immediately followed by Al Jackson saying that what is happening to Flowers happened to Barb Alsop when she ran against John Feroce.
I assume it is all stemming from the actions of the dirty DE GOP but it is always going to be hard to know for sure.
I just want to echo the thought – if people are doing this because you think it helps your candidate, you’re not helping. I suppose a Republican could be doing this, trying to make both candidates look bad.
nancy: you are such a hypocrit. YOu have trashed the Potters for years. Going all the way back to the Harris McDowell double deal you did. Going back to your support of the executive director of PSA and the failure of your board to do something about his illegalities. I have known Velda for years. I know her to be an honest person, who is very bright and who never talks badly about anyone. I know someone who was at that luncheon and reported what Chip said. In fact, he asks the voters “what do you want me to do” as part of his stump speech. You Nancy Harris McDowell your always on the wrong side [redacted]…now youve turned to writing shit.
After reading just kiddin’, I am now officially a Flowers supporter. That language was uncalled for and inappropriate and Nancy, like everyone, has a right to state her opinion in this important race. Completely distasteful just kiddin, just outright distasteful and I am ashamed that you are a Democrat.
The facts are the facts. Go to chips website listen to his “ad” in both of them he “asks the voters…..”. Distasteful, politics are distasteful and dirty. Get used to political life in the corporate state.
Sometimes the problem is not what you’re saying but how you’re saying it.
And sometimes it is derangement, pure and simple.
I have been very impressed by Chip. I have met both of the candidates and think they are both great. Chip seems to have a much more ambitious plan, whereas Velda seems content with what the Treasurer is responsible for today.
Fair enough, LG. And it’s also fair to ask whether we really want to elect officials who intend to expand the powers of their offices. Look up Stewart, Karin Weldin.
True enough, Geezer. Today, the treasurer’s position is a joke. What the heck do they do with their day?
What does the Treasurer do, Geek? Are you serious!
First, I am not working on Velda Potters campaign. Second, she is a friend whom I have known for many years. I will vote for her absolutely. Perhaps some of you might consider the following:
These are some of the endorsements for Velda:
Speaker Robert Gilligan
JFC Chair, Dennis Williams
Majority Leader: Helene Keeley
Senator Margaret Rose Henry
Senator Karen Peterson
Mayor James Baker
County President: Paul Clark
and many other prominent elected officials and good citizens of Delaware.
Now ask Fake Flowers who has endorsed him? I rest my case.
All your idiotic babbling about what I did or didn’t do when I was affiliated with PSA (and you are incorrect on almost every point made – not that it has ever stopped you —) will allow anyone so inclined to google the phrases you consistently use and so figure out who you are, jk.
And I did call Velda’s office today to leave a message that she might want to have a chat with you RE: what you are saying about her opponent on her behalf.
What does a treasurer do every day? Manage $3.5 billion! Monitoring and making sure we don’t have a financial crisis, maintaining the triple a bond rating, allowing the state to borrow money cheaply. The return on those good investments puts money back into the general fund. The Treasurer sits DEFAC, the Board of Pardons, and several other important boards that make financial decisions for the State. Also she holds seminars for muncipalities throughout the State to help educate them on finances. She has been joined by most of the Treasurers of those muncipalities. In addition, her Money School educates young people on savings, and she works with Seniors on Pension Planning. Most importantly she makes sure the employees/retirees of the State of Delaware get their checks, on time. Velda manages an office of around 20 – 21 people. When Jack Markell became governor who took l/3 of the staff with him, but resourceful Velda did’nt miss a beat.
Mr. Flowers has some ambitious ideas which once again would take responsibilty from the governor and the economic development office creating another bureacracy. Any of those ideas would have to be voted on by the General Assembly.
We need both experience and reality based economics in our Treasurer. She has done a great job, so why change captains now? Velda is addressing whats being done, whats getting done and what needs to be done. Mr. Flowers is all smoke and mirrors he just doesn’t get it.
…er, you may not have ever had the opportunity to work with thoroughbred race horses like I did, [redacted by UI – no discussion of people’s work please]
MJ, you write “since I am a member of the Sussex County Democratic Committee, I believe the candidate should be contacting me instead of the other way around if they want my support in the primary.”
I agree that all state-wide race candidates (especially the four candidates in primaries) should be attending your committee meetings (is this like the NCCo county democratic party executive committee, that includes all RD chairs, along with some officers, and which meets once a month?). Perhaps the committee chair should reach out to the candidates (or to Josh or Katie at HQ) and remind them of your meeting time/place, and encourage these candidates to get there quickly.
Has Velda, or either candidate for Auditor been to your committee meetings yet?
JK, I understand what the office is responsible for, but it is largely a stable system. I assure you that Velda doesn’t come in and count the 3.5 billion every day. Nor does she sign the checks. Nor does she have the authority to NOT pay things that have been budgeted by the legislature, nor does she manage the pension fund. She doesn’t coordinate fiscal policy with other departments and I seriously doubt that the treasurer has much day-to-day impact on the States bond rating.
Also, recognize that I am not faulting Velda for this situation. This is the job description right now. Chip wants the position to do more, Velda seems satisfied with the current situation and Bonini thinks that he can affect budgeting by not paying bills for the state.
Can we all agree that Bonini has no shot?
Oh, and can you tell me what role the treasurer has in the Money School?
I don’t agree that Bonini has no shot. He has a huge campaign war chest and obviously Republicans will be focusing on this race.
Velda was supposed to be at the RD meeting a couple of months ago but didn’t show. She left John Carney’s January fundraiser in Georgetown early. Ken Matlusky was at the RD meeting in March.
And JK – endorsements from office holders or other Democratic insiders (as well as movie stars and sports figures) don’t sway me, and probably don’t sway a lot of people. If that was the litmus test of who one should support, then Carney would be governor and Markell would be running for re-election.
Markell, while state Treasurer, was a key supporter of the Delaware Money School during its founding, and in its early years. He added the weight of his office to the Money School’s activities. With his support, quarterly newsletters listing programs (free, up and down the state, on financial education without any sales pitches) in state employees’ paychecks.
I have presented courses through the money school since its founding.]
I don’t believe that this is listed duties of the Treasurer. Jack went outside the lines for this, and deserves a lot of credit.
I believe that Velda is providing some continuity of support from the Treasurer’s office.
If endorsements are’nt important MJ then why do literally every candidate want them? Perhaps the folks that endorsed did so because the candidate was doing a great job, works well with others?
Yes, there is no official role. That was my point. Mrs. Geek attended several of the purses to portfolios seminars and loved them. But it is inappropriate to list it as a responsibility of the office.
I understand what the office is responsible for, but it is largely a stable system.
This gets to something that I’ve been thinking about in looking at Flowers’ case to expand the duties of the office. Basically, if this is a stable system, then it works as is or could be a candidate for looking for some additional efficiencies. Because I don’t quite understand how you take a functional and operating system and add all of these new duties to it without adding more people. And if you can add all of that to the group that exists then perhaps we should be thinking about downsizing this office.
I believe that the plan is for a reorganization of existing functions throughout the government. So there is someone doing a part of the new duties in DEDO, and another guy in finance and a third person that is in charge of some other financial duty. These people would largely continue to do the same work, but it would be under the umbrella of the Treasurers offices so that the policies are in sync and coordinated as opposed to working in potentially divergent ways and at cross-purposes.
There was a time in the past where the Treasurer was responsible for much more, but the responsibilities were stripped through the years because of concerns about the person in the office (all before my time).
First, Gilligan and Clark have not endorsed Velda – please provide proof. The lies just don’t stop. Next, Keeley, Henry, Baker and Dennis Williams have endorsed Velda. Look at those names…all from Wilmington and not your all star cast!!! Come on, what a joke. If you are going to name drop, please use names that those of us would find convincing! LOL
I cannot believe some of the aforementioned comments. Well maybe I can – its politics (which is why I tend to not get involved) I will say however, individuals such as jk need to get a life! If such individuals spent as much time helping someone in need as they did posting negative comments Delaware may actually be a better place. Let people decide for themselves who they wish to vote for without having your negativity posted everywhere. I plan, and I hope others plan to actually read the literature from both candidates and vote for the candidate who they believe will do the best job.
Actually, Luke, if you ignore JK’s comments (I try to) you’ll actually see that there are some reasoned comments in this thread.
Actually faithful Dem, Gilligan has endorsed and so has Clark! I noticed you left out Karen Peterson another endorser. I am sure there are more which will be revealed, but do go on, and on!
Just kiddin’ evidence please! I don’t believe you about Peterson, Guiligan and Clark. Provide links please to official statements by them or their staff. Case closed. Your lies are catching up to you. Next you will tell us that Obama endorsed her. Only Wilmington people are on her website…Markell hasn’t even endorsed her and he appointed her.
I understand Flowers has a lot of endorsements from all over the state. It appears that he is going to wait to announce his backers. Seems smart to me.
Keep it up just kiddin, I bet Nancy can take you out!!!
Clarification please–UI@2:58pm–How come you redacted in reference to “people’s work”? Was it that revealing–like some other owner name –or DL doesn’t allow discussion of our occupations? I’m confused. Thanks….
I believe that the plan is for a reorganization of existing functions throughout the government.
So then you need a Governor who will actually approve this expansion into the Executive.
A Department volunteering for new duties is a department ripe for getting some efficiencies from.
“Fake Flowers”? Is that really necessary? You made you case for your person. Please stow the invective. It only alienates people you are trying to convince. Nobody is under any obligation to declare support for one candidate or the other (or neither) at this early date.
I don’t buy the theory that Bonini is no factor. His name recognition, while low, is still higher than either Dem’s. Republican turnout will be up from 2008, Democratic will be down. If city districts return to their historic voting percentages, future budgets might pass the GA unanimously.
DL of course allows discussion of our occupations. The problem comes when you are discussing a pseudonymous commenters occupation – it’s walking the line towards outing.
Fine to post – details of your personal life, occupation, whatever you want to reveal. You just can’t reveal it for other posters.
Is that because President Obama posts here:)?
I’m sworn to secrecy on that one, Joanne.
I support andendorsement Velda for State Treasurer . She had a done a great job and will keep during a good job for The State Of Delaware !
Hey not so faithful dem: If you believe what you say, why dont you actually get some facts. Call up those legislators and ask them. Do your research instead of calling me a liar. As far as my “invectives” this blog is filled with them so is most political discourse these days.
“Call up those legislators and ask them. Do your research instead of calling me a liar.”
He did do his research. Those names don’t appear on your gal’s web site. “Liar” is the least of your problems, to wit:
“As far as my “invectives” this blog is filled with them so is most political discourse these days.”
Mainly when you’re around. You’re doing a wonderful job of displaying what you are — a nasty, vindictive person who tries to silence people she disagrees with, as I know first-hand. You have done more damage to every cause you have promoted than you would have done by working against those ideas.
Velda might indeed be a wonderful candidate. Nobody will be able to tell it by you. Indeed, if you’re in her corner, I’ll take Flowers.
Uh, UI, my retort was in response to JK@11:54am referencing my work. Yet you didn’t redact her comments…why not? Double standard or did you just miss the reference?
I would appreciate equal treatment and expect you to redact her comments about what I do for a living. Keeping in real an’ all.
Is there a line drawn between rules for anonys and the individuals who use actual given names when it comes to personal information?
Explain.
I had no idea it was a reference to your work.
I removed both. Can people please contact me privately about these kind of issues? The answer to outing behavior is not more outing behavior.
I’m confused. How can Nancy Willing be outed any more than she already is? Since when is posting about someone’s occupation – someone who uses their full, real name in comments and on their own blog – “outing behavior”?
Yes, the rules are different for people that are posting under their real name. JK is a pseudonymous poster, so information that is not shared by the poster is not public information. As far as public posters go – I think there is still a privacy issue. There are parts of their lives that are private, generally someone’s place of employment would be considered that (IMO) unless they are a public official or some other public job.
She asked that the information be removed (not very nicely, but still), so I removed it. I don’t know if it was public information or not but it was not known by me since I didn’t even catch the reference.
So, in certain limited situations I will redact things. I try to err on the side of free speech. Please don’t flood me with emails whenever a flame war breaks out here.
Forget the flame wars. The bigger problem here is the first comment, which started the war. There was no need for the ugly nature of that ad hominem attack, and JK’s defense is basically “you all do it, too.”
I’m not interested in another flame war with this person, who is in so many such scuffles she should be called the Human Torch. Let’s just say that nobody should be subjected to her vindictiveness when the only offense is disagreeing with her.
Why dont you out yourself Geezer. You are not above your own flaming dude.
There will be no outing. Stop that thought right now.
What is it with this thread and the nastiness?
Knock off the threats and calls for outing. DL has very specific rules and consequences concerning this behavior.
So if someone posts under their real name, and you can determine their occupation by a simple Google search, that’s still redactable here? Sorry if I’m misunderstanding… I just don’t get that logic.
Yes, JK. I will flame anyone who starts first, as you found out. Now knock it off and play nice. Is that more than you’re capable of? Make your points without the ad hominem attacks if you want any respect.
As you know, the reason I post under a pseudonym was your attempt to get me fired. I do not doubt you will do it again as soon as I disagree with you enough. Your years-long track record precedes you, and your identity is known by as many readers here as mine is. Grow up.
You are still truly a dumb fuck
I heard that Flowers had a big fundraiser last night in Wilmington – can someone confirm – I heard it was sponsored by dupont or barclays. Someone told me that half of Wilmington’s power players were at the event. This could spell serious problems for Jones-Potter if her former employer is backing Flowers.
By the way, did anyone get the Jones-Potter email about the phony phone calls – it accused Flowers of making up the entire event. I dont think he would make that up – plus, it seems that Jones-Potter is beginning to go negative early (this blog thread is a good indication). She is nice, but this is making her look bad while Flowers is collecting big checks – I guess he should be treasurer! lol.