Matt Denn Hires the Devil (in a figurativly speaking, guilt by association kind of way)
That headline is a little blogger hyperbole. Or is it…? You be the judge.
Welcome To Chief of Staff Emily Cunningham
We have a new chief of staff in the Lieutenant Governor’s office: Emily Cunningham, who comes to us from Senator Tom Carper’s office.
I’m not saying that everyone who has worked for Tom Carper is tainted and should never be hired by anyone ever again, but… well.. yes I am saying that.
Emily’s been working for Denn for a while. She’s great with constituent service issues. Give her a chance.
Meh. I googled “Emily Cunningham & Delaware” and clicked on images, and the top result is a picture of her on the beach. Carper is on one side and Michael Newbold Castle is on the other.
If Matt Denn runs on a John Carney-esque “bi-partisanship RULZ!!” platform in 2012, I’m going to have a full blown Christian Bale style freak-out.
Something tells me you won’t be getting many interviews with Governor Denn.
Candidate Denn Yes. Governor Denn no. Bloggers don;t turn into the aids monkey until Wednesday after the first Monday in November.
Carper has absolutely zero constituent service. Did Emily Cunningham write his canned responses? At first blush, I’m not impressed.
“Carper has absolutely zero constituent service.” Not if your first name is “Bank” and your last name is “of America” Then he has constituent services out the ass.
Jason must not have had his prune juice this morning…
Before she worked for Carper, Emily worked at the Blood Bank and Child Inc. (an emergency shelter for women and children). (Linkedin is a wonderful thing.) Yeah, she sounds like the devil to me. Like puck said, give her a chance. I don’t think Denn would take this hiring lightly.
It’s easy to make generalizations and hit “publish.” It’s another to actually get out from behind the keyboard and get to know someone. You might be pleasantly surprised.
“It’s easy to make generalizations and hit “publish.” That’s why I do it.
But seriously folks, I’m willing to be won over. Until then, if you work for Carper, you pick up the taint. That’s how it goes. Life is all about choices.
Scoop, it’s hard to get to know someone when the closest he gets to meeting his constituents is a telephone town hall for 4000 people.
I don’t know Emily Cunningham and I’m not sure that her being Matt Denn’s chief of staff means anything to me. I’m sure she’s a lovely person. But I do know that Tom Carper’s staff has never given a rat’s ass about anything I’ve ever contacted them about.
Of all the staffs Carper’s is the most aloof and dickheadish. That is a documented fact.
Thank you, The Straight Scoop. This blog stoops to an all time low with a post like this one. I know of Emily from the Blood Bank. A lot of hatred out there from people who consistently do not take the chance to talk to the people they post about. Enough is enough. You just look ignorant.
Let’s not pretend Child Inc. is some unaffiliated charity outfit. It’s been a halfway house for some Democratic politicians over the years — Patty Blevins and Margaret Rose Henry, IIRC. And, sure enough, Blevins’ daughter works for Denn.
“A lot of hatred out there from people who consistently do not take the chance to talk to the people they post about. Enough is enough. You just look ignorant.”
And you just look sycophantic. I really don’t give a shit if they’re nice people. Eichmann was just doing his job, too.
I declare this thread Godwinned.
It could be that everyone worth their salt in Delaware Democratic politics has to work for Carper to be in “the firm”.
You should be gentle with her, she probably has PTSD from her tour with Carper.
I welcome and even encourage Jason’s renewed blogging enthusiasm. But I fear he is going much too far in his VIOLENTLY ANTI-CARNEY AND ANTI-CARPER schtick.
To label Emily Cunningham “the Devil” and to preemptively declare opposition to a Governor Denn is going too far. Further, the characterization of bloggers turning into a pumpkin once a candidate is elected is not entirely factual. We met with and interviewed Candidate Markell and we met with and interviewed Governor Markell (twice). Indeed, not to reveal too much here, but Governor Markell’s staff is in contact with us on a regular basis.
So take the foot off the gas just a little bit, Jason, and get a narrower brush.
I don’t know her from Eve. I’m rejecting the idea that she should be immune from criticism, or that anybody connected with the Democratic Party should be immune from criticism.
There are two parties in Delaware. One is completely dedicated to serving corporate interests and the 1%. So is the other.
No one here is saying anyone is immune from criticism, Geezer. We just want something more substantial to criticize. As far as I can tell, the only thing we are criticizing here is that Emily Cunningham was on Senator Carper’s staff. That’s it. We don’t know what she did on his staff, we don’t know anything about her tour of duty there.
It seems rather childish and small minded to me to criticize her JUST for that. I mean, really.
Please…. (That is directed to Betweena and Delaware Dem.) I don’t like Carper and my schtick is my only stick. I’d be overjoyed for Emily Cunningham to show that she is not tainted, It would mean that there is hope for peace, justice and a decent latte in this crazy old world.
One man’s childish and small minded is another man’s juvenile and petty.
For Delaware Liberal’s detractors, this comment thread will show that this site is most definitely not an echo chamber where we all agree.
I second that and I get where you are coming from. And for the record I’m the first one in line to sign up for Denn’s campaign for Governor. I don’t care if he has Evan Quietish(sp?) working for him.
I think the blame for obtuseness and unresponsiveness from Carper’s office rests entirely with Carper.
And by “obtuseness and unresponsiveness” I mean those long blathery letters full of GOP talking points Carper writes back when you plead with him to be more of a Democrat. We all have boxes of them.
Oh those letters #*%$?&@@$*&…. And I was just about to simmer down.
For what it’s worth, Emily Cunningham was Carper’s Delaware press secretary for several years. I’ve dealt with her as a reporter/editor and on other projects and have always found her to be professional and helpful. She did her job well, and it matters little whether or not she agreed with her boss on every issue, just that she took care of his media work in his home state.
When did guilt by association cease to be a logical fallacy? I didn’t get the memo.
I don’t believe in condescending to DL readers by pointing out every time I’m indulging in the use of logical fallacies. Maybe I need to revisit that policy? Maybe not. People see what they want to see.
Still waiting for the complainers to get off their collective butts and primary Carney or Carper or whomever you disagree with.
Change begins with you, and not just blogging about it. Even delusional Libertarians put their hat in the ring in hopes of being the next Ron Paul.
Find the next Bernie Sanders (or whoever) and see how well that goes.
Here is a peek behind the curtain. I wrote this line: “I’m not saying that everyone who has worked for Tom Carper is tainted and should never be hired by anyone ever again, but… well.. yes I am saying that.” 50% because I thought it was true, and 100% because I thought it was funny.
Jason is a bit far out on his limb right now, and even I was a bit jarred, but I’m inclined to support him on this. When you post as much as Jason does you are going to have a few misfires on your tone once in a while. It’s part of what you accept when you write publicly.
Nobody else bothered to point out the connection between Carper’s and Denn’s offices, which I happen to think was worth noting. That’s what blogs do. It may be nothing, or it may explain a lot going forward – we’ll see.
So if you don’t read regularly and just dropped in to clutch your pearls – get over yourself, and stop back regularly. If you don’t like this post, there will be a great one along shortly. If you want something safe and bland there are other outlets for you.
uh…thanks? But out on a limb? misfire?…I don’t see it. This post is 180% successful.
I know Emily Cunningham, and there is no better government pro out there. The story that I heard is that she was working for Carper, had a baby, and was tired of the commute, so she went to work for Denn.
She lives in Sussex; Carper requires his key staffers to work out of Wilmington, because as everyone knows, Kent and Sussex counties don’t matter.
Her husband, Tim Winstead, also used to be on Carper’s staff, but also left for a job with the state. He’s a former state trooper, and now heads the gaming inspection office, IIRC.
Bottom line: Matt Denn is lucky to have her on his team. She’s a professional, unlike some of the idiots working on congressional staffs out there.
That is all new & good info. Also, I love a comment that heaps disdain on congressional staffers.
This post reminds me of the comment that got Jason a kick in the proverbial nuts by Ginger Gibson. Here’s hoping that Emily gets to meet Jason and his wife soon. Cheers!
I’d be overjoyed for Emily Cunningham to show that she is not tainted…
How can she prove a frickin’ negative?
OK – so here’s a question –
since when do we attack staffers working for a governmental office? they have jobs, just like us
They are required to do certain things, just like us, for our bosses, that we may or may not agree with, just like us
so, since when did we start demonizing the 99% as well??
I thought we supported them??
from where I sit, Emily Cunningham is more a part of the 99% that you are Jason, and yeah I hope that slap hurts.
you dont know her – have never interacted with her from what you have said, but for some unknown reason decided to pick on her, of all people
why not Brian Selander, Bud Freel, Larry Windley, Jim Paoli etc etc etc??? there are PLENTY of better targets…
Honestly, I like you a lot, but you really went off the rails on this one.
Delaware Dem wrote:
“Indeed, not to reveal too much here, but Governor Markell’s staff is in contact with us on a regular basis.”
To borrow a quote from Tonto: “What you mean ‘us’, white man?”
They’re not in touch with me on a regular basis and, based on some of the things I’ve written, I wouldn’t expect them to be.
You mean El Somnambulo isn’t getting the fortnightly Selander back-rubs? uh… I wasn’t supposed to mention the back-rubs, was I?
I don’t know Emily Cunningham but I’ve been impressed by the people I have known who worked for Matt Denn. I suspect she will be as good as the others. And, Jason’s posts and comments are starting to remind me of Donviti when he was here. Very unpleasant, harsh and seemingly judgmental.
Talk about harsh.
I’ve known, and worked with, Emily for years. She’s a great person.
Really though, where does she stand on Tim Tebow? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zMK9FKMG3Nc
I’m more interested in WHY Emily would leave Carper’s office to work for Denn…anyone know why she made the move? Or did she get her Federal pension and now she wants a state pension?
Well, metaphorically speaking, if she’s tainted, then so are almost all the contributors on this thread, who at some point worked for an employer who was sub standard…. and then moved on, … and now, …. so has Emily. Nuff said.
When I saw this post’s title I assumed it must be referring to Vince Meconi somehow (who was actually a Markell hire and now of course a Paul Clark hire but who was originally a Carper man through and through).
I don’t know Emily but fondly remember the Jason posts about her/Carper over the years.
That Tim Tebow piece is just too, too funny!!!
I cannot imagine Matt Denn’s hiring a clunker. From all written here about Emily, she sounds like a fine, competent person.
Nancy: Thank you for some needed perspective.
fondly remember the Jason posts about her/Carper over the years
Nancy, I think you are remembering old posts where Jason described his humorous but unsuccessful attempts to contact a Mike Castle staffer with a similar name (different person). Not really worth the time to look it up right now.
Brian Selander also used to work for Carper… the same job that Emily had with him, I believe. I never saw a post calling him the devil though.
This was one of the more unfair and politically deaf posts I’ve seen on this site.
I feel like calling out Denn, Meconi, Daniello, Carper, Markell, Carney, Coons, etc., etc., etc., is fine. They have or have had their names on doors. They’re fair game. But staffers? That’s a little Nixonian
Anyone who knows & has worked with Emily will tell you she’s very capable and intelligent, not to mention just a good all around person with a strong moral compass. Your arbitrary use of the word “devil” in this post indicates you lack that same moral compass.
Your reference to a moral compass over such a trivial matter indicates that you lack a sense of perspective. You probably don’t, but still. Using hyperbole to attack hyperbole sort of defeats your purpose, doesn’t it?
Wow. This is a big reaction to a little light-hearted and fun jab of a post. I guess being a member of the Tom Carper mafia has its perks. (Mafia! How dare the horrible Jason330 say that Emily is in the Mafia?!?! That’s racist!!! (There. I spared you some keystrokes.))
For the record, I hope she proves everyone here right about what a great Democrat she is in spite of her background. Working for Denn is certainly a step in the right direction anyway.
JTF, Nixonian? Sorry buddy, but nobody can hurt me as much as AQC did. Keep working at it.
Ah, the old “lighten up I was just joking defense” Only took 51 posts for you to explain the joke to the rest of us.