“And the days dwindle down to a precious few…” before the Delaware primary on September 11.
1. Shadow Montgomery Group Spending Big Bucks.
Of course, Bill Montgomery knows nothing, nothing, about them. No doubt just some civic -minded (read: people who stand to make big bucks if Montgomery is elected) individuals who are so proud of their stance that they remain cloaked in anonymity. Montgomery says he deploys deplores (OK, where did I steal that from? Bonus points are on the line!) such tactics. But, damn, what a beautiful message, exactly the same as Montgomery’s message. Such coincidental kismet. OK, since we don’t know who is behind Citizens for a Secure Community, I’m gonna guess. Some Buccini/Pollin folks, perhaps? R-turned-D Joe DiPinto? Tom Carper/Ed Freel and their self-appointed posse of grown-ups? Gimme your best guesses as to who is behind this. ‘Irresponsible’ guesses encouraged Now, let me make this clear: I have no problem with the content of these ‘anonymous’ mailings, which number three so far. I certainly think, for example, that Dennis Williams’ history of avoiding or delaying the payment of his taxes is a big deal, especially since he has based his whole campaign on ‘public safety’. It’s hard for me to understand how a repeat scofflaw is best positioned to argue that citizens must toe the line or face his wrath. Unless, of course, he is the one not toeing the line. In this case, both Dennis Williams and ‘law-abiding’ Rep. John Atkins have a lot in common. But this kind of anonymity in a state like Delaware represents a threat to the democratic process. It doesn’t take a lot of money to have undue influence over a local election. And that’s precisely what this group seeks to exercise: undue influence. Montgomery should disavow this group and should tell them to cease-and-desist. He sure isn’t going to unite the city if he rides such underhanded tactics to the Mayor’s office.
2. Worst Political Mailer of the Week.
While it got some late competition from a pointless palm card from Jonathan Husband, a Nixonian letter from Tom Gordon was never really in jeopardy. A tw0-facedsided letter that sets Gordon up as both a victim and a mere man of the people while trying to inoculate himself from his sordid past. Some excerpts (and, believe me, I could quote the whole thing):
Many have asked why I ran for office in the first place and why I would subject myself and my family to another campaign. Politics today can be very nasty.
My opponent has already started those old accusations that were found to be totally false (Author’s Note: That, by the way, is demonstrably a lie.). Your mailbox and airwaves are about to be bombarded with negative attack ads…(Author’s Note: Something that Gordon would never resort to…)
I never intended to seek elective office (Author’s Note: That is demonstrably…oh why bother?).
To be fair, I realize that you’ve also heard some terrible things about me. I was the subject of a well-publicized investigation by a Bush Administration appointee (Author’s Note: Who Joe Biden made DAMNED sure didn’t become a judge) which involved accusations that I had used my office for personal gain…(e)very single one of the charges which alleged that I did anything wrong were found to be false (untrue), and dropped by the investigators.
What did happen? It is true that two employees worked on a political campaign in the county office and without my knowledge (Author’s Note: Who was it that said ‘I’ll take the responsibility, but not the blame?’ Oh, that’s right. Nixon)
Tom Gordon the victim. He’s only wanted what’s best for ‘the people’. My life would be complete if only he would go on TV and say the following:
People have accused me and Sherry of having an extensive collection of exotic handcuffs covered with the skins of endangered species. Nothing could be further from the truth. My only pair of handcuffs (starts to choke up) was given to me on my last day as Chief of Police. They are standard-issue Democratic handcuffs simply inscribed with Sherry’s and my initials. I always swelled up with…pride whenever the handcuffs came out, but now I can barely look at them.
3. A Couple of Good Recruits for Legislative Office.
One for the D’s and one for the R’s. Sam Chick, an Iraqi war veteran and officer in his family’s business, has been chosen by the R’s to replace Ron Poliquin run against incumbent D State Rep. Darryl Scott in the 31st District. He likely doesn’t represent a threat to Scott, most late-starting candidates don’t, but he could be someone to watch in the future. A good get.
The D’s have finally found an opponent for Gerald Hocker, long after finding such a candidate might have made this race competitive. Richard W. Eakle of Selbyville, was endorsed by Democratic Party chair John Daniello:
“Rick served in the U.S. Navy before becoming the Operational Director for the Reagan Administration’s Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars?), which became the Clinton Administration’s National Missile Defense program – he knows first hand the importance of working with both parties to meet our country’s needs,” Daniello said.
Eakle also chairs the Board of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. Sounds like a retired military guy to me. Might fit the Sussex constituency, but, for this fall at least, he’s just a name on the ballot.
4. Future Shock.
In order to make this item conform to the weekly timeline of this column, I can now officially report that I, El Somnambulo, will predict all the key primary results on the Al Mascitti Show, Tuesday, September 4, beginning at 10 a.m., 1150 WDEL Newsradio on your AM dial. I will also write a lengthy tome on the same subject for Delaware Liberal, which may, or may not be posted at the same time. I might just want to delay the online predictions to enable me to weasel out of certain picks based on late-breaking news and/or predictor’s remorse. However, I need your help! If you’ve got some real sense as to how certain races are shaping up, please post it here. I’m especially uncertain about some legislative races including, but not limited to, McGlumphy/Bennett, Newlin/Brown, Mayor/Jones, Miro/Manolakos, and R. Adkins/Lowe. Please try to keep it intelligent. In other words, analysis, not mere bravado.
That’s it for this week. What did I miss and whaddayathink?