Are Democrats Hurting Wilmington?

Are Democrats Hurting Wilmington?

That is the question posed by John Sweeney in the NJ Opinion pages today. There's a fair amount of fluff in this piece, and does a thing I mostly hate from newspaper opinion pages -- ask a bunch of questions that its news division is not in the business of helping to answer for its readers. Some of those questions are misdirected -- schools are under the jurisdiction of school boards and the state, the city has little influence over how they operate or serve city kids, for instance. And lumping in all Democratically run cities with Wilmington's story is equally misguided. We can start with the NJ's own comparison of Providence, RI starts to show how inappropriate this is. A city that is mostly Democratic and is clearly back on a upswing -- a city that still has real issues, but a city that the NJ compared to Wilmington in terms of effectiveness in addressing violence. Democratic-run places like Baltimore and Philadelphia also present very different stories -- cities that still have more than their fair share of issues, but cities working at the kind of development and change that starts to address those problems. Interestingly, Baltimore has reasonable support from the MD GA, and Philadelphia does not from the PA GA (GOP controlled). But I don't think that the city's problem is just about Democrats -- I think it is mainly uninspired (and oft-times lazy) governing.
Predicting the Oscars

Predicting the Oscars

It is Oscar weekend, with the award show happening this Sunday night. I know there are alot of Oscar watch parties around -- including one at Theatre N downtown. If you are a cynic about this entire business, you'll want to see Deadspin's The 2014 Hater's Guide To The Oscars. The best thing about this take is the commentary on 12 Years A Slave (and I hope they are wrong about this movie's chances of winning):
12 Years A Slave: This movie isn't winning Best Picture. I can guarantee it. And you know why I can guarantee it? Because people are cowards. Schindler's List made over $100 million and has been broadcast on network television unedited and without commercial interruption. Ditto Saving Private Ryan. And every installment of the Saw franchise mints a new fortune. Holy shit, are we fascinated by seeing white people killed. Kill them, torture them, mutilate them, have a white girl assaulted on SVU weekly—WE WILL BE THERE. Can't get enough of it. It's important to let white people know we support them in their time of suffering. But ask people to watch a movie about slavery? "WHOA HEY THAT SOUNDS LIKE HOMEWORK! And, God, it just sounds so brutal, you know? I much prefer movies about race to congratulate me and my fellow white theatergoers on our broad-mindedness. Let's go watch fucking Crash instead."
Coons’ fundraising email tries to cover too many bases

Coons’ fundraising email tries to cover too many bases

Senator Coons needs money to fight the horrible Tea Party, but also bipartisanship is AWESOME!!! (...or something, it made sense to the fundraising consultant.) Anyway, in addition to the philosophically hazy email, Coons is sitting on $2.9 million and has no GOP opponent, so I'll probably sit this round out. (Click through to read the muddled email)
Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 22-28, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: Feb. 22-28, 2014

Jonathan Gallo has filed to face Bobby Outten in the 30th RD. Gallo changed his registration from R to D to run and, if you check out his site  right now, you will not find the word Democrat, or the donkey, anywhere on the site. I mean, anywhere. He's got the classic bio, and he's a "man of dedication, integrity, and commitment, who early in his life felt a call to serve his community." Which means, he's a 'man of dedication, integrity, and commitment' who is hiding his party affiliation. He also rides a tractor standing up (picture). J. Kevin Robbins of Harrington, is challenging Harold Peterman in the conservative 33rd RD. Robbins is a long-time farmer and has the type of profile that could give him a shot in this district.  Here is his site.   Not only does he have the donkey there, he actually calls the Party the Democratic Party. Guess which one I prefer.
What? A Private School Bus Stipend?

What? A Private School Bus Stipend?

Ok, I'm ready for it. A transplant from Texas dares to question the Delaware practice of providing private school parents who apply for a stipend to transport their children to a non-public school? Yes. Admittedly I was shocked to learn that this is a pretty longstanding practice here and in a number of other states. Apparently also there is funding of school nurses in private schools.
The 62 Project: #’s 21 and 41

The 62 Project: #’s 21 and 41

When I started the 62 Project, I had Pete Schwartzkopf ranked 13th on my initial list. That was largely because I thought that he, as House Majority Leader, effectively pushed through key progressive bills, including civil unions. He also was able to get the at-the-time controversial 'revenue enhancement' package through a fractured House. This helped balance the budget during the early Markell years. He wasn't afraid to use legislative power to get things done. While I didn't always admire his tactics, I respected the results. The role of House Majority Leader requires tough tactics in tough times. However, as Speaker of the House, Schwartzkopf has governed as if he were still Majority Leader. Aided and abetted by an equally-enthusiastic, though far less skilled, arm-breaker, Valerie Longhurst. Pete not only handpicked Longhurst to be his successor, he insisted that they both be elected as a team or he would not serve as Speaker. Uh, I wonder if he'd be willing, or in any position, to make the same demand today. Put simply, Pete Schwartzkopf is in danger of being a one-term Speaker, and not because the D's are in any way facing the loss of the House chamber.