DL GOP Fantasy Pool Update – Christie promises to do to America what he did to New Jersey

DL GOP Fantasy Pool Update – Christie promises to do to America what he did to New Jersey

Christie informs GOP primary voters that HE ALONE can tell the hard truths, ruffle feathers, and make the beltway Pharisees gnash their teeth with dread by speaking bluntly about how poor people have too much money and rich people, not enough. He is ready to lay some straight talk on the people and if they don't like his version of straight talk - they are probably residents of New Jersey who are so familiar with the real world impact of all of Christie's daring candor. Anyway, if you are a glutton for punishment (at or about the same level that Christie is a glutton for donuts) watch this nausea inducing video:
Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 30, 2015

Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 30, 2015

"HOSTAGE-TAKERS WIN. YOU LOSE."
That will likely be the headline from the last day of session barring something unexpected. Especially with the Rethugs seemingly determined to abdicate any responsibility to be, um, responsible. For purely id(iot)eological reasons, the R's have tied any willingness to cooperate to screwing workers through their obsessive need to push for 'right to work for less'.  They have also abandoned any pretense of thinking for themselves, leaving all talking points to their ALEC overlords. Check out their refusal to stop the escalating infrastructure crisis from getting any funding. Check out the result.  Greg Lavelle perhaps cemented (the use of 'cemented' is deliberate) his position as the Worst Legislator in the General Assembly by his phony demands for 'reform' which, for anyone paying attention, simply is a transfer of  administrative costs from the Transportation Trust Fund to the operating budget w/o providing a mechanism to pay for it:
Monday Open Thread [6.29.15]

Monday Open Thread [6.29.15]

I'm back from vacation, and it looks like my 10 day departure from political world were ten days of great political consequence that forever made this country a more progressive place. The lesson here is that I should go on vacation more often. Ed Kilgore at the Washington Monthly:
It would be hard to identify a recent day in the more saturated with "history" than Friday, June 26. You had an epochal marriage equality decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, still echoing from its decision the day before rejecting what could have been a traumatic and politically overwhelming challenge to the Affordable Care Act. down in Charleston, the President of the United States--you know, that secular socialist--delivered a eulogy at the funeral of slain pastor/politician Clementa Pinckney that (I can assure you from my correspondence) made cold-blooded political analysts weep and atheists murmur the lyrics to Amazing Grace.
Chris Bullock announces for Lt. Gov

Chris Bullock announces for Lt. Gov

Bullock claims thefirst second mover advantage. If Copeland really is letting the Teabags run (and lose) statewide to send some kind of message, the Dem primary is basically the election.
BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

BREAKING NEWS: Parties Try Last-Minute Cash Grab in General Assembly!

The D's and R's have finally found something they can both agree on.  I had previously written about HS 1 to HB 128,  a candidate and party cash grab which was removed from the House Agenda once it was exposed. Guess what? They've got another bill they plan to work under the cover of darkness of June 30 and July 1.  And, while they won't fund $$'s for road building, 'leadership', including 'mortal enemies' Greg Lavelle and Patti Blevins, are united in crushing any insurgent candidacies under something called a 'Party Building Fund'. No, it's not for buildings. Ladeez and gentlemen, let me introduce to you SB 155, which is sort-of a Delaware version of Citizens United. The bill creates a new fund for political parties.  Here's the key sentence:
No political party may make any expenditure from its building fund except for the costs of telephone and other communications services and the rental or purchase of equipment, office supplies, or an office or building.
The NJ is taking Lafferty seriously…is Copeland?

The NJ is taking Lafferty seriously…is Copeland?

Is throwing the Gov's race a sign that Charlie Copeland is willing to keep his powder dry for yet another statewide election? Is he going allow the teabags to run "a real conservative" and fall on their faces (again)? If that is the plan, he is more a much more cagey tactician than I've ever given him credit for.
Wilmington’s City Council Looks to Wash Its Hands of the City’s Safety Problem and Just Throw Money At It

Wilmington’s City Council Looks to Wash Its Hands of the City’s Safety Problem and Just Throw Money At It

Timed for the Friday afternoon news dump, Wilmington's City Council has scheduled a joint Committee of the Whole and a Public Safety meeting to debate the City budget's first budget amendment (not a month after the new budget went into effect). This budget amendment will add funds to the WPD budget to create two new Inspector positions and one civilian CIO position. The meeting is this Monday (June 29, 2015) at the City Council chambers starting at 5pm. This amendment has been revised from the original ask, now it provides approval for 3 new positions (rather than 4), does not add to the authorized strength of the Department and now spends just $285,000 of a projected surplus. A projected surplus that no one has any confidence in and AGAIN, I do not understand why we are committing to spending money that we think that we might have, rather than money that we actually do have. I'll extend that to wonder why they are having this hearing at all right now -- given that the GA has blown a hole in their budget and no one know what the world will look like on July 1, it seems clueless to spend any time talking about more spending until you know that your budget is intact.
Saturday Open Thread [6.27.15]

Saturday Open Thread [6.27.15]

Seriously? Multiple choice Mitt is reported by the WaPo to be gathering his team to get into the Presidential race for 2016.
In the conversations, Romney said he is intent on running to the right of Bush, who also is working vigorously to court donors and other party establishment figures for a 2016 bid. Romney has tried to assure conservatives that he shares their views on immigration and tax policy — and that should he enter the race, he will not forsake party orthodoxy.
To the RIGHT of Jeb Bush. As if that part of the Clown Car isn't already overflowing.