Bonini could very easily lose to Lafferty
Yard signs don’t vote. But I’ve seen more Lafferty signs than Bonini signs, and that signals something. What exactly are these people trying to advertise? That their property is protected by Smith and Wesson? That they know a Republican isn’t going to win, so they want to “send a message” to the DEGOP Pharisees?
It is impossible to know for sure what goes on in the bat-filled belfry of your wingnut neighbor. It is reasonable to assume some things about this upcoming GOP primary though. Let’s start with the fact that Trump is at the top of the ticket. Trump makes it is safe to assume that insane Republicans will be fired up, and any remaining sane Republicans may have already concluded this isn’t their year. Why should they work hard on a primary campaign only to place Bonini, a candidate who doesn’t exemplify “fire in the belly,” on the bench of a carnival dunk tank? And who are the Delaware Republican primary voters these days anyway? We know a significant number defected to vote in a primary for Jack Markell… have they returned, or have they ceded the party to the nuts?
The last contested statewide primary on the GOP side was the Delaware Treasurer Republican Primary in 2014 which pitted Ken Simpler against (semi-nut) Cheryl Valenzuela. Greenville was very invested in the outcome of that one and Simpler walked away with a comfortable 54% (13,491 votes) to Valenzuela’s 46% (11,549 votes). But has anyone seen the Hunt Club set act as invested in Bonini as they were in Simpler? I haven’t.
The only poll on the race was conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson & the Delaware News Journal in July. That poll gave Bonini an edge with 29% to Lafferty’s 22% with a whopping 42% undecided. What on earth, I wonder, are these 42% waiting for? The election of 2020, I suspect.
” has anyone seen the Hunt Club set act as invested in Bonini as they were in Simpler? ”
Why should they? They are getting nearly everything they want from Markell, Carney, and Schwarzkopf. If Delaware’s economic policy were any more Republican we’d go bankrupt.
I think it’s possible as well. It may be why Jeff Cragg either jumped or was pushed into the IC race against George Parrish. To perhaps give the Gilded Aging an excuse to vote for, well, if not one of their own, at least someone who they might deign to invite to a palatial mansion or two. And to perhaps vote for Bonini while at the polls.
The sad fact is that most voters are only aware of the race for President. They do not know there are contests for Congress, Governor, etc. They certainly do not know who is running for what.
If Bonini is beaten by Lafferty, and I see that happening at least in Sussex, it is because she appeals to the conservative majority and, while Bonini votes that way-and speaks that way, after years in office and having run statewide in 2010, Republican voters have never heard of him. Bonini has no base and his “patting you on the back and cracking a joke while sliding a knife between your shoulder blades” reputation endears his to no one. Lafferty has her base and it is very much base.
I’ve had some pretty entertaining conversations with Lacey…like Trump, she is pretty engaged in social media. Call me a bit of a troll, but pointing out to her that her strategy of campaigning against Governor Markell by proxy is a bit daft, as he has proven to be one of the state’s most popular governors. They don’t quite see it that way…since Bubba from Hardscrabble lost his job down at the hardware store, EVERYONE must have lost their job…
Yeah, she just tells all the Sussex rubes she will protect your guns, your religion obsessions and save you from FEMA camps and they will all vote for her
The thing about Bonini is he’s lazy. Always has been. Which is why he couldn’t be bothered to make the 5 minute drive from his house to Joint Sunset Committee meetings.
Lafferty will both outwork and outwacko him. I’m putting it all on the line. Lafferty beats Bonini.
That is actually a good point; Bonini isn’t the most engaged legislator around. Lafferty, for all her loonery, is willing to put the time in.
Granted, she’ll get beat by a record margin in November, but the Republicans have proven the ability to shoot themselves in the foot in primaries before…
I have never agreed with the adage that “signs don’t vote.” In a state like Delaware, where the media markets effectively price out local candidates and there is very little in the way of local radio (that people actually listen to), signs are the biggest form of advertisement. I don’t agree that the number of signs is an indicator, but have a candidate’s name out there in key locations is a repetitive message that, at least, puts it in people’s minds who do not typically decide until the last-minute. Especially in this crowded field of elected wannabes, it is crucial to have name recognition. Unless you are sitting on a mint to plop down on a few tv spots the first week of September, you need signs.
And on the Lafferty note, I was down in Kent and Sussex this weekend and saw many Lafferty signs, but 0 Bonini signs. These weren’t right-of-way/public land signs. They were on private property, which means the owners wanted them there (may god(s)/deity/Keith Richards/whatever you pray to, have mercy on their souls).
Yes, this is the upset special on primary day. Her voters will be motivated to vote and he will just send a ton of mail in final weeks. El Som is right. Colin is notoriously lazy and will mail it in (literally). Will be a huge embarrassment for GOP when he gets clipped. Colin has been on a statewide ballot and a state senator for decades and hes only up by 7? He’s in trouble!!!!!!!!!
I’ve got to admit, not since Ronald Reagan, have I seen a better campaign video…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5cTMGAyZzA
Seriously… why would you vote for Bonini?
You just know that Bonini’s hands are soft, silky, little pink pillows.
Jason, if I’m not mistaken, I believe that is common knowledge…
Lacey Lafferty makes Christine O’Donnell look like Hillary Clinton.
O’Donnell’s win over Castle is instructive here. She had the energy and enthusiasm behind her campaign. He had a slice of toast behind his. I’m not sure if Lafferty has any broad support, but she does have enthusiasm, spurred by the Trumpians. I see none for Bonini.
“Lacey Lafferty makes Christine O’Donnell look like Hillary Clinton.”
LOL. I love it.
Many conservatives believe that Bonini, like every other elected republican, are to be blamed for every problem just like the D’s. “Career politicians” are now being viewed as evil, even if they agree with their viewpoint.
“You just know that Bonini’s hands are soft, silky, little pink pillows.”
Soft and pink, yes, but fairly large. So are his feet — or maybe they’re just clown shoes.
Why would Bonini invest anything in a loser when he has a very safe senate seat courtesy of the majority