What Are You Seeing/Hearing This Election Day?
I’ll start. Was putting up a Townsend sign at my polling place and saw that Karen Hartley-Nagle had signs reading ‘This sign replaces one stolen sign’. Professionally-made signs, too. She’s running on allegedly stolen signs. Over 200, she says. We know of one. It’s a setup, but a cynically effective one, IMHO.
“She’s running on allegedly stolen signs. ”
If it works, no sign will be safe – they’ll be stolen by their own campaigns.
Got a recording on my landline last night from civil rights giant John Lewis on behalf of LBR.
My day started out by what I DID NOT SEE. I read the election day story in Delaware’s only statewide newspaper-the News Journal. The story, by a team of reporters, named the offices and candidates for every office on today’s ballot-Congress, Lt Governor, State Senate, State House, and even county races. Did I say EVERY? Nary a word about what is arguably the second most powerful office in Delaware- Insurance Commissioner. There are two Republicans and two Democrats seeking the office that has the sole authority to license every insurance company, agency, agent, adjuster and appraiser who wishes to operate in this State. The Insurance Commissioner has the sole authority to grant or deny rate increases…need I say more. This cycle and last the NJ published lots of stories on the much weaker offices of State Treasurer and Lt Governor-but not one word today or leading up to today on this office.
Where they unaware? Not only were they aware, but lots of information was provided to them about the current operations of the department and the higher ups turned down the story. Yes-material was subject to FOIA requests and was provided to OUR statewide paper.
Five years ago when I announced my candidacy for this office the announcement was a front page story. The paper published many articles on the race-though even then they refused to do anything with what was given to them about accusations of mismanagement and worse.
I write this this morning. Writing after the results are in will be more open to criticism of my motives. Today the voters of the two major parties will choose their standard bearer. One of them will be elected in November and will determine the workers comp, homeowners, motor vehicle, life, health, manufactured home, professional liability, and even crop insurance rates for the next 4 years. That person will decide if Highmark will complete its takeover of health insurance in Delaware or if there will be real competition. That person will have the power to propose and fight for legislation to end the use of credit scores in setting premiums and also end the discrimination against older drivers in the setting of premiums in auto. I could go on, but obviously the News Journal thinks these issues and these candidates are not worth mention in today’s summation of the races that are up-and also determined that an article on the 4 candidates running for county council in Sussex district 3 has more importance for the people of Delaware.
” the much weaker offices of State Treasurer and Lt Governor”
True, but how many ICs have become Governor, vs. how many Lt. Govs and Treasurers have become Governor?
Lets face it..The paper has become a total joke. The political stories are written at 5th grade level, and that’s being kind. Sad. They used to do a serious profile on each race. Now they can barley cobble together a story on anything political. WE live in a Podunk town.
“She’s running on allegedly stolen signs.” Anything goes.
Unrelated to today’s elections, I drove past a home yesterday that had not 1, 2, 4, or 6 Trump Pence signs in their front yard, but 9. I equate this to making politically charged statements on social media with randomly capitalized words and ending them with nine exclamation points.
“What is this now? We had the primary back in April.”
As much as we are pickled in the brine of this primary, many people don’t know there is a primary election today.
Brian,
That Trumpeter was trying to make up for the eight neighbors who clearly want to have nothing to do with the Republican nominee.
I was, as always, one of the first voters at 7 am when the doors opened at Aldersgate on Concord Pike in Brandywine Hundred. I think there were 4 total voters there in the time I was there.
Was greeted at the door by one BHL volunteer and one Ciro volunteer. As I walked up, they appeared to be having a pleasant conversation… Anyways, whenever I vote and am back in the car driving away, I have this OCD moment brought on by a Simpsons episode circa 2008 where despite my attempt to select the name of person I wanted to vote for, the machine kept registering a vote for their opponent.
LOL
Line of a dozen people when the polls open at 07:00 at Highlands Elementary. Quote of the day, as we walked up Gilpin at Grant, from the Missus…
“These signs are a fucking blight.”
Voted at 8:50 at Westminster Presbyterian, 2 people in front, and 2 after. More than I am used to, and was the 8th “D” in the N-Z line to go through. Heavier turnout than I was expecting, last few elections I have been the only one there.
At Dickinson High School this morning, a busy polling site with at least 3 RDs, there were hundreds more cars than the parking lots would hold. Cars everywhere. Apparently the District was holding an in-service meeting today-hence parking was a mess. Red Clay/DOElections screw-up.
I’ve been to several locations and it seems slow everywhere. I’ve seen volunteers for Kelley, Meyer, Purzcycki, Gregory, Shabazz, Gordon, BHL and Poppitti. Also saw a guy from Connections, CSP taking pictures of volunteers which was weird.
I voted this morning in Lewes. Not many other voters there. Swartzkopf and Peterson each had someone in the parking lot, as did several of the candidates for Sussex County Council. While I was there representatives from the Department of Elections showed up to measure the distance between the signs and the polling place and make sure that everything was according to rules, which was encouraging to see.
As always, in order to make a statement about voter ID laws, I said I didnt have my ID. After some initial confusion from the volunteers I was able to sign my affadavit and vote. It was handled professionally and my experience was a pleasant one 🙂
On what, I’m sure, is a completely unrelated note (nod-nod, wink wink), Franklin Graham is holding some supposedly ginormous prayer rally on The Green in Dover. I’m sure the message from this humble gathering of Christian soldiers will be one of tolerance and acceptance for all God’s children.
“Nary a word about what is arguably the second most powerful office in Delaware- Insurance Commissioner.”
Yet more evidence this should not be an elected position.
BHL has a “there is no such thing as too many email contacts” strategy. I’ve revived two so far today, and 6 in the past 7 days.
@ Mitch Crane:
Here’s the reason for the deafening silence on the “race” for IC that’s really not a “race” at all. As I said several times before, the fix of 2012 is back for the corrupt moron Karen Weldin Stewart to rip off yet a third term as usurper of the insurance commissioner’s office.
In addition to voter fraud from certain sectors she’s paid off and kickbacks to those who kept her in office this long, she’s now resurrected her files of horribles to use against those in the DE establishment who dare oppose or even not openly support her. The bitch is totally devoid of any scruples whatsoever.
Condolences to Delaware insurance consumers on paying even more and getting even less the next four years than they have the last eight. They’ll be lucky if she does actually retire early next year to join the boards of several of her crony insurers as a “3-term” commissioner and continue to travel the world at their expense. It sounds much better than “she ran for a 3rd term but lost”.
In a less corrupt world, Stewart would be stocking shelves at Walmart, the only job she’s qualified for because private sector employers screen applicants and double check their claimed credentials. Voters obviously don’t.
Voted around 11 AM today at Thurgood Marshall Elementary. One person was leaving when I got there, otherwise, it was a ghost town. I was the only voter in the room, and no one that I saw came in after me. Sad.
Two volunteers outside; one for Gordon, one for Hall-Long. Nice folks. Almost felt bad when the Gordon guy asked me (as I left) if they had my support, and I had to say “Afraid not, I voted for Mr. Meyers”.
Interesting that there was no one representing Bryan, especially as this is his district.
Just as an aside, as I came into the polling place, there was an elderly gentleman who presumably was there to direct voters to their voting district (paid Election worker I’d point out) sitting in a metal chair at the entrance to the polling room. He was fast asleep. Still asleep when I left.
I know the Election workers do a yeoman’s job for little pay, but they may want to have this gentleman working in the back in the future.
“voter fraud from certain sectors she’s paid off”
“kickbacks to those who kept her in office this long”
Both of these are allegations of crimes. Someone who alleges crimes without producing evidence is not to be trusted. I have entreated you many times for this evidence, which you always claim to have given to someone else — as if two people can’t see the same evidence.
I’m sorry, because I share your opinion of her qualifications and abilities. But allegations of crimes demand evidence, because if you know these allegations are false — that is, if you are alleging that evidence exists but you won’t produce it — it opens this site up to libel per se, even though she is a public figure.
An SOS — from FB who says this was done by his own people.
@anonymous:
It’s common knowledge that this information is certainly not false. You must be one of her operatives who just wants to see what’s out there on her. You could talk with Mitch Crane or any current or past employee of the DOI. Oh wait…not “current”. Job loss was threatened from day one, beginning with Jacobson, for anyone who talked. No doubt that’s still the case. So shut up already, your whining is getting tedious.
If it is common knowledge, why hasn’t there been an arrest?
Or is this “common knowledge” like “jet fuel cant melt steel beams”…. or “Hillary has killed people”?
“It’s common knowledge that this information is certainly not false.”
A clear and obvious lie. Don’t cite Mitch Crane. He posts here, and he’s never said any of those things.
What I posted was meant as a warning to those who run this blog — what you posted is libelous unless you produce proof. You have repeatedly demonstrated that you have none.
The people who run this blog know exactly who I am, and they will back up my denial of your charge of being “one of her operatives.” You are alleging crimes. If no evidence exists — and there is no reason to believe you have any — then it is libel per se.
I have long experience with people making claims like yours. Only one thing will establish your credibility — evidence.
Either produce it or realize you are inviting legal action not against yourself but against the people who run this site. That’s hardly fair of you.
Just. Produce. The. Evidence.
Otherwise you just sound as full of shit as KWS herself.
Anonymous is correct. We know who Anonymous is, and he, like all of us here at DL, have no respect for Karen Weldin Stewart. Which is why we endorsed Navarro.
There are plenty of reasons not to vote for her. But, as Anonymous pointed out, there has not only been no proof, but no substance, to these small-a anonymous allegations over the years. Just over-the-top assertions w/o Fact One.
And here you are posting them on Election Day. Hmmm, what POSSIBLE motive could you have? I’m almost sorry that I voted for Navarro already.
El Som, this person has no affiliation with Navaro. The off the chain KWS hating predates Navaro’s interest in the office.
Wait, “anonymous” is one person? I just figured that was the default setting…
voted at Skyline MS around 8:40 this morning… Vols for Walsh and maybe Dave Roberts? Couldn’t really tell, and he didn’t engage with me as I entered (all the better tbh–just not a morning person and I knew who I was supporting).
I too do not show my ID as my own personal stance against voter ID (call it too many years of working PA Electoral politics during the Corbett years)… And not only were the Election worker’s confused (ok fine) but then the one guy insisted on asking three times was I sure I didn’t have an ID, sure I didn’t have anything in the car. Then told me I should be arrested for driving without my license (he wasn’t kidding).
To boot, they tried telling me to sign for my mom (she has a similar name, it would be like PikeCreekGurl vs. PikeCreekGirl808) when I told them my full name three times, including my middle initial. They tried to claim I wasn’t registered, so I asked them to turn the page and see if I was on the previous page (my parents were listed as the first two on that page) and the Election worker does and she says no you’re not here, and I said, ummm, yeah, I’m at the bottom, right there.
Only after this did they give me my affidavit.
I know it’s boring for them, but this process today was a little ridiculous. God Bless their hearts.
@ anonymous:
A. I have nothing to do with Navarro
B. Just because I don’t want to give you the evidence doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or that no one else has it.
C. Mitch Crane states in his comment above what happened to his evidence. I suggest you read it.
D. I’m not in the habit of having a battle of the wits with an unarmed opponent and don’t plan to start now. Have a nice day.
“B. Just because I don’t want to give you the evidence doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or that no one else has it.”
Like Trump’s “proof”
“D. I’m not in the habit of having a battle of the wits with an unarmed opponent and don’t plan to start now. Have a nice day.”
Says the person with no evidence. Only slander and lies. sad!
The part that kills me is that E. Gregious construes not jumping up and down about how terrible KWS is as supporting her.
Heard that a Purzycki checker got thrown out of Westminster Church for demanding to know how a voter would be voting. Yikes!
E. Gregious is not affiliated with me or the Navarro campaign in any way, does not live in nor does she vote in Delaware.
I would hope that how the current commissioner runs the office, handles consumer complaints, approves mergers/acquisitions, allows ridiculous rate increases, would be sufficient reason to replace her. The fact that she raises most all her money from out of state individuals employed by or related to the insurance industry, should give people a clue as to why she place the “solvency of insurance companies” (hence approves rate increases) as her priority and not the protection of consumers.
As to this blogger, I heard from her regularly during my last run and during this campaign. She emailed me after reading I supported Hillary for President and she ended all communication with me (shw must hate Hillary as much as she hates KWS). E Gregious has a reason for her beliefs and she is not 100% wrong. She just is far from 100% right and she finds conspiracies everywhere. I have long ago told her to get on with her life and to stop dwelling on her hatred of Karen Weldin Stewart. I do not hate Karen. She can be a very pleasant person. I just think she is not the type of Insurance Commissioner I want to see in that office.
I hope people will vote for Trini Navarro based on his stands on the issues and his pledge to be a consumer advocate. That is reason enough. (Too bad the NJ chose to ignore this race).
A trickle of 50-and-ups at Rehoboth Elementary shortly before noon. The man with the I Voted Today stickers had ample to time to offer one to each of us. A Schwartzkopf volunteer showed up as I left. No other candidate had anyone there.
A slow, but steady trickle of voters in the two places I went today in the Glasgow area. The only signs up at the place I hung out the longest were the ones I put up last night. Then around 10:30 a bunch of signs showed up including the someone-stole-my-signs KHN sign.
On a side note, I get the feeling that Lafferty is going to win. I just don’t see anyone getting off the couch to vote for Bonini. There is irony in that.
Then the onus here is on Mitch Crane, who could have posted that material on the internet himself.
Why didn’t you, Mitch? With all your experience in politics, you handed over the material to one outlet instead of telling two? Or posting it online yourself so we all could judge?
Put it out there, Mitch. Let’s see what it is. Why do you want the newspaper to do your dirty work?
“…was provided to OUR statewide paper.”
It is not YOUR anything. It is a private business, operated by the Gannett Corp,, headquartered in Virginia, the shares of which are sold publicly.
I’m really not a fan of the voting process in Delaware and would like to see the State take steps to modernize. In this election cycle, where there have been dozens of reports of election fraud, it would be nice to walk away feeling confident that your vote counted.
We’re relying on 20+ year old machines that don’t afford much transparency. Once we press that “Vote” button there’s no confirmation that our vote was properly recorded. Sure, each system has its drawbacks and potential exploits, but I’d much rather have a paper ballot that I feed into a scanner. I want to see that counter increase by one and know that there’s a physical record of my choices in the event something goes wrong or a recount is needed.
Check out the “Security Concerns” section of this site: https://www.verifiedvoting.org/resources/voting-equipment/danaher/shouptronic/
If one of those “sensitive and volatile” memory banks goes – POOF – there go the votes too. There are better options out there and it’s past time for us to explore them.
Alex Jones saying over and over and over and over again that there is voter fraud…. or pissy pants Bernie Bros saying there is voting fraud, doesnt count as “dozens of reports”
@ben, I didn’t intend to substantiate the fraud charges. My point was the current system does nothing to assuage those fears.
Anonymous. It wasn’t I who FOIA’s the information. It wasn’t I who received it and it wasn’t I who decided what to do with it. And you know damn well what I mean by “OUR..newspaper. You pompous ass
About 10 folks stacked in line at Zion Church today in the city. I was asked for “something showing your address” which pleased me since they typically ask for ID.
Poll workers were very accommodating to an elderly woman who was having trouble getting around the room.
Campaign greeters were pretty close to the door, but they were off to a side that didn’t get foot traffic so it was less egregious than I’ve seen in the past at most city locations.
Drove past Woodlawn Library and Highlands Elem (Purzycki country) on my commute at 7:30 this morning and both were pretty dead.
Reporting in from North Wilmington. The poll workers at the Mary Campbell Center seemed less than impressed by the turnout. “It could be better” and the “so-so” hand gesture were my answers when I asked about turnout today at 4 pm.
When we went in there were no other voters, but about five more walked in while we were there. No one was there representing candidates. Not many signs, either, Matt Meyer, KWS, BHL are the ones I recall seeing.
Do all polling places loudly announce the affiliation of the votor entering the booth? I know they have to set it up for the right slate, but I have mixed feelings about the public announcement. I do like it, though, when I get someone who proclaims, “PAULA X, VOTING!” I would like it even better with a fanfare of cornets.
I also don’t like our voting equipment, for the same reasons mentioned earlier, and also because the writing is small and the delineations between offices on the Dem side are not clear (could have been a thicker line, at least). I had to enter the booth with my 89-y-o mother to help her because she couldn’t read the names at the top of the screen. I mentioned the size of the print to one of the registrars there and she said she had gotten a number of complaints about that.
At least the polling place itself is accessible and has handicap spots near the entrance.
@Paula they announce voters so that poll challengers from various campaigns can record who’s voting.
Just voted at Wilbur Elementary in Bear. I was surprised by the number of cars in the parking lot, though i think most belonged to poll workers. There were 5 people in line in front of me. James Burton, Sherry DW, Tom Gordon, Val Longhurt, BHL all had greeters. The poll workers were helpful and friendly, though they outnumbered voters 5:1.
I had several conversations with people today as I reminded them to vote that went like this:
Me: “Hey, its primary day! Don’t forget to vote! Many elections are decided TODAY”
Not Me: “Oh yeah. I forgot. Who is running again?”
Not Me: “What’s an insurance commissioner?”
Not me: “What does a county executive do?”
Not me: “who should I vote for?”
Me:
I’d say I at least quadrupled my vote today.