Politics 101: A Lesson Markell Never Taught Carney

When he was engaged in a primary campaign against John Carney, future Governor Jack Markell told me how he intended to get shit done when he became Governor. “Politics 101… find out what the other side wants and don’t give it to them until they give you something you want.” It is hard to argue with the basic common sense of that formulation. It may not be pretty, but that’s how things get done.

And yet, now we have Democratic “leadership” completely flummoxed by Republicans simply acting like the Republican assholes they are. How did we get here?

Well, Carney and Acting Governor Pete Schwartkopf seem to have missed that day in school when Markell was going over Politics 101. They gave everything upfront, and they did so for one reason. The Democratic “leadership” wanted all the same basic shit that the Republicans always want:

– Pretend there is a budget crisis in order to continue screwing the middle class. (check)
– Frame “government” as bloated and beset with fraud. (check)
– Make sure the State Chamber of Commerce gets all of this priorities covered (check)
– Take tax increases for the free-riding top 5% off the table at the outset. (check)

Now John Carney and Acting Governor Pete Schwartkopf find that the Republicans have one more demand – screw unions. Trouble is, John Carney and Acting Governor Pete Schwartkopf don’t have anything left to trade.