Delaware Political Weekly: Jan. 10-16, 2020

Filed in Delaware, Featured by on January 17, 2020

1. Dave McBride Is Toast. I decided to go back and see when he last had any sort of credible opponent, or, for that matter, any opponent.  The year was 1986, and his opponent was one Drew Angeline, who had the distinction of having served as Rita Justice’s chauffeur when she was New Castle County Exec.  Meaning, he has not run in a competitive race for 34 years.

He did, however once run in a three-way primary for Lt. Governor in 1984. In what, to me at least, was a sad moment, his father (I’m not making this up) held a press conference to announce that he would not support his son. S.B. Woo won that primary, defeating both Dave and Sen. Nancy Cook.

McBride has never been politically astute, and he now finds himself completely unprepared to run in a district that looks nothing like that district of 34 years ago.  If his opponent, Marie Pinkney, is even half as impressive as she appears to be, I seriously doubt that he will follow through with his candidacy.  Primarily because at age 77, he would have to try to reintroduce himself to the voters in SD 13. Lewes likely looks more appealing by the day.  I do hope to see more from Pinkney soon, though…

2. Amazing Hauls For Two State Senate Candidates.  When the financial reports are made available to the public on Monday, Kyle Evans Gay, who is challenging Cathy Cloutier in SD 5, will reveal over $45K in financial contributions. That’s an incredible total for this early in a state legislative race, and will provide no solace to Cathy Cloutier, regardless of what she’s raised.  That incredible total is almost chump change though when contrasted with the, wait for it, $172 K or so that Sarah McBride will report.

Let’s talk about this.  Clearly, that’s way more money than she will need for what appears to be a coronation in SD 1, currently held by the retiring Harris McDowell.  To me, it says two things: 1.  Having proven herself able to raise gobs of money, some of it nationally, for a state senate race, McBride has the capability to look at a statewide or national race sooner than later. She’d also scare off lots of  prospective opponents with that kind of demonstrated fundraising prowess. 2. Should she choose to use it, and I’m sure that she will, I just don’t know where, she can help elect Democrats up and down the state and perhaps become a power broker in the State Senate immediately upon arrival. I don’t know, for example, whether she’ll cut a $600 check to Marie Pinkney, a $600 check to Dave (no relation) McBride, checks to both, or checks to neither. But I hope I’ve made my point.  I have every reason to expect her to make wise use of those funds, but you never know. She could be a progressive rainmaker. Here’s hoping.

3. Has James Spadola Finally Found A Race He Can Win? Quite possibly. He has filed to run for an At-Large Wilmington City Council seat. Since one R has to be elected, and since the incumbent, Ciro Adams, has some ‘issues’ facing him,  I’d say that he’s probably the favorite in that race.

4. That Wilmington Council Primary Looks Interesting–And Perhaps Alarming.  We had previously written about the race in Council District 1 between Coby Owens and Linda Gray.  It’s now a three-way, as Albert Mills, who is Nnamdi Chukwuocha’s brother, and who was the initial proposed successor to Nnamdi on City Council, has filed.  My concern is based on the fear that someone from the Potter family will smell an opportunity and jump in.  If that happens, I hope that cooler heads will prevail, and that a Potter doesn’t end up back on the dole, but there are already some hard feelings here.

5. Three-Way Primary In Ennis’ District? Word on the street is that it’s likely.  Can’t break a confidence, but the third would-be candidate could well pose a solid challenge to Ennis as they already have had some successful elective experience.  As you know, a pro-cannibis activist has also said that she’s running, although she appears to be struggling to gain traction. 

6. Filing(s).  State Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D-1st RD).  Plus the previously-mentioned James Spadola and Albert Mills.

That’s it for this week. What’d I miss, and whaddayathink?

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  1. Jason330 says:

    Excellent coverage. Whatever else she does with it, I hope Sarah McBride’s fundraising makes it more likely that Ramone, Cloutier and DelCollo lose.

  2. Delguy says:

    For the Ennis primary if you are talking appo school board member Michelle wall she announced on Facebook she’s seeking school board re election and passing on the race.

  3. jason330 says:

    From Mike Mathews FB page it looks like an R is going to run in the 4th State House District vs Gerald Brady as “the last ‘good’ Republican”

    Jordan Nally –

    “I have made the decision to postpone my speaking arrangement at the New Castle County Young Republicans to February’s meeting. After looking into the platform of one of our candidates for U.S. Senate who will be in attendance at tonight’s meeting, it is clear that we do not share the same values on several important issues. Subsequently I did not feel it was appropriate for me to share a stage with this individual.”

    Guess what Jordan, when you get around to speaking to the Trumpified young Republicans, they are not going to “share the same values on several important issues.”

  4. It’s too bad a decent Democrat doesn’t challenge this long past-his-prime backbencher.

  5. Nancy Willing says:

    I am noting here that I have done a reversal on Linda Gray. While she did some admirable work against the reign of Hanifa, as observed on the video-recorded council sessions, I didn’t understand her crony side. Rev had a moment in comments where he referenced Harold Gray so I did some digging and didn’t like what I found there.

    BUT today, we have a report of Gray joining Freel in voting against the ACLU recommendations: Wilmington city council loosens rules on begging, loitering
    https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/01/17/wilmington-council-loosens-rules-begging-loitering/4492001002/

    “Council members Bud Freel and Linda Gray voted against loosening the restrictions. Gray, a former judge and probation officer, said two men tapped on her car window asking for money when she was parked in downtown Wilmington that evening. “It really affects the people coming into the city if they have people approaching them for money,” she said. “I don’t see where repealing this will help the general public.”

    So flat out NO for Gray. Also a no for Mr. Mills. And full on yes – Coby Owen for the seat

    • A vote against loitering is a full-on vote for gentrification. A vote to perpetuate the myth that homelessness and poverty don’t exist b/c the city has rendered them invisible.

      • delguy says:

        Gray made a calculated decision here. Many people I know in Wilmington, especially neighborhoods in the 1st want to walk down Market st in peace. I think the “woke” social media crowd who pats themselves on the back are mis reading the ACTUAL people who work and live in Wilmington on this.

        Time will tell, but this is the same crowd that SWORE Biden collapse by now. I have no faith in this crowd besides hunting for likes by the same 40-50 people on social media.

        • Alby says:

          I’m not on social media, and I couldn’t care less who likes or dislikes what I write.

          The longer Biden goes without collapsing, the worse for the country. Because I don’t believe for a moment he will withstand the onslaught. If you can’t look at him and see a shell of what he was even four years ago, you’re blind.

  6. Wow, that was quite the juxtaposition. Yep, I wrote that Biden would collapse by now. I was wrong.

    But I’ve walked down enough streets in Wilmington and elsewhere (my daughter lives in Portland, and she’s been involved in fighting homelessness and gentrification there) to know that criminalizing the behavior of those on the streets is merely an attempt to hide the problem from those who prosper from the ongoing gentrification of downtown Wilmington. Out of sight, out of mind. Their problems need to be addressed, not hidden from view. If it makes some moneyed big-shot uncomfortable, so be it.

    • delguy says:

      Fair enough but not wanting to get harrased going into Brew Ha Ha is not a big money thing. It could be a secretary at a bank, a para legal or a visitor trying to go to the Delaware Historical Museum. These aren’t all just poor people we are “shooing” away but many have violent back rounds or major drug problems. I think we need to treat them and ensure they are not in jail for being an addict. That said it doesn’t mean you can scream randomly, tweak out, or defacate like I saw personally in downtown Wilmington. The city has made a huge comeback in the last 5 years or so and we aren’t going to let social justice warriors kill our businesses and quality of life.

    • Alby says:

      Criminalization isn’t the answer. More creative solutions are required. I don’t have one, but surely they exist.

      “Gray, a former judge and probation officer, said two men tapped on her car window asking for money when she was parked in downtown Wilmington that evening.”

      If you think panhandlers approaching unaccompanied women after dark isn’t going to suppress Wilmington’s nightlife, I know of a rehabbed movie theater-cum-night spot you can buy pretty cheap. It’s possible to be against the proposed solution while acknowledging the problem. Otherwise you’re doing what you’re accusing them of doing — sweeping it under the rug.

      It has nothing to do with “moneyed big shots,” unless you’re talking about the suburbanites who will skip coming into town for dinner and a show — you know, the people businesses call “customers.”

  7. Harold says:

    Wait, who’s the weed advocate?

  8. RE Vanella says:

    “many have violent backgrounds”

    Nope. Every single piece of evidence indicates addicts & the mentally ill are no more likely to be violent than the avert person.

    There are reasons people are on the street. I’m sorry your uncomfortable or your friends are inconvenienced by it. That must be very hard for you.

    delguy’s position is an example bourgeoisie elitism. It’s gross. This is why we’re going to foment a class war in this city and in this country.

    I live in the city. This general opinion is common and it’s vile, self-centered, trash.

    • RE Vanella says:

      Every single piece of evidence indicates addicts & the mentally ill are no more likely to be violent than the avert* person.

      *average

  9. RE Vanella says:

    People who try to get services and treatment for I’ll human beings are “social justice warriors” who are bad for business.

    Holy shit, guy.

  10. RE Vanella says:

    Also, as we know, I live in the city. I ride the bus. I interact with the homeless and sick out in the street sometimes. I see them at the bus stop or outside a shop.

    They’re human beings you fucking pig. You speak about them like a nuisance, like traffic or the rain.

    I think it’s fair to say I hate this delguy. Passionately.

  11. RE Vanella says:

    On a positive note I love these anonymous Linda Gray stans creeping out of the shadows. I’ve, they’re scared of activists. (They should be.) Two, they’re making the differentiation for us.

    Remember a few weeks ago? Why primary Linda? They’re the same! Lol.

    Coby for Council!

  12. RE Vanella says:

    Everybody good here? We’re clear? Because I’ve got shit to do this afternoon and will be unavailable to address anymore garbage takes. If anyone comments like that again just see the previous notes from me. Thanks.

  13. SubMatter says:

    And, small detail, she is also a Republican so better she didn’t run.

    El Som, not sure why you’d think she would have been preferable to Ennis? Considering she was Ken Simpler’s treasurer? Am I missing something?

    • El Somnambulo says:

      She’s not a Republican, although the R’s were recruiting her heavily. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.

      I didn’t say she’d be preferable to Ennis. Was just reporting that she (or someone like her) might enter the race, and that she could be formidable.

      • Delguy says:

        Walls republican backround was Gona haunt her. I think she knew she needed more time working for and in the Democratic Party. She also played footsie for to long with making a decision. Mixed signals for months can be a sign of indecisiveness and led people along. We will see what her future holds…

      • SubMatter says:

        She literally raised and managed money for a statewide Republican candidate the same year Trump was running. I don’t care that she registered as a D so she could try and get elected and climb whatever social ladder she thinks that gets you. She ain’t a Democrat.

        When everyone was busting their asses in Delaware to elect Democrats, she was organizing cocktail parties in Greenville to elect Republicans and support Trump. Just remember that and never forget it. We have enough delusional and bored people who don’t want a real job down in Dover already, we don’t need another empty suit.

  14. Delguy says:

    Re vanella no one is the real world takes you seriously you do know that right?

    Between your profanities, insults and rambling multiples posts on the same topic I put you in the mentally ill category. But go ahead and rebut this with some “shocking” curse and comment. Your stick is so old and recycled

    • James Rubin says:

      I take Rob seriously. I take all progressive activists seriously if they’re putting in real work to advance an agenda that includes Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and a rehabilitative criminal justice system.

      You know what I don’t take seriously? Dipshits online who moralistically lecture about profanity, who then resort to ableist insults. And by the way, it’s spelled “shtick”, you dunce.

      • Delguy says:

        Cut your hair. You look like a deranged lunatic who rolled out of bed. You run losing campaigns. You are young. Stop using your real name and bury yourself as an undisciplined quack job.

        • RE Vanella says:

          Haha. You’re an anonymous baby. That’s a funny insult coming from you. Tell us more about how homeless inconvenience you.

          Also, address your illiteracy.

        • James Rubin says:

          My god, this made my day. I love that you somehow know me. I truly welcome your hatred.

          Also, cool it with the ableism. The old way of casual bigotry is over. Your ideology is dying, whether it be through our movement or the climate crisis your wing of the party caused.

          • RE Vanella says:

            It’s true. Theyre always anonymous, but know quite a bit about us. It’s awesome.

          • Delguy says:

            Yes we are dying and yet beat you by 30 points in that senate race. Yep dying quick….

            • James Rubin says:

              You elected a wife beater.

              • William Morris says:

                James Rubin came to Wilmington City Council three days in a row, and insisted on mooning everybody. He is a sick puppy! Delaware must condemn — NOW.

              • James Rubin says:

                Maybe if we elect good people to City Council, such as Shané Darby and Coby Owens, I won’t have to do this anymore.

              • Delguy says:

                This gop talking point is everything I need to know about you. You have zero future in this state. Remember that

              • James Rubin says:

                I met people who witnessed his kids repeatedly come to baseball games with welts and bruises. Again, you elected a wife beater. And you’re clearly anti-semitic.

              • Delguy says:

                You like the squad who are the most anti semantic 4 members of Congress. Try again

              • James Rubin says:

                And yet the Carper team denied that I was a Delawarean said I was from “New York.” The anti-semitism is rampant with the establishment wing of the Delaware Democrats. You engaged in it just now in these comments. I’m sick of it.

              • tim carpet says:

                this GOP talking point is everything i need to know about you. Do better.

              • Delguy says:

                Oh and thanks for the aoc visit. Instead of losing 60-40 you lost 65-35 once we got a flood of Jewish votes from the brandy wine area after thinking the anti Semite aoc help ya! You are a real whiz! Political genius! Hahahah cut your hair. I would never open my door for a guy who looks like you

              • James Rubin says:

                Cool because I wouldn’t want to waste my time with an anti-semite with anger issues… wait a second… is this Tom Carper posting?

              • RE Vanella says:

                Delguy is very normal and not mad about Jamie’s hair.

              • Delguy says:

                No def not tom carper he’s to busy being a us senator because he won a primary because you ran an inept bad campaign and got crushed. So no not yet tom

              • James Rubin says:

                He’s a wife beater. And admittedly, we did lose to that which is pretty funny in retrospect.

              • Delguy says:

                He is not nor has he ever been a wife a beater no matter how many times your smear lies are trump like repeated. Jessica scarane should
                Immediately remove you from your position or be held account for your words which have been screen shot already. Jess you agree?

              • James Rubin says:

                He’s an admitted wife beater. Do not gaslight me.

                You know what’s particularly sad about this engagement? Countless people, most of them very young and very sad about the state of the world we’ve inherited, have put years of their lives now into some very basic ideas. Ideas like healthcare is a human right, and all people deserve a clean and livable environment. These people have done this for very little money or no money at all. They put all of their free time into this movement because they truly believe a better world is possible.

                And in your petulance, you choose to say “No.” Because that’s what you represent, the ideology of no. And when you aren’t saying no, you’re reporting us to our “managers” and repeating anti-semitic tropes. It’s disgraceful and not particularly funny.

                I truly hope you come around. We’re doing this for you. We’re doing this for all people on this planet who should be treated with a baseline of dignity and respect, and who have been ignored by the powerful for far too long. If you agree with this platform, please consider volunteering or donating to any of the progressive Democrats running in 2020.

              • RE Vanella says:

                Haha. You want to speak with his manager? Cool.

              • James Rubin says:

                Okay, I know I just said it’s not funny, but the part where Delguy requests to speak with my manager was pretty funny. It’s just sad that he’s doing it while working against baseline human rights.

                None of us are doing this for money, power, or fame. We put hard work into a movement that has some very basic asks because we want a better world. It’s very upsetting to see the so called party of the working class stand against us.

                It doesn’t matter though. We outnumber them and through hard work, we will prove this on April 28th, and then again on September 15th. And if any people reading this agree, I ask again that you volunteer or donate to a local progressive. We’ve got this.

              • Delguy says:

                So does Jess scarane believe tom carper is a wife beater? I want to hear her say it! She’s the one you work for? Jess why the silence?!

              • Delfella says:

                Jess has an actual job so she’s a bit busy right now

              • James Rubin says:

                It’s been documented in the media since he literally admitted to it. Plus, you can choose to believe me or not on this, but I spoke to two people at doors who witnessed the results of his abuse. I also spoke to someone who said he was aware of Anne Marie Fahey’s abusive relationship and did nothing to intervene.

                There’s a pattern here.

              • Alby says:

                You really ought to stop wishing for that. Motherfucker did it, it’s in court records in black and white, and the angrier you get about it the more guilty he looks.

        • PW says:

          shut da fuck up

        • delman says:

          whatever, preston

        • Tom Carper says:

          Joe Biden log off

      • Paul says:

        Schtick, as he was using it. Shtick has a different nuance.

  15. RE Vanella says:

    Haha I curse! Good one. You know we know who’s listening right? lol.

    Also, the word you’re searching for is shtick, you anonymous illiterate slime ball.

  16. RE Vanella says:

    Notice how when I point out how disgusting this line of argument is “Delguy” changes his tune.

    And they always know all aspects of my work. It is extremely gratifying.

  17. RE Vanella says:

    On a side note watch out for two enormous episodes coming up with some folks I’ve wanted to speak with for a long time (and record it).

    They are going to use their real name and everything because they take me very seriously.

    • Delguy says:

      Your guests are wanna bes and overwhelmingly losing candidates desperate to put something on Facebook.

      Who do you have? Seriously what’s its Gona be another episode of Colby Carl and some other youngin awkwardly using the f bomb and complaining about a twitter war 14 people saw

  18. nathan arizona says:

    REV, I thought you were gonna be somewhere else today. Don’t tease us.

    • RE Vanella says:

      Quick meeting. Thought it was going to be 90 minutes. Only 30. I’m a productive serious person.

  19. RE Vanella says:

    I’m always watching. You know that.

  20. RE Vanella says:

    Spot the anti semitic trope

    Delguy says:
    January 17, 2020 at 1:54 pm
    Cut your hair. You look like a deranged lunatic who rolled out of bed. You run losing campaigns. You are young. Stop using your real name and bury yourself as an undisciplined quack job.

    • James Rubin says:

      I’ve found a lot casual anti-semitism from the establishment wing of the party to be honest, and it’s always disappointing. I hope they can put their hatred aside and unify behind our first Jewish president, Bernie Sanders.

  21. RE Vanella says:

    I think he seized up and died.

    • James Rubin says:

      That’s really sad. Healthcare is a human right, so I hope he (I’m assuming it’s a “he”, because let’s be real here), is able to get the healthcare he deserves. That’s why I am voting for Jess and Bernie.

  22. RE Vanella says:

    Delguy does anti Jewish tropes folks. It’s as disgusting as his views on our mental health and homelessness problem. It’s a real shame.

    It’s cool that he’s a super fan though. I love my hate listeners best.

  23. RE Vanella says:

    I demand to speak with Delguy’s manager immediately. Perhaps his manager’s manager!

    • James Rubin says:

      Satan is unavailable at this time, sorry.

      • RE Vanella says:

        Notice how the first move was homeless are gross and scary, then…

        I’m “mentally ill”, next…

        Jamie is a frizzy haired loser, who…

        He wants to anonymously black ball for bad posts.

        Guy’s a genius. Fantastic.

  24. RE Vanella says:

    Tom Carper punched his wife in the face.

  25. Alby says:

    Tom Carper admitted to once slapping his wife, but only after the News Journal unearthed the deposition from his first wife in divorce proceedings.

    I have to admit, I don’t see the anti-Semitic trope. Long hair? Rolling out of bed? Quack job? The redundant “deranged lunatic”? Stop using your real name?

    • James Rubin says:

      I look Jewish, I have a Jewish last name, and he attacks me for something that is due to Jewish heritage. It’s not a great look.

      And it’s not the first time I’ve experienced anti-semitism from their wing of the party. In the words of Chris Coons, “our president” might be okay with fanning the flames of anti-semitism, but I am not and I will call it out.

      • Alby says:

        Oh, I took the “stop using your real name” as meaning you shouldn’t put statements out there in public that could come back to bite your candidate — schooling you in the old-style campaigning. Thanks for clarifying.

    • Delguy says:

      Of course it’s not an anti Jewish trope. Telling a guy to get a haircut which by the way he really does need. That look works for a few years in your 20s at UD then you just look like a unhirable mess. He will learn. He’s a kid.

      Also part of the generation that values being a victim. He needs validation that society is victimizing him. So although he a white male of privilege a guy told him his appearance makes him look like a bum; so he somehow made that anti Semitic. Creative I give him that. (Snap snap snap) lol . I love these guys, better then HBO in their anger and lunacy

      • RE Vanella says:

        Who am I though, pal? Come at me.

        I noticed how you shifted. Ask to speak to my manager. See what happens.

        Lol

      • Alby says:

        It’s still ignorant and assholish to attack a guy for his appearance when you won’t reveal your own. Cowardly, really. What business is it of yours how he looks?

        All you’re revealing is that you’re scared of him. The “I’m here for the lulz” is the same thing all the Republican man-babies say, when you’d have to be the epitome of pathetic to stoop that low for a bit of humor — and even more pathetic to admit it, and more pathetic still to use it as a defense of trolling.

        So congratulations, I don’t think you’re an anti-Semite. I think you’re a power-fluffing asshole.

        There are people, putative Democrats, who make a nice living as remora fish by treating these corporate-humping Democrats as admirable sharks. You sound like one of them.

        • James Rubin says:

          I completely think he’s anti-semitic, to be clear.

          • Alby says:

            Yeah, but he was addressing me as if I was on his side, which I’m not. My density about anti-Semitism (I don’t know you, so I didn’t know about the hair thing; I’ve been hearing “cut your hair” periodically since the late ’60s) does not give him cover.

      • James Rubin says:

        If it was a one-off occurrence, I might dismiss it. But this is a party that has actively serving members who have talked about “the Jewish connection of Delaware”. This is a party that accused me of being a saboteur from “(((New York)))”.

        This is a pattern, much like Tom Carper’s pattern of domestic abuse. I will not stand by and let it continue.

  26. RE Vanella says:

    I demand to speak to my manager.

  27. RE Vanella says:

    Bruv, come on. Gloat. Tell us how great you are. Compare your podcast to mine. Defend your “homeless are scary” stuff.

    Because I’m not scared. So, go on.

  28. RE Vanella says:

    Al’s right. Coward. You hate to see it.

  29. Qarl says:

    *Karl

  30. Joshua W says:

    I too hate Jamie for his hair. Not because of it’s perceived Jewishness, but because he has so much of it and I have so very little. You’re a terrible socialist if you don’t redistribute that fro Jamie.

  31. James Rubin says:

    100.

  32. RE Vanella says:

    Delguy, you definitely won this fight buddy. Great work. Rest assured we are not telling stories about how fucking stupid you are and laughing at you while drinking expensive wine and rolling huge joints.

    We are not doing it right now. We wouldn’t.

    Good night, buddy.

    • Delguy says:

      Pussies. I prefer whiskey at Mulrooneys, I will order you a cranberry juice ya pansy fu**

      • Alby says:

        Says a lot more about you than you meant to.

        Dumb fucks vote Republican. In Delaware, dumb fucks vote Republican but call them Democrats.

        You sad old fucks couldn’t even keep your union “brethren” from going Republican for the past 40 years. Why should we listen to your kind?

      • RE Vanella says:

        You a cool and tough guy and not mad.