That’s the situation confronting voters in the gubernatorial primary. They might suck to different extents and in different ways, but they all have significant drawbacks.
Bethany Hall-Long’s are obvious. Even without the financial mismanagement and Delaware Way mutual backscratching, I consider her unqualified for the job. Head of the health department? Sure, she seems like a competent enough manager, though her inability to make a decision without convening a committee to cover her ass with makes her the opposite of a leader. But that inability to lead combined with an inability to keep her own house in order makes her No. 3 on my ballot.
Matt Meyer has union problems, and even if you’re not inclined to believe their gripes, the roster of Castle Republicans backing him should give you pause.
Collin O’Mara might or might not be working on behalf of BHL, but the ineptitude of his campaign augurs poorly for what kind of administration he’d run. Good intentions are nice, but they aren’t meaningful if you’re incompetent to get them accomplished.
So what to do?
I won’t tell you who to vote for. That’s every individual’s decision. I can tell you I’m leaning towards Meyer, even though I’d have to hold my nose AND cover my eyes to do it. Here’s why:
Let’s assume the worst, that Matt Meyer is a flat-out Castle Republican (I don’t think he is, but bear with me). What’s he going to get done with a resistant General Assembly? Not much. That’s not optimal, but going nowhere strikes me as a lot better than letting the current bunch of self-serving Democrats keep hold of the tiller.
BHL, Jeff Bullock et al WILL get things done, and while some of it might lean progressive, the self-enrichment will continue. A lot of people think that’s a fair trade-off – if we get some progressive stuff, it’s tolerable that this gang of bozos continues to wet its beaks. It’s not one I’d make, but YMMV.