Who is Contacting Me? Chip Flowers Via Postcard That’s Who
Yesterday I gave this postcard a B-. As a political direct mail piece it is probably a solid “A” It is full of info without being busy and has a clear call to action. (Read My Plan) But I’m sticking with the B- though because, let’s face it – why is Chip Flowers running for this office?
Simmer down Flowers fans. I realize that “why?” is an unfair question. For one thing, it is me just transparently going for another 50 comment post. But mainly it is unfair because what I really mean to ask is, “Why is anyone running for Treasurer? Why is it an elective office? What does the Treasurers do other than set himself (or herself) up for future runs at real offices”
Ironically Mr. Flowers addresses that very question (obliquely) in his “A” mailing. Under the nice picture and tag line “Growing our Economy” Flowers proceeds to make the case that the Treasurers office should be involved in job creation through:
– Encouraging State contracts with more Delaware business,
– Promoting investments in our small and mid-sized businesses,
– Providing incentives for employers to hire Delaware graduates, and
– Fostering an environment that promotes responsible economic growth.
As someone who would yell “Cha-Ching!” if the state decided that it could only buy its …uh… widgets from in state sources – I’m thrilled to read all of that. But I’m also someone who knows that the Treasure’s only real job is to make sure various state accounts are getting the right interest rates from the safest of safe Wilmington Trust Certificates of Deposit. So, I realize that when Flowers says, “Growing the Economy” he means “Growing the Treasurers Office.” I mean, we already have offices devoted to economic development right? Which brings me back to my main point, shouldn’t the Treasurer be a $80k a year job with one secretary working out of the budget office?
I guess I’ll have to read “The Flowers Framework” (his campaign Mien Kampf, so to speak) to check my assumptions and maybe answer some of these questions.
his campaign Mien Kampf, so to speak
ZING!
Inside jokes are the highest form of humor.
Couple of thoughts here:
1. If we can focus on issues, it boils down to this: do we want a treasurer who’s trying to promote some fresh ideas or do we want one who will focus solely on running the office efficiently? Personally, I’m for the fresh ideas — not because they’re perfect (they’re not) but because I think Delaware can and should do better than the status quo. That said, if the voters decide they want a treasurer who is primarily a check-signer, well, then maybe they’re saying the treasurer who takes office in 2014/2015 should be appointed, not elected.
2. On a parallel path, how about considering the attorney general’s office? Must that be an elected office? If the AG’s civil division’s job is to represent state agencies, would it not be better for the AG to be of the same party as the governor (or at least have similar thought processes) — which could be more easily achieved via appointment than election? How well is the public served by the spectacle of AG candidates battling every four years over who makes better promises to put more bad guys in jail — and damn the cost to the state of locking up and not rehabbing an even greater percentage of our population?
So, if some want an appointed treasurer, how about an appointed AG? Worth a thought, and plenty of good thinkers here to contemplate it.
“Delaware can and should do better than the status quo.”
You’ll get no argument about that. But most people are going to focus far more on their representatives and senators than offices like treasurer. And again, Chip Flowers trying to force his way into government economic development when he has no experience or training in that area is going to strike some people as not an improvement on the status quo. The very simple message of this election cycle is “we’re broke.” “Let’s spend more money, because we can make money that way” is going to be a tough sell. Especially if Chip shares the opinion voiced in the last Flowers thread that we shouldn’t have spent money on Sallie Mae.
Given the number of uncontested races this year, and the single-party dominance in most districts, it’s difficult to believe that state rep and senate districts are going to get a hell of a lot of attention. In a few cases, yes, but not overall.
You don’t know much about Delaware, do you? The number of uncontested races is actually lower than usual. I’m talking about the attention of the voters. They don’t care who the treasurer is, they never have and they never will. Most of them don’t know who their own reps and senators are, either, but the treasurer’s job is not one that affects them. My point is simply that a grandiose plan for the office clutters what should have been a straightforward, vote-for-me message.
If chipmonk was any type of lawyer he wouldn’t be dropping into politics. That tells me he is a failed lawyer just like that former county councilman that’s trying to get chipmonk over on the public. Failure + failure adds up to nothing. Not working.
If chipmonk was any type of lawyer he wouldn’t be dropping into politics. That tells me he is a failed lawyer…
That has to be the dumbest comment ever posted.
Take it somewhere else. Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but it’s not working here.
In fact, Fire Ant, if anyone reading these comment threads uses them to form opinions of the supporters of the respective Democratic candidates, they will come away with the impression that Chip’s supporters are intelligent and eager, while Velda’s are crude and vicious. That impression rests mainly on you. You’re not doing her any favors.
I just skimmed the Flowers Framework for the first time. While some of the stuff makes sense, (e.g. creating the Delaware Investment Fund, etc) it charts a vast expansion of the office of the Treasurer. As I read it, the plan would seem to make the Treasurer a kind of co-Governor.
The problem with proposing that in these economic times will come in the general election. Colin Bonini’s plan for the office makes it clear he thinks the (Republican) auditor isn’t doing his job at all well (and he’ll get no argument from me on that). But it will allow him to stump the state touting his plans to save taxpayers money. Flowers, meanwhile, will be advocating spending more money, if only in expanded staff to do all the things he wants to do. I doubt the GA would give him any of the money to enact his plans, but I think trying to make his points in debate is going to be a steep uphill climb.
“his campaign Mien Kampf, so to speak”
Well, as long as you don’t paint a negative picture of it without reading it or anything.
Chip Flowers knocked on my door this evening. He is pretty impressive in person – very dynamic personality, and presented his ideas very well. I am a real sucker for good old-fashioned door to door campaigning, and he is doing it great. I would not be surprised to see him take the Treasurer position and parlay it into a spot in the Governor’s mansion.
And yet another person we’ve never seen before chimes in. I would be shocked beyond belief to see him take the treasurer position and parlay it into a spot in the governor’s mansion.
Geezer, ek or edisionkitty has been around for awhile, though his last comment was way over the top, IMHO.
Geezer, I have been an infrequent commenter on DL for quite some time, either as ek or edisonkitty. Most of the contributors have met me in person. You may disagree with my take on Chip’s qualities, but I assure you that my comment describes a real event and my genuine reaction to it.
Thanks for the nod, nemski. We should get jason to evaluate my take on it. If he agrees with me, I will cheerfully admit that I am wrong. lol
Sorry. I do recognize edisonkitty. Didn’t realize he had shortened his name. I never doubted it was real, I just thought it was another stranger. I have a sensitive Stranger Danger alarm. Frankly, I think this comment is over the top, too. He’ll have to impress a lot more people than ek to have a shot at a higher office.