El Somnambulo

rss feed Author's Website

El Somnambulo's Latest Posts

Rethugs Want Melloy Off Ballot

Filed in Delaware by on August 23, 2012

Apparently, [Republican Mayoral candidate] Kevin Melloy’s check for the filing fee bounced, and Rethugs would rather have nobody carrying the R banner in the City than, you know, pay the fee themselves:

Continue Reading »

On the Hustings With Bryan Townsend, Part II: Things I Learned.

Filed in National by on August 23, 2012 21 Comments

Told’ja I’d go back, and I went back yesterday evening to campaign with Bryan Townsend, who may be running the best single state legislative campaign in Delaware this year.  Well, his amazing staff is running the campaign, Bryan’s the Incredible Campaigner. Here’s what I learned.

Continue Reading »

Delaware Political Weekly: August 11-17, 2012

Filed in National by on August 17, 2012 106 Comments

1. Gleanings From the Campaign Finance Reports. Some stuff that hasn’t been reported that I find interesting. YMMV: *The Rev. Chris Bullock has raised a pretty impressive amount of money, $42 K overall, with almost $16 K of it coming from contributions of $100 or less. That’s a lot of small contributions for a race […]

Continue Reading »

Delaware Political Weekly: August 4-10, 2012

Filed in National by on August 10, 2012 19 Comments

I give Bill Montgomery credit. He told the truth. Not that he hasn’t before, but it was a hard truth which will not likely benefit him politically. From the story in today’s News-Journal:

Montgomery, the former chief of staff to current Mayor James M. Baker, predicted that a 15 percent property tax hike will be needed in the next mayor’s first year, calling it a “one-and-done” revenue boost that could help stave off future rate increases as the city braces for budget deficits projected to be about $4 million in the next two fiscal years.

“I’m sorry to give you that news, but if I am your mayor, I will be seeking a double-digit tax increase, plain and simple,” Montgomery said during a candidate forum hosted by the Wilmington Rotary Club.

Continue Reading »

Delaware Political Weekly: July 28-August 3, 2012

Filed in National by on August 3, 2012 58 Comments

Signs (literally and figuratively) point to ‘yes’.  This week, the black clergy (20 in all) endorsed Williams. This followed previous endorsements by the Fraternal Order of Police and Wilmington firefighters. A recent drive around the Broom Street/Baynard Boulevard area revealed not only a lot of Williams signs, but many lawns sporting both Williams signs and/or Gordon and Potter signs. Meaning that Williams has, at the least, developed synergies and perhaps working alliances with these candidates. The Montgomery campaign appears to have become dependent on former Republicans (Hal Haskell? Really?), and I’m not sure what’s happened to the Kelley campaign, which had lots of energy a couple of months back.  All I see is that, in the case of Williams, the trend is his friend, and that’s not the case for the only other electable candidates.

I’m inclined to think that Tom Gordon has taken control of the NCCo. Executive race. This is one case where the AFL-CIO endorsement helps. I think that, in part, it reflects dissatisfaction amongst county employees who swallowed a 2.5% pay cut while Paul Clark was adding on an army of ‘executive assistants’, at least one of whom also acts as his chief fundraiser while deciding which projects move forward and which ones don’t.

Continue Reading »

‘Bulo On Al’s Show Today At 10!

Filed in Delaware by on July 31, 2012 4 Comments

I’m back, and I’m ready to talk the latest in Delaware political doings! From 10 am to 12 noon, today, WDEL-1150 with my favorite sparring partner, Al Mascitti.

Continue Reading »

Delaware Political Weekly: July 21-27, 2012

Filed in National by on July 30, 2012 14 Comments

So, I’m at the Townsend house, waiting to head on out to campaign. I decide to spend some time perusing Tony DeLuca’s ‘puppy piece’. I come across this line listed under the ‘Dedicated’ subheading:

(Tony DeLuca…) “Supported SEED and Inspire scholarships for Delaware students”.

That’s what it said. On a 3″ by 9″ (or so) palm card, Senator Tony DeLuca claims this as one of his key accomplishments. I got to thinking, waitaminnit, wasn’t he the guy who tried to KILL the Inspire Scholarship Program? My memory not being the best, I decided to climb into the Notsowayback Machine.

Continue Reading »

On the Hustings With Bryan Townsend

Filed in National by on July 25, 2012 20 Comments

After spending a couple of hours at the doors (aka trying to keep up) with 11th District State Senate candidate Bryan Townsend last night, I can only say this: The residents of the 11th District would be SO much better off with Bryan Townsend as their Senator that it’s not even a close call. He is the single best first-time candidate I’ve encountered since Dave Sokola. And, yes, when elected, he would immediately join Senators Peterson and Sokola as one of the best senators in Dover.

Continue Reading »

Delaware Political Weekly: July 14-20, 2012

Filed in Delaware, National by on July 20, 2012 17 Comments

1. Karen Weldin Stewart Campaign a Reflection of Karen Weldin Stewart, the Insurance Commissioner. There are many things a campaign cannot control: unexpected events, unexpected revelations,  bad luck, the quality of its opponents, among them. However, every campaign has complete and total control over every word of communication that goes out under its name. Whether […]

Continue Reading »

Jerry Grant Kicks Off His Campaign This Thursday

Filed in Delaware, National by on July 17, 2012 4 Comments

Jerry Grant, who is running in the Democratic Primary to replace Rep. Terry Schooley in the 23rd RD, has his official kickoff event this Thursday.  He will be introduced by none other than…Terry Schooley. Here is the official announcement: Grant to Kickoff Campaign for 23rd District Former city councilmember, small business owner launching bid for […]

Continue Reading »

Did Delaware’s Colm Connolly Run Interference For Romney and Bain Illegalities?

Filed in Delaware, National by on July 14, 2012 58 Comments

8-Ball sez: “Signs Point to Yes”. Now pay attention, kids, this is complicated, as many crimes involving money, corporatese, and coverups are.

First, read this article by DailyKos’ Stephen Laser Haas. In it, he lays out the massive fraud that Bain got entangled in during 2001.  Massive fraud that Romney’s law firm at the time, the New York-based law firm, Traub, Bonacquist & Fox, has now admitted guilt for. As most of you know, there is always a Delaware-based law firm engaged in any Delaware litigation. That law firm in the Bain/e-toys matter was Morris, Nichols, Arsht and Tunnell.

Continue Reading »

Delaware Political Weekly: July 7-13, 2012

Filed in National by on July 13, 2012 25 Comments

Not really much more to discuss. Thanks to our eagle-eyed political junkies, pretty much all the developments can be found here and here. And you can find some analysis of the primary battles here.

I admit it. I’m addicted to this stuff.

There will almost certainly be some withdrawals today, as 4:30 p.m. this afternoon is the deadline for candidates to withdraw and get their filing fees back.

Continue Reading »

Delaware’s 10 Most Intriguing Primaries of 2012: The Top 5

Filed in National by on July 12, 2012 43 Comments

The 11th SD is the Big One. Folks, challenger Bryan Townsend is running a great campaign. Exactly the kind of grassroots campaign that you need to knock off a powerful and entrenched incumbent. Meanwhile, in the 23rd RD race between Baumbach, Grant, and Bock, all three deserve to be in public service. I’m not sure I can ever recall a race like this with three great D’s running. There is no consensus amongst the DL contributors, and there will be no consensus amongst the voters of the 23rd. Bottom line: The voters can’t lose when all the candidates are winners. Man, why can’t I have choices like this?

Continue Reading »