Delaware Political Weekly: August 4-10, 2012

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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.

Delaware Political Weekly: July 28-August 3, 2012

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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.

Delaware Political Weekly: July 21-27, 2012

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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.

On the Hustings With Bryan Townsend

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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.

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

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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.

Delaware Political Weekly: July 7-13, 2012

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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.

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

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?