DL Open Thread Wednesday May 3 2023

An Open Letter to Bethany Hall-Long

Dear Bethany, I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen who believes in the importance of protecting the healthcare benefits of retirees. As you know, there is an ongoing controversy regarding the future of retiree health insurance, specifically the adoption of "Medicare Advantage"  which is not Medicare, but an expensive, low-quality, privatized, fraudulently named, inferior product. I wanted to reach out to you personally and ask if you would be willing to make a commitment to not privatize retiree health insurance if you are elected and become the 75th Governor of Delaware.  On May 9th at 1:00pm many retirees and advocates in our state who believe that privatizing Medicare would be a disservice will be rallying at Leg Hall.  Would you be willing to show your support for those who have earned and paid for their healthcare benefits? As a candidate for office, I believe it is important for you to take a clear stance on this issue and let voters know where you stand. Will you commit to protecting the rights of retirees to have access to Original Medicare ? Will you stand up against Governor John Carney's attempts to privatize Medicare and ensure that retirees have access to the healthcare benefits they have earned? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter and hope that you will join me in supporting the healthcare needs of our retirees. Sincerely, Jason330

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An Open Letter to Matt Meyer

Matt, I know you just read all that.  What the fuck dude?  This is a layup. Sincerely, Jason330

   

DL Open Thread Monday May 1st 2023

What's the over/under for how many elections the DEGOP is going to lose under the new radical MAGA administration?   The Monday's top two stories may provide some answers.  

Murray Blame Game Starts Minute 1 of Day 1

Murray wasted no time sloughing off responsibility for the DEGOP's impending losses to a not yet hired executive director and "several committees."  
“...we have to hire an executive director, our bylaws require it. … I’ve got to start there,” Murray said. “And that’s the person who’s going to be responsible for herding all of the cats. I have to operate more at a strategic level. We have several committees that we’re going to form. And I’m excited about that.”
She'll be thinking big thoughts.  Terrific.   Yesterday I mentioned a preview she gave as to what big thoughts she might be thinking - MORE GUNS!  Just what the electorate is clamoring for.  

Poll Results and Next Week’s Poll

Thanks to everyone who "joined" DL this month by supporting Working Families Party , Highlands Bunker, Claymont Food Closet and/or Friendship House  I increased my support for Highlands Bunker and…

Murray defeat of Brady reveals north/south split in DEGOP – And not the split you expect

There is a North/South split in the GOP.  It is, as you might expect,  along the lines of MAGA vs people who have a dim memory of when the GOP could win an election in Delaware. But it is not crazies in the south, "sane" Republicans in the north.
The convention counted 338 delegates: 49 from Northern New Castle, 58 from Western New Castle, 51 from Colonial New Castle, 73 from Kent County, and 107 from Sussex County. Murray got 182 votes to Brady’s 155. Her biggest strength was in Colonial, in eastern New Castle County, where she got 44 votes to Brady’s four.
Among people active enough to take part in party politics, the Murray defeat of Brady has flipped the old conventional wisdom on its head.   The newbie MAGA nuts who have joined since Trump are in the North, and the old timers who have a vague memory of Mike Castle and Pete Dupont are hanging on in Sussex.

Coons Honored Among the “Thirstiest Members of Congress” in Politico’s First Annual Thirsty for Media Attention Awards

It's official. Coons is gross.  And it isn't just me saying it.  

Presenting the first-ever Thirsties, for those who excel in Washington’s signature art form: trying to get on your TV screen tonight.

Hollywood has the Oscars. Broadway has the Tonys. Washington hasn’t had its own awards — until now.

Introducing the Thirsties, a celebration of the quality that defines this place.

You know what we’re talking about: the thirst. That unquenchable drive for publicity, attention, buzz. Call it what you want, This Town is full of it. The thirst can be found in staffers, lobbyists — even journalists, who are supposed to be covering the story, not angling for a starring role in it. To paraphrase a hoary old Washington line on something almost as obscene: You know thirst when you see it.

Highlands Bunker – Is your life lacking in frustration?

Is your life lacking in frustration? Do you need to be a little more annoyed than you already are?  Well, then this is the Highlands Bunker episode you've been waiting for. Here is a very worthy topic only partially unpacked in the last few minutes while REV spends a whole lot of time being his frustrating self, while the guest (Allison Levine) seems to completely miss the idea that politics is a "winner take all" zero sum game nowadays, and that Democrats have been being taking a beating for being too willing to meet Republicans halfway.

E240 - Polarization (w/ Allison Levine)

Local Journalism Initiative Founder Allison Levine joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the Delaware Journalism Collaborative, which includes the Delaware Call, its project of addressing polarization and what that entails, and how to make positive change. Show Notes: