Combating The National Republican Fear Campaign?

Combating The National Republican Fear Campaign?

12 Comments
It is well understood by communications experts that fear is an extremely powerful emotion to reverse. The RNC is executing a powerful national campaign of fear, based mostly on ISIL and Ebola. It is grounded in their national and local messaging strategy that government doesn't work, especially an Obama/Pelosi government.

Thursday Open Thread [10.15.14]

31 Comments
First Read: "But here is something else we need to say about the Ebola story: The level of panic doesn't match the crisis, at least not yet. So far in the United States, one man (from Liberia) has died, and two nurses have been infected from caring for him. And at this rate, it's possible another health-care worker (or two or three) might get infected, too. But compare this with the thousands who have died from the disease in West Africa, plus the thousands who die from the flu and car accidents each year." Three people out of three hundred and fifty million. Three people in one city, one hospital. Three people connected to only one incident. I wonder why that is. I wonder why the public is hysterical. Could it be that the media and certain Republican candidates are stoking the fear for ratings and votes? If the disease pops up in Cleveland and other cities based on that idiot Texas nurse did (she should be fired as a nurse and have her license forever revoked), then we can start to get a little bit concerned. If it spreads to more people and more cities after that, then we can start panicking.

Thursday Daily Delawhere [10.16.14]

The Wilmington Friends Meeting House, on West Street in Quaker Hill, Wilmington. The meetinghouse was built in 1817. Famous Delawareans, including John Dickinson, penman of the Revolution, Governor Caleb Bennett,…
Poll of the week discussion thread

Poll of the week discussion thread

7 Comments
Today's poll asks DL readers so indicate (in general terms) why they plan on voting for the person they will be voting for in the Carney vs. Izzo vs. August showdown for Congress in three weeks. Normally I'd choose "I just automatically vote for the Democrat" but since Carney cannot lose this election, I'm going for Bernie August this time to try and cut Carney's margin of victory by one vote.
Another reason to vote for Bernie August instead of John Carney

Another reason to vote for Bernie August instead of John Carney

6 Comments
John Carney's greatest accomplishment in congress, the accomplishment that he puts on the top of the list of reasons why he should be re-elected is that he "sat down with Republicans." Yes. The very Republicans who continue to scheme to undermine the economic recovery to further their own narrow political aims. The Republicans who have never even pretended to reciprocate John Carney's ardor for compromise and bipartisanship. John Carney just thinks they simply need to be "sat down" with. It is absolutely ludicrous that he is claiming "sitting down with Republicans" as a great accomplishment, but there you have it. So every Democrat has a choice in this election - reward that kind of obstinate ignorance with a meek party line vote, or vote in a way that affirms your Democratic values by saying "yes" to Bernie August.
I am voting against John Carney’s bipartisanship idiocy by voting for Bernie August

I am voting against John Carney’s bipartisanship idiocy by voting for Bernie August

32 Comments
In spite of how brazenly Republicans have decided to undermine the economy for their own narrow political ends, and in spite of the fact that even the so-called "moderate" Republican friends of John Carney never break with their leadership and reciprocate his affections - John Carney can't shut up about how great it is to "work with" Republicans" and he even considers "sitting down with Republicans" his greatest accomplishment in congress. With "accomplishments" like that, who needs failures? The upshot is that Carney has not given Democrats any reasons to vote for him. That is why I'm voting for the Green Party candidate Bernie August. I may even give money to the guy. But make no mistake - I am a Democrat. I want Democrats to win elections because at the Party's core, we are is still the party of the American working man. Also, when Democrats lose elections, that means Republicans win. And yet, in this case there is no downside to voting for the Green Party candidate. Rose Izzo cannot win. John Carney cannot lose. The only question is the margin of victory. If Carney wins by one fewer vote this election, that's fine with me. If two years from now he wins by 10 fewer...great. If, in some great and glorious future, Democratic voters eventually decide that their votes needs to be EARNED then eventually, John Carney will get the picture.
Sunday Open Thread [10.12.14]

Sunday Open Thread [10.12.14]

6 Comments
The affect of Obamacare in Delaware:
DHHS says that taken together, premiums for Medicare Part B and D will be more than $125 lower in 2015 than initially projected in 2009. That translates into a total of $2.9 million in savings in the First State. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell attributed the savings to a slower rise in healthcare costs since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. In a statement, Burwell said the ACA is “working to improve affordability and access to quality care for seniors and people with disabilities.”
Meanwhile, remember that Libertarian Propaganda Institute that gave Governor Markell an "F" for fiscal responsibility?
Moody’s Investor Services, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services all gave Delaware a AAA credit rating this week. The agencies noted the state’s significant financial reserves and the strength of its labor market in their analysis.
I may disagree with Governor Markell's PRIORITIES when it comes to economic policy, and his tax policy, but you can't say he has been irresponsible fiscally. If he was, then the credit ratings agencies would have downgraded Delaware long ago, which is what the Libertarian hit piece was pure bullshit.
Campaign mailers graded – Coons gets an A, Carney an F

Campaign mailers graded – Coons gets an A, Carney an F

14 Comments
Facing off against nitwits who have been abandoned by their own party's leadership, Carney or Coons could have passed on sending out campaign mailers this season, but they sent them so I'm here to grade them. The bottom line: Great job Coons. Carney, what the fuck are you running for? What office and why? I thought I knew prior to reading this piece of shit, but now I'm not sure. First Coons - his piece is strong. On one side he is talking to hard hat wearing blue collar types which fits in with his laudable campaign theme of "Bringing manufacturing jobs back to Delaware." In a stacked headline about the picture Coons provides the voters with basic facts: "Working hard for Delaware" is above "Democrat Chris Coons US Senator for Delaware." Seeing the word "Democrat" gives me hope that Coons is aware of the fact that Republicans ARE the root problem in DC. That feeling is validated when I turn the piece over and read... "Chris is standing up to the Tea Party Republicans to put Delaware families first." I mean holy shit...right? What's up with Carney? Well his mailing is as slutty a mish-mash of mincing qualifications as Coons' is direct and honorable.

Saturday Open Thread [10.11.14]

2 Comments
South Dakota Independent Larry Pressler told The Hill that he won't say who he'd caucus with if he wins his independent U.S. Senate race in South Dakota but said that if elected, he'd be a "friend of Obama." He also confirmed voting for Obama twice: "I don't regret those votes, 'cause on that day, that's how I felt." I kinda hope he doesn't win, and in fact, I predict in the map that he will not. Yes, that's right. I think, when all is said and done, the Democrats will hope onto Arkansas, Iowa, North Carolina and Colorado, while losing Montana, South Dakota, West Virginia, Alaska and Louisiana. That would leave the GOP one seat short of the majority, but then I believe the Dems will win Georgia and Kentucky from the GOP, and the Independent Orman will win Kansas, and then caucus with the Dems.