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Political Primal Scream Therapy

By El Somnambulo August 19, 20166 Comments

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. While we may not have a Christine O'Donnell in 2016, I can't recall a year when there have been so many Stoopid Candidate Tricks. Or at least the kind of stories that make me want to scream. Two such stories surfaced this morning in the News-Journal. Scream along with me. First, we have another example of Mayor Dennis Williams' solid personnel judgment. Second, we have a DUI in Sussex politics again.

DL’s Endorsement for Wilmington Mayor

By cassandra_m August 18, 201670 Comments

In most Blue States, the usual source of Democratic progressive governing is from its major cities. The Editors of Delaware Liberal have often lamented the fact that Delaware’s biggest city has been lacking in a more progressive political vision at pretty much every level. There's one candidate in Wilmington's Mayoral race who is finally advocating a comprehensive progressive vision for governing Wilmington -- a vision that is inclusive of the entire city, that is committed to bringing city government practices into the 21st century and will start the work to tackle some of the social justice issues that damage and hold back some of our communities. Delaware Liberal is proud to endorse Eugene Young for Mayor of Wilmington.

Breaking: Delaware AG Matt Denn Will Not Appeal Death Penalty Ruling

By El Somnambulo August 15, 201610 Comments

Just got this press release from the AG's office:

Attorney General Will Not Appeal To U.S. Supreme Court On Death PenaltyDelaware DOJ Will Argue State Court Decision Is Not Retroactive After carefully reviewing the Delaware Supreme Court’s opinion regarding the constitutionality of Delaware’s current death penalty statute, the Attorney General has decided not to appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court. He has concluded that even if the United States Supreme Court reversed the opinion on Federal Constitutional grounds, that the Delaware Supreme Court would ultimately invalidate Delaware’s current death penalty statute based on the Constitution of the State of Delaware. The Delaware Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that the Delaware Constitution provides rights to a jury trial that are independent of and in some instances more expansive than those provided by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Litigating and appealing these issues – a process that would likely take years before issues of both federal and state constitutional law were resolved -- would likely not only bring about the same result, but would also deny the families of victims sentencing finality.

WDEL’s Amy Cherry Exposes Corruption in County Farmland Deal

By El Somnambulo August 3, 201658 Comments

By far the best journalism being committed in Delaware today is being done by WDEL's Amy Cherry. She has effectively chronicled the stink of corruption permeating the proposed farmland deal between the Gordon Administration and a couple of well-connected farmers. Here are the links. Go ahead and read/listen to them. I'll wait.

The Murdertown Chronicles — Finale

By cassandra_m July 28, 20169 Comments

Part 3 was released some time back and I apologize for not posting that. See the end of this post to see details on the release and wrap party for the final episode. Have you heard about this new podcast? Sponsored by the Delaware Center for Justice, this is a long-form reporting project that is meant to explore the role that poverty plays in Wilmington's crime problems. This will be in four parts -- and so far includes voices from young men wrapped up in crime as well as voices from the ACLU, Dr. Yasser Payne, Charlie Copeland and others who are illuminating the larger picture involved with Wilmington's crime problems. I've listened to the first one (this is about 20 minutes long) and it is riveting. Give it a listen and I hope you'll come back to this thread to discuss this work and the issues it raises.

Bill Clinton’s Speech

By pandora July 27, 201613 Comments

This started out as a comment, but morphed into a post. Last night I was asked a question on the DNC Convention post, "Was Bill Clinton's speech sexist?" No. Oh, you want more? Ok. Here are my thoughts on Bill's speech. I disagree with Maddow. It wasn't sexist, but it was a fascinating gender role reversal. Bill Clinton was the first man to give the traditional First Lady speech. The role of the First Lady speech is to share personal stories of her and the candidate's life together, to show what a good and loving parent the candidate is, to remind everyone of their spouses accomplishments, their strengths, etc.. Basically, the First Lady speech is an reminder and introduction to the candidate by the person who knows them best. Bill did just that.

Clinton/Kaine 2016

By Brian July 22, 201668 Comments

Hillary Clinton has selected Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate.

It Looks Like Kaine.

By El Somnambulo July 22, 2016136 Comments

According to the NY Times, Hillary Clinton is expected to name US Senator from Virginia Tim Kaine as her Vice Presidential nominee. Of all the candidates under consideration, with the possible exception of the General, she appears to have chosen the nominee with the least progressive record. Pro-TPP, pro-bank deregulation, squishy on women's rights.

Senator Cory Booker Endorses Eugene Young for Wilmington Mayor

By cassandra_m July 18, 201613 Comments

This happened on Friday and is certainly impressive. Senator Booker has been on some lists as a potential VP candidate for Hillary Clinton, and there's been plenty of cheerleading for him. He's a solid progressive and defeated a fair bit of Newark public sector corruption and cronyism to win the Mayor's seat. Here's his pitch for Eugene Young, candidate for Mayor of Wilmington:

Wilmington Mayor’s Race — Undecided Leads the Pack

By cassandra_m July 12, 201611 Comments

The News Journal released the results of their poll last night, which shows the race being much closer than the common wisdom (including mine) would have suggested. Here's the numbers: Kevin Kelly 18% Mike Purzycki 14% Dennis Williams 13% Theo Gregory 11% Eugene Young 9% Norm Griffiths 8% Robert Marshall 2% Maria Cabrera 2% Undecided 21% The margin of error on this poll is 5.8 and reached landlines only. This surveyed likely Democratic voters. This polly also asked about registration and primary practices -- where we find that this group of likely Democratic voters think that it should be easier to switch parties to vote and that primaries should be open.

Delaware Political Weekly: Filing Deadline Countdown Edition

By El Somnambulo July 11, 201661 Comments

The filing deadline is this Tuesday, July 12 at 12 noon. After Tuesday, parties may file candidates, but individuals cannot file on their own separate from the party. The deadline for withdrawing one's candidacy and getting one's filing fee returned is this Friday, July 15 at 4:30 pm. Friday is also the deadline for candidates to switch from one race to another. I'll likely be out campaigning for the candidate of my choice (Bryan Townsend) at the Tuesday deadline, so please keep us posted on any last minute developments.

Poll in the Field for Wilmington Mayoral Race!

By cassandra_m July 6, 20168 Comments

I took a call this evening from Public Policy Polling who was conducting a poll on the Wilmington Mayoral Race. And I am excited to see the results -- if there is polling in Wilmington it is for candidates and I don't think this one was. Here are the questions asked: 1. Likelihood of voting (I answered very likely) 2. Read a list of candidates (in alphabetical order by last name), with instructions to push a number for the candidate you will vote for 3. Wilmington Right Track/Wrong Direction question

Delaware General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 30, 2016

By El Somnambulo June 30, 201638 Comments

It looks like the General Assembly has scrounged up enough money for the Bond Bill by finding figurative money under the seat cushions. Complete, of course, with dire warnings from Chamber worry trolls:

"It tells me that they are clearly focused on short-term remedies for something that is a long-term problem," said Robert Perkins, executive director of the Business Roundtable and a former aide to Republican Govs. Pete du Pont and Mike Castle. "This is the equivalent of looking under the cushions of your sofa to find loose change to pay your electric bill."

The Roundtable, which represents various Delaware business owners, released a study late last year that called for legislators to find more stable sources of revenue and stop the continually growing cost of things like education, Medicaid, and employee health care costs. "If people did not recognize last August when we released that study that there was a structural problem then, they must now," Perkins said. "Cobbling together a state budget, which has many, many important programs that must be funded, is not a practice that is sustainable in the long-term."

You remember that 'study', don't you? Paid for by the Business Roundtable to provide pro-business talking points. Cut corporate taxes, do away with the estate tax, raise taxes on seniors. That's the one. No mention of raising taxes for Delaware's wealthiest. And not a peep from the General Assembly this year.