New Castle County Transition and Inaugural Updates

New Castle County Transition and Inaugural Updates

1 Comment
First, we have the recently released inaugural schedule, which we have in detail inside. Second, we have the schedule of transition events and hearings that are also open to the public, inside. Finally, County Executive-elect Matt Meyer has appointed Marcus Henry as General Manager of the Department of Community Services, Carol Dulin as County Attorney and Tamarra Morris as Director of Economic Development.

The Top Posts of 2016

1 Comment
2016 was the third best year ever in terms of traffic and views. Our best year ever was 2012, when we garnered 1,334,026 unique visitors. The second best year was 2010, for obvious reasons, when we got 1,001,373 unique visitors. This year we will end up either just over or just under a million unique visitors (we are idling at 990,000 right now with five days to go (and we average 2,500 a day)). Come inside for the top 10.

The December 27, 2016 Thread

3 Comments
Dana Milbank says there is a new solution for Trump and his team of billionaires: Ignore the law.
Trump lieutenant Newt Gingrich this week proposed an elegant solution for all the conflicts of interest swirling around the president-elect and his team of billionaires: Ignore the law. President-elect Donald Trump, Gingrich said, should let those in his administration do as they wish with their personal fortunes and business interests and pardon them if they are found to have violated laws against using public office for personal enrichment. “He could simply say, ‘Look, I want them to be my advisers, I pardon them if anybody finds them to have behaved against the rules, period’,” Gingrich said on NPR’s “The Diane Rehm Show” on Monday. “Drain the Swamp” is so October. In another NPR interview on Wednesday, Gingrich said Trump’s “swamp” campaign theme had been relegated to the marshlands of history, asserting that “he now says it was cute, but he doesn’t want to use it anymore.”
Excellent. That will make impeachment easier when the Dems retake Congress.
How John Carney Can Jump-Start His Term, Reinvigorate Democrats, and Win a Special Election–All With One Move.

How John Carney Can Jump-Start His Term, Reinvigorate Democrats, and Win a Special Election–All With One Move.

54 Comments
So, we're facing a Special Election for State Senate. The candidates, D Stephanie Hansen and R John Marino, have been chosen by their respective parties.  The election has been necessitated due to incumbent Bethany Hall Long's winning of the Lieutenant Governor spot.  She takes office later in January.  The date for the Special Election has not been set, and it's not clear whether  outgoing Gov. Markell or incoming Gov. Carney will set the date. Barring an unexpected flip, the winner of this seat will determine which Party controls the Senate.  The Republicans are motivated as they can end umpteen years of Democratic control of the State Senate. They will have no problem motivating their voters. The Democrats?  If you are a Democratic voter and aren't necessarily plugged into the party structure, what will impel you to come out to vote?  I know that some of the usual suspects on the blog are minimizing this concern, I think it's real and I think it's a major problem for the special.  Why should D's come out to support the D candidate other than out of some sense of duty? Unless...now hang with me for a minute. 

The December 26, 2016 Thread

“Merry Christmas to all! Over two millennia ago, a new hope was born into the world, a Savior who would offer the promise of salvation to all mankind. Just as the three wise men did on that night, this Christmas heralds a time to celebrate the good news of a new King.” — RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, in a statement. This quote sparked outrage on Twitter and the Internets yesterday, as it was assumed that the good news of a new King referred to Trump and that anything involving him was good news, or that Trump was a King. Nah, as much as I loathe to defend Republicans here, this is typical evangelical speak: the new King refers to Jesus Christ. These fanatical evangelicals love referring to Jesus in that way.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

From our families to yours, we hope you all have a wonderful holiday, no matter which holiday you celebrate. And if you don't celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, well we hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable day. Let's all hope 2017 is just a tiny bit better than the absolute and unmitigated disaster that was 2016.

The December 24, 2016 Thread

2 Comments
Since I am hosting today and tomorrow's festivities for my family, I have not had time to put together the Open Thread today, so have at it. I hope everyone that celebrates enjoys the holidays, the Last Christmas we will enjoy in a free republic.