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.

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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

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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.

The December 23, 2016 Thread

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Rick Klein: “Twice in the last week, access to Donald Trump’s children has literally been put up for sale. Both times, those sales were canceled, or at least scaled back, following public scrutiny. But the process that allowed those offerings to go forward at all – an auction for coffee with Ivanka, and a hunting trip with the two eldest Trump sons for big inauguration donors – suggests something in the territory of chaos and/or indifference inside the president-elect’s inaugural planning.” “These are the sorts of arrangements that should set off bright red flags – particularly after a campaign where the Clintons were accused of all manner of pay-for-play arrangements. The Trump operation has done virtually nothing to specify its safeguards, even while new arrangements testing any planned boundaries pop up. One good way to ensure that individuals and companies don’t try to buy access and influence? Don’t offer it to them.”
Hansen is the Democratic Nominee in SD10

Hansen is the Democratic Nominee in SD10

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As expected, the Democratic Party nominated former New Castle County Council President Stephanie Hansen to be the party's candidate in the 10th Senate District's special election to succeed future Lt. Governor Bethany Hall Long. The real news last night though was an attempt to embargo the news of this nomination until a press release was published this morning. The Democratic Party held a public meeting and announced the candidate by unanimous vote, and expected the news to stay secret until a press release had been prepared? Why wasn't one already drafted and waiting to be released? Everyone knew it was going to be Hansen, no disrespect to the other candidates. We desperately need a Party Chairman who knows that technology and press relations have advanced since the 1970's. We desperately need party regulars who populate the committee who understand this as well.

The December 22, 2016 Thread

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You. Can. Never. Take. A. Republican. At. His. or Her. Word. They are liars. They do not deal in good faith. They will betray you at the earliest opportunity. “After more than nine hours of closed-door meetings, jawboning and complicated legislative stratagems, North Carolina legislators went home in frustration Wednesday after failing to repeal the state law that has prompted economic boycotts, lawsuits, political acrimony and contributed to the defeat of the Republican governor,” the New York Times reports. “Republicans, who control both houses of the legislature, could not agree on a way to repeal the law, commonly known as House Bill 2. The legislation curbs legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and requires transgender people in public buildings to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender on their birth certificate.” “The failure to reach a deal in a one-day special session, even after Charlotte, the state’s largest city, fully repealed the ordinance that set the law in motion, was yet another moment of political dysfunction in a state that has become accustomed to it. The session comes just days after Republicans stripped significant powers from Governor-elect Roy Cooper, a Democrat, who is to be sworn in on New Year’s Day.”