The Dover African American Festival was a fun and educational event. The music, traditional dancing, and booths for products, services, and information combined for a fine event. One would expect there to be excitement for the elections with Senator Obama’s historic run. The Kent County Democrats had a booth as usual. Markell and Carney each had their own booth along with a couple of senate candidates.
I am pleased to report that this year the Republicans showed up and were well received. I had a booth and invited other Republicans to participate in what became the unofficial GOP booth complete with signs, literature, and trinkets. I thank Christine O’Donnell, Bill Lee, Mike Protack, Mayor Hutchinson, and John Brady for dropping by my table at the festival. I was told Rep. Blakey and Rep. Wagner were around as well. Senator Copeland had his own booth much to his credit. A Rose and a Prayer also had great success at the event with their table. People told me they never saw so many Republicans show up. I would laughingly say, I guess that’s my fault. Republicans are ok when you get to know them. The candidates got a good response and I personally built a list of volunteers and found a great deal of enthusiasm for a political philosophy of Common Sense and liberty. I admit the free bottled (sorry Jason) water on a hot summer day may have generated even more excitement, but that is human nature. The number of people who cared about the issues was impressive. The number open to crossing over for lower offices exceeded even my expectations.
It looks like Republicans have gotten the message that to win, you have to play. Showing all of the voters respect goes a long way to rebuilding a majority party.
David, the DE GOP has a long way to go and, as you are one of the most wonderful of the breed, you will be a central figure in its uptick. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, but that would be meaningless without the enthusiasm of my fellow Republicans. You don’t win by faking it. There were no fakers or “posers” there. I also credit Kent County Chairman John Davis who gave full support to my efforts.
Nice to see so many politicos out and about. It’s no fun with only half the candidates there, so, thanks to David for getting a more mixed group
Some of the GOP candidates like Hutch, Don, and Nancy will be there even when they aren’t running. I think a lot of the candidates don’t even know when something is going on in some communities outside of their normal circles. I don’t think there is any ill will.
There has a been a disconnect between the black community and the GOP even though it is unnatural. It can be repaired especially with the under 40 crowd who do not even remember what the original split was about in the first place. Ohio went for Bush because of African American church goers. Bill Roth did pretty well himself among African Americans according to exit poll data especially south of the canal. Senator Roth earned that support by his active representation of everyone. No one felt like he ignored them. Congressman Castle is the same way. So I am not talking about something foreign, but I am sensing a new commitment and enthusiasm.
The consultants have taken over the campaigns and reduced everyone to numbers. They tell you don’t even bother with some people because they won’t support you. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The problem is the long run. You end up playing defense because you write off 40% of the voters. If something happens to change some trends you have no where to go and start losing elections little by little. That is what is happening to us.
The Delaware GOP doesn’t believe that strategy any longer and they proved it and will do so again many times this year. I call on others to keep your local party informed and do what it takes to make it happen.