Lavelle not running for Congress- Fred Cullis is
Nov 12th, 2009 by David Anderson
Dave Burris reported that Rep. Greg Lavelle will not run for the open Congressional seat. Newcomer and businessman Fred Cullis has announced. He struck the right tone in his opening statement as reported in the WNJ. I do not know Mr. Cullis, but I would like him to contact us. The same is true for Mr. Scott Spencer on the Democratic side.
Cullis said he would not be in “lock step” with Castle’s positions. He would not have supported the “cap and trade” bill (an environmental policy effort to cap industrial emissions while granting some flexibility on how compliance is achieved) as Castle did, for example.
But he would have voted as Castle did on health care reform last week — opposing the bill that the House eventually passed.
He also would support U.S. military officials
‘ requests for more troops in Afghanistan.
As Cullis read his announcement speech, pointing out what he saw as policy failures in the economy, energy, and health care, he paused periodically to rally his supporters in a chorus of “I have had enough.”
“I have seen many lifelong career politicians who are more concerned with being re-elected than doing the right thing for their country,” he said. “The more I watched, the angrier and more frustrated I became. Finally, I have had enough.”
Now, he said, “It is time for me to act.”
UPDATE: Rep. Lavelle has sent a press release which is under the first draft page.
I never saw the speculation about Lavelle as being serious, ditto for Kovach. I do believe that Lavelle should be an eventual statewide candidate. Lavelle is a principled conservative who knows how to operate effectively in the legislative/political environment. Greg Lavelle would get my support regardless of what office he chooses to run for.
Agreed, he is a shining star in the darkness that has fallen over legislative hall.
It would be great to have video of Lavelle questioning Kowalko on the wacko liberal legislation that Kowalko proposes. In all candor it is like watching Muhammad Ali sparring with a guy off the street. In short a total mismatch.
Hmmm ….
Seems that there is no excitement here, at all, for Fred Cullis.
All I can hear is the silent “Who?”
Unfortunately his web site does him no favors … rambling, amateurish, and only providing positions on 4 “issues” – immigration, federal spending, energy, and healthcare.
Perhaps it’s too early for a Viking Funeral, but I can smell the smoke, and the guy looks like he aspires to some kind of hero’s death.
Cullis is just getting started. He is beginning to fill his calendar with public appearances, so I am sure pretty soon we will all start to get an idea of who he is. Then things will get a little more energized. Just give it some time. Delaware is a small enough state that he has time to do a lot to improve his name recognition before the elections.
Hopefully there is a steep learning curve … and a far more professional image projected. Honestly, the campaign will need a sharp dose of thoughtful professionalism in order to survive primaries, much less an election.
Also, interestingly, if you send an email requesting info, you get an autoresponder that says “expect a personal reply in 24 hours”. Nope.
i.e. -”Promise #1 not kept.” And it’s early yet, as you say.
I did get a personal reply to my statement in the post and responses from the emails as well. Try again it may have been overlooked or gone to spam.
Mr. Cullis is available for an interview and I will set one up this week. I agree with Tim. I think at this point his web site is good. I have seen a lot worse from winning campaigns. I am not impressed yet, but I am not truned off either. Maybe he should have announced later and laid the ground work some more, but he would have bumped into the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannakuk, the Hodge, and Kwanza). Then he would have had to wait until the new year. By that time he could have been eclipsed. The average citizen doesn’t expect a book of position papers.
Mike Huckabee’s exploratory web site didn’t look much better, but in a month it was together. He ended up doing pretty well. Only anon will remember what the guy’s web site said a year before the election and six months before the convention. Do not despise the day of small beginnings.
The man may soar or crash and burn. You can’t judge yet.
For the record, I’ve sent 2 emails with 0 response. And I doubt I will remember any candidate’s site in a year. I am pretty certain that no one will remember Fred though – there is nothing new here, and there are plenty of more experienced hands that can do a better job of grinding the same ols stump. Happy interviewing.
OK, in fairness, he did get back to me on today, my third email. But rather than offering to provide the position papers I asked for on education, foreign policy and social responsibility, he offered a phone call. A nice thing to offer, but not what I want. I do not want to be sold on a person – I want to know what that person plans on doing in the face of very serious issues before us. Cullis clearly took the time to create some position papers – those that are on his website – but is that really all? Even those don’t really address the issues they claim to with anything at all like depth. I suppose this is where I decide to be patient and see what unfolds, though things seem a bit stumbling so far.