My Convention Experience
May 15th, 2010 by Timothy Pancoast
Not to pile on, since there are already two articles, but today I attended the Delaware State Republican Convention. I wasn’t a delegate, but I did get right in the middle of it to witness the proceedings. The following are my impressions of what happened some are a little random and off the wall.
To begin with I’d have to say that things when pretty much according to script. Rep. Mike Castle won the endorsement for GOP Senate nominee. Michelle Rollins won the endorsement for the House of Representatives nominee. It took two rounds of voting, but everyone knew that the House Seat would be the toughest challenge of the day. I don’t know if it is always the case but they made it clear up front that the party was going to force an endorsement for all of the seats with candidates. Meaning that delegates would have to stay there and keep voting until someone achieved a 60% majority. This may have influenced some decisions. Running unopposed in the primaries Tom Wagner and Colin Bonini won the party endorsements for State Auditor and State Treasurer respectively. Finally, it was noted in passing that the GOP has failed to put forth a candidate for Attorney General. So, as you have no doubt already read, there were no surprises.
This was my first party convention, and it was pretty educational for me. Party conventions are what they are. I am sure they have value, but I learned that they are not my thing. It is going to take some major to convincing to get me to attend another one. I am all about winning, but I tend to look for my victories in the arena of ideas more than in election of people. I realize that elections have consequences, they matter. However, you never know how much or how long ideas and principles will matter to any given elected official.
Today I didn’t observe any wins in the arena of ideas. I don’t know that that is the purpose of a party convention though. What I saw were a couple of wins in the arena of winning. I hope those victories will be beneficial to the citizens of the State of Delaware, but shuffling people around in elections doesn’t do as much for me as advancing solid conservative principles. I think that is why I am attracted to the 9-12 Delaware Patriots. Their purpose is to advance Constitutional principles and citizen involvement in government. Those are causes of far greater interest to me than who won which election and what party is in power.
I noticed that there were a lot of honorable people there that have done some really good things for Delaware and for the Republican Party. For the most part they supported Castle and Rollins, who are also decent people who have done some good things in Delaware. My impression is that many of these honorable delegates voted for them because they saw those two as the easiest path to victory, not that no other candidate could win in a general election, but that Castle and Rollins provided the greatest sense of security for a Republican win this November. Their votes were at least partially driven by the fear of loosing and pain of recent losses. I have found that fear either promotes growth and innovation, or it leads to the atrophy of ideas and productivity. It just depends on how people respond to that fear. The party’s response was one of falling back on the seemingly safe rather than reaching out for new heights and new achievements.
I think that the State Party Leaders felt like they were doing a good thing for the state and party by securing endorsements for Castle and Rollins. Many of them probably equate putting an R next to the title of every elected official with advancing the Conservative principles of their base. However, at this point, I think the grassroots Republican voter is more concerned with how a candidate will act and vote while in office than they are concerned about the letter after their name. The voters are looking for an end to oppressive legislation and scandal. They want it replaced with principles, morals, and Constitutional legislation. Good letters (R) are not very satisfying to people who are asking for good legislation, and hoping to get both.
Now some random topics-
Trust: I am getting the impression that party leaders might not trust the rank and file voters. However, especially this year when I’d wager that the average 9-12 Delaware Patriot has heard more from the candidates than half the delegates at convention, that lack of trust seems unwarranted.
Grass Roots: Were the grass roots present at the convention? Of course.
Was this a grass roots convention? In my opinion, not really.
They might not have blatantly tread on the Tea Party/9-12 elements of the grass roots, but it felt like they tried to tip toe carefully over us. If they listen carefully through the jubilant noise of self congratulations they might hear the sound of our rattle. The new grass roots may seem pushy or uncouth to some, but we are trying to work with established channels, and we are doing our best to be patient while the party establishment adjusts to us, but we are results oriented. We are looking for results that translate into a more Constitutional Government, not just more R’s in office. Perhaps this will be the case, but if we see minimal responsiveness from the Republican Party and elected officials in the upcoming years we will begin to strike out from the Party and there will be greater fracturing than what has occurred in the past. They should be aware that if they lost the Tea Party, 9-12 Delaware Patriot, Campaign for Liberty, etc. elements from this year’s Convention several regions would have found themselves extremely short on delegates during caucusing.
Food: I am a small guy but to be frank even I found the fare more suitable for birds than for red blooded Americans. An apple, half a wrap and two cookies didn’t really satisfy. I had to eat a second lunch when I got home.
More Food: Apparently breakfast and cocktails win nominations. Just a word to the wise
Even More Food: If food is sponsored by a candidate it is free, even if the ticket you purchased was supposed to have paid for it.
Party Support: I found it ironic that after the very candidates that promised to support other candidates in their campaigns had earned the party’s endorsements it seemed like almost half their delegates left the convention floor to talk at the back of the room while Tom Wagner and Colin Bonini took their turns being endorsed.
People: I saw a lot of friends and aquaintances at the convention, and I met several good people there. There is still too much stagnation in the GOP. Too many are focused on the paradigms of the past, but I think there is also a lot of good energy. Delaware can be a vibrant, debt-free state again if we set our mind to it. Seeing and hearing from many of the people there, I was encouraged. Once we get away from the distraction of these elections I think we might be able to get some things done.
The Dover High School Band: Part of the presentation by the Castle Campaign was a group from the Dover High School band marching into the Convention Hall playing Celebrate! They did a great job however as an alumnus of the DHS band I felt a little bothered by it all. I remember small groups of us being paid to perform at the grand opening of Strawbridge’s (now Macy’s) at the Dover Mall, then at the Dover Air Force Base when President Clinton came through. At a later trip through Delaware the entire band was even invited out to play for the President. However, seeing my band wearing Castle Campaign t-shirts while the DHS emblems were still in the bells of the tubas was a little jarring. I guess I never saw my band as a partisan tool until today.
Party Toys: Another piece of irony: while listening to a candidate talking about bringing jobs to Delaware throwing around beach balls made in China that the candidate supplied us with in celebration of their endorsement. I know, the beach ball industry probably won’t make or break Delaware, but when someone pointed it out to me I just had to laugh.
The Convention Hall: Not quite as big as we would have liked.
The Rising Generations: We have some amazing young talent starting to come up through the ranks. Two of the speeches were given by Young Republicans and I think both were very impressive. There were also 3 talented soloists that sang songs ranging from the national anthem to a campaign jingle and all did a great job.
In closing, Rep. Castle and Michelle Rollins both had clear wins at the Convention. I congratulated them for it as I was leaving. If their opponents choose to support them I think it is justifiable. Both endorsed candidates did a good job so far with their campaigning. On the flip side each candidate, including the ones that didn’t secure endorsements, garnered a significant number of delegate votes. They all found a number of fans and volunteers throughout the state so if any chooses to stay in the race for the primary, I think they earned it and have the support to carry on.
Love the point about the Chinese balloons! Every candidate’s buttons, shirts, flyers and gee-gaws ought to be fair game for scrutiny this year.
The good news is that the beach balls didn’t fall too fast so their lead content is probably really low.
The convention followed the money right down to the letter. I’m now certain that the GOP has abandoned conservative values and endorses money and politics as usual.
As a delegate and GOP insider I voted for Wade and Odonnell and am proud that I did. I hope that they both primary the RINOS that received the OKEY DOKY nod from the GOP follow the money “good ol boy” network.
It’s a long hot summer and I know these candidates can win in a primary where 346 people don’t choose who will represent Delaware, but instead, the people actually choose who will represent them.
So You two RINOS better get your rear ends in gear and get ready to work because your check writing ways won’t win this one. The American People are fed up and we won’t take it anymore.
I don’t think that the two selected RINOS can beat a campaign run by fired up grass roots Americans that want a real change and want real Americans that will stand up to the power structure and have the courage of their convictions.
What do you say Delawareans!!! Should we answer their challenge. I say hell yes, let’s see what you RINOS are really made of when you can’t just write a check
Timothy, well said. As an aside what class were you at DHS , I too am a former Senator, class of “79″.And “80″. It’s a long story.
Who cares what happened at the convention? Nobody has to vote for Rollins or Castle in the vote that counts. I just hope Wade steps aside for Urquhart, otherwise, it’s Rollins in a cakewalk.
I simply will not vote for Rollins in the general.
Word is already out that party insiders are telling Wade and Urquhart camapaign staff that if they continue they will ruin their good standing with the party (ie blackballed Christine O’donnell style).
Ideas and issues are critical and this post is great.
Mike Protack
Chris:
I’m one of those party insiders although they consider me a rogue. I don’t give a —- what they try to do. They can do anything they like.
I’m on the bandwagon with all of my talents and time working for the best candidate and we intend to win. If the GOP doesn’t like it, well I can’t use the type of language I was just thinking on the website.
We all do what we must and I will take America’s side over that of the GOP.
Folks, just because your candidate lost at the convention doesn’t mean the fix was in or that “insiders” (whoever they are) control the process and the “people” (who obviously must never become delegates since the people’s will is apparently never reflected at the convention) will choose the candidates who lost.
Think about it this way: at the convention, you have the most conservative group of voters (as the most active republicans tend to be the most conservative), in the primary, you have voters who are less conservative than at the convention, but more conservative than in the general election, and, in the general election, you have a state where there are more D’s and I’s than there are R’s.
So, if a “true” conservative can’t win at the convention, which should be their most receptive audience, then it is less likely they’ll win the primary, and, even less likely that they’ll win the general election. Ray Clatworthy is an honorable man and certainly better than O’Donnell or Urquhart, but he got thumped pretty badly in the general election in a year (2002) when R’s actually gained seats in the State House and did well nationally.
Anyway, I think Urquhart and O’Donnell both hit their high water marks at the convention. The delegates from New Castle and Kent Counties went resoundingly against Urquhart, and there is no reason not to think that won’t be repeated in the primary election.
And Rick, you say you will not vote for Rollins in the general? Why, exactly? Because she defeated your preferred candidate? Because “insiders” supported her at the convention? If the choice is between Carney and Rollins, you’d not vote and let Carney go to DC–meaning that there will be a rock solid vote for Obama and all the horrible things he wants to do? C’mon. Just because you may not agree with someone 100% doesn’t mean you throw the baby out with the bathwater. The goal is for the R’s to get control of Congress and make Pelosi the former speaker of the House. Sour grapes, or picking up your marbles and going home, isn’t going to help this country.
If the party insiders are going to dish out threats, they can prepare for a summer of scrutiny.
“If the party insiders are going to dish out threats, they can prepare for a summer of scrutiny.”
Chris, I imagine if you apply scrutiny, you will likely find that there are no such threats. I’ve talked to many party insiders, and nearly all of them are resigned to the two primary races this year.
In fact, threats of that kind are unenforceable to begin with, except as a rallying cry for the underdog. Bill Lee ran a primary in 2000 against my father, the endorsed candidate, and he wasn’t shunned or ostracized. It’s all in HOW you operate, with grace and class or with anger and bitterness. And I can’t remember the last election cycle which didn’t feature a statewide primary. Primaries happen.
What the measure of a party is, however, is what happens after the primary. If we coalesce and support our primary winners vigorously, we thrive. If we pout and quit, or even worse, work against those primary winners, well that fits the definition of Republican-In-Name-Only, a tag people seem to love to throw around these days.
Dave, I agree to a point. I am more concerned with electing a conservative than a Republican. I know that this is not your view. I can’t underatand what conservatives gain with a Mike Castle or a Michelle Rollins. The movement is called conservatism, not republicanism. If the GOP candidate chooses to represent conservatism, and yes in my personal view, for I am only casting one vote, then I will vote for them. If they do not in my view represent conservatism, then I won’t vote for them. Since unlike delegates, my one vote represents only my views, I must hold true to my own principles and values. I will not sell them to the highest bidder or out of some misguided sense of loyalty. Not voting for Mr. Castle in the general election, if he does manage to win the primary isn’t sour grapes, it’s integrity. How can I especially, come to this site day after day and list what I see as Mr. Castle’s faults and weaknesses, and then just turn on a dime and vote him into one of the highest offices in the counrty. Never!
As for the House race that is different. I can easilly vote for either Wade or Urquhart in the general and I could even see myself giving Ms. Rollins a chance.
But as for Mike Castle, his voting record and history, eliminates him from any consideration on my part.
“The movement is called conservatism, not republicanism.”
I know. I’ve actually read the texts that spawned the movement, the Russell Kirks, the Bill Buckleys. Funny, they don’t sound anything like the “new” conservatism preached today.
By the way, if that’s your position, you probably ought to stop using the word RINO, then, and declaring who is and isn’t a Republican.
I am a realist. My choices are likely going to be Mike Castle and Chris Coons for the US Senate and Michele Rollins and John Carney for the US House. In both of those cases, a vote for the Republican moves the needle closer to where I want it to be than a vote for the Democrat. Those two will then, hopefully, emerge victorious. They will then got to Washington and govern. They will most assuredly not vote 100% of the way I want them to, but they will vote my way most of the time. That is the best possible outcome for the positions I hold.
It’s not as dramatic as a death match over somebody’s opinion of what conservatism is, but it moves the needle in the right direction.
I haven’t heard party insiders dishing out threats, but I’ve sure heard a lot of people who’ve never been involved in politics prior to the last year or so making threats and acting as if they know what’s best or they know how to win elections.
Castle in the Senate means votes against more stimulus, tax hikes, Obamacare and the like; but an O’Donnell candidacy means Coons in the Senate, a down the line supporter of Obama, and a continued democratic majority there. Similarly, Rollins can beat Carney and be a vote against Pelosi for Speaker. Carney will be an Obama yes man, just as he was a Minner yes man. Urquhart, by positioning himself far to the right, has positioned himself where he can’t win a general election in Delaware; he might do okay in Sussex County, but he has to win more than Sussex to win statewide. Conservatives gain with Castle in the Senate because it’s one less solid D in the Senate, and puts conservative Republicans in the Senate in a stronger position. As the old saying goes, half a loaf is better than none.
It was what it was. The Republican insiders on this blog will claim this as some big victory but in reality the outcome was always clear. Rollins and Castle were the party favorites and the party elites stacked the delegate roles with party faithful. What I call the “I’m voting as I was told” crowd. It was certainly true in the Newark Region (where we actually had a good showing from the “thinking” delegates). The “I’m voting as I was told” crowd is looking out for their next opportunity to run for office or be involved in the party. All well and good if that’s what you want but never-the-less they are far less motivated by principles than they are by the party.
At any rate, for either Glen or Christine (much less both) to get 30% of the party elite vote is pretty dang good and it shows that as much as Tommy Boy (whom I have more respect for than ever before for his fairness as the time keeper for the speeches) and Prissy Rakes (what a sad, shameful little witch she is, didn’t even have the cojones to publicly object, she had to do it from the corner of the room while hiding behind someone like the ugly little snake she is) would like to talk about “party unity” it’s sorely lacking from the GOP today and any talk about Castle or Rollins having locked up the final party nomination is nothing more than party line nonsense. This is FAR from over and September is going to be wild to get to.
Oh and Tim, I’m with you on the marching band thing. In fact, since those instruments are owned by a public school and that school accepts taxpayer dollars I wonder what ethics or even laws might have been “bent” to accomodate Castle. Dare I say that I think the band wearing the Castle T-shirts *MIGHT* have been inappropriate. I’m sure SOMEONE will look into it.
And Rick, you say you will not vote for Rollins in the general? Why, exactly? Because she defeated your preferred candidate? Because “insiders” supported her at the convention? If the choice is between Carney and Rollins, you’d not vote and let Carney go to DC–meaning that there will be a rock solid vote for Obama and all the horrible things he wants to do? C’mon.
Sometimes you need to take a step or two back before advancing. I didn’t vote for the liberal boob McCain, and I won’t vote for Rollins. Why?
“Creation Out of Destruction”
“Creation Out of Destruction!”
I am a delegate and a Wade supporter. If he elects to primary Mrs. Rollins, I will continue to support him. I am also a Regional officer and I think some things need to be made clear.
First, anyone who wants to run in a primary has the undisputable right to do so and should not be discouraged or threatened. If the party made a good choice at convention, then the party will rally behind it. If it made a bac choice, a primary is the check and balance on the party leaders. The voters will either ratify the establishment choice or they will revoke it in September.
Second, no official of the Republican State Committee has as of yet approached me and threatened my standing in the party if I continue to support Kevin Wade. To my knowledge (and that’s a reasonable amount) Mr. Wade has not been threatened either.
Third, threatening Glen Urquhart’s standing in the Republican Party at this point is like threatening BP with fines if they spill oil. That horse left the barn a long time ago.
Fourth, the State Party did what it felt it needed to do. They felt that Mrs. Rollins millions was the only way to hold the Castle seat. That’s their judgment. They did what they had to do to make sure it was supported at convention. That’s politics.
Fifth, I have no doubt that there will be a primary. Mr. Urquhart has promised that such will happen. Though I am not supporting him and do not plan to vote for him at present, the one thing I can say about the man I’ve met on the campaign trail is that when Glen Urquhart says he’s going to do something, he does it. Period.
Get ready, Delaware Republicans. Turbulence ahead. Anyone thinking the Delaware House nomination is decided, please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts. Believe me when I tell you this will not be pretty.
Stossel-Fan says,”Castle in the Senate means votes against more stimulus, tax hikes, Obamacare and the like”, and it means higher energy cost due to cap and trade, higher cost of every product manufactured and transported due to those higher energy cost. And I wouldn’t be so sure on those things you listed. If you check Mr. Castle’s voting record he tends to vote with the Democrats more when the GOP is in control. He voted against stimulus when there was no chance of the GOP voting it down, the same with Obamacare. If the Democrats had needed him and offered him something, oh I don’t know like another set of state quarters, he would have been there for them I’m sure.
And Dave as for your theory of having one more Republican in the fight, well it would seem as if Mr. Castle is never there when we really need him. As a conservative I know you were against TARP, as were many of us, having Mike Castle in office didn’t help us there now did it. I wonder if the primary polls start going against him if he will pull a Spector ? The two are very similar.
As for who is and isn’t a RINO, well I will put up my principles and values against those of Mr. Castle’s voting record and compare them to this:I am a Republican because…
I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.
I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible, and responsive government is government closest to the people.
I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom, and human rights throughout the world.
Finally, I BELIEVE the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.
Dave I’m sure you know where I got this, but for others, it came directly from the Sussex County GOP web-site. Do I need to go line by line and connect it with votes that Mr. Castle has made. I believe the things I have said and written here more closly resemble this creed than does Mr. Castle’s record.
Look I respect Mr. Castle’s service to this nation, I just happen to believe he has been wrong more than he has been right, in my opinion.
Fourth, the State Party did what it felt it needed to do. They felt that Mrs. Rollins millions was the only way to hold the Castle seat. That’s their judgment. They did what they had to do to make sure it was supported at convention. That’s politics.
What did they do to make sure it was supported at convention?
Frank — You’re alright, man.
You know I opposed TARP. But I will also recognize that our elected officials in Congress were told in no uncertain terms that the financial world would crumble without TARP. Many people argue that today. So, while I wish he had opposed it, I can grant a little leeway there, with the huge burden that no one understood.
I respect Mike for standing firm on the stimulus and on health care, and especially on his prior attempts to rein in cost overruns on military projects. No doubt that Chris Coons would have gone the other way on each.
The biggest error of the Castle era is obviously the Cap-and-Trade vote. Despite the fact that Delaware is currently operating under a C&T scheme with RGGI, that was a bad vote, plain & simple.
I have said many times that if there was a credible alternative to Mike Castle who could win and had a record of conservatism, a la Marco Rubio, I would strongly consider voting for that person.
But the fact is, we don’t.
So it’ll come down to Castle & Coons, and I’ll happily vote for Castle.
What I won’t do is denigrate other Republicans for choosing their preferred alternative, so long as we stay inside the bounds of truth and ethics. So if in my opinion I think you’re going overboard, I’m going to let you know. Otherwise, you have every right to vote for and advocate for whomever you want.
all this tells me is – we have a one-party system. there’s no real distinction. Have you looked at Castle’s voting record before people started watching it? You would think he was a Progressive which, by the way, is a nice sounding name for Socialism and the New World Order. A few of us got it figured out, but the voters? do enough of them care enough
to become informed so they make the right choice in Nov? that is my fear.
“I just hope Wade steps aside for Urquhart, otherwise, it’s Rollins in a cakewalk.”
One of my problems with the Urquhart campaign is their total sense of entitlement regarding the conservative mantle. Why not have Urquhart step aside for Wade? For the Republican party to run a milionaire developer for statewide office makes zero sense to me. The Urquhart-Phillips connection may work in Western Sussex but it is a disaster in a statewide race.
For Tim.
In regards to the Dover High School Band, I thought the band performed admirably. As an alumnus of this band you should be proud. Due to some friends’ connections I worked a beer booth at Dover Downs back in the 90′s for the Dover High Band Boosters. Personally. I would rather see a generous donation from the Castle Campaign to the Dover Hi Band Boosters than a full day of serving beer at a NASCAR event. Just my two cents.
The Dover Hi kids were polite, disciplined, and hard working. They are well deserving of our kudos.
Frank, I was in the class of 98 so I missed you by a little bit, but if you might have seen me at some football games if you still go to the high school ones.
Tennessee, I said in my post that the band performed well. No qualms with that. I just don’t like to see high school bands used a prop. in partisan battles. If Representative Mike Castle wants to have the band play at an event then I wholly support that, but if candidate Castle or candidate anybody wants to do that I don’t think it is so kosher. Also if a candidate has supporters that happen to be members of a school band that are willing to perform at a campaign event, I am not going to argue against that, as long as they do it as individuals, not as representatives from a public high school.
Tennesee, I hope Urquhart stands aside for Wade, for the same reason. Otherwise, it’s not Rollins in a cakewalk, it’s Carney.
Tim,
The Dover Hi Band were compensated thru the Boosters club for their performance. Did Castle use them or did they use Castle?
That is why I used the comparison of working a beer booth at the NASCAR Race for friends who were Dover Hi Band Boosters.
Band boosters use money making opportunities all the time. The Dover Hi Band was compensated. Castle could have picked Cape Henlopen, Indian River etc……………
The Dover HI band did a great job and and represented that high school and the community well. Quit worrying about the non essentials. All benefitted from the relationship which is the essentials of a free market enterprise.
I don’t see that same sense of entitlement in the Urquhart campaign. It would have been nice if more of the delegates that voted for Kevin Wade in the first round had been willing to vote for Glen in the second, but that wasn’t the case. I don’t think anyone wanted to deal with an ongoing deadlock which could have kept them stuck at the convention hall for hours into the afternoon. This may have helped encorage them to vote for Rollins over Urquhart.
I don’t know if there was any stacking of the deck in favor of certain candidates, but I saw enough to know that it was certainly possible. The party leadership definitly made enough suggestions and dropped enough hints (some more subtle than others) that it was clear what outcome they were aiming for. As I indicated in my original article, the script was written well in advance and it was followed pretty closely. I don’t think that this script would play very well with today’s voters though, certainly not the conservative ones.
As to threats against Wade and Urquhart staffers, I don’t know if it came from party leaders, but I saw some people after the convention harrassing Urquhart supporters that were still handing out campaign literature and promo items. It wasn’t pretty or nice especially since some of the ones being harrassed were just kids.
Apparently some people are also trying pretty agressively to recruit the 17 year old girl, Katelynn who gave a speach to second the Urquhart nomination. Especially compared to “lets win instead of loosing” stlye speeches her’s was a breath of fresh air, and at least for a moment people woke up to what the heart and soul of the Republican Party was supposed to be. It looks like loyalty and principles mean more to her, because she is holding firm with the Urquhart campaign.
As to comment #9 by Concerned. To say that party insiders and delegates trend towards being more conservative than the average party member is an outright falsehood. Delaware’s Republican Party has a very vocal, strong, and agressive “moderate” wing. Especially in New Castle County some of the regions are wholy controlled by that segment of the party. The moderate faction holds quite a bit of influence in Kent County as well. Whether you support the moderate or the conservative position, to say that the Convention is more conservative than the rest of the party just isn’t accurate.
“Quit worrying about the non essentials.” My comments about the DHS band being politicised are not the main concern of my post. However, all I can say to your comment is that America is in the mess it is today because people stopped worrying about things. This situation bothers me. I’m probably not going to sue anyone over it, but I will express my concern.
The Wilmington Region wanted so badly to have 28-0 votes for both Castle and Rollins. It didn’t come to pass, despite the gentle leaning, pushing and cajoling. Congrats to those who stood firm.
Regardless, in the end, everyone should be supporting the primary winners. Any combination of Castle, Rollins, Urquhart or Wade is far, far better than sending Coons and Carney to Washington.
“Quit worrying about the non essentials.”
“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain…”
Typical spin. Had his been a band for Christine O’Donnell the “illegal use of taxpayer funded instruments” debate would be on every cable news network, in the paper front page above the fold and the party talking heads wouldn’t be able to shut their yaps about it…however…since it’s Mike Castle…
Eh…Quit worrying abotu the non essentials….REALLY?
What’s essential is that Mike Castle and Michele Rollins play by the same rules as Christine, Glen and Kevin. That’s not even CLOSE to happening but that’s ok because September is a long way away and we have ALOT of support behind these conservative campaigns. Unless Wade and Urquhart get into a pissing contest I can’t see how Rollins wins the nomination and IF by some God aweful reason both Castle and Rollins win their primaries we will see Coons and Carney in Washington and the Delaware GOP will be rebuilt with the up and coming leadership as the current crop will have been embarrassed and forced out.
“Unless Wade and Urquhart get into a pissing contest I can’t see how Rollins wins the nomination and IF by some God aweful reason both Castle and Rollins win their primaries we will see Coons and Carney in Washington…”
The Wade and Urquhart campaigns WILL stay in a pissing contest. Nothing that I’ve seen so far tells me that they’ll somehow combine forces. So get used to Michele Rollins as your next Congresswoman. As for Castle losing to Coons…in this political environment? Seriously? Not gonna happen dude.
Well we’re not ignoring this:
http://bluehenconservative.blogspot.com/2010/05/2010-gop-state-convention-review.html
The Wade and Urquhart campaigns WILL stay in a pissing contest. Nothing that I’ve seen so far tells me that they’ll somehow combine forces. So get used to Michele Rollins as your next Congresswoman. As for Castle losing to Coons…in this political environment? Seriously? Not gonna happen dude.
If you honestly think people are going to vote for Castle because he has an R after his name you’re delusional. This isn’t about R and D or have you not figured that out yet? Que Pasa I have seen your posts and I know you are smarter than that. Unless the GOP sticks that beareded Marxist label to Coons I think he stands an excellent chance to beat Castle who will be damaged goods after he upcoming primary battle. The Dems will turn out not only their faithful as well as the inner city voters but they will gain disaffected Independents who will either cast a vote for a 3rd party candidate or for Coons himself.
I know the voters and I know how they feel. Castle is the incumbent in this race even though he isn’t. Castle has been in Washington for so long that he is synonomous with the problems in D.C. To save himself from that stigma alone he will push away the current leftwing support base by portraying himself as a conservative “Common Sense” candidate. Either that or he’ll lose the primary by continuing to do what he always does which is ignore the competition and stand on his record. Either way he’s not going to be Senator.
Oh and Que Pasa…Rollins couldn’t beat John Carney if she dressed up like Ronald Reagan himself. She’s a part time resident (that card WILL be played in the primary and general elections) whose millions given to the party got her the nomination. John Carney, for all his faults, has a much larger base with “regular people” than the billionairess every will. It will be interesting to see if she can will herself to participate in regular people activities for the next few months. I know Wade and Urquhart will. I also am hopeful that those two can work out there differences and join forces against the rabid progressive who won the party support. Otherwise it’s Carney to Congress from Delaware…you’re welcome Nancy.
Evan, we shall see. My only problem with the Conservative branch of our party (of which I am one) is that at some point its time to suck it up and “get with the party”. Of course its still early, but my worry is that this won’t happen this year and thus, would be the only way for Coons to somehow win in November. The bigger picture out there is for us to recapture the US House and Senate from the Dem’s overspending, big-government, socialist ways. Biden’s old seat (as was stated multiple times this weekend) is one of the keystones to achieving this end.
If Rollins were to absorb some of the components of the Wade or Urquhart campaign, I believe that she could make it a 50/50 battle with Carney. It would have to genuine though, not some nicey-nice, cocktail patter talk…but real and to the core. She needs to remember her roots and forget the money that she married.
I just listened to a Kevin Wade radio spot for the first time. Something tells me that he is still in the game.
The convention accomplished its goal of endorsing a candidate. However, it either did not have unifiying the party as a goal or it failed miserably to do so.
If the party wants a kumbaya moment then they are going to have to have it when the competition is over. It will not come midway through the race, and I think it was foolish for anyone to have hopes otherwise.
Delaware is Connecticut- get used to it.
“Typical spin. Had his been a band for Christine O’Donnell the “illegal use of taxpayer funded instruments” debate would be on every cable news network, in the paper front page above the fold and the party talking heads wouldn’t be able to shut their yaps about it…however…since it’s Mike Castle…”
Most high school band members own their own instruments. They begin with a lease purchase arrangement with a local store when they are in Middle School. Those who stick with it wind up purchasing the instrument. Those who don’t stick with it just return the instrument. I know there is a group trying to create a scandal about anything Castle related (and I voted for CO as a protest) I have a friend who is a guitarist who still owns his High School trombone. They aren’t taxpayer paid for instruments.
Christine would not get in to the news for using a taxpayer funded instrument. She would probably make the news for committing to giving the band boosters a donation and then never delivering.
Or sneaking into a band-booster fund-raiser without paying.
The tubas, baritones, and drums are typically band property. That is because tuba, and baritone are not part of traditional 5th grade band instruction. The students start on a different instrument, then transfer over. The percussion instruments used in a drum line are far more diverse than most students can afford so they typically purchase a basic snare and the rest are school band property. All of the other instruments (trumpets, trombones, flutes, clarinets) are generally owned by the students.
My comments about the band are more of a personal pet peeve than a desire to expose a scandal. You have explained that the band’s participation was arranged through the band boosters rather than the school. If this is the case than there may not be any direct finiancial conflicts. My issue is that I am all for people of any age getting involved in the political process as individuals, but I cringe when I see our youth being brought in under the public school banner to influence politics and elections.
It’s time to forget about Christine “Kohoutek” O’Donnell.
“Rollins couldn’t beat John Carney if she dressed up like Ronald Reagan himself. She’s a part time resident…”
Rollins’ primary opponent is a lifelong resident of inside the beltway who used Rehoboth as a vacation spot for a few years before he decided to move here permanently a few years ago. He’s running for Congress on a platform based on using Ronald Reagan’s name as much as possible, when the reality is that he was a low level appointee who was in charge of sodding around the Washington Monument.
His claim to fame in Sussex is proposing a development larger than the town it sat next to, while the town tried desperately to stop it. Then he walked away from the project before the shovel hit the dirt because he couldn’t deliver it as promised.
Rollins has homes in both New Castle and Sussex. She’s lived here for over 35 years. She’s created jobs for Delawareans. She’s knocked on doors for Delaware Republican candidates. She’s donated her time and money to more charities in this state than I can recall.
You won’t be able to distort her record for much longer, so enjoy it while you can.
Rollins has homes in both Discovery Bay and Kingston Jamaica. She’s lived there for over 35 years. She’s created jobs for Jamaicans. She’s donated her time and money to more charities in Jamaica than I can recall.
Everyone needs to ask, why isn’t she running for something in the Greater Antilles?