SCENE: THE ANTONIAN

DAY  :  WEDNESDAY, FEB 3

SUBJECT: CHATTER OVER DARTS

The day was about darts; literally and figuratively.  The day had an air of gamesmanship that came replete with sport and the obligatory biscotti and anisette spread; and amongst the interesting chatter the following was overheard.

John Carney has dodged a primary with Chris Coons.  Coons hates being county exec because no county exec has ever climbed to a higher office. Some CE’s have ended up in rehab; others in jail.

Former CE Dennis Greenhouse made the best transition of all when VP Joe secured him a cushy federal job – something to do with drugs.  Not using them per se, of course, but helping to prevent their spread or something like that.

The decision to primary against Beau was iffy, but when Baby Biden decided to appear interested in his own job rather then be drubbed by King Mike, a decision was made.  Coons has decided now to take the drubbing so he gets the “you owe me factor” from the D’s for future considerations, which is the concept of Dem, chairman John Daniello, who makes such decisions while holding court daily from his own seat at Harry’s Savoy.  The problem with the plan – and for Coons – is that should  he (Coons) lose badly; he’d be  viewed as radioactive.  GOP chairman Tom Ross has the same problem with one of his guys. Ross likes beer. Does anyone know what John D drinks?… We need to send them each a case of whatever it is.

This is turn means the national D money will go elsewhere leaving John Carney to ask his large family to pony up checks… Lots of checks.

This is also in turn means the GOP can get Tony Wedo to run.  Tony will use his own money – Charlie Copleland won’t –  and it will then be up to Wedo to beat Carney.

And in addition it means Colin Bonini will win big as the dems primary will leave the shelves empty for the winner come September.

This finally means that Tom Wagner will win because Richard Korn will raise a maximum of $40,000.  Tom will also investigate 5 more school districts for spending patterns that will earn him 10 more weeks of winter… er, I mean front page press coverage.

Mike Fleming announces soon to run against Mike Protack for County Council 3 and everyone will forget the ugly primary between Rich Abbott, John Clatworthy and Fleming to finally exorcise Protack from the party.

Finally, the GOP in Sussex has slated a 68 year old local boy to run for George Carey’s seat.  The D’s are running retired state archivist Russ McCabe. Flip a coin as to who wins.

Those are the darts and this is the Birdie’s Dartboard.  He/she will return next week as we like having our feathered friend getting’ us the skinny.

In the highly acclaimed (Oscar for Best Picture) 2002 film, Gangs of New York, Martin Scorsese, painted a lurid picture of the struggle for respect and attachment amongst Irish immigrants in 19^th century NYC.  Leonardo DiCaprio’s  character “Amsterdam Vallon” was binded by pride to resurrect the Dead Rabbits gang as the Irish were faced with suppression simply for the fact that they had not been born in America, therefore, not to be viewed as true Americans.  Daniel Day Lewis’ “Bill Cutting” and his throng of “Natives” felt they were the true Americans for they had been born on American soil… hence their inherent right to lay claim as her legitimate sons and daughters.

Cut to current day and we find that Native mantra alive and well in small towns and a number of states as the indigenous folks look with a cautious eye at those who had the misfortune of  arriving late;  the natives having gotten much of the attention and political latitude that comes with being “family”.

How does this social/political  character apply to The First State, you might be asking?  And a rhetorical question it would be as y’all know the answer already.

As mentioned in a few of our posts, the road to higher office in Delaware often has as much to do with where you grew up, who your family is, and where you went to grade school and/or high school as it does the a solid political resume.   The roots run deep here and as stated previously on this site; folks have long memories that travel right along with their rabid support and faithful devotion.  A case in point is the number of messages recounting John Carney’s days attending and playing football for Holy Rosary (CYO) and his gridiron exploits as a St. Mark’s QB – DARTMOUTH, WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING DARTMOUTH… cause the last time we checked, Hanover was in New Hampshire, not Delaware – you get the picture.

This to take nothing away from the accolades and his sports accomplishments.  All earned we’re certain, and he milks it for all its worth – check out the 2nd sentence in his campaign bio.  He was a really good player..  Actually, if it was to be based on such athletic acuity, most of the family could’ve made a run for office… lol.

We just find it interesting that the nostalgia seems to get more front burner attention than his actual performance in elected office.  Now argue if you like as to his validness (his supporters), or his political shortcomings (his detractors), but make no mistake that what is behind the popularity and has been a catalyst in getting him elected– or at least assisted – to public office has been the Delaware roots factor (or DRF) aka… It!   John’s got an abundance of DRF and it is no minor deal.  We’ve seen many, as have you all, strap up the boots and make a run at those with a bounty of DRF only to succumb to a lack of such.  The said candidates could then be seen mumbling expletives under their breath as they walked from what was hoped to be a victory celebration, due to the fact that they ran primarily with the issues only to get skunked by the evil acronym.  The insidious and dreadful DRF.

Pete duPont had it pinned to a white collar, Joe Biden pinned it to a blue, Beau smacked Ferris with it (although Ferris had it too… just not as much of it… could’ve been an Archmere – Mt. Pleasant thang), Mike Castle has it, but understated, Ruth Ann had it (how else could you explain), Gerald Brady (who legend has it built the 40 acres and the Highlands with his bare hands and some election poster stakes) has a hidden basement cache of it… that he might have been willing to loan out to Tony Wedo… had he been a dem, and now John Carney is trottin’ his out for his run at the brass ring.  (It) is something that can’t be flippantly dismissed by an opposing campaign manager (not if he/she expects to win in this state) as it can be an efficacious peripheral used to influence public perception and opinion; ya know…”He’s just a good guy… He went to St. Ann’s… He eats breakfast at Angelo’s, and gets the special… He’s one of us… I know him, like him, and trust him.”

Where else can ones CYO enterprises produce such an eternal flame?  Why in the world does it matter?  Shouldn’t the criteria for such serious undertakings be a tad more extensive?  Our collective bar of expectations, higher?  Question: Can anyone, save a few,  who will be supporting John Carney or Mike Castle this election tell us what legislation they have penned their names to or only be able to recite what grade school and high school they attended?… time’s up.  We rest our case.

We would certainly hope the voters now pay closer attention.  But we also, however, understand and respect the – Lineage/Trust/Comfort/Security – voter matrix as it is as much Delaware as is Dolles on the Boardwalk or scrapple for breakfast.

It ought not be held against a candidate if he or she happens to have a healthy dose of DRF, just as it would be inane and disrespectful to suppose a candidate is somehow of lesser pedigree – ergo not fit or qualified to hold high Delaware public office (or any other office) – should he/she not be blessed with such social lineage or genes.

Funny, we welcome all who move to our state, taking pride as they too fall in love with it’s inherent uniqueness and quality of life.  We applaud their successes and befriend them and their families, but whoa to those beloved “transplants” should they have the gall to one day aspire to elected office… and against someone who has (It).

Now what manner of lesson would that be?

Whether you got it or ain’t got it, you deserve a shot.   That’s what we think.  How bout you?

Yes, we said we would be commenting primarily on the two major races that would evince the whacky world of the Delaware political scene.  So what are we doing writing about a moment in the life of our Governor?  Well, aside from the fact that his name has been on the tongue of those dems hungry for a playa that could, or would, fill the Beau void, he has become a rather compelling fellow.  He is one to step up to the microphone… literally…and make a case, as evident yesterday when he ceased the opportunity to face an irascible contingent of union fellows asking politely if he might see fit to assist in procuring some work for their anxious members.  With Tom McCanns and Bostonians flying all over the front steps of Legislative Hall,  our Governor, summoning the ghosts of Town Criers past, strapped on a set, took the bull by the horn and addressed their concerns – needing a boost up to a bumper to do it, of course…lol.

While never being confused with Jimmy Stewart (or Mr. Smith), Jack did what we all would like to see our elected officials do…lead.   Whether or not his promise to bring more Jobs to the First State ever sees the light of day, on this day he did listen and he did talk.  That is a start.

Visions of Jack recreating this scene on the Senate floor does have a certain Hollywood panache.  Maybe he is flamboyant enough to make such an audition for the senate on his own behalf.

Hey, Jack… they’re holding a casting call as we speak.

Seems like the fence that Beau was straddlin’ has been placed on loan to Chris Coons.  And boy, did he hop right on it.  With all the steely nerve of a gunfighter, Mr. Coons gathered himself, squared his shoulders, stepped up to the microphone… and showed us all he is a man of decision and commitment… well, er, ah… maybe.  Someone please tell Chris what a non-announcement, announcement is; cause that’s what he delivered – a glorified and blustery hedge and nothing more.  Dipping the toe in to gauge reaction, check the blog comments and man the phones.  Well, we have a comment.

It sounded like an announcement.  It had all the makings of an announcement.  It would’ve been cool had it been an announcement.  It had the rumble a man on a mission until it came time to deliver 2 simple words: I’m running.  Instead we got Bo Jangles.  Tap tap.

A little hint, Chris: Talk to your family first, make up your mind, then jump in… or don’t jump in.  It just appears more decisive – a foreign word to many in politics - unless of course you were in full dress rehearsal for the Senate, where the act of straddling the fence has been elevated to an art form.

We believe it takes stones to follow Beau and tackle Castle head on; but ya gotta roll the dice, bro.

Are you in or out?

So let’s take a lookie here lookie here, at some folks who could pop into our collective consciousness within the fortnight.

Kaufman – for someone so close to the scene, well liked, and a longtime legislator and Biden Lieutenant, his immediate pull out was odd.  Would’ve been a solid option as a quasi incumbent with at least a lil experience.

Coons – doesn’t have the look or the appeal (especially Downstate)… could enter anyway.  He’d lose… and it would be “taxing.”

Carney – Still stinging from the appointment Passover (wouldn’t you be?).  A step off the Can’t miss Congressional train for a higher profile death match would galvanize the base and cost him another gig.  The only one who has the balls, look, or the clout to entertain such a mission.  He’d lose, but would garner respect, bring in some serious out of state cash and give Mike something to sweat about.

Markell – The dems are looking at anyone who could at the very least look good in defeat.  Jack, like John,  provides the necessary theater to make it look like the Dems didn’t merely mail it in.  Yes, he could have a shot and has the ambition… but really, didn’t Nancy Pelosi look tougher than him when sitting side by side at Immaculate Heart?… Image, bro, image.  Good guy, though.  Needs a makeover.

There you have it, sports fans.  That’s our take.

Thanks to the little birdies and our very own Madam LeRue… she’ll read your palm for you.

Crystal balls and Ouija boards, tea leaves (cough) and Clairvoyants, soothsayers and psychics, oracles and tarot, mystical methods and personas all, that often get rebuffed by a cynical and diffident mainstream populace that prefers to look for life’s answers no further than down their very noses.  Trouble is that sometimes ya gotta step into a new age in order to achieve some degree of clarity, especially when any sane person attempts to forecast with any dimension of certainty who the hell is running for the Dems this fall.

To properly follow and comprehend the cosmic like confluence of events and mysterious vibes surrounding Delaware’s political scene one might be best be suited for a palm reading than offer their ear to any political pundit – who these days more resemble the crew of the Weather Channel.   The whys and ifs had their own show this week as we all sat back and watched the series of follies that beset the dems in general and the Delaware Dems in particular; from the Coakley/Brown affair that prompted an unsettling ripple effect  for the party, right up through the Beau watch and Beau exit, and now onto speculation into what the dems are going to do for a Senatorial candidate who will – hesitantly or bravely – now take the baton.

There also are some lingering questions (by us anyway) as to the dynamics surrounding The Chosen One’s not so shocking decision.  To wit: Was it simply a matter that the polling numbers were not adding up to a Moet moment for Beau?… i.e.  skip the embarrassing and crippling concession speech and live to fight another day?  How deep was the consensus that the Bradley fiasco would play like Willie Horton now and till November and on the front and center stage?  Could Monty Hall have slipped incognito into Wilmington to offer some attractive 2012 or 2014 scenarios (you figure it out… do the math and look at the terms and playas… lol) if he would play nice, fade out and take the hit?  Is this all a masterful ruse to orchestrate a later Beau run setting up …dare we say…a Biden/Biden hook heavy run for the roses in 2016?  Holy #$%& Batman, would politicians maneuver in such an artful fashion?

We will see so stay tuned.  Oh, and don’t get stuck at the corner of denial and vein… the spinners are workin’ on the lights… blinking yellow, bro.

Welly welly welly;  So the stress and reality finally got to Boy Wonder as evident at the tirade on the floor last week.  While the heated debate can be explained by adamant and striking philosophical differences, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty and pressure that Beau most certainly has been under recently.  The Pressure to continue the family legacy by running – and winning – his dads Senate seat.  There of course are immediate compelling issues for our AG concerning the cloud over his job performance and subsequent lack of approval (except amongst the Biden die-hards) and it has had to have been a powder keg ready to explode.  Well it has.

Not only has Beau lost his cool, but also some credibility amongst his peers and any objective members of his constituency; and he has lost any desire to enter the fight for the Senate.  The explanation given in his announcement this morning  included the obligatory “I want to concentrate on the job I was elected for – blah blah blah   And of course the “serving the people of Delaware and keeping everyone safe”; paraphrasing, of course.  This smoke screen does little to properly delve into the quagmire that has befallen him, the Delaware Democratic contingent, and the DNC in its entirety.

As reported ad nauseam, the Coakely/Massachusetts debacle heightened what was already a full scare alert at the DNC and sent the entire party into op tempo.  The fact that the race for Joe’s seat was so highly visible, highly coveted, highly anticipated, and had Beau’s name already painted up top the Pimlico weathervane, the burden – and the force of the weight – were squarely on the Son’s shoulders.  He might have gotten a break if he hadn’t cloaked himself in the Obama aura with every photo op possible and not sat with Leno, but it was clear to all he had his sights set on a the legacy.  The fact now that he most assuredly seems to be a shrinking violet -backing away in such grand rhetorical fashion.  Beau above all realizes that politics is perception, and it is now perceived (again, by objective voters) that he couldn’t take the heat and is now backing out of a very incendiary kitchen.

A final note:  Beau, this was your shot.  This was the Dems shot.  This was the Yankees/Red sox…Frazier/Ali…North Carolina/Duke; a heavyweight rivalry and fight the entire country wanted to see; and one that we in Delaware were licking our chops over.  We are now left with game 7 tickets to a 6 game series…

Would’ve been so cool to watch you run out of the tunnel and out on the court.  But you stayed in the locker room without ever suiting up.

Oh, what could’ve been

C’mon Joe, do you really expect us to believe you are leaving such a critical decision (Beau’s race entry) in the hands of a News Journal scribe and second hand pressure from the commoners?  Really?  We’re looking for the turnip truck we just fell off of.

Looks to us that you have adeptly set the table for two different meals; now that is a politician!  On one hand we have the “I want Beau to run but don’t want to pressure him in a direct public way.”  This gives him the choice and a backdoor at the same time…perfect…well struck.

And on the other hand you’ve set an equally appealing table for the Beau man to excuse himself from by stating on the record “that Beau doesn’t want to run.” Are we expected to believe there wasn’t a lil Verizon pow wow where you intimated that you would glibly throw that out such information?  Shouldn’t Beau be the one to hold a press conference and tell us all that he doesn’t want the seat?

C’mon Joe, we may have been born at night…but not last night.

Now well into the throws of an angry winter

The masses hold vigil

Icy winds have carried chilly tidings from the north

Its arctic fingers delivering with attrition

A Cracking blow to the face of ambition

Ambiguous clouds threaten to blanket the son

Dimming his light

Will he yield to the quandary

Or take up the fight

The proletariat pillars stand tall

Unfazed by it all

Choosing rather to cajole

“Son”, they say…

“What’s with the suspense?”

“Ya wanna  git to Washington

Or fall asleep on that fence?”

There’s an old idiom that says “if ya wait for the right time, it never comes.”

For the golden one the stars could hardly have been in better alignment.  Daddy in the White house, Barack on the speed dial, looks, legacy, an appearance on Leno and a blind trust from the now fearful super soccer moms.  What could possibly derail the plans of grandeur and rite of passage?  Was this seen on the Mayan calendar as well?

When Mike Castle was ne’er to be seen near the front row and the cameras lens at Immaculate Heart of Mary; the race seemed on.  You couldn’t  throw a dart in Washington without hitting a pundit telling us that Beau was heading south…yes, but now how far south?  Ah, Perhaps Lady Coakley and her band of merry stooges can answer that question after abruptly ending any vestige of a party honeymoon and presidential coattail and sending the entire DNC to the Capitol Grill for double Grey Goose martinis with a side of xanax.  The shock waves have radiated well beyond Delaware and have spooked many a dem incumbent going into what was supposed to be a benign and joyus mid-term party.

Boy, has that changed

Beau is clearly on the fence.  The spinner says some solid stratagems for such a position exist…..blah blah blah

But the fact remains that while there has been tons of exploration, internal polling models, and general toe dipping…there’s been no announcement.

What say you, Beau?  You skeered a lil?  Gonna wait till it’s safer?  When Mike retires, maybe?

C’mon, bro…You in or you out?

The mid-term election – does any one pay attention; does anyone care… Really? Take away the press, the electricity, the recycled colloquialisms, and the je ne sais quoi of the suits gunnin’ for the White House and what have you got?… an off year masquerading as a main event.

Of course in a Mid-term there are races, candidates and issues of importance and consequence; as well as power shifts within the senatorial and congressional halls;  it’s just that they historically are hidden from view due to a press that can’t sell it and the by the apathy of the American idol… I mean, voter, who won’t buy it.  It just ain’t sexy.  No Pennsylvania Avenue…no thanks.  That is until now.

All bets are off in 2010 as evidenced in The Bay State (Massachusetts for those slogan challenged ) when the Kennedy legacy was smoked, and we mean SMOKED by the unthinkable and improbable Scott Brown with full support from the vacuous, inept and arrogant  Martha Croaker.  The result?… a political earthquake with a Richter needle pointed right at the dems, a presidential black (whoops) eye, and a collective WTF emanating from the White House as the Grand Old Party now grinds the shine off Obiden’s one year old presidential limo.  Damn, and it still has the new car smell…

And in the middle of all the shakes rattles and rolls, sits the small state of Delaware; 410 miles from being the smallest state in the union small; 3 whole electoral votes small…poised as it is to benefit once again (Our Vice President… remember?) from the hub bub due to one of the highest profile races (if a certain someone can extract his butt from the fence) in the country between a wildly popular republican librarian (he looks like one…so sue me) Mike Castle and the anointed one, Beau “Brummel” Biden. Both parties are drooling for a win here with national implications and a vault of hard cash about to rain down…from out of state, of course.

And it’s not just the battle for Daddy Biden’s seat that has got Delaware’s inquiring minds in fantasy overload;  the scrum to fill The Grocer Castle’s congressional post has Democratic Good Son, John Carney poised (as he was once before… (sorry John) to fill his destiny, unless once again derailed by fate and a lack of votes. Damn those votes. The mystery candidate who will oppose him has not yet been unveiled, but the little birdie informants are pecking at the window and we do have some ideas as to who the masked man might be.

These are going to be two hot and high profile races – Chris Matthews has the Castle/Biden? Race the second most important in the country – second?  What the hell is he looking at?  This is shaping up to be anything but a droll mid-term year.  So, you political junkies and degenerates, run down to Pep Boys and buy a seat belt… you’re gonna need it.

Stay tuned.