I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have – to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him.

Death of a Salesman
Happy Loman, Act 2

Kevin Wade too had his dream.  It was a bold dream; one fashioned from Brooks Brothers Bankers grey, fine Constitutional accents, and a true blue tie.   A vision of Legislative grandeur he believed had his name emblazoned on its DC marquee.  Oh, but it was not meant to be.  Buoyed by frisky winds and a calm, yet inspired, white blanket of a January day, the lawn fancy planted never taking root, wilting then dying in the June heat five months hence.

K-Wade has pulled up stakes and folded his tent.  Having fought through that angry winter without a name or so much as a few sheckles for a contender’s coat, K kept keepin’ on.  Besieged by insipid subordinates and feckless stratagems, the campaign never got out of first gear… but to meet and talk to K-Wade one never would have gotten any vibe other than that of a trooper.  One would swear he had some magic potion or cape… or somethin’, that would miraculously vault him into the spotlight ergo into the race.  He had too his ardent legion of apostles who worked tirelessly – and sans pay – to tug his message to we the people.  There was noble effort but not sufficient in the end to keep his campaign from the predicted show finish fate.

We had written of K-Wade as a pretender; a man locked in a Quixotic battle with the Windmills of the GOP, and perhaps he was.  But it cannot be said he didn’t have heart, purpose, and a manifest worthy of our consciousness.  He did.  And while he may have lost his bid for the House, we can only hope Delaware hasn’t lost his voice or his vision for a consecrated Constitution and a tenacious Bill of Rights.

In parting he has opted not to throw his support to either Mama or the floundering Papa.  Hmmmm.  Some bad blood… or not the right offer perhaps (oh, it’s been talked about… right, King?… right, Mama?)  I’m thinkin’ Mama if K’s smart and wants to hang around awhile.  I’m just sayin’.

We at DE2010 wish you well, K-Wade.   We’re certain your name will again surface.

“How fortunate for government that the people they administer don’t think”  -  Adolf Hitler

As chilling as it is to quote history’s quintessential mad palaverist, there still remain lessons to be learned as to how an entire people can be drawn into the madness.  Distorted words and twisted logic passing themselves off as gospel can lead even the most civil societies into a hypnotic march to an insidious drum.

And no one in recorded history (or at least since the advent of mass media, ratings frenzies, and the writings of Marshall McLuhan) has played the mass fear card quite like Adolf, and with such calamitous consequences.  Not ever one to be confused as the poster boy for the politically compos mentis, Hitler had the artful and dark skill to form from lies, untruths, and rumor, a landscape of fear and intolerance that ended in the cold blooded annihilation of over 6 million Jews, Gypsies, Catholics, or anyone deemed undesirable in the eyes of the propaganda machine (sound familiar).   So it begs the question: why on earth would an American politician – and self proclaimed patriot of patriots; guardian of the Constitution -  recklessly correlate the words of its author – and one of our nations revered founding fathers – Thomas Jefferson, to mirror the ideological rants of the Nazi King?

That remains a question Papa Glen Urquhart must answer; at least better than he has.   In a discovered YouTube special, the man who channels The Gipper at every turn was quoted saying this firecracker of a gem:   “The next time ‘Your liberal friends’ ask you about the separation of church and state, ask them why they are Nazis.”  WTF.  Yep, somewhere in the back of Papa’s (tolerant?) mind, where also he harbours a (love?) for the Constitution and all Americans, some right wires got crossed and one of the very anchors of our founding document got singed in the process.

Now, in an effort to close the barn door after the horse is gone, Glen Urquhart has attempted to distance himself from remarks that can only be described as inane at best; frightening at worst.  His retort – with the aid of NJ scribe, Beth Miller’s kind spin; attempting as she was to clarify and temper what Glen actually meant with a “What he (Urquhart) was trying to say… blah blah blah” – was a Gregory Hines Carnegie Hall tap performance at its best.  “Let’s all be careful, Glen continued, about what phrases we use without thinking them through.”   He also went to great lengths to paint himself as Jeffersonian saying he “Stands absolutely with our 3^rd President in his zest to protect religious liberty.  But he just had to tellingly sneak in that “Hitler used similar language to quell the influence of the church.”  Just couldn’t help yourself, could ya, Papa?

And the coup de grace?  …  This gem of veiled admission: “It was an April (as if the month mattered) mistake.  In that segment it was not as (skillfully) worded as I would’ve liked it to have been. I’m a little more experienced campaigner today than I was in April.” Huh?  What difference does that make, Papa?  You mean ya wouldn’t say that now; not that ya didn’t mean precisely the quote made last April.  Oh the poli-speak (see doubletalk)

Ya see, Papa, I think you (and a fair many of those in the barn) do subscribe to what you articulated then; and to a rousing applause.  You’re a smart man, Glen, and you knew exactly what you were saying… and to whom.   You may wish you hadn’t said it, but  I think ya did mean it.

I’m just sayin’

A final note: Papa’s press secretary, Kim Huoy Stevenson, has evidently exited out the campaign’s back door.  Papa’s, “May I show you the door?” remark was reportedly taken out of context.  What Glen actually meant to say was…

So the migration to the beaches begins.  Not quite the hot sunny days we were hoping would stretch from mid-week through the weekend – more like late September than late May – but nice enough to fire up the grill, imbibe with friends at the first Jam Session, or stroll in sweater style on the spankin’ new treated planks of the south boardwalk.  Also not so ungodly hot that being jailed in Rt.1 and 13 traffic doesn’t raise ones BP while shooting pissy glances at the boy/girlfriend who didn’t take off early enough to beat the masses.  By and large a fairly good start to the summer.

Actually, if a ‘nor’easter had decided to make a call and wipe out all the Coppertone dreams, it would still be a great weekend.  And why is that, you may ask?

‘Cause it’s Memorial Day.  And should anyone reading this not get it… you really should get it.  Maybe you rode – or are riding – past the expanse of the Veterans Cemetery off Rt. 71 and noticed the fields of Red White and Blue flapping in unison to the now cool breeze.  Or perhaps you visited a loved one – or two – interned there or some other revered spot .  Regardless, it is a scene like this that puts a ‘lil rainy day into perspective.  This weekend has so little to do with bicycles, beer, French fries, fine dining, or negotiating the curves between Ruddertown and the land of Sunday Bloody Sunday while totally smashed.   Nah, this weekend has everything to do with taking a moment to appreciate the sacrifice many brave souls made so y’all could decide for yourselves whether to cross over to Nalu (love that place) or continue up the west side to further experience the Miller High Life.

Yes, it seems like eons since Omaha Beach, Guadalcanal… (the death march), Pork Chop Hill, Khe Sanh, and the fall of Saigon; or even the opening night of Desert Storm.  The fierce street fighting in Kandahar at times touches the senses only as a CNN night light.  But these all have littered our consciousness in addition to our landscape with fields of white crosses that often lie in anonymity as we make our way quickly (we hope) in efforts not to miss the Toss of the Tacos.  Sad isn’t it?

How many of our brethren would love to have stuck around to witness such gaiety and popped a couple of cold ones with us all?  More than one could ever imagine.

This weekend – and Day – is entirely about our freedoms and those whom took it upon themselves to bestow on us all such a benevolent and admirable gift; and at such a dear price.

DE2010.com writes of the political realm and how it has become at times as oily as the tentacles of marshlands and waterways surrounding N’awlins; the protection of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and preservation of our freedom.  So Mama, Papa, King, Chosen One, Quiet Man, and Spencer for Hire, take a breath if y’all would and get the dubious state of our State and National political specter out of your minds for a couple of days. Think more of why you’re really here and what ya really ought to be doin’.   If you think for a moment that the spirits of those lost are all smilin’ on the many liberties lost while folks were busy securing or keeping their jobs, then by all means fire up the Weber, throw on a Kansas City Cut and pop open a Fife Zin.  But make certain to serve up a side of conscience with them taters…K?

And for our readers?  We wish – along with the politicos – a safe, festive and introspective weekend.  Just remember who provided it for ya and what it takes to keep it.

Ciao

So the State GOP convention is history.  As are a few of the hopefuls chances.  The show of hands had handed Mama the spoils and with them the key to the Bat Cave (as if she needed one).  A lot of money was spent and if we are to believe the buzz from Papa’s and K-Wade’s camps, they are (at least Papa) not yet ready to ride into the sunset.  A continuation of the primary campaigns are – in our eyes – a superfluous act, destined only to waste gobs of cash while producing anything but the desired result:  Their name atop Mama’s come September.

These are the dreams of some good and ideological men and woman (yes that means you, Rose);  ones who believed they held their own key to what the Party, State, and Nation needed – And dreams do die hard, but they are well beyond life support now.  There are a lot of folks hammered by the down economy that could use the million that K and Papa will spend to not look like quitters.  They’re not of course, but need to check out the handwriting on the wall… It’s Madda’s show now. She is the name at the top and it’s gonna stay there.  The King and his Court are smart and new deals are being forged as we speak.  Backing out in style plays well with all parties.  Avoiding expensive fights that only prove to fracture party and message, and at a time when the focus – and money – would be better spent preparing for “The Chosen One.”  Now that is gonna be a fight and its gonna require a whole lot of coil and a single laser focus should Madda come from behind (yep, its where she is) and beat Carney in November.

Oh, but for now “Let’s Make a Deal” have been, and will continue to be the channel the GOP’ers are tuned into.

Perhaps Papa and K-Wade (we’d mention Rose, but she holds her ears anytime the word “Deal” is uttered… were all of you aware that Deals are always done in back rooms?) didn’t see Monte Hall slip into town right before Mama announced her candidacy.  Both Monte and Carol (as in Merrill, the original Vanna White) sat with the King and assured that Mama, should she hop aboard, she would walk away with exactly what she walked away with… The Nod… and with the guaranteed 66%.  The Dog and Pony show replete with all the, “Sussex rumor’s are swirling that Glen will eek out the call” only served to mask the “Deal” and allow Monte and Carol time to slip back out.   We had ourselves questioned Madda’s intensity.  Turns out she was on cruise control not needing to do anything but show up.  She was bland but always fashionable decked out in the colours of the “Deal”… black and white… simplicity with style.

Now onto Door # 2 and the proposals that will be made to both Papa and K-Wade.  Ya know Fred (Remember me) Cullis got one.  Party unity comes at a cost.  Now its only a matter of stubbornness that lies between a single Mama scotch and a blended party bottle.  I think the King prefers the Mama Macallan.

That is a done deal.

It wasn’t yet Memorial Day but one could see the signs of the impending Summer season here in Rehoboth Beach.  Parking was at a minimum (and no, we’re not talking the 5 min meters that require begging for quarters), the tourists, while sans tans were in July cruise mode, and the legion of Oakley sporting officers in their star cruisers camped out at the city limits daring anyone to exceed the allowable 25 mph.  Yep, The Nations Summer Capital was awake and abuzz after the winter from hell.  The avenue was alive.

And amongst all the pre-summer revelry were some somber souls meandering the strip outside the Convention Center who looked as though they had lost their best friends.  They walked with a gate one might have if one had partied a ‘lil too hard and woke to find the phone number they had gotten the night before was a phony.   With strings trailing their shoes attached to popped balloons and shoulders dotted with confetti dandruff, the night before evidently had not portended a glorious day today.  And unbeknownst to the early bird shoppers who were welcoming in summers early entrance were the once GOP hopefuls who were facing an early exit.  Dreams dashed by a show of hands while being shown the door.

This was Republican Convention Weekend.  It was held in the venue that has seen its share of beauty pageants; winners and losers; cheers and tears.  And this was a beauty pageant to be sure.  Only a new Miss Delaware wasn’t crowned, but a former Miss USA was.  Mama Rollins won the hearts (at least 66% of the hearts) of the GOP and became the darlin’ of the party and the belle of the ball, outdistancing Papa and K-Wade for the much coveted party endorsement.  Get it and the primary road becomes a lot smoother – leave without it and the pot holes get a lot deeper and the national money well dries up.

None of this was much of a surprise, really – unless you are Papa and K-Wade – as it didn’t take a hand writing expert to read this wall.  This as a coronation was a ‘lil off as the party has been runnin’ on 6 of the 8 cylinders due to some gummed up ideological plugs and some water in the gas line vibe from the Grande Dame in recent weeks.  Papa Glen went for broke as did K-Wade (although K was tellin folks he had some serious millions committed should he get the nod) and both will now be forced to hit the eval button as to whether to continue; cause spending big primary money now could be foolish… if ya have it.  For the record, Papa says he’s stickin’ with his (second place) hand and stayin’ in.  Guess since he’s acted like the playa for so long it’s hard to give up the ghost.  K-Wade would be better suited to look for a job with Da Madda, and she would be wise to include him.

And what of Rose Izzo?  What of Rose Izzo.  She stayed away.  She doesn’t get it and never will.  Did like her quip about non-essential Gov personnel, though. Maybe a career in stand-up?

So the Party has their gal.  Now they got some patchin’ to do if they expect to challenge the Chosen One in November.  First, they would be wise to avoid an expensive and fracturing primary fight (you listenin’, Papa?),  second, they need to get on the same flippin’ page; far too many Chefs in the kitchen, and third…someone light a fire under Madda, will ya?  She’s been runnin’ on Nyquil, guys.

A Side Final Note:   The King beat out Miss Tetley.  Yea King.  Whatta shocker!  Maybe next time around Christine can afford the $30 for the Friday night dinner.

Patois. A uniquely Jamaican dialect that on first intonation baffles the auditory senses and makes one reach for a Red Stripe while inexplicably crankin’ up some Peter Tosh.   The lingo of the indigenous folks from Negril to Port Antonio to Ocho Rios to Kingston, holds a special place amongst all Jamaicans and might just be the coolest hybrid language in the world.

And why we talkin Jamaica?   Well, Coo Yah, it’s Madda Rollins, of course, and the Bangarang surrounding her as a result of the latest Dada U press blast hacklin’ her for being a hitey titey international business woman with a lot of coil.  But that would require from us the spin breakdown and a Jamaican thesaurus.  We will supply both.

Back to Dada’s jook at Madda’s heart.  He don’t think it’s in Delaware.  He thinks it’s somewhere in between Grand Cayman and Jamaica; no where near Dover, Georgetown, or Wilmington.  The beef?  Madda has been busy promoting a more financially aggressive Kingston, cajoling the home of Marley to become another Caribbean offshore mecca like that of Grand and “lil Brac.  The Dada Laba-Laba machine has a petrol pic line allowing it to run 24/7 and now he’s calling Madda unDelawarean.   Because she has foreign interests.   Hmmmm, perhaps Dada should examine the portfolios of the entire GOP crew in DC.  Ya think there just might be some Coil tucked neatly in Grand Cayman or Bermuda???  Ya think?  A ‘lil callin’ the kettle black, maybe?

Ku ya, Dada, while you def got kass kass wit da Madda, and the Laba-Laba be flyin’, we’re not certain that having holdings and looking after those holdings… or attending to an international financial interest makes Madda pyaka.  Sight?… No true?  We’d be more interested to give her the chance to do here what she did in Jamaica.  Now we all would like to hear supm like that, Madda.

Besides, Ya got a ‘lil uptown thing goin’ on too, Dada.  Watch the uphill.

More time.  Irie, Mon

Should anyone have read the press releases lately from the stable housing the GOP’s 3^rd ranked House candidate, K-Wade, they would’ve been treated largely  to an amateur calligraphy loaded with warm and fuzzy redundancy as to how their man has captured the hearts, affection, and support of anyone who has shaken his hand or come to within a meter of earshot.   To hear his camp tell it one would swear the Man from Wade is on fire and dead on the heels of Mama and Papa as they come down the stretch to the Convention.  One would also be under the impression that everyone who has breathed the same air as Kevin (yes we know your name too) has proceeded to pledge their loyalty and their ducats as to ensure his success.   We do know he’s got some pretty solid support and has raised some pretty good cash, not great, but pretty good.   And it’s that “pretty good” that has the Wade camp infusing the uber-popular vernacular, “Grass Roots” when describing his moderate fundraising results.  Interpretation? … more goin’ out than comin’ in and folks had better dig a ‘lil deeper if he is to have any shot.

These are telling signs that K needs more money, more muscle, and more substance.  In this latest release he has struck a chord toward that goal… at least in substance.

Let’s chat a ‘lil about something I find of critical importance in our political and judicial spectrum… The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Remember those?  Both having taken a hit lately and are teetering on the edge of irrelevance and both now on the front burner – evidently –  of the Wade agenda.  Yes, it’s a big deal to us and we believe it ought to be a big deal to all of us.  Many bluster about adhering to the very foundations and principles (The Right and the 9-12’s leading the charge) of the documents, but most – including the Right and 9-12’s – fall woefully short when actually faced with the reality that such staunch fidelity to these parchments ain’t as popular as it used to be.  Rights have become increasingly selective and standing up for potentially volatile issues has proved a rocky road for politico’s who anchored themselves to pop public opinion… which is most of them.

Enter K-Wade. Stating in his press release – and with conviction – that he would “Never support a bill that overreaches the Constitution,” and that he “Would never vote for a bill that weakens the Bill of Rights,” (both statements loaded with wiggle room) Wade is committing to the unwanted (or at least till the bill comes due).  Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Gay Rights, Human Rights,  Free Speech, Abortion Rights (He may back off this one), Criminals Rights (this one too), and Second Amendment Rights (not this one), have historically taken gargantuan efforts to bring to public and judicial light, and secure; and not without a boatload of counter lobbies, bad press,  and a whole bunch of kickin’ and screamin’.    And we haven’t even touched on Privacy.  They are hot button and they are politically incendiary, if not downright radioactive.   Just corner any of our esteemed candidates (and incumbents) with mere mention of the ACLU and watch ‘em squirm before dancing the toward the nearest exit.

Now K-Wade may be deluding himself a bit to think that  the “Will of both the Delaware and American citizens” he espouses to follow, will jive with standin’ firm with the two documents.  Most voters would swear they would fight to the death to preserve  both (or at least support those who would), but really understand little the fierce fight freedom puts up should We the People choose to maintain it.   It ain’t easy and it’s never popular.  You ready for that, K?

The Constitution and Bill of Rights were penned for all Americans; not a select few.  Seems as though K-Wade gets this and ought to get some kudos as a result.

He in all probability won’t reach the top, but at least he’s climbin’ up the right hill.

Let’s see Mama, Papa, The Quiet Man, The Chosen One and The King follow suit… and mean it.

But do keep an eye on the exits.

Welly, welly, welly… we finally have a press release from the Grande Dame.  Well, kinda… almost…  Ya know… Mama style.  Gentle… understated.

In the release… to her good bud, Jud, Michelle (yes we do know your real name, Mama… lol) Rollins emerged from the media eye shadow with a colourless colloquy more suited to saying “hey” to Jud and perhaps some delegates than it was to evoking genuine passion.  But hey, it’s a start.  Did love the YouTube vid too, as Mama looked stylish in a smart navy Jacket, framed as she was against a backdrop of Laura Ashley prints and Pella panes.

But it was her demeanor that struck me.  She is intelligent, well spoken, and serious… very serious.  Life’s experiences surrounding her with an aura of grit.  But if I were to put my finger on her texture I would not so much as received a brush burn as opposed to the scars rendered by scorching, unfettered passion.  She has game, but it’s still bubbling just under the surface.

Mama, you are genuine; but it’s not enough. You talk of not saddling our children with debt and securing their future in your message.  Noble issues to be sure.  But the words get lost in the vanilla vibe.  Would a ‘lil fire kill ya?

Maybe shelve the Brooks Brother’s for a ‘lil Betsy Johnson.  I’m just sayin’.

Tic toc, tic toc

Given our recent reports (one picked up by Richard Black of the BBC… “Up in Flames”) on the developing environmental disaster off Nawlins’, some may look at this title as an extension of that coverage.   They would be mistaken.  This piece, while not focusing on the flood of crude with its sights set on Magazine St, does carry an ominous metaphor that is currently drifting towards the shores of the Republican State Convention in less than a fortnight.  The once pristine waters of a unified party are being threatened by a slick comprised of fractured relationships and dissent amongst its very core – and those who feel they should be the core.  Right leaner’s, moderates, Tea’s; all on their own soapbox with a biased and dogmatic view of just what the party must now stand for.  It could get ugly; and at a time when solidarity would appear to be a most valued commodity.

Now for anyone who’s ever been to a political convention, National or State, they would then be familiar with the ancillary revelry, debauchery and hi jinx that accompany the (serious) nature at hand.  It’s a time for struttin’ one’s – and the party’s – stuff while the family elders and network of envoys debate agenda, construct platforms, choose its emissaries (candidates) , and move towards the goal of whuppin’ the Dems in November.  It’s when a party ought to be at its zenith.  On top of its game.  But if the memo sent to the GOP party leadership yesterday by one of its delegates was any bellwether,  there’s gonna be trouble in River City, and it rhymes with T and that stands for TEA.

Ah, the memo.  With residue of Tetley all over it, the manifest was rife with the 9-12 fingerprints: Free market, fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited Government,  and a constructing a platform the GOP and The Tea’s can agree on, and general intolerance for anyone with the temerity to hold one counter thought.   Actually it read more like a diaphanous threat; Like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction when she chillingly tells Michael Douglas “That I won’t be ignored.” Yeah, it’s just like that.

Oh, but it gets better.  The said delegate, Evan Queitsch, goes on to Blast… and I mean BLAST… The King as a pert near conservative anti-Christ that stands in the way of true right wing constitutional ideology.  Now The King may be a ‘lil soft in the middle, but the Tea’s are steppin’ outta bonds with that one.  EQ proceeded to list vote after vote, Mike’s record as it applies to the “Global Warming hoax” (Castle siding with the environment), Omnibus Bill, the Wall St. bailout (the King voted in favour), Planned Parenthood; leveling him for voting against an amendment to withhold fed tax dollars from Planned Parenthood (oh, the horrors), and even attacking the King for voting for “Cash for Clunkers,” as they feel it would eliminate affordable wrecks better earmarked for the poor… for the poor now, huh?   This of course is a two way street these cars travel; one to supplying cars to those without; one to boosting the economy by Jump starting some sagging auto sales  Suffice to say, he (EQ) – and his followers – don’t care much for moderation in any form.  And directed at the venerable one!  Get out!  Coonsy’s gotta be turnin’ cartwheels.

And even though there exists some intelligent differences in the rant, his wheels fall off when he whole heartedly endorses Christine O’Donnell, referring to her as a Party Martyr (our words) that would be a player if only the King would debate her… which just ain’t gonna happen.  She is a non factor and a fraud candidate who due to her Tea leaf aura has been embraced as legitimate by those with the Grass Roots.  Maybe she ought to cut her teeth debating Rose.  Now that I would pay to see.

And the cherry on top of it all is the ringing endorsement of the now popular Papa U, who, if the chips fall just right could be the name at the top of the ticket.  But he cannot afford to piss off the very folks who are now pissed off at this shot over the bow.  This makes Mama Rollins a much more attractive candidate and unifier in the eyes of Prissy and Laird… and a bunch of other folks.   Yes, our political scene needs dissention to keep everyone honest, but a party also needs wins… not losses… and this fracture portents a big ‘ole “L” in November if the GOPer’s don’t straighten out their act.  Papa and his team better watch for the yellow light before it changes its mind.  Oh, and K-Wade (mentioned favourably to a T) ought to keep an eye on the yellow light as well… I’m just sayin’… somethin’ ‘bout the company you keep.

So there you have it Soap Fans.  Payton Place has returned for a new season with Chris Coons and John Carney calling Comcast for the full cable package.

Don’t worry if ya missed the original air date… they’ll replay the entire pilot on May 15^th.

When we think of elections we think of November;  post Halloween; sweater weather; when the sun takes its hiatus till Spring.  When we’ve all tired of the battery of street corner signage and radio rhetoric.   When we just wish it would all be over and we can move past the faux pledges and fruitless promises and get back to a political norm… same ole same ole.

Right now November seems pretty damned far off as we are in post blizzard bring on the heat mode.  But if one happens to be a Republican Congressional hopeful, then the election – at least on the party end -  is being held on May 14^th when the GOP bestows on one the mantle of Party favourite.   And all Four (2 mainframes, 1 spoiler, and 1 why is she here) are now in full op-tempo to convince the powers that be (and interested undecideds) that they hold the key to galvanizing the party and toppling the dems Chosen One six months hence.

In what has been an entertaining dance to date from the camps of Mama, Papa, and K-Wade, the norm has morphed into a capricious assemblage of political intrigue, posturing,  scene stealing orchestration, and surprising (at least in Mama’s case) lack of aggression.

In what is a continual – if not over magnified – procession to popularity by Papa Glen Urquhart, his early buzz has been serviceable. This was evident again in his second good straw fetching performance last night in Newark… above the canal, Newark.   While Monday night’s Sussex planted crowd gave Papa an expected thumbs up, it also revealed Mama’s possible Achilles in that she has yet to deliver a command performance.  And if you’re a party head or insider that is hitched to her wagon, this ain’t good news.  If you can’t appear more colossal than a meek grandfatherly conservative figure then you got issues come Convention time and in the General… if you get that far.  For all the hype the Rollins courtship and drama has provided it hasn’t been matched by substance or fire.  I’m just sayin’.

Papa will need to dig into the his self lent coffer a while longer to keep his own fire burnin’, but his machine is runnin’ on a ‘lil high octane right now.  His folks understand Press releases and keep the spin pedal down with often over inflated estimates of what their man has actually accomplished.  The first debate didn’t have enough guests to fill a dinner table and last nights crowd came largely by way of Rt. 1 north; but one wouldn’t get that from Papa’s releases; just that he is kickin’ ^$$.

Mama’s own languid campaign is only part of her issue if she plans on remaining the party’s darling.  K-Wade is busy keeping his own pedal down and may steal too much of the NCC stage in the process.  Something’s gotta give, and if Mama ain’t careful it could be her support network.

So far the whole lot has been unimpressive.  We expected a Mandalay Bay poker battle but have been treated thus far to a game of neighborly bridge.

This isn’t gonna grab anyone’s attention… and attention is the name of the game… that is if the GOP plans on toppling Carney when November rolls around.

The Republicans need a  playa to emerge.  They were banking on Mama.  She had better start paying dividends and step to the plate.