Update: I’m bumping this shit to the top.
In what has been the most ostentatious and ridiculous endorsement of the season, America’s Most Wanted’s John Walsh, will be making a rendez-vous in Wilmington on Friday to support the son of Sen. Joe Biden.
Early on in the campaign, Beau proudly spotlighted the support he’d received from Walsh, who is a victim of tragedy in his own right, having lost his son Adam to a vicious murderer in 1981. Rumor and innuendo have spread since those first ads featuring John Walsh’s nasally voice came out several weeks ago. Some are saying that John Walsh is participating because Daddy Sen. Biden has worked with him in the past on child protection legislation. Others are saying that John Walsh doesn’t have a clue about this race and he’s looking for some pull in the US Senate and could use the help of Sen. Biden for his own special interests.
Either way, this is a commendable stunt on the part of Beau Biden. It’s not enough that he’s the least qualified person for this job, but now he’s got to do some political grandstanding in order to win a job totally void of politics.
I’m going to try and get into this event, though I know Beau doesn’t like me much so I may be denied access. If you can, show up and ask John Walsh if this is some quid pro quo funny business in which he’s guaranteed some talk time with the great Sen. Joe Biden, senior senator from Delaware.
Beau Biden and John Walsh
Hotel duPont
Friday — 12:30 pm
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:55 PM PST
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The race for the 34th Representative District is heating up! And two candidates are duking it out in the political waters of Kent County! Check out Blue State Rising for the rundown. Apparently, it seems Republican Donald A. Blakey was “awarded” a doctorate diploma from a well-known “diploma mill,” that is, a place where people pay money, essentially, to just receive a diploma without any formative or summative assessment or training to ensure they know what the hell they’re doing.
Even funnier, in his defense, Blakey cites the literal definition used by the US government in describing his “doctoral” diploma. Blakey admits the diploma is based more on his “past experiences in his field” more than actual coursework completed at an accredited university or college. The government defines these “diploma mills” as “nontraditional, unaccredited, postsecondary schools that offer degrees for a relatively low flat fee, promote the award of academic credits based on life experience, and do not require any classroom instruction.” Absolutely fascinating!
Blakey’s challenger, Democrat Jeanine Kleimo, who has legitimate doctorate degrees, must be like a pig in mud right about now…
These stories just do not write themselves!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 9:22 PM PST
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Dennis Spivack has been a punching bag of mine for far too long. Far too long. Far…too…long. I know it’s gone well beyong the point of acceptability and into the territory of just plain cruel. I promise it will stop…EVENTUALLY! And that’s why I need to tackle something new from candidate Spivack.
In today’s edition of the Delaware Democratic Party’s Online Update, Spivack says he “supports working with the state government to secure livable, “Smart Growth” initiatives, especially in Kent and Sussex Counties.” Hmm. Does Dennis realize that he will be working out of Washington, DC and not Dover, DE? I don’t believe the Delaware General Assembly will find him much help in their deliberation of “Smart Growth” initiatives within the state of Delaware especially since it’s not in Spivack’s job description! Dennis…leave the state shit to the shits at the state level.
To be honest, I’m just fuckin’ with Dennis at this point. I really liked all of his supporters who flame me here. As well, I heard about how the calls were stacked in Dennis’ favor on the WILM debate today. Every single one of the calls. Pro-Dennis and anti-Karen Hartley-Nagle and anti-Michael Berg. I’m told many of the callers didn’t even ask a question. I’m also told WILM hack and talk-show host John Watson surreptitiously asked Hartley-Nagle if her daughter were on birth control (?!?!?). What an asshat. However, unlike Dennis Spivack, I’m pretty sure Watson’s assholery is totally intentional.
Please, Spivack fans…flame me. You know I love it!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:21 PM PST
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So scandalous! So outrageous! So disgusting that even your truly won’t be allowed in the studio audience!
Watch it. Tonight. The Hott Spott. JayRock goes solo with a member of the KKK LIVE and IN-STUDIO! The gentleman (?!?) requested that NO ONE other than Jay and the camera crew be in the studio, so I’ve got to stay home.
This should be enriching. Tune in. Comcast channel 73 at 10:30 pm. LIVE TONIGHT!
Posted by Mike Matthews in The Hott Spott at 8:42 PM PST
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My post last night has stirred up the peanut gallery and I’ve received some information from a highly protected source who believes current Recorder of Deeds Michael Kozikowski may not be 100% kosher.
It seems Mr. Kozikowski may enjoy election-time politics more than he does helping folks out with their, ummm, deed-related questions on his government-paid cell phone 24/7.
My source has emailed me a PDF of a letter mailed to all Delaware recording agents. The letter details new extended hours software support that will help “limit interrupted service” as well as provide speedy resolutions to “software issues that arise in [the] library prior to the start of the next business day.”
The letter also trails off into an bolded paragraph where Kozikowski reassures his recording agents that he “Put[s] People First.” My source claims the timing of this letter less than two weeks before Election Day is, in the least, quite questionable. Especially since he’s never before received a letter like this from the RoD’s office prior to a re-election. My source also tells me the letter was sent — at the taxpayers’ expense — via first class mail.
Click here to download the PDF of the letter sent by Kozikowski to Delaware recording agents.
My source also goes on to rightly editorialize on the office of ROD, saying he believes $11 per page is a rip-off and that that and technology fees are regressive charges because they’re the same for every resident, whether the house is $75,000 or $750,000. My source also claims the RoD office has before closed its doors well before closing time and has refused to handle one of his cases because of said closing.
Either way, I’m a conspiracy-theory nut and this one sounds quite juicy. So, Mr. Kozikowski, why DID you send such a letter prior to your re-election, with a bolded paragraph that plays more like political haberdashery than legitimate work committed by an agency receiving so much in tax dollars?
Perhaps Jason Hortiz — full of shit that he is — is onto something!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 5:50 PM PST
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Last week I attended a debate at the Triangle Neighborhood Association. I mainly went to see my good friend Independent Tyler Nixon obliterate Republican Greg Chambers and Democrat Harris McDowell (which he handily did) in a debate to see who will triumph in the 1st Senatorial District.
However, another debate caught my eye.
The pleasant tiff between New Castle County Recorder of Deeds, Democrat Michael Kozikowski, and Republican challenger Jason Hortiz proved to make for great theatre, however, I wasn’t the only one who questioned Hortiz’s competency in the arguments he presented against Kozikowski. I don’t really care about what the Recorder of Deeds does. I”m sure it’s important, however, I don’t yet own a home. So my ignorance of the position tends to lead me to believe that it’s not even a job that should be elected. Either way, it seems Hortiz is enraptured with two logically ridiculous arguments meant as a slam against his opponent.
First, it seems there’s a secret little gadget out there that will cure all the problems in the Recorder of Deeds’ office. Hortiz spoke about it Wednesday night like it was some secret elixer that would require a Renaissance-armada to find it in the new world of Florida. Of course, it’s much simpler than that, but why sacrifice logic for dramatics?
And, secondly, Hortiz points out something so ridiculous that I had to blurt a question out loud in violation of the debate’s rules. Hortiz says that $5000 is spent on “cell phones” in the Recorder’s office. Kozikowski said the Recorder of Deeds’ office is the only office in Delaware that works on a 24/7 basis and the cell phones are a requirement for the office’s 28 employees, though it’s not known if all 28 possess a government cell phone. What was most onerous about Hortiz’s claim is that he didn’t qualify the $5000 at first. I had to blurt out my question to clarify: Was the $5000 on a monthly or yearly basis? Kozikowski confirmed it’s a yearly basis.
So, Hortiz is complaining about a $5000 a year cell phone bill for the office of Recorder of Deeds? Hell, my cell phone bill tops $1000 every year and I’m one person. The Recorder of Deeds office is theoretically open 24/7. So, why would cell phones not be a necessary form of communication for some of the office’s employees and some of the citizens using the office’s services? Hortiz plays the grandstanding card even further, claiming in this News Journal article that he would be glad to pay for his cell phone himself. Is this guy serious? Or does he not understand the objectives of the job? If I’m taking phone calls everyday for my work on a cell phone, you’d better believe I’m not paying the damn bill.
Could abuses be committed? Of course, however — all things considered — $5000 out of a $2.7 million budget hardly seems something to squawk about. Especially when Kozikowski’s explanation seems so acceptable. Or maybe I was just turned off by Hortiz’s extremely cocky attitude attitude at the debate that came off as slightly self-aggrandizing, but mostly quite arrogant. Of course, he’s only 26, so he’s got quite a ways to go in politics before he settles in as comfortably as an old goat like 1st District Sen. Harris McDowell.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:49 PM PST
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Free soda and free pizza — courtesy of everyone’s favorite Catholic, Christine O’Donnell:
10.29- Meet & Greet, hear Christine speak @ Grotto’s on Main St in Newark from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. Free soda and pizza.
This greedy bitch will be there.
As well, Newark’s Main Street Halloween Day Parade is today at 3 pm. Maybe Christine will walk in it! I hear Beau Biden will be dressed up. Probably as his father. Perhaps I’ll get his response to The News Journal’s editorial today endorsing Ferris Wharton?
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 1:07 PM PST
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Dana has called it. The biggest dick-measuring contest is now in full force. Senate Republicans and House Democrats…get ready…because the shit is starting. And I can’t wait!
The Republicans own the House and the Democrats own the Senate. Can legislators from both houses convince their partisan compatriots in the opposing house to take up this fight in earnest?
The revolution will NOT be televised…it will be BLOGGED!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 10:47 PM PDT
Talk dirty to me »
Update: Sorry about the excessive bold further down in the post. I have to correct come code, but I have to run for now! Well, not run…because I’m fat and I don’t do that. Anyway, have a good evening! For additional coverage of this delicious news, check out First State Politics, Delaware Watch, and Delaware Liberal.
As I’ve before mentioned, open government and expansion of FOIA regulations seems to be the hallmark issue of the General Assembly this year. Aside from electric-rate increases, many legislators have been enraptured and angered by thoughts of the General Assembly’s actions being opened up in a more democratic fashion. It has been the cause celebre by several politicians and bloggers alike.
And today the Republicans did something about it. Or did they?
First let me say that the Democrats are mostly ridiculously suspect in this fight. Aside from folks like Sens. Dave Sokola and Karen Peterson, Democrats like Sens. Thurman Adams, Jim Vaughn, and Harris McDowell have been unreceptive to calls for open government. The Democrats are in charge of the senate and nuisances like Jim Vaughn have been directly in violation of everything democratic for years. That being said, one must call out the Republicans on some of their actions today. However, let’s first get to the meaty stuff.
I attended today’s press conference at GOP headquarters to find a beautiful bevy of Republicans ready to say “Yes” to open government. Now, I must admit: I’m an idiot. I went in with a generalization of the process and was hardly prepared to ask some good questions, however, I think after spending most of the afteroon talking to several people over the phone, I’ve got a much better grasp of this whole open government business and all its pleasant intricacies.
Click here to see a video of Sen. John Still’s introduction.
In short, the Republicans want open government. They’ve proposed a five-point plan to achieve this delicious harmony and even went so far as to bring forth eight currant candidates who support it and four individuals who are running to join the others in the Senate. Current senators present today were: Charlie Copeland (4th), Cathy Cloutier (5th), Senate Minority Whip Liane Sorenson (6th), Steve Amick (10th), Dori Connor (12th), Colin Bonini (16th), Senate Minority Leader John Still (17th), and Gary Simpson (18th). Future hopefuls Gregory Chambers (1st), Everson “Skip” Bullen (7th), Mike Ramone (8th), and John Feroce (14th) were on hand to lend support.
Click here to see a video of Sen. John Still discussing points one, two and three of the Republicans’ open government plan.
Click here to see a video of Sen. John Still discussing points four and five of the Republicans’ open government plan.
Everything sounded fine and dandy. All I had to do was ask my requisite ridiculous question, which can be viewed by clicking here. My question? “When Sen. Vaughn does die, could you senators introduce a bill so his corpse can be buried along with the rest of the bills in his desk drawer?” Sen. Bonini was offended and said the question would not be answered because it was “inappropriate.” True…but that’s why I asked it! So, to finish that part of the post, I must say that I agree unequivocally the points made by the senators and Senate hopefuls today.
However, I’m always a fan of pointing out hypocrisy and Sen. John Still is quite the hypocrit. I’ll first say the below information is from two sources. The first shall remain anonymous and the second is State Sen. Karen Peterson herself. I have tried calling Sen. Still at three locations to no avail. I’ve left a message. As well, I’ve attempted to contact Sen. Sorenson and have been unable to reach her.
I must point out that Sens. Copeland, Bonini, Conner, and Cloutier have gone on the record saying they support Karen Peterson’s original bill that included party caucuses under the umbrella of open government. This support has been shown via a petition crafted by Sen. Peterson to get the bill out of Sen. Jim Vaughn’s desk. WDEL radio personality Gerry Fulcher notoriously roamed Legislative Hall on the last day of the 2005-2006 session to get the required 11 votes needed to pry it from Sen. Vaughn’s cold (dead?) hands. He only got eight. Sen. Peterson tells me that Sen. Still”didn’t think a radio reporter should be carrying a petition” around Legislative Hall. How telling.
This rant is basically directed at Sen. Still.
I’ll first say that both of my sources (as well as myself) have stated they believe this is nothing more than an election ploy by Sen. Still and several of his cohorts. My anonymous source claims she attempted to force the issue on Still two years ago, but he wasn’t hearing it. I must point out that Sens. Copeland, Bonini, Conner, and Cloutier have gone on the record saying they support Karen Peterson’s original bill that included party caucuses under the umbrella of open government. After talking to Dana Garrett, he’s told me that Still today proclaimed on WDEL that he would gladly sign on to Peterson’s bill. However, as one commenter cynically points out on Garrett’s Delaware Watch:
Trick or Treat from the GOP. Give me your vote and I’ll give you Karen Peterson’s bill.
Pithy. Just how I like it. Of course, I still totally support the actions taken by the Republicans today. However, I wonder what the hell they’re really thinking when a similar bill by Karen Peterson was denied by their Minority Leader Sen. Still on numerous occasions. The cynic in me says Still is playing politics. The cynic in me says Sen. Still wants the credit. And the cynic in me says that should the Republicans gain a majority in the Senate (something I’m not opposed to), then they’ll banish Sen. Karen Peterson bill as if it never existed and be ready to take credit for her creation.
So, good job on the Republicans. They make some fluid points culled directly from Sen. Peterson’s original bill. However, the political ploying and cloying of Sen. John Still is thusly noted.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 5:49 PM PDT
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My fans like me. They really, really like me. And that’s why I love anonymous tips. Got a call a while ago to tell me that Democrat Candidate for US House, Dennis Spivack, showed up at Meredith Middle School in Middletown. Apparently, Mr. Spivack was invited to speak today at the middle school in clear violation of elections laws. At first I really didn’t see much wrong with Mr. Spivack speaking. My first instinct was that “Hey, Mike Castle, Karen Hartley-Nagle, and Michael Berg were probably invited as well, for equal-time purposes.”
Well, after speaking to Independent Candidate Karen Hartley-Nagle, it became clear that Spivack’s visit to the middle school — replete with literature hand-outs for 11-year-olds — had to have been a clear violation of politicking on the grounds of a public school. A representative on behalf of Congressman Mike Castle also confirmed to me that he hadn’t been invited. I was unable to reach Green Candidate Michael Berg, though I’m sure he would have offered the same response.
There are rumors from my source that a teacher may have invited Spivack to speak on behalf of the school’s upcoming mock elections. It’s quite likely that this teacher isn’t privvy to elections laws and my intent is not meant to damage the reputation of that teacher. However, I’ve been informed by my source that Mr. Spivack is well aware of these elections laws and should have used more discretion before appearing at the event. My source tells me it would have been OK if Spivack had discussed simple civics with the students, however, he was quite annoyingly handing out his campaign literature to students who probably don’t even know what the hell they’re looking at. Is the campaign literature meant to be taken home to mommy and daddy? Either way, Spivack should have known better.
My source also confirms that he spotted Spivack at a nearby Wawa following his appearance. He was actively campaigning INSIDE the Wawa and was annoying quite a few of the convenience store’s customers and employees. My source has informed me that he alerted the clerk that her manager should have given permission to allow Spivack to campaign in the Wawa. Some called Spivack’s campaigning “totally obnoxious.” The clerk went so far as to have a nearby police officer kindly ask Spivack to remove himself from the premises, which Spivack did. Another customer is said to have asked “Who is that jerk and what’s he doing here?”
Dennis Spivack: my man! Keep rockin’, homie. I think You just put another percentage point in the pocket of the ogre!
Update: OK, I spoke with Paul Baldwin at the Department of Elections and he’s informed me that what Spivack did wasn’t against the law. Funny…I’ve heard from more than one person that there is definitely something fishy — and possibly unlawful — with this picture. Do I really have to spend the weekend sifting through campaign laws?
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 11:34 AM PDT
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Middletown, Del. is a notorious haven for city-sickened individuals to flee to live a life of solitude, yet still remain close enough to enjoy the metropolitan “delights” of Wilmington. Which is interesting. Because one would think that stinky little town could have found a larger arena in which to hold a debate than the Abu Ghraib-lite conference room of the Southern Patrol Headquarters on Broad Street. In what was likely the joining of two prison cells, the debate was hardly a debate…as quickly noticed by myself because there was virtually no media coverage and some of the big names didn’t even bother showing.
I arrived about five minutes late. State Auditor (and genuine nice guy) Tom Wagner was doing his thing. I bet Mr. Wagner is happy he didn’t have to suffer gladly through another night of Democrat challenger Michael Dalto’s ridiculous non sequiturs and abrasive interruptions. Following Wagner, Democrat Dennis Spivack was offered a chance to speak.
I must say to whomever organized this debate: What the hell were you thinking? Southern New Castle County Alliance President Chuck Mulholland seemed to be in charge, with a journalist from The Middletown Transcript named Jessica Thompson moderating. I was unaware of the rules that stated I would have to WRITE a question and present it to the moderator rather than being able to ask the question directly myself. Tom Wagner had asked for questions from the audience. Dennis Spivack got to answer a few directly from the audience. And Karen Hartley-Nagle was afforded the opportunity to take questions. So, naturally, I thought there would be no problem with my question being asked by myself.
I really only went to this debate to check out 14th Senate District Candidates Republican John Feroce and Independent Barbara Allsopp. I already knew that resident General Assembly stooge Sen. Jim Vaughn wouldn’t show up because he’s about to die, so I thought I would try my question on the two of them. I’m not going to go into it here, because that was solely the purpose of my camera tagging along.
In short, I attempted to ask my question, however, I was cockblocked by Ms. Thompson and unallowed to continue at the discretion of Mr. Mulholland. So, following their statements and round of questions, I summoned Mr. Feroce and Ms. Allsopp to the front of Abu Ghraib. And the rest can be found by clicking on the link to this YouTube video.
In short, Jim Vaughn is an old coot who needs to go. He’s a major detriment to anything decent in this state and his time is up. Both literally and figuratively.
Honestly, though, I’m not surprised much by either Feroce’s or Allsopp’s reaction to my question on open government. They both know this is the highlight of this year’s election and, quite frankly, anyone is better than 125-year-old Vaughn. Voters in the 14th need to send the prune packin’. Or shellackin’.
And, one final note to the organizers of this event. Mr. Mulholland, your little soiree was hardly a Christie’s or Sotheby’s silent auction, OK? The audience was falling asleep and, frankly, so was I. The air was stagnant and there were no refreshments. Did Ferris Wharton or Beau Biden even show up? Or were they swallowed alive by the traffic on Main Street?
And, why, Mr. Mulholland, was no timekeeper provided?
As for you, Ms. Thompson, you seemed quite whipped by Mr. Mulholland. Who was the moderator of the debate? Of course, you could have easily learned your censorious tactics from your bosses at The Middletown Transcript. Comrades Jim and Don Flood own quite a few low-circulation rags BTC. And they have an even more storied recent history. If you remember, they fired a young journalist named Matt Donegan earlier this year for “questionable” blog entries on his MySpace blog. How quaint. Just like Middletown.
So what was I to do? I thought: Ms. Thompson, looking relatively young, probably has a MySpace account. Of course I had to search. And, yes, I did find one. However, Mr. and Mr. Flood, don’t worry; Jessica’s MySpace page (note: page has since been deleted…sorry, Jessica! It certainly wasn’t my intention. Did the obnoxious Flood folk demand you take it down?) is safe and totally clean. Just like the nondescript work you and yours publish at your papers. (Except Diccon Hyatt — He’s my homeboy who knows how to treat this attention-loving whore.)
So…to recap: The event was a joke. Neither moderator nor organizer knew what they hell to do. No timekeeper and barely an audience even though the tiny shack was filled. No food and hardly any candidates. But there were John Feroce and Barbara Allsopp. With an answer to a very important question that made my waste of a quarter-tank of gas totally worth it. Even on a trip to that hole known as Middletown.
PS…I owe an apology — believe it or not — to Democrat Candidate for US House Dennis Spivack. You see, as I was informed I would be unable to orally ask my question, I said “But Spivack was allowed to take questions from the audience.” I totally didn’t mean to refer to Dennis as “Spivack” and I must apologize to one of my favorite punching bags candidates in any race this year for this blatant disrespect. Seriously. I would’ve apologized to him personally, however, I didn’t want to disrupt the rest of the revellers in the tiny shack from hearing the other debates. I had to pop out about an hour early for fear some toothless Middletownian would have slashed my tires!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 11:00 PM PDT
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Update below.
WHYY is a publically-funded television station that had previously denied US Congressional Candidates Karen Hartley-Nagle (Independent) and Michael Berg (Green) the right to debate at the station’s US House debate tomorrow night. Of course, that can be argued forever — and has been in previous posts — however, it must be pointed out that WHYY just tonight announced that Republican Rep. Mike Castle has decided to not appear at tomorrow night’s debate with Democrat Dennis Spivack.
And what does WHYY decide to do? Make the move to totally remove the scheduled debate from its program line-up by cancelling it. Did the folks over at WHYY (particularly resident news chick Nancy Karibjellybean) ever think they wouldn’t have to cancel the debate? They could have easily replaced Castle with the other two candidates and produced just as fascinating a broadcast as last week’s tepid Carper/Ting debate.
This treatment is disgusting, but it’s hardly atypical to the response legal, third-party candidates have received.
Update I: Received this email today. It seems Independent Party Chairperson Frank Sims threatened to sue WHYY for not including Karen Hartley-Nagle in the debate. Of course, since the debate was canceled because of Mike Castle’s non-participation, it provides the perfect opportunity for WHYY’s responder, Bill Marrazzo, the opportunity to dodge the greater point at hand. Below is the email exchange, with Frank Sims’ on top:
Since you receive public funds, $660,000 (fiscal 06) from Delaware, you cannot attempt to control the public’s choices of who will receive their attention and thus, their vote.
By limiting who among the certified candidates will be allowed to appear on you station, you are eliminating candidates from consideration.
The Independent Party of Delaware will sue you if you do not allow our Congressional candidate to speak.
Sincerely,
Frank Sims
Chairperson
The Independent Party of Delaware
______________________________________
Mr. Sims,
Thank you for your note and bringing your concerns about the inclusion of the Independent Party of Delaware candidate during tomorrow’s Congressional debate. For reasons outside of your particular concern the debate has been canceled and will not be rescheduled, at least not by WHYY.
Bill Marrazzo
Nancy Karibjellybean must be proud she doesn’t have to work another Friday. Now she can go out and sip her cosmopolitans tonight with the bougie folk in center city.
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 6:01 PM PDT
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Jason Scott from DelawareLiberal has filed a great report from the field today! He’s turning into quite the mini-me. (And that’s not a bad thing…I’ve had other things to do over the past two days and wasn’t able to make it to some things) The Rotary Club debate between Dennis Spivack and Rep. Mike Castle (no Karen Hartley-Nagle or Michael Berg, of course.)
From his coverage:
The most reported sound bite might be this attempted zinger that fell flat: Castle fished around in a notebook and picked up a piece of paper, all happy like a two-year old fishing a penny out of a dirty diaper, and asked Spivack, “Dennis, you say that you opposed the war from day one and yet I have this check for $100 from you dated the day after the Iraq war vote - how does that square with you opposing the war from day one?”
Spivack totally stomped on the zinger by simply replying “Of course I contributed money to you, like probably everyone in this room I voted for you and what choice did I have? I gave you money and saw you at an event right after that and said ‘what are you doing? Whay are you voting for this war? And I saw Joe Biden at an event and I said, ‘Joe everyone can see this war is bogus - why did you vote for it’.”
Very…very good indeed, Mr. Spivack. Great comeback. Even better, though, was Jason’s ultimate confrontation with the Ogre…detailed here:
I ran up to Castle after the debate and asked, “Congressman, after your stem cell bill was vetoed - did you regret supporting George Bush in the election?” And then a miracle happened. After eight months of asking that question, I got a direct answer. “No,” he said. I was a little shocked but recovered to ask, “Do you think Bush should fire Rumsfeld?” Castle looked flustered and said something like “I’m not commenting on that.” So I asked, “Do you think Preisdent Bush’s failure to fire Rumsfeld in spite of his abject failure makes Bush seem weak?” At that he started to walk away.
Later I was aking Dennis questions and I was pretty wired so I asked, “Mr. Castle does not think Bush should fire Rumsfeld, what do you…” At that Castle poked his ogre head into the little semi-circle of journalsts talking to Spivack and yelped, “I did not say that I said ‘No Comment’.” So I rolled my eyes and said, “Mr Castle has no comment about whether Bush should fire Rumsfeld and if Bush not firing Rumsfeld makes Bush look weak. What do you think?” The WBOC camera was right there and I hope they got Spivack’s answer because it was great. [The funny part about all of this is that Castle was real proud of himself for correcting the record. That’s right. He is proud of the fact that he has “no comment” on the question of whether Rumsfeld should be fired. That tells the whole story.]
Read the whole thing. The best part is where Jason details his torrid and lusty affair with Castle assistant Elizabeth Wenk. Steamy!
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 4:45 PM PDT
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Aside from Christine O’Donnell and Jordan Warfel, does anyone believe Catholic and Christian-affiliated churches are actually under a constant “threat?” Seriously, head over to Jordan’s blog and read his awesome hyperbole.
I like Christine and I respect her right to run, however, she knows I think she’s crazy. Her views on social policy are so anachronistic that even some of my self-identified conservative friends are embarrassed.
She is hot, though.
Posted by Mike Matthews in Craziness at 4:36 PM PDT
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Please join me and my friends for a comedy extravaganza tomorrow night — all for a good cause! Tomorrow’s show at The Colosseum in Wilmington, Del. is actually 100% free, however, donations will be accepted and will be donated toward breast cancer research. Show starts at 8:30. It would be great to see some of my readers show up.
JayRock will be there, as well!
Posted by Mike Matthews in Friends at 10:03 PM PDT
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Damn I need to start collecting a salary. Check out tomorrow’s schedule:
What: WDEL’s Attorney General Debate
Who: Ferris Wharton and Beau Biden
Where: Widener University, Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom
When: 8 am
To be followed by…
What: Stell Parker Selby talks about eliminating the office of State Treasurer
Where: Peter Spencer Plaza, Wilmington
When: 10 am
To be followed by…
What: Common Cause announces the kick off of the “Little Head Committee”
Where: Rodney Square
When: 10:30 am
To be followed by…
What: Christine O’Donnell press announcement
Where: The Sheraton in Wilmington
When: 11:30 am
Maybe I’ll see some of you fine folks at one (or more) of these events?
Update: I just spoke with the great Christine O’Donnell, who seems to be enjoying her time spent BTC these days. She has asked me to “make a statement” at tomorrow’s event. I think I will. I don’t know what I’ll say, but I’m sure it will be quite complementary of my favorite social conservative. I hope she doesn’t mind, but I will not be putting on a monkey suit.
PS…I know what you’re thinking. How “journalistic” is it that I’m offering a statement supporting Christine? Note: I will NOT be endorsing her (like I won’t be endorsing anyone…especially in this awful race). I will just be speaking on the effects of her write-in candidacy and how I support her right to run as a write-in candidate. Who knows? I may piss myself from fear and decide not to speak at all…
Update II: A little birdy got upset that I didn’t include the below event. Given its advantageous time, I may actually show up. Anywhere Tom Carper goes these days, I’m quite inclined to follow!
What: Kent County Democrats for Responsible Growth (special appearance by Sen. Tom Carper)
Where: Corner of Lockmeath Way and Peachtree Run Rd., off of Rt. 13 in Camden-Wyoming
When: 1:45 pm
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 4:43 PM PDT
37 Comments | Gimme some more »
Whaddya know? I just received a call from a good friend imploring me to post on this topic. I told her I’d been planning on posting about this for a couple days. Her call has only helped me expedite this a bit more quickly.
First let me say that I’m not much a fan of political advertising. I find it to be self-aggrandizing and deceitful most of the time and many ad campaigns totally turn me off from the candidates endorsing the respective advertisement. However, every once in a while a brushstroke of genius takes over the marketplace of political ideas.
After viewing the recent TV spot promoting Missouri US Senate Candidate, Democrat Claire McCaskill, it suddenly became clear to me that the US Senate may be that much sooner taken over by the Democrats. The ad? The torturous-to-watch Michael J. Fox swaying about discussing McCaskill’s opponent, Jim Talent, who has in the past basically offered a big “Eff You!” to stem-cell research prospects.
Everyone knows Fox suffers from the debilitating Parkinson’s disease. I — as well as millions of other Americans, I’m sure — have never personally witnessed someone with Parkinson’s Disease. This being the first time, I’ve got to say…whoever designed this political ad is a genius and deserves a Clio Award. And if McCaskill overthrows Bush ass-boy Talent, then I don’t think it will be because of the general displeasure with Republicans. This ad alone, I believe, could put two or three more percentage points into her basket.
Seeing as how Talent only beat Democrat Jean Carnahan by one percentage point in 2002, I think this feat could prove do-able by McCaskill.
Watch the ad by clicking here.
This is also the same Claire McCaskill who hilariously told Tim Russert on Meet the Press that she wouldn’t let her daughter near Bill Clinton…this woman would certainly have my vote if I was munching beef in Kansas City.
Update I: Uh-oh. The ad must be working. Rush Limbaugh is already in attack mode and is accusing Michael J. Fox of “acting.”
Posted by Mike Matthews in Political Landscape at 3:15 PM PDT
6 Comments | Gimme some more »
Stell Parker Selby is an interesting woman. Though I’ve never met her, I know this must be true for several reasons. First, the Republicans had no one to go against incumbent State Treasurer Jack Markell this year. At the last minute, they came up with Sussex Countian Selby, who’s a fixture in downstate politics. The second — and most interesting point: Selby has made numerous promises since the start of her campaign, the most specious of which is her call for the elimination of the State Treasurer’s office. Yeah…that one left me scratching, too.
I don’t know if Selby’s theatricals are merely a way of causing a ruckus because she knows she’s going to lose or if she really believes the State Treasurer’s office is a superfluous wing of the state government. What I find most interesting, though, is that Ms. Selby hasn’t found the time in her schedule to cruise her way up here to debate Markell. Now, I don’t want to cast doubt on her interest in running. I’m sure she could have had other plans…I just find it a bit strange.
But Ms. Selby does have the time for stunts like the one she’s planning to hold tomorrow at 10 am. She’ll join state lawmakers in the the public plaza between the Carvel State Building and the City-County Building in Wilmington to unveil her plan to do away with the State Treasurer’s office. She’ll present the same case to Kent County-folk at 2 pm at Legislative Hall in Dover.
Here’s hoping that Ms. Selby will make an interesting presentation. And, also, here’s hoping she’ll make more than a few appearance in New Castle County to make up for the debates she’s so far missed on numerous occasions. For someone so interested in wiping out the Treasurer’s office, it sure doesn’t seem like she cares much. However, I do realize perception and reality are quite different concepts…
Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 11:26 AM PDT
