First, donate close to $100,000 to a candidate through ‘limit’ donations of $1,200.00 per corporate member, employee, spouse and relative. Do this a year before the election.

Second, donate the same amount again after the primary.

And why, the discerning reader asks, would someone donate this much money in increments of $1,200.00 a pop to a state-wide candidate? Why would numerous out-of-state, non-Delawareans donate 80% of a candidate’s war-chest a year before the election?

Let’s fill in the blanks. The office is Insurance Commissioner. The obvious answer is that the donors are insurance companies hoping, by buying this office, to make up for ground lost under Commissioner Denn. But you’d be wrong!!!

So why would out-of-state people donate almost 80% out of $100,000.00 reported in 2007 to an Insurance Commissioner candidate? Who, outside of insurance companies, would benefit from buying a State office (or, more specifically, buying an elected official)?

Why, that would be Regulatory Insurance Services, Inc. (RIS); a family-friendly corporation that has made millions from auditing Delaware insurance companies for the Department of Insurance. The Insurance Commissioner awards this contract, and what better way to ‘help’ your chances than by paying for an elected official. The well-funded Insurance Commissioner candidate is none other than Gene Reed, Jr. Mr. Reed’s much touted campaign fund is a direct result of the friends and families and related corporations of Regulatory Insurance Services, Inc. in pursuit of the multi-million dollar contract awarded by the Insurance Commissioner. What’s a couple hundred thousand in campaign donations compared to a contract worth millions?

Sounds to me like a recipe ripe for foam-at-the-mouth profit-mongers more interested in installing a candidate who will serve their interests as opposed to those of the citizens of Delaware. But let’s not rely merely on rhetoric and conspiracy theory-like claims. Could Gene Reed be a Donna Lee Williams-lite; the kind of Insurance Commissioner who doesn’t give a damn about the consumer and who lives to serve the corporate behemoths who so richly line his campaign war chest?

Perhaps not. Perhaps the incredible amount of money spent auditing Delaware companies does not affect us tax-paying Delaware citizens. But then again, if I was an insurance company being hit with these million dollar fees from the State contractor, I’d just add the cost to insurance premiums, and BANG, we tax-payers do foot the bill.

Wow. I say it louder.

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:29 PM PDT

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Mat Marshall is likely a very popular guy among his classmates right now. Too bad it’s Spring Break and his ego can’t wholly bask in the congratulatory glow. The News Journal’s Nicole Gaudiano reported today on Marshall’s new gig as Communications Director for Karen Hartley-Nagle Congressional campaign. Click here to read the full story.

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:42 AM PDT

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Lookie…lookie. Just floated into my box last night while I was hocking up a lung:

Hartley-Nagle For Congress Campaign Welcomes New Communications Director

Communications Campaign getting fired-up

March 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mat Marshall

Karen Hartley-Nagle for Congress

Communications Director

302-668-3674

mat@hartley-nagle.com

www.hartley-nagle.com

Wilmington, Delaware - Karen Hartley-Nagle’s 2008 congressional campaign has brought the Ranking Member of the Young Democrats Movement, Mat Marshall, on board as its Communications Director.

“I’m incredibly excited about it. I’ve gotten to know Karen over the past few months; I know she’ll win this race, and I want to help take her over the top,” said Marshall. “I look forward to collaborating with the campaign.”

A 16 year-old student at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Mat has worked with 7 candidates from both parties–most notably gubernatorial hopeful Jack Markell and presidential candidate Barack Obama–within the past two years. His volunteer work extends from political campaigns into human rights efforts: Marshall is a member of Amnesty International and Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. He is also a writer with Down With Absolutes!, a blog focusing on state and national politics, though he has announced a hiatus for the duration of the campaign.

When asked to comment, Young Democrats Movement co-president Helen Boyer said the following:

“I think it’s awesome that Mat is Karen’s Communications Director! YDM members are really working hard this election year to elect candidates that they believe in; youth are finally having a voice in the political system, and we can see that on both national and statewide levels. We are all very excited for Mat, and we know that he will be a great asset to the campaign.”

“Our country has some big and exciting challenges ahead, with some tough choices. Understanding decisions made today will shape future generations, we chose one of the best and brightest young leaders we have met to date to join our campaign team. Mat has deep insight, a sharp intellect and a strong work ethic usually reserved for a person far beyond his years. We expect him to be a tremendous asset to our team and look forward to working with him”, said Hartley-Nagle.

—————–

Karen Hartley-Nagle is a Democratic candidate in the 2008 election for Delaware’s sole Congressional seat. In her 2006 campaign for Congress, Hartley-Nagle received strong support and performed remarkably well, although she faced a substantial difference in campaign spending. Hartley-Nagle’s reputation is that of a strong vocal leader who puts the interests of children, families and her community above that of special interests and partisan bickering – someone who will work tirelessly to stand up for what truly matters to the people of Delaware. She previously served as Board member of the non-partisan Common Cause, Board member of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, and Executive Director of The Nagle Foundation, a national non-profit child advocacy organization.

###

Can’t say I’m terribly surprised. Even at the age of 16, Mat’s light years brighter than I was at that age and can potentially bring a energetic and vibrant dynamic to this race. Good luck to all!

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 8:14 AM PDT

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The good Samaritan in me is urging me to help educate Delawarean voters. While I congratulate Madam O’Donnell on her candidacy, I have a few questions that I think should be on all of our minds. She can answer them at her earliest convenience.

1: The fact that your website is called “faithandflag.com” falls just shy of satire, essentially paraphrasing Sinclair Lewis’ famous quote regarding fascism. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but you were the one with the “God, Guns and Country” signs in ‘06. Who is your communications director, and when will you be firing him/her?

2: You specifically say you’ll only pursue two terms, because too much time in Congress leads to corruption and anti-Americanism, so this question is a two-parter. First off, what votes did Biden cast that were anti-American? Examples might include the Violence Against Women Act or the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Secondly, why aren’t you primarying Mike Castle? He is now about to hit his 16th year in Congress (the equivalent of almost three senatorial terms), and has been casting votes not only for issues that are anti-Delawarean (for example, the war), but also issues that I would assume you stand against (for example, stem cell research). Your odds are better by far with Castle, since you appeal to extremely partisan GOP voters. The only reason I can think of that you’d run against Biden is that the Republicans needed somebody to do it. But then, you’re not a big enough party tool to commit political suicide, are you?

3: Piggybacking on question #2, you don’t mention the White House when you blame the deficit on congressional seniority. This is another two parter. First of all, do you believe that GOP members of Congress are to blame for the deficit between 2000 and 2006, and if so, what have you done to denounce their level of corruption? The second part refers to a later section of your paragraph in which you use the terms “bribery” and “lobbying”. Were you referring to Jack Abramoff or Vicki Iseman?

4: When you say “I will always vote in favor of life and in support of families”, are you saying that Biden is against life or families? If so, do you think he’s diverted from that platform with the Violence Against Women Act?

5: The shallow emotional responses you’re trying to elicit are completely reminiscent of the fear tactics employed by BushCo in 2004. Did ISI write this for you, or are you simply being manipulative, a la the politicians you lament in the release?

6: You made a point of specifically addressing abortion in the release, which was the only clear social issue you addressed. Am I to understand that abortion is that central of a role in your campaign? If so, have you considered running in the Bible Belt, as oppose to a blue state?

7: When you brought up abortion, you mentioned a “profound loss of respect for all human life”. In keeping with that, will you be voting against the war, torture and the death penalty?

8: Going by the aforementioned campaign slogan, you are very fond of guns. Are you pro-life enough to vote to regulate deadly weaponry, or do you limit those opinions to medical settings?

9: You say that “[w]e are treating the sick, indigent and dying as if the value of their lives is measured by their economic productivity.” Are you familiar with Walter Reed Army Medical Center?

10: You say the Republican Party was founded on respect for life. Do you, then, find it odd that George Bush let over 100 executions happen as governor of Texas, or that John Ashcroft personally urged judges to give death penalty verdicts?

11: You say that you’ll be voting against “pork-barrel legislation” and “earmarks”, language which comes directly out of the John McCain playbook. Logically, then, you would want to limit contributions from special interests and corporations to your campaign. My question is, will you be going with public financing, or individual donations? As a follow-up, what will you say to the tax-payers/donors when you waste their money on a failed campaign?

Posted by Mat Marshall in General at 9:51 PM PDT

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Home sick on my first day of Spring Break, I stumbled upon this webpage apparently announcing The Lady Christine O’Donnell’s intentions to become Delaware’s next Senator. Needless to say, I’m excited:

Dear Supporters,

As the next US Senator from Delaware, I will keep my side of my Deal With
Delaware that is designed to bring prosperity back to family budgets and
enable Americans to live life with the fullness and joy in which we were
intended to live.

My Deal With Delaware is that I pledge:

I will never vote to increase taxes. I will vote to reduce taxes
whenever possible. Raising taxes is not the solution to our economic problems
caused by wasteful spending. This would be like raising your teenager’s
allowance after he frivolously wasted his money.

I will limit myself to two terms. We need politicians who will put the
next generation ahead of the next election. Congress has a hard time setting
real priorities with limited resources, and doing the right thing for the
long-term instead of short-term political profit. Consequently, we have a
deficit in the trillions, vital programs such as Social Security and Medicare
will be bankrupt before our children can receive the benefits of their
investment. There’s been an explosion of corruption, bribery and lobbying
scandals in Washington, DC. The “rush” of power can be addictive. Many
politicians start making decisions based on keeping their seats rather than
what is best for America.

I will never vote for “pork barrel spending” or corrupt “earmark favors.”
These terms refer to the practice of slipping favors for special interest
groups into the final stages spending bills. These so-called special projects
have little accountability to determine if the projects were completed on time,
if the money was spent the way it was intended or who profited from the deal.
(For example, $250 million was earmarked last year for a bridge to nowhere in
Alaska.) Rather than face the hard truth about out-of-control spending and the
crushing debt placed on the backs of our children, politicians perpetuate
government waste in order to stay in office. This is the first generation of
Americans to leave the country in a worse financial situation than they
received.

I will always vote in favor of life and in support of families. Now
more than ever we must elect Senators who have a real understanding and deep
appreciation for human life. There has been a profound loss of respect for all
human life. We are treating the sick, indigent and dying as if the value of
their lives is measured by their economic productivity. Women are starting to
come forward to break the silence about the mental and physicals scars left on
their lives by abortion. We must renew the commitment to respect all human life
on which the Republican Party was founded.

Christine O’Donnell
Republican Candidate for US Senate
christine@christineodonnell08.com

Looks like the same platform she proposed in 2006, though I’ll say it deserves a good editing. The “$250…earmarked last year for a bridge to nowhere in Alaska” was actually three years ago. Either way, Delaware’s new conservative diva will likely make a splash and could bring in lots of outside-DE dough for her campaign. Word has it the DE GOP has mended ties with the invective-infused goddess and is wholly behind her run.

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 6:26 PM PDT

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Liz Allen and Karen Hartley-Nagle invited the candidates for Insurance Commissioner on to this month’s edition of In-Depth Delaware. Here it is:

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 6:24 AM PDT

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Uh-oh. Shake-up at WDEL. I’ve received word that Brian Selander is out as co-host of The Rick and Brian Show. His last day will be March 26.

Rumor has it that lard-ass Mike Matthews and instigator Jason Scott will be tag-teaming Rick Jensen starting March 27. OK…maybe not, but it would be pretty cool.

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 2:30 PM PDT

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I’ve told Mike and Dis already, but the short and sweet is that I’m taking one. I’m not sure how much I’m at liberty to say in the public domain at this point, but ultimately, I’ve taken a job that will be taking a good portion of my time up, and DWA will have to go on the backburner while I do it.

I know we’ve been pretty lame about posting, for different reasons (up until now, mine was just laziness), and this probably won’t help, but I simply will not have the time to write as many posts as before until, I imagine, the end of the year.

Look out for me in the comments section, though. If I find time, I’ll blast some of you.

Take it easy,
Mat

Posted by Mat Marshall in General at 6:52 PM PDT

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Tomorrow, divas-in-training Liz Allen and Karen Hartley-Nagle will be hosting some top-notch guests on In-Depth Delaware (channel 28).

The two lovely ladies will have three candidates for Insurance Commissioner on the air:

Tom Savage
Karen Weldin-Stewart
John Brady

Gene Reed is unavailable due to scheduling conflict, and City Councilman Sammy Prado (for whom I was pulling) has elected to drop his candidacy for the position, and simply run for city council reelection. You’ll be missed, Sammy.

This will be the first open forum for the 2008 I.C. candidates — it’s sure to be interesting. Since Denn is leaving the post, we will undoubtedly be losing top-notch leadership in Delaware’s government. I just hope that one of the three remaining candidates can fill his shoes.

At any rate, tune in, kids!

Posted by Mat Marshall in General at 10:55 PM PDT

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Duffy’s got the scoop this week. ATHF is being held over at his Pencader Days. Ch-ch-check it out!

On a side note, I feel I must apologize for what can only be described as a self-imposed moratorium on blogging for some strange, unknown reason. In all honesty, I’ve got nothing much to say recently. If you’ve had a phone conversation with me lately, you’ll know how my life is going and that I’m at a point in my life where blogging is hardly a priority. DWA is bleeding readers by the day, but I hope to have this site revived with the help of my co-bloggers by late spring/early summer. More on that within the next few months.

Peace out, bitches!

Posted by Mike Matthews in First State Filth at 10:17 AM PDT

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It was heavily rumored that at the end of the Nixon reign when Dick was being pressured to step down, the ‘inner circle’ disconnected the Red Button on the President’s desk. They were getting a little worried about his sanity.l

Based on this blog at Delaware Liberal, LINK, I think its time to uplug the communications devices in the Oval Office and replace the ‘football’ with a Genuine James Bond Agent Briefcase with Camera and Plastic Gun.

Posted by Discourse in General at 8:14 AM PDT

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Go.

Posted by Mat Marshall in General at 8:56 PM PDT

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