Is Christine a Cougar or is Dustin Dominiak a Douche? NOW angered women speak

One midnight gone and it seems we are even deeper into the woods than we expected.

Naturally, I am referring to the Gawker.com story (which I will not be linking) which basically calls Christine O’Donnell a cougar and discusses a story with very little proof.  The Gawker does have pictures of Christine in a Halloween costume (although the seeming consensus of the story is that the roommate of the story’s “author” dated Christine for a year, so one may consider the pictures as coming from that experience).  I will add that the Drudge Report shares pictures of the story’s author and pictures of the man Christine reportedly dated.  If you know Dustin Dominiak, feel free to call him sexually explicit names and question the last time he waxed.

Let’s take a minute and analyze what this piece has accomplished.  We are four days until the 2010 elections.  This piece looks suspiciously like a plant (and Christine makes a great ladybug).  NOW (the National Organization for Women) “condemned the tabloid website Gawker for publishing an anonymous account: NOW issued a statement late Thursday stating that “sexist, misogynist attacks against women have no place in the electoral process, regardless of a particular candidate’s political ideology.”

Even the Huffington Post admits this story crosses a line “Are we really going to get into a public debate about private dating behavior, and whether or not one sticks to a standard on a consistent basis?”

Dave Poff (the lovable Haystack) beat me to the punch as he thanks Democrat ambition for giving the win to O’Donnell in Delaware.  He states that “Hell hath no fury” and I doubt that he knows the half of it, however he does rightly point to the fact that many women are planning on not voting after this debacle.  Just look at Meghan McCain, who has gone on the record making negative statements about Christine in the past.  Meghan tweeted “I am no fan of O’Donnell but what gawker has done is disgusting and vile and once again not showcasing the real issues in this election.”

Jeff Bercovici spoke to the editor of the Gawker yesterday, Remy Stern, and quotes him as saying the following:

“We verified any of the facts he provided us with to feel really comfortable that this was all legit. We confirmed the addresses he gave us and matched the photos to make sure the guy with O’Donnell was the same guy we were talking to. We also confirmed the photos were taken on Halloween 2007 as he told us they were. We also confirmed that he lived with his roommate [who, as the story relates, ended up dating O'Donnell after the incident in question].”

Although there are no details as to how the date of the images was verified.

I am just curious as to how anyone justifies the low blows and narration the “author” of the story makes consistently throughout this story.

Here’s a note for “whomever” wrote this story *cough* Dustin Dominiak *cough* that your comments are horrific.  You are a prime example of sexual harassment and the degradation of women.  This is a small state Dustin, good luck finding a woman to ever spend time with you again (or at least for the next year).

 

Delaware Victims against Beau Biden

An ad running today and tomorrow in The News Journal includes a plea from family members of a man killed in a car crash in Delaware.  Eugene Hamilton publishes this plea:

 

There is an issue at hand that should be of concern to everyone who lives in this state — the arbitrary way in which the Department of Justice prosecutes various cases, especially those dealing with vehicular homicide.

 

Under the current attorney general, Beau Biden – who is up for re-election November 2 — the DOJ has prosecuted some people for relatively minor offenses while refusing to prosecute other people for serious offenses.  The inconsistencies in Delaware are getting growing attention in the national news media and in other circles.

 

I got a taste of it firsthand over three years ago, when my father was killed in a traffic accident; the driver of the car that hit him paid a $25 fine.

 

Biden’s opponent in the upcoming election, Doug Campbell, has made the issue part of his campaign and it appears that he is going to get some strong support as a result. We should all support him November 2. It’s important, not just for our loved ones who can no longer speak for themselves, but also for those of us who still can.

 

You can get more information at my websites: http://www.crimevictimsforcampbell.com and http://www.del-victimsrights.org

 

There is another website here which makes the following claims:

Under Attorney General Beau Biden:

·  The Delaware Department of Justice (DDOJ) has bungled eight homicide cases
From Feb. 2009 to Feb. 2010, there were 8 dropped homicide cases under Biden’s watch. According to Wilmington defense attorney John Malik (a Democrat), “This isn’t something you’ve seen in the past 20 years.” For more details see Sean O’Sullivan’s article, “Dropped cases put Biden’s approach under scrutiny” from the Wilmington News Journal, Feb. 14, 2010.

Article abstract: The News Journal In the past year, charges against defendants in eight homicide cases were dropped, dismissed by a judge or jury or reduced to near misdemeanors in what some are calling an unprecedented string of apparent failures by the Delaware Attorney General’s Office. On the same day, the state also dropped all charges against one of two men in the 2008 fatal shooting of a Newark-area Dunkin’ Donuts manager, even though they initially planned to seek the death penalty. [...] in May, a judge tossed out all charges against Loyer Braden, the sole suspect in the fatal September 2007 shooting of Delaware State University student Shalita Middleton, days before that trial was to begin. Note: the full text of this article is available online in the delawareonline.com archives.

 

·  The DDOJ has dispensed arbitrary justice
The Cases of 3 Drivers

Driver 1 came out from a stop sign and struck another vehicle, injuring its driver, who died from his injuries two weeks later. She told a police officer that she stopped at the stop sign, but two accident reconstructions subsequently proved that she ran the stop sign at a substantial rate of speed and that she was traveling above the speed limit at the point of impact. Driver 1 received a $25 fine for “Failing to Remain Stopped”. She received no other penalties, not even points on her driving record. She wasn’t even brought in for questioning after the death of her victim.

Driver 2 ran a stop sign. As in the case of Driver 1, he told a police officer that he had stopped. Upon questioning, he admitted that he had run the stop sign. Driver 2 received a six month jail sentence, one year of probation, 35 hours of community service, and a three year license suspension for virtually the same offense that netted Driver 1 a $25 fine.

Driver 3 was driving north on Route 62. She came to a traffic signal at the intersection with Route 2. The light was red and she stopped. When the light turned green, she proceeded into the intersection, making a left turn. A school bus traveling east on Route 2 at that time faced a red light at the intersection. The school bus ran the red light and collided with Driver 3′s car, seriously injuring her and killing her passenger. The school bus driver was prosecuted for Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Death. Driver 3 was also prosecuted for Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Death even though she was lawfully proceeding into an intersection while facing a green light and had the right of way.

 

·  The DDOJ has mistreated relatives of crime victims

The DDOJ has, in my opinion, made a mockery of victims rights by making false or misleading statements to victims justifying their refusal to prosecute crime perpetrators. On this matter, I speak from personal experience. My father was a victim of a homicide nearly four years ago. The DDOJ knows who caused my father’s death (they even have an admission from the perpetrator to the action that caused his death). Several of the members of the Department (including the State Prosecutor) have given me false or misleading explanations for the failure to prosecute. They have been rude to me and broken a number of promises. They have refused to return phone calls. They have not answered several of my letters and emails. The last letter was sent on July 14, 2010 to Attorney General Beau Biden, who has not even had the courtesy to respond.

 

 

No Glen Urquhart, John Carney is NOT scared…

Glen Urquhart sent out a press release today, one calling John Carney “afraid to debate”.  I have to call a foul on this comment.

Glen’s press release includes quotes from Glen’s own “Political Director”, Brad White.  Brad states “This just proves what some of us have known for quite some time, that Carney lacks substance.  Glen defeated him on the issues in every debate thus far.  If he were my candidate I wouldn’t have him get schooled by Urquhart any more either”.  White goes on to discuss his opinion that “Carney proved himself far inferior when it comes to the specifics of the issues”.

I am refraining from endorsing candidates, but many of you may read between the lines and guess (most likely correctly) who I will be voting for in this race.  Regardless of that fact, I have to say this press release is wrong.

No matter what your opinion is regarding the debate outcomes, I highly doubt John Carney is refusing to debate out of fear.  I would chalk this up to simple time management.

Glen and John’s political platforms are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum.  Either you like the recent healthcare bill or you don’t.  Either you agree with government funded abortions or you don’t.  *by the way, I have a correction here.  John Carney is not for the federal funding of abortions, but he is pro-choice.  This makes the distinction between pro-life and pro-choice (and leave the federal funding out of it for now)* John Carney is simply dealing with the fact that the election is less than a week away.  There is no point in debating anymore.

The stances in this race are clear; the lines have been drawn in the sand.  At this point there should be plenty of audio and video for either candidate to use as ammunition, but I would hesitate to call an opponent a coward because they think they have shown people enough of their true character for voters to make an informed choice.

Christine O’Donnell makes campaign movies (Videos here, including my favorite spoof)

All over the internet people are watching videos of the Christine O’Donell ads.  In an effort to save you some searching, check out some of the ads here:

Christine O’Donnell: I’m You

(The highlight of this video may be the spoofs that came after, helping to make Christine a household name)

My favorite spoof is this totally catchy version (this one is NOT an official Christine for Senate video [as will become obvious when you watch it):

Chris Coons is the Taxman, a made for DC movie (ok, well, this IS the TV ad:

Chris Coons the Taxman, the full preview:

Chris Coons is Rubber Stamp Man, another made for DC movie:

Not as funny, but still an official Christine video is “She’ll Stand for her Principles”:

So, enjoy and feel free to laugh at these videos, they’re meant to put a smile on your face!

Voter Scorecards (thanks to DFPC) are out!

The Delaware Family Policy Council has officially released their 2010 Voter Scorecard.  I know what you all are thinking, and I will clear the air right now.  I am not a “card-carrying member” of the DFPC, but they have done a lot of hard work to ensure voters are informed and aware for this election.  The least I can do is share their information with you.

Here’s how this works.  The DFPC sent all federal candidates the following 8 questions:

 

1. Eliminate tax payer funded abortions?

2. ENDA: Employment Non-Discrimination Act which makes sexual preference/self-identified transgender, bisexuals and homosexuals as well as gender express, a protected class. This bill positions religious liberties against sexual liberty, making deeply held religious beliefs about the issue to be discriminatory. Protect religious liberties from threat created by ENDA?

3. Fund abstinence education?

4. Support the Defense of Marriage Act?

5. Repeal the Health Care Reform Bill?

6. Support Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?

7. Support the ban on internet gambling?

8. Support the Parental Rights Amendment?

 

Considering the group supports “pro-family” stances, and based on reading the questions, I would think a “pro-family” answer on each of the aforementioned questions is a yes.

 

In the U.S. Senate race the following DFPC grades were given:

Christine O’Donnell – A (“pro-family position” for all 8 questions)

Chris Coons – F (“anti-family position” for 4 questions and unknown for 4 questions)

Glenn Miller – B (“pro family position” for 5 questions and “anti-family position for 3)

Jim Rash – refused to answer

 

In the U.S. Congress race the following DFPC grades were given:

Glen Urquhart – A (all 8 “pro-family”)

John Carney – F (2 “anti-family” and 6 unknown)

Earl Lofland – B (4 “pro-family,” 1 “anti-family,” and 3 unknown)

Brent Wangen – C (4 “pro-family,” 3 “anti-family,” and 1 unknown)

Jeffrey Brown – refused to answer

 

The 11 state/local questions asked candidates were as follows:

 

1. Freedom from Federal Health Care Reform insurance mandates?

2. Protecting families from “gender identity or expression” legislation which threatens religious liberties and allows men access to public accommodations assigned to women?

3. Defining marriage as being between one Man and one Woman in Delaware’s Constitution?

4. Rejects the anti-family position that one man, one woman marriage is discriminatory?

5. Parents’ have the right to know what is being taught in the classroom & to opt their child out?

6. Protect families from new gambling locations?

7. Support the right to have a deeply held religious belief about marriage without threat of liability?

8. Eliminating Sports betting and table games?

9. Freedom of speech for educators, counselors and prayer vigil attendees near abortion clinics?

10. Eliminating abortion funding in Delaware?

11. Equality in funding and access for private school students seeking driver’s education?

 

To find how your candidates answered the questions as well as explanations to the federal candidates answers visit the Voter Scorecard yourself at this website.

 

Sordid pasts revealed in Delaware’s treasurer race (Chip Flowers & Colin Bonini)

Chip Flowers has spread the word about his past in what the Delaware Grapevine calls “an un cover up“.  Chip had a press conference a short while ago where he shared the accusations of his past and discussed his plans for the future.  What were the accusations of his past?  Two women have accused him of physical abuse.

Despite Chip’s openness, very few current news articles may be found discussing the trials involved in his past.  According to Celia Cohen (a political writer at the Dover Post) the former editorial page editor of The News Journal, John Taylor (thanks for the correction wordsmith), was a witness regarding one incident in 2006.  Chip had a protection-from-abuse order filed against him by Barbara Vilches-Cruz in 2004 and a warrant sworn in for his arrest by Janice Johnson in 2006 as she claimed “he hit her and smashed her cell phone”.

Delaware Liberal points out that Chip was found not guilty to the following story based on a lack of evidence.  Regardless, Barbara Vilches-Cruz described the following scene in her sworn statement in the Family Court document:

“I pushed past him and ran down the stairs. Chipman Flowers grabbed my legs and attempted to pull me back up the stairs. I held onto the railing and yelled for help. Chipman climbed on top of me and began punching my face and beating my head, telling me that I’d better be quiet because he was not going to allow me to ruin his political career. Chipman Flowers pinned me down, slammed my head into the stairs, bit me repeatedly on my breasts, legs and arms. Chipman also scratched me up and down my body. I truly feared he would kill me because of how hard he was hitting me. He made me promise not to leave the house if he got off of me. I eventually did.”

Colin Bonini, the Republican candidate for state treasurer, stated the following regarding Chip’s past:

“We focused on the double-dipping and not on the issue with women, although I must say I find the allegations against him icky and concerning. There are 900,000 people in Delaware,” he said. “Most of them haven’t had a protection order against them from one woman and assault charges against them from another.”

When Colin spoke about “double-dipping” he was referring to the fact that Chip isn’t planning to stop working at his law firm if elected.

Chip points to Colin’s own past (which isn’t perfect).  According to The News Journal:

Bonini’s blemish is a federal tax lien from the 2003 tax year. He was working for an engineering company, first as a salaried employee, then as an independent contractor. That change led to the tax problems. Bonini said he was still paying quarterly estimated taxes, but was stunned when he got a tax bill from the IRS for $18,000.

“I didn’t think and still don’t think it was nearly that much,” he said. “I called my attorney. He told me two things. One was that I called him way too late. The other was I’m a state senator, and I better just pay it, so I did.”

He estimates the IRS bill was paid in full within 30 days of the lien being placed on his house.

“It was awful, but I have no doubt that it made me a better senator and will make me a better treasurer,” Bonini said. “It gave me a sense of how powerless people can feel when they have to go up against an inhuman government agency.”

Chris Coons supporters allegedly assault Christine O’Donnell staffers

According to Jason O’Neil:

 

Several supporters of Chris Coons, the Delaware Democratic U.S. Senate candidate did it again.  As you enter the Glasgow Medical Center on Glasgow Avenue in Bear, DE, Coons supporters started out by holding a peaceful protest.

But, while leading doctors from across the state held a press conference with Christine O’Donnell, two Coons  disrupted the press conference and were asked to leave.  By way of disrupting the press conference which was held in a conference room inside the Glasgow Medical Center, the Coons supporters trespassed on that property since they were not seeking medical care.

It was reported that they were asked to leave, but re-entered the building defying orders from security guards and possibly even Delaware State Police.

One Christine O’Donnell staffer is suffering from a head pain as she was shoved into a wall.  Two other staffers were also shoved, but their injuries are not known at this time.

 

If this is true, it is doubtful many will report on this considering it may show Chris Coons in an unfavorable light.

Voting along party lines – not always appropriate

Many of us have been paying close attention to the state-wide races, the ones getting large amounts of attention or even national attention.  Today the spotlight shines on a Sussex County race, Recorder of Deeds.

Scott Dailey is the Republican challenger while John Brady is the incumbent.

Scott Dailey claims that he is running on John Brady’s record.  In fact, Scott’s website is essentially a blog and has some great information on it.

According to Scott4Sussex.com the Recorder of Deeds office is making a little over $2,000,000 (considerably less than the $4,500,000 the office made in 2004).  Scott seems to point to these numbers and blame John Brady for the office making less money.

Apparently, Scott Dailey “can do better” since he has “private sector experience in management”.  This private sector experience includes no information regarding the “recession” or inflation.  One would think the $2,300,000 difference in profit would have to do with the over 20,000 less documents recorded in 2009 than in 2004.  Maybe Scott would have preferred a raise in the prices andfees associated with the office of Recorder of Deeds.

This writer knows very little about Scott Dailey.  In fact, many know little about Scott Dailey.  Scott preaches the “Tea Party” talking points yet hasn’t been seen at meetings.  Scott also states on hiswebsite that “people should have the right to vote for MORE positions in government, not LESS”.  Maybe this was poor sentence structure, but it seems that the Republican candidate for Recorder of Deeds is advocating larger government.

Much is known about John Brady however, and may be learned by watching the video below.

If there is one thing this writer has learned about politics over the past few years, it involves not voting for someone because of the letter next to their name.  Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or even Blue Enigma, if you are the right candidate for the job that is more important than being a member of any party.

I will not vote for someone I know nothing about simply because of the letter next to their name.  One wonders whether Scott Dailey thinks being a Republican in 2010 will make up for his lack of experience.

 

 

Delaware Elections: A who’s who in the 2010 race

We are coming up to the final two weeks of campaigning.  Candidates and their campaign teams are in overdrive.  The following is a list of candidates running, the seat they are running for, and their party.  More information will be forthcoming about a majority of the candidates in the following days.

Statewide Elections

United States Senator:

Chris Coons (Democrat)

Christine O’Donnell (Republican)

Glenn Miller (Independent Party of Delaware)

Jim Rash (Libertarian)

Representative in Congress:

John Carney (Democrat)

Glen Urquhart (Republican)

Earl Lofland (Independent Party of Delaware/Constitution)

Brent Wangen (Libertarian)

Jeffrey Brown (Blue Enigma Party)

Attorney General:

Beau Biden (Democrat) - Incumbent

Doug Campbell (Independent Party of Delaware)

State Treasurer:

Chip Flowers (Democrat)

Colin Bonini (Republican)

State Auditor:

Richard Korn (Democrat)

Tom Wagner (Republican) - Incumbent

New Castle County

State Senate District 1:

Harris McDowell (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Senate District 5:

Chris Counihan (Democrat)

Catherine Cloutier (Republican/Working Families Party) - Incumbent

State Senate District 7:

Patricia Blevins (Democrat) - Incumbent

Fred Cullis (Republican)

State Senate District 8:

David Sokola (Democrat) - Incumbent

Louis Saindon (Republican)

State Senate District 9:

Karen Peterson (Democrat) - Incumbent

Robert Johnston (Republican)

State Senate District 12:

Dorinda Connor (Republican) - Incumbent

State Senate District 13:

David McBride (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 1:

Dennis P. Williams (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 2:

Stephanie Bolden (Democrat)

State Representative District 3:

Helen Keeley (Democrat) - Incumbent

Robert Bovell (Working Families Party)

State Representative District 4:

Gerald Brady (Democrat) - Incumbent

Richard Carroll (Republican)

State Representative District 5:

George Melanie (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 6:

Debra Heffernan (Democrat)

Tom Kovach (Republican) - Incumbent

Matthew Flebbe (Libertarian)

State Representative District 7:

Bryon Short (Democrat) - Incumbent

Judith Travis (Republican)

Scott Gesty (Independent Party of Delaware/Libertarian)

State Representative District 9:

Rebecca Walker (Democrat)

John Marino (Republican)

State Representative District 10:

Dennis E. Williams (Democrat) - Incumbent

Robert Rhodunda (Republican)

State Representative District 11:

Josh Schoenberg (Democrat)

Greg Lavelle (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 12:

Deborah Hudson (Republican) - Incumbent

James Christina (Libertarian)

State Representative District 13:

John Mitchell (Democrat) - Incumbent

Jeffrey Brown (Blue Enigma Party)

State Representative District 15:

Valerie Longhurst (Democrat) - Incumbent

James Van Houten (Republican)

George Barnett (Libertarian)

State Representative District 16:

James Johnson (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 17:

Michael Mulrooney (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 18:

Michael Barbieri (Democrat) - Incumbent

Terry Spence (Republican/Working Families Party)

State Representative District 19:

Robert Gilligan (Democrat) - Incumbent

Vincent Ruff (Republican)

State Representative District 20:

Francis Swift (Deomcrat)

Nick Manolakos (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 21:

Michael Ramone (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 22:

David Ellis (Democrat)

Joseph Miro (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 23:

Teresa Schooley (Democrat) - Incumbent

William Stritzinger (Republican)

State Representative District 24:

Edward Osienski (Democrat)

Abraham Jones (Republican)

State Representative District 25:

John Kowalko (Democrat) - Incumbent

Gordon Winegar (Republican)

State Representative District 26:

John Viola (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 27:

Earl Jaques (Democrat) - Incumbent

Jay Galloway (Republican)

Register of Wills:

Ciro Poppiti (Democrat)

Kathleen Sherwin (Republican)

Recorder of Deeds:

Michael Kozikowski (Democrat) - Incumbent

County Council District 1:

Joseph Reda (Democrat) - Incumbent

Scot T Sauer (Republican)

County Council District 2:

Michael Annone (Democrat)

Robert Weiner (Republican) - Incumbent

County Council District 3:

Renee Taschner (Democrat)

Janet Kilpatrick (Republican)

County Council District 4:

Penrose Hollins (Democrat/Working Families Party) - Incumbent

County Council District 5:

Elisa Diller (Democrat) - Incumbent

County Council District 6:

William Powers (Democrat) - Incumbent

Andrea Daley (Republican)

Sheriff:

Trinidad Navarro (Democrat)

William Hart (Republican)

Joseph O’Leary (Independent Party of Delaware)

New Castle County and Kent County Elections

State Senate District 14:

Bruce Ennis (Democrat) - Incumbent

John Moritz (Republican)

State Representative District 8:

Quinton Johnson (Democrat) - Incumbent

Kathleen Rokosz (Republican)

Kent County Elections

State Senate District 15:

Nancy Cook (Democrat) - Incumbent

David Lawson (Republican)

State Representative District 28:

William Carlson (Democrat) - Incumbent

Karen Minner (Republican)

State Representative District 29:

John McCutchan (Democrat)

Lincoln Willis (Republican)

State Representative District 31:

Darryl Scott (Democrat) - Incumbent

Ronald Smith (Republican)

State Representative District 32:

Bradford Bennett (Democrat) – Incumbent

Beth Miller (Republican)

Will McVay (Independent Party of Delaware/Libertarian)

State Representative District 34:

Jill Fuchs (Democrat)

Donald Blakey (Republican) – Incumbent

Jonathan Marango (Independent Party of Delaware)

Michael Tedesco (Unaffiliated)

Recorder of Deeds:

Betty Lou McKenna (Democrat) - Incumbent

Michael Lindquist (Republican)

Jesse McVay (Independent Party of Delaware/Libertarian)

2nd Levy Court District:

Bradley Eaby (Democrat) - Incumbent

Stephen Speed (Republican)

Timothy Webb (Libertarian)

4th Levy Court District:

Donald Culver (Democrat)

Eric Buckson (Republican) - Incumbent

6th Levy Court District:

Harold Brode (Democrat) - Incumbent

Glen Howell (Republican)

Levy Court at Large:

Terry Pepper (Democrat)

W.G. Edmanson (Republican)

Richard Strosser (Independent Party of Delaware)

Mary Pat McVay (Libertarian)

Sheriff:

Norman Wood (Democrat)

James Higdon (Republican) - Incumbent

Christopher Tallman (Independent Party of Delaware)

Kent County and Sussex County Elections

State Representative District 30:

William Outten (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 33:

Robert Walls (Democrat) - Incumbent

Harold Peterman (Republican)

Sussex County Elections

State Senate District 19:

Joe Booth (Republican) - Incumbent

State Senate District 20:

George Bunting (Democrat) - Incumbent

State Representative District 14:

Pete Schwartzkopf (Democrat) - Incumbent

Chris Weeks (Republican)

State Representative District 35:

James Westhoff (Democrat)

Dave Wilson (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 36:

Russ McCabe (Democrat)

Harvey Kenton (Republican)

State Representative District 37:

Frank Shade (Democrat)

Ruth Briggs King (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 38:

Gerald Hocker (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 39:

Daniel Short (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 40:

Clifford “Biff” Lee (Republican) - Incumbent

State Representative District 41:

John Atkins (Democrat) - Incumbent

Greg Hastings (Republican)

Register of Wills:

Gregory Fuller (Democrat) - Incumbent

Cindy Green (Republican)

Recorder of Deeds:

John Brady (Democrat/Working Families Party) -Incumbent

Scott Dailey (Republican)

County Council District 4:

Russell Melrath (Democrat)

George Cole (Republican) - Incumbent

County Council District 5:

Dennis Cordrey (Democrat)

Vance Phillips (Republican) - Incumbent

Sheriff:

Eric Swanson (Democrat) - Incumbent

Jeffrey Christopher (Republican)

Rasmussen Reports & Delaware 2010 polls: Do national companies have the facts?

Everywhere we turn in this 2010 election we see polls, polls, and more polls.  Some polls we believe to be pretty reliable, including Rasmussen Reports, others are brushed off.  Many people put a large emphasis on the data the polls tell us and in many cases this is the right course of action.  The question is, is this the right way to look at the Delaware 2010 election?

I did a bit of delving into the voter turnout in Delaware for the last three elections and found some pretty interesting information, information which may have been overlooked by large national companies currently polling “500 likely voters” to determine how the 621,746 registered voters in the state of Delaware may vote.

The math on this data can get pretty intense, so I will put it in terms that won’t cause you to go hunting for that scientific calculator you thought you’d never use in real life (in other words, I went down the rabbit hole for you).  Here’s what I found:

The population of Delaware is distributed in a pretty obvious way.  According to the US Census Bureau, in 2009, Delaware had approximately 885,122residents (with 534,634 of those residents living in New Castle County, 157,741 of those residents in Kent County, and 192,747 of the residents living in Sussex County).  From these numbers, we can see that approximately 3/5ths of Delaware’s population are residents in New Castle County while Kent County has a little less than 1/5th of the population and Sussex County has a little over 1/5th of Delaware’s population.   I can guess what you are all thinking, “we know this already!” Delaware’sregistered voters are distributed in pretty much the same numbers as the population (with about 3/5ths in New Castle County, a little less than 1/5th in Kent County, and a little more than 1/5th in Sussex County).  Once again, this is no revelation but common knowledge.

Here is the information I thought was really interesting.  In the 2010 primary election, Sussex County Republicans had a huge turnout (almost 38%) while Sussex County Democrats came out at almost 13%.  Kent County Republicans had a little over 28% of their registered voters turn out and about 9% of their registered Democrats vote.  New Castle County Democrats had an approximate 12% voter turnout and New Castle County Republicans turned out at just over 28%.  Do you see a pattern here?

When you examine the last mid-term election (2006), it is easy to overlook another interesting occurrence.  The increase in voter turnout from the2006 primary election to the 2006 general electionwas higher in Sussex County than in New Castle County.  The increase in voter turnout from the2006 primary election to the 2010 primary electionwas also higher in Sussex County than in New Castle County.

It seems that if you are a registered voter in Sussex County you may be more likely to vote than if you are a registered voter in New Castle County or Kent County.  One wonders if major national polling companies, such as Rasmussen Reports, have taken the political awareness and dedication of the registered voters in Sussex County into consideration when they are contacting their “500 likely voters”.