Primary for Insurance Commissioner

Filed in Delaware by on July 5, 2011

Mitch Crane, former Acting Director of Consumer Services and Investigations under Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart, filed paperwork today that will enable him to raise money for the Democratic nomination for Insurance Commissioner in next year’s election. A formal campaign announcement will be made in January.

Crane, who lives in Lewes, is a lawyer and former judge. He’s been traveling the state lining up support for his run since he retired from the IC’s office in January. He has been active in Delaware Stonewall Democrats, currently serving as President, and the 14th RD Committee.

He will focus his campaign on returning the office to it’s roots – protecting the consumer instead of the insurance companies. From Crane’s website:

Now, more than ever, it’s profoundly important to ensure that your hard-earned dollars be put to best use. It is the job of the Insurance Commissioner to keep insurance premiums as low as possible by recruiting the best insurance companies to do business in our state; making sure that companies, and agents, doing business in Delaware abide by our laws; scrutinizing rate filings; working with the Legislature and Governor to pass consumer-oriented insurance laws and being an advocate for the insurance consumer, not the insurance company.

The Insurance Commissioner is the only elected official whose job is to protect the insurance consumer. That job is not currently being performed. If elected, I will stand up for the consumer as I have done all my professional life.

To find our more about Mitch and how you can help his campaign, visit his website www.mitchcranefordelaware.com.

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A rabble-rousing bureaucrat living in Sussex County

Comments (83)

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  1. anon says:

    YES! Mitch was in the IC’s office and left, no doubt because of Karen Weldin Stewart’s disregard for open government, her excessive spending on contract employees and inability to do the job.

    Mitch Crane is a good government advocate and a genuinely decent human being, and I’m glad he’s going for it!

    GO MITCH!!!

    (and I’m a republican)

  2. jason330 says:

    My prediction about the Dem primaries being the venues for electing officials statewide is coming to pass.

    Progressives should have some additional leverage under this new system.

  3. cassandra m says:

    Good for Mitch!

    I’ve spoken to him once and heard him on Al Mascitti’s show last week sometime (I think it was last week) talking about the BCBS deal. Smart and knowledgeable and I’m looking forward to knowing more about him.

  4. DelwareIdealist says:

    Mitch would be a huge upgrade from the current Insurance Commissioner. KWS has never fooled me as being the sharpest tool in the shed. All ridicule aside, she clearly is not qualified for her position, Mitch is. Not only is he much more knowledgeable and qualified for a fairly technical office, he’d be a proud progressive voice in an important, state-wide elected office.

  5. MJ says:

    Anon – one way to help is to become a Democrat before next March so you can vote for Mitch in the primary.

  6. anon2 says:

    Thank God we have an alternative to “pro insurance company advocate” Karen Weldin Stewart. I heard Mitch Crane on WDEL. He appears to be a bright, articulate man that knows something about what an Insurance Commissioner should be doing, advocating for the consumer. I look forward to hearing more from Mr. Crane.

  7. I’m psyched as well. KWS is running the Department as if she’s already got a big bucks job lined up with one of the companies she’s supposed to ‘regulate’.

    So, I wouldn’t be surprised if she takes a pass on running for a second term.

    Either way, it’s great to have a viable progressive candidate for the job.

    I’m on board.

  8. DEidealist says:

    If KWS does decide to run for re-election, Mitch will need all of our help in the form of donations and volunteers to get him elected. We should send a mandate that the Delaware Democratic Party is pro-consumer. I worry the Party hasn’t always operated by that core principle.

  9. anon says:

    With the redistricting changes Sussex will have a much larger vote at the GOP convention next spring. Expect the “New and Improved With More Crazy Than Ever” state GOP to run an extremist.

  10. Free Market Democrat says:

    Mitch Crane is a strong progressive voice and he truly understands Delaware politics. He would be an excellent Insurance Commissioner. I just hope (per Mitch’s comments on WDEL last week) that we have any medical insurers domiciled in the state anymore.

  11. anon says:

    There’s one reason, and one reason only, that KWS got elected: Mike Matthews.

    If not for his expose at DWA about the campaign contributions, Gene Reed would have won the primary hands-down, and swamped John Brady in what was a powerful year for Dems.

  12. Oh, Gawd. Don’t blame this on Mike Matthews.

    The choices were no choices at all, KWS, Reed and that screaming Savage guy from downstate. All of them would have sucked. And Brady ran a horrible campaign.

    Now we’ve learned that an IC can do a great deal of harm. And I think we may have a candidate who not only would do no harm, but who can actually represent the consumers.

    We can only hope that KWS doesn’t inflict great harm on Delawareans before then.

    Gov. Markell: VETO SB 146! $170 mill in Delaware dollars may be at stake.

  13. anon says:

    El Som: My point wasn’t that Reed would have been a good IC. Nor am I “blaming” Matthews. But if not for the revelations about his campaign contributions that DWA first reported, Reed would have won the primary hands-down. He had the money, he had the support. But that mini-scandal tarred him early on in Democratic voters’ minds, and so they turned to the second-best option, who had name recognition – and thus a modicum of legitimacy – from her previous tries.

  14. Right, and my point is that Reed would have been just as horrible.

    Got his job with the IC b/c his dad had backed Dave Levinson way back when Levinson ran against Bill Roth and Reed Sr. was the NCC Dem boss.

    And I was STILL prepared to support Reed until I saw him in a candidates’ forum with the other two and realized that, at best, he was a vision-free aparatchik.

    After seeing all three of them, there was no way I could in good conscience vote for ANY of them.

    BTW, I don’t remember anything about a contributions scandal, which likely says more about my memory than anything else.

  15. anon says:

    He took $$$ from companies that did business with the IC’s office, IIRC.

  16. anon says:

    Why is Karen Weldin Stewart bringing up Mr. Crane’s health problems – problems he apparenly does not have. Aside from KWS’s delusions regarding other people. Isn’t this a violation of the Privacy Act?

    Can KWS make public statements about previous employees? I understand employee information is not to be disclosed. For instance, under FOIA – information in personel files is off limits.

    Does any none know more about this?

  17. MJ says:

    Anon – not only is it a violation of personnel privacy regulations, it’s also a violation of HIPAA, something KWS should know about.

    It’s apparent that if KWS decides to run for another term, she will take the low road and run a negative campaign. I believe that Mitch will talk about issues and not get into personalities and name calling.

  18. I heard Crane on Alan Loudell’s WDEL News at Noon show. He definitely got his message across.

    As long as he stays on the message of being the consumer’s lobbyist as opposed to the insurance companies’ lobbyist, he’ll wipe the floor with her in a primary.

  19. MJ says:

    El S – I can guarantee that Mitch will stay on message.

  20. Aoine says:

    Crane’s da man!! – go for it Mitch!

    🙂

  21. anon says:

    ElSom: That “Savage” guy….was named Tom, and he supported single payer health care. Oh if only some so called “progressives” opposed single payer from the moment it was starting to be discussed and kept her mouth shut, and had actually supported it, we wouldnt be having this conversation. Ask those inside the Insurance Commissioners office, how many of them support Single Payer….the majority.

  22. anon says:

    Maybe I’m being too suspicious here. But did anyone else read about KWS referring to “health reasons” and see an attempt to infer something deeper there?

  23. anon2 says:

    5:41pm Anon – From the News Journal 7/5/11:

    “The reason for Crane’s departure from Stewart’s office in January is in dispute.

    Stewart said Crane “retired” because of undisclosed health issues.

    “He had health problems, so his doctor told him it would be best if he retired,” she said.

    Crane said he left the office because he believes Stewart has caved in to insurance industry pressure on legislation and various decisions, while “governing as a Republican.”

    “I don’t have any health problems,” Crane said. “I told her eight months before I left that I would leave if things didn’t change. And things didn’t change.””

    1. Karen Weldin Stewart was Mitch Crane’s employer and went right to the gutter asigning him with health problems he does not have.

    2. Karen Weldin Stewart did as she usually does when it serves her purpose and disregarded the law instructing her in what she can and can’t legally do.

    3. We have seen Karen Weldin Stewart disregard the law repeatedly. Remember the Caesar Rodney Institute Report?

  24. anon says:

    Right, I read that article, too. What I’m wondering is whether anyone else interpreted her reference to “health problems” as suggesting something beyond conventional health problems in an attempt to smear him. Sorry for the vagueness, but I’m trying not to start a rumor while squashing one. MJ will know what I mean. But feel free to delete this, mods, if you like.

  25. MJ says:

    Well, here’s a chance for Ms. Stewart to come clean and explain to everyone what she was talking about. Karen, the floor is yours. No censoring what you write. C’mon, what are you afraid of?

  26. anon2 says:

    6:41 pm anon – It sounds like you work for Karen Weldin Stewart and are attempting to do damage control.

    As Insurance Commissioner, Karen Weldin Stewart had no business discussing ANYTHING related to information she obtained while Mitch Crane was her employee, let alone – making it up and slandering Mr. Crane.

    Now that Karen Weldin Stewart has crossed this line – should we expect other officials to follow her lead? Or – Is KWS’s behavior off limits?

    It would be interesting to know what other elected officials thought of KWS’s violation of employee Privacy Rules and would they do the same.

  27. anon says:

    7:20: WTF are you smoking? Can you not read between any lines?

  28. anon2 says:

    7:52 pm anon – Now I am certain you work for Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart.

    Cursing, insinuating the person is doing drugs and going straight to personally attacking a person asking reasonable questions regarding an elected official and the potential consequences of her behavior – instead of addressing the questions raised.

    Is this really how KWS intends to respond to the easy questions? The tough questions have not yet been asked.

    A little advice, perhaps Karen Weldin Stewart should not comment between the lines, but directly in them so we do not have to guess what she REALLY means when she speaks.

  29. anon says:

    anon@7:52,

    Besides Karen Weldin Stewart, none of the other elected officials in Delaware need a translator to later explain what they were trying to say.

  30. Just Some Guy says:

    Dear Posters:
    When making accusations of an elected official or anyone for that matter a little rudimentary research is suggested. It does prevent one from looking like a, well, like a dumb ass. Thank you for your kind attention.

    Employers and Health Information in the Workplace

    The Privacy Rule controls how a health plan or covered health care provider discloses protected health information to an employer, including your manager or supervisor.

    Employment Records

    The Privacy Rule does not protect your employment records, even if the information in those records is health-related. Generally, the Privacy Rule also does not apply to the actions of an employer, including the actions of a manager in your workplace.

    If you work for a health plan or covered health care provider:

    The Privacy Rule does not apply to your employment records.
    The Rule does protect your medical or health plan records if you are a patient of the provider or a member of the health plan.

    Generally, the Privacy Rule applies to disclosures made by your health care provider, not to the questions of your employer.

    For further information on this topic, please refer to 45 C.F.R. §§ 160.103 and 164.512(b)(1)(v), and OCR’s Frequently Asked Questions.

  31. MJ says:

    So I see one of KWS’s political hacks has arisen from the dead. So, tell us oh knowing one, why would KWS even mention alleged health issues of one of her former employees?

  32. Just Some Guy says:

    Hate is a blinding emotion, you sir, accused some one of an illegal act, I guess doing that is ok if you hate the accused. You can only respond with vitriol. If you wish to defeat a person in an election have at it but give the truth a try:)

  33. Just Some Guy says:

    Comment by MJ on 6 July 2011 at 5:53 pm:

    Anon – not only is it a violation of personnel privacy regulations, it’s also a violation of HIPAA, something KWS should know about.

    Where is the violation?

    How are the circumstances of a person’s employment at a Department he now wishes o run NOT relevant??? they are paramount!

  34. cassandra_m says:

    Well that was amusing.

    That studious bit of deflection on the Privacy rules (brought up by one or two of the posters on this thread) absolutely avoids any account of the ethics, the appropriateness or even the (lack of) displayed leadership of basically making up the reasons why someone may have left your employment. And note the legalese of the whole business. The respondent(s) think that they know who it is making these Privacy Rules assertions.

    But I’m sure these posters noticed that.

    Perhaps the state’s rules let its managers tell reporters or anyone else why you decided to resign. The rest of the world usually asks its managers to be more circumspect with this information and reporters are not usually on the list of folks you tell.

    But what the posters here have surely noted by now is that KWS certainly hasn’t produced any *proof* of her statement, which would have been way more meaningful than this bit of BS. Said proof,of course, wouldn’t make her any more ethical here, but at least she wouldn’t look like she’s trying to smear the guy with some fairly OG (and I would think outdated) fearmongering.

  35. Just Some Guy says:

    Fact: this person who needs all this “protection” is in an Election campaign to run a Department in which he had previously been employed.
    hypocrisy: This site screams, rightfully, in unison for the release of Deluca, Keeley and Viola’s records. But this guy you want to “protect” why?
    The man should have the stones to lay it all out there or pick up his pencils and go back to the home of Bam Magera.
    The ability of a person to perform an elected function is a perfectly legitimate area of debate and has been since the founding of the Republic, just ask Michele Bachman.

  36. MJ says:

    What a fucking false equivalency SOG. People were asking for records on the hours that people worked both their state jobs and their legislative jobs. We weren’t demanding health records and no one should be demanding them. Yet your girl decides to crawl around in the gutter making vague accusations that Crane resigned for reasons other than he has publicly stated since January.

    My guess is that you’d also rule out someone who was deaf, blind, or in a wheelchair from serving as an elected official.

    Go back to KWS’s shed, you hack.

  37. cassandra_m says:

    Where’s the protection?

    KWS makes one claim for his resignation, and Crane says that isn’t true. And you can still address the actual points I made previously.

    She can prove her accusation or she’s just perpetrating a pernicious bit of sleaze. And proving her accusation would certainly have a bigger payoff than this Privacy Rule bullshit.

    It astonishes me that her handlers would purposely add to the incompetence narrative, but hey.

  38. Just Some Guy says:

    Actually I can and actually he can release his employment records if he so chooses. If this gentleman wishes to get in the kitchen, should he not feel a bit of heat? The difference here is I don’t hate the gentleman. I just think campaigns are meant to be challenging. If he has the goods then perhaps he might wish to share. That is not pernicious or sleazy it’s POLITICS!

  39. MJ says:

    What heat? The heat of smear and innuendo? That’s not politics, that’s sleaze, and you’re an expert in that area, JSG, aren’t you?

    If you want to play hardball, better get your girl a flak jacket coated in Teflon, because there will be a lot of things that will be made public if you and her want to continue down this path.

  40. Just Some Guy says:

    Oh I have no doubt. You throw the accusation of smear and innuendo. Try this. The new candidate made reference on WDEL to a trip to Pittsburgh which seemed to imply an official business connection on his part. What if any was that connection? Get back to me at your leisure.

    “If you want to play hardball, better get your girl a flak jacket coated in Teflon”
    Politics my good man is hardball and I, for one, would not have it any other way. What it is not, is personal destruction, your man is by all accounts a good guy I get the impression he is more comfortable with the nature of the game than his supporters.

  41. cassandra_m says:

    Sounds to me like KWS has already released his employment records. I mean, if telling people why someone resigned isn’t an employee record release, I don’t know what is. It doesn’t change the fact that she probably shouldn’t have done that (I mean, here you are saying that he should release his employment records.)but if she’s going to tell a reporter what is in his employment record then she should just back it up.

    Otherwise you’ll live with both the sleazy AND the incompetence narratives.

  42. Just Some Guy says:

    Your ability to so deftly get on both sides of the same question is truly masterful and shuts me up for the day:)

  43. MJ says:

    I’m sure if it were a trip paid for by the IC’s office, there are records of what the trip was for, not some shopping spree wedged in with some “official meeting” in Switzerland. Switzerland? Give me a break.

    And I know politics is hardball, I’ve been playing it very well for over 40 years. And don’t try to claim innocence for your girl on the personal destruction front. She gave a quote to a reporter, a quote that was unethical, if not technically illegal.

    Now be sure you turn in a voucher to KWS for everything you’ve written today. I’m sure you’ll get your check for $0.0001 in the mail soon.

  44. Just Some Guy says:

    You are sure IF????? I invited you to check… you made a declarative statement about HIPA, Wrong. Now it’s “If” I guess that’s improvement. You are yodeling up the wrong tree on The land of Chocolate… It was to SAVE 500+ Jobs! Or did you not notice down there that ING is now at great risk??? And you are free to describe a person’s activities on a trip you know NOTHING about. is this DL or D Hypocrites???? Just sayin’

  45. MJ says:

    She could have met ING officials, if that’s why she went there to begin with, here in Delaware. Maybe you and here didn’t notice but every aspect of government, from the Feds on down, are cutting back on travel. A video teleconference would have sufficed. And you know so much about this trip because….??????????

    Tell us JSG, are you still on her payroll at the IC or did they cut you loose?

    As for HIPAA – Title II of the Act covers privacy rights. The HIPAA Privacy Rule regulates the use and disclosure of certain information held by “covered entities” (generally, health care clearinghouses, employer sponsored health plans, health insurers, and medical service providers that engage in certain transactions.) It establishes regulations for the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). PHI is any information held by a covered entity which concerns health status, provision of health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual. This is interpreted rather broadly and includes any part of an individual’s medical record or payment history. Since the state government has an employer sponsored health plan, what KWS did is a technical violation.

  46. Just Some Guy says:

    Try to keep up I know northern Delaware is tough for you to follow. ING is a DUTCH Company which has sold its US holdings to a an AMERICAN Company, Capital One, who will make the Wilmington Trust debacle look tiny. The Trip to Yodel Land was to persuade a Swiss INSURANCE company to keep their 500 jobs here.

    I do not and never have worked for the Insurance Dept.

    Part 3: and you guys accuse others of LEGALESE, Nice try, NO VIOLATION! read a little it further down the page:)

  47. MJ says:

    JSG – you do know that people who lie go to Hell, don’t you? And you’ve just told a whopper (we’ve all figured out who you are).

  48. Just Some Guy says:

    I thought you had a no outing policy here ? Just sayin’ And accusing a person of something or being someone when you don’t know WTF you are talking about is probably sanctioned at least indirectly in the Bible, the Torah, the Koran and even the Book of Morman:)

  49. MJ says:

    No one was outing anyone. You’re KWS’s version of Evan Q – a sleaze ball political hack.

  50. Mitch Crane says:

    Folks:

    There is no violation of my rights in that there are no records to protect and nothing in the records was disclosed. I have not complained about the comment. I have merely stated, upon being asked by a reporter, that the comment was incorrect. The Commissioner made a statement that is not correct. I do not assign any ulterior motives to her statement. I did not leave due to any “health issues”. I left because she and I have different philosophies on who comes first-insurance company or insurance consumer.I strongly believe serving the consumer is the mission of the Department. I am happy to consent to the release of the statements I made in my exit interview, but I doubt those statements would well serve the incumbent or her most immediate advisor.
    While State Merit Rules prohibit the disclosure of personnel information, there was no information to disclose and therefore no violation. I prefer to spend the next 16 months discussing how to put the insurance consumer first and how I will be the “lobbyist” for the consumer and not the insurer.

  51. Just Some Guy says:

    Alrigty then. I perceive a much higher level of class in the Candidate here than the supporters. The statement above is clear and it will be up to the IC to debate or not debate as she chooses. This campaign has the potential to be enlightening.

  52. Just Some Guy says:

    MJ without any untoward disclosures here, did you miss your meds?

  53. MJ says:

    No meds needed, JSG. Perfectly healthy. You?

  54. Just Some Guy says:

    I dunno “Anger Management” is prolly not your fave movie.There a lot of rocks down at the IR Inlet why don’t ya run down and turn over a few you might get to fuel your hate for the IC:)

  55. cassandra_m says:

    I’m actually surprised that a KWS supporter would actually *recognize* class.

    But thanks to Mitch for his statements and it does leave it pretty clear that KWS in complete ownership of the Very Petty Stick.

  56. MJ says:

    Oh, now we’re going to try and insult the people who live down in Sussex. I don’t hate KWS, I just don’t like unethical office holders or the hacks that do their dirty work.

    And thanks, Mitch, for setting the record straight.

  57. Just Some Guy says:

    OMG if your Sense of humor button were as good as your hate button you would be hilarious. I lived in Southeastern Sussex since before you could spell it. I owned property and businesses in Bethany, Ocean View, Dewey and right on Baltimore Ave in Rehoboth. I was an original supporter and fund raiser of the soon to be speaker of the House. My daddy went to Sallies with the original owners of the bottle and Cork and we had a place on New Orleans St.
    I am neither a hack nor a sleaze and I don’t take this stuff personally. I don’t think anything bad about you or your candidate. Get over yourself!

  58. MJ says:

    Like I said, JSG, people who lie go to Hell.

  59. Just Some Guy says:

    They do and I will give you hint you know people who know who I really am, ASK them:)
    I know things about you because you have revealed your some of your background here. I was vilified for supporting a nice lady and her daughter who were subjected to horrible indignities by the folks at he IR School District for the “crime” of being Jewish and asserting their rights. I supported a candidate for office who was the victim of a campaign of pink rocks thrown into yards in western Sussex , a campaign coordinated by a siting Councilman who shall remain named Sam!. There are a boatload of people in your county that hate fellow humans for who hey choose to love.
    Be passionate, be highly partisan but get over the hate, just sayin’

  60. MJ says:

    The only one on here spewing hate is you, so give it a rest.

    And I supposed you have nothing against _________, some of your best friends are _____________. Whatever.

    I thought you were going to shut up at 3:00 PM. Guess it was just another lie.

  61. Just Some Guy says:

    Cassandra kinda did butI decided to engage you, my mistake, I know what I said and didn’t say you’ve called me a liar, sleaze hack now hater and more. You have no real debating points and since you are Since you are one of the moderator’s here I will cede you back your playground. But I will give you the condescension award for July 😉

    j

  62. MJ says:

    Don’t go away mad, just go away.

  63. Just Some Guy says:

    last………… Word!

  64. Just Some Guy says:

    Hey I just thought I’d give you a reason to call me mean and terrible:)
    I seems that your candidates retirement coincides closely with the minimum requirements to collect a De state pension. This goes nicely with his PA pension . Hey if the IC race doesn’t work out he could head to Jersey and become a tri state dipper:)
    I know this is Horribly unfair of me because NOBODY on this blog has EVER speculated in a snarky way about the current IC’s financial desires:) Cheers

  65. cassandra_m says:

    So the choice, then, is between someone who could at least be pretty well employed for a lifetime vs someone who by virtue of the job she has now just might be able to piece together one pension.

    Check.

    Not helping your competence narrative, at all. But keep hope alive!

  66. Flyin' High says:

    Don’t forget KWS is almost 65 herself. If she’s not reelected at least she won’t be able to collect a state pension. But that’s chump change compared to what she skimmed off the IC’s office.

    Hooray for Mitch – I hope he defeats the most corrupt, uneducated, incompetent commissioner ever in Delaware whose corruption has made her a millionaire many times over. A big change from her destitute pre-IC days when she couldn’t even afford to buy a car (see the Caesar Rodney report from March 2010). Mitch should publicize everything he learned about her while he worked in the department before he quit in disgust. With any luck he’ll not only win the primary and the election, but there will be a scandal and prosecution of this useless IC who got herself elected strictly for personal gain. It’s the only thing she’s ever accomplished despite what she’s been claiming on her invented resume. You’d think she’d take the money and go away, but noooo, she wants another hit. Greed is the downfall of all crooks.

  67. Flyin' High says:

    @ El Somnambulo:
    Karen Weldin Stewart can only wish she’ll get a big bucks job with an insurer. It ain’t going to happen. Why? Because corporations double check the resume and talk to people personally. When they do both, they’ll find that the total adds up to a big fat ZERO, and companies don’t want someone like that on their payroll, even if they’re the Delaware insurance commissioner.

    Also, besides being stupid, KWS is lazy. She never worked before becoming IC, isn’t working while in office but out shopping and traveling, and has no intention of working in the future. So there goes that theory.

    The only reason anyone thinks this moron did an even halfway decent job, anyone not from Delaware that is, is because Elliott Jacobson did all the writing of articles and speeches and answers in Q & A sessions for her and made her look fairly competent although seriously anal-retentive, but that’s actually Jacobson himself. In person she can’t converse or write above the level of a 10-year old. She said at her gaudy swearing-in ceremony that when she was a kid her mother was going to put her in a home because she thought she was mentally deficient. We know her mother was right, don’t we.

  68. Joe Cass says:

    Mitch Crane in a landslide.
    See Karen, this is what it means to be held accountable. Welcome to the experience.

  69. Flyin’ High, my point is that the money that BC/BS and Highmark stand to make if those $170 mill in reserves serve to line the pockets of these undeserving companies are more than a reason to buy this incompetent IC’s support.

    Oh, no, they don’t expect her to DO anything for the sinecure, except to grease the skids so that they can raid that reserve fund. Then they’ll pay her to sit home and keep her yap shut.

  70. Joe Cass says:

    the money that BC/BS and Highmark stand to make if those $170 mill in reserves serve to line the pockets of these under serving companies
    Fixed it for ya.

  71. anon says:

    So – What did Karen Weldin Stewart REALLY go to Switzerland for?

    In addition to shopping and sightseeing – my guess is – she opened up a Swiss Bank Account to deposit money from company….

    I understand KWS would have to work for the State that 5th year to qualify for a State Pension. It looks like that’s not going to happen.

    What to do about Retirement Money! A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do – hedge your bet’s when it looks like you’re not going to be re-elected and get that State Pension.

  72. Joe Cass says:

    A girl can do what ever is necessary but the “Delaware Way” has been detoured by KWS herself. Pay attention Democrats in office!

  73. She may have that pension nailed anyway. She might have been a salaried employee while working for the Senate as the Carvel office ‘receptionist’.

  74. Flyin' High says:

    El Som: I’m pretty sure she was just a per diem when she worked for McDowell. Not that she cares about the measly state pension one way or the other.

    Anon: You probably nailed it with the Swiss bank account. The Swiss bankers aren’t quite as unlimited in their discretion now since the US government recently made them disclose information on many anonymous numbered bank accounts after several courts upheld their right to do so. If she’s ever prosecuted, those accounts may be easily located and the money confiscated.

    The FBI and state auditors were investigating about the time the Caesar Rodney Institute came out with its report. That stopped after McDowell made sure the subsequent legislative hearings didn’t go anywhere.

    Question to everyone: There was a lot of information out before the ’08 election about KWS being a total fraud and just out to line her pockets, especially on this blog. She’s succeeded spectacularly now, so why all the gnashing of teeth when everyone knew what she was going after but nothing happened to keep her from being elected?

  75. phil says:

    just so i’m clear: earlier, we people speculating that mitch crane has AIDS? it was all so vague, i’m not sure i was following…

  76. Flyin' High says:

    If that’s what KWS meant when she referred to Mitch’s “health issues”, she’d better keep all her millions handy instead of sending them to any Swiss accounts, because Mitch should sue her for everything she owns and ever will own.

  77. anon says:

    Flying High: The timing is perfect for KWS to open a Swiss Bank Account. Karen Weldin Stewart goes rogue – throwing caution to the wind and heads to Switzerland right after the deal is sealed (for all intents and purposes – Sen. Blevins legislation end run around AG Biden) with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark getting what they want.

    Remember KWS left the country the last week of session – during the most important issue to arise during her administration. Notice she told no one of her pending departure in advance. It was only by chance it was discovered KWS went to Switzerland.

    Now CIGNA Insurance is a problem stating they may leave Delaware and take 500 jobs! Not a peep from Karen Weldin Stewart. Our Insurance Commissioner is missing in action again. It appears other elected officials have had to step in to do her job.

    Why is Karen Weldin Stewart markedly missing from any discussions having to do with CIGNA Insurance?

    KWS is not even mentioned anywhere. It’s an Insurance Company for heavens sake – in Delaware. She has no interest in this?

    I am not an expert here, so if anyone knows please enlighten.

  78. MJ says:

    I don’t think anyone was speculating on anything, Phil. But if Jacobson and his minions want to play that game, they need to be very careful. Roaches usually get squashed.

  79. anon says:

    Elliott Jacobson, Karen Weldin Stewarts Sr. Advisor, has been very vocal to quite a few people voicing his personal hatred of Mitch Crane – according to people working in the Department of Insurance.

  80. MJ says:

    But let’s get back to issues, here. The question is, are we better off than we were 4 years ago when Matt Denn was IC?

  81. Flyin' High says:

    Jacobson probably hates Mitch because Mitch has his and KWS’s number and couldn’t be corrupted to participate in their schemes.

    Hell no we’re not better off. The State of Delaware is missing millions that KWS gave to useless vendors and cronies, policyholders are being ignored, insurance companies are running rampant. All to the benefit of the corrupt illicit commissioner who needs Swiss bank accounts to stash the cash. Let’s put her and her equally corrupt cronies in prison where they belong, especially that disgusting obnoxious Jacobson who is her chief enabler.

  82. Joe Cass says:

    Phil, that’s a perfectly fucked thing to write. Then again, sewers rise and fall. I can hear your gurgle gurgle from here.