Another Opinion on Barney-Simpler
I received another possible theory on how the Treasurer’s race is developing from a source who wants to remain anonymous. I think it is interesting and plausible enough to post and get everyone else’s opinion on it.
Simpler could totally win this, in part because of Dem overconfidence and lack of financial engagement.
He’s spent his independent money very smartly. He let the rich R’s attack Sher from the right so he could immediately claim the moderate ground.
Dems had been so focused on the the primary on their side, that they never forced Ken to stake out positions on divisive issues during the primary. So he can say whatever he wants now.
The belief that Dems can’t lose statewide mean nobody’s pinning him down now, either. And he’s got his own money and the relationship with WBOC to get up on TV, which really moves #s.
The counterbalancing financial forces on the D side like AFSCME and Labor don’t seem to take the Simpler threat seriously.
People will regret it.
With issues like prevailing wage in the balance, what will it mean to have a statewide R able to sound off, funded by the people who want to repeal it?
With the Treasurer getting a seat on the state employee benefits board, where does the conversation shift on what happens to state employees?
With Republicans now looking like they can win statewide, what happens to progressive efforts to move existing dems further left?
With issues like prevailing wage in the balance, what will it mean to have a statewide R able to sound off, funded by the people who want to repeal it?
With the Treasurer getting a seat on the state employee benefits board, where does the conversation shift on what happens to state employees?
With Republicans now looking like they can win statewide, what happens to progressive efforts to move existing dems further left?
Well, what is happening to any of those issues now? Seriously, enlighten me on how Governor Markell wants to raise benefits and salary for our state employees. Remember, Governor Markell is no economic progressive. If Chip Flowers did not have all his personal baggage and self destructive scandals, he would be a progressive hero, and, untarnished, he would have soundly defeated Barney in a primary.
One of the problems with a one party state is that the one party always… ALWAYS… becomes complacent. Having a Republican win is not necessarily a bad thing, as it will wake this state Democratic Party up.
“With issues like prevailing wage in the balance, what will it mean to have a statewide R able to sound off, funded by the people who want to repeal it?’
He’s against prevailing wage? Great! So is anyone with their priorities in the right place. I don’t want to pay tradesmen $60 an hour at the expense of the 10% of state workers on welfare. I guess that makes me “not progressive.”
“With Republicans now looking like they can win statewide, what happens to progressive efforts to move existing dems further left?”
Please, stop! I’m laughing so hard you’re killing me!
Geezer, you have never been mistaken for one.
Yeah, that last question was laugh out loud funny. I dare say a Republican win improves progressive prospects in the state and party, not diminishes it. Indeed, a Barney win will prove to the Carper Cabal that the Third Way is the way to go, and it is nothing but Carper clones from here on out.
I am voting for Barney, because I am practical as a progressive and not a purist. But I cannot pretend it will be a horrible devastating blow.
Indeed, maybe it will force Markell to fight for progressive goals. That would be a good thing.
If Markell sides with Simpler, well then that will certainly reenergize progressives as well.
If anyone wants a reason to vote against Simpler, just look at that creepy mug. You can tell he is scheming behind his dead eyes to make abortion and/or estate taxes illegal.
On to the substantive. As Geezer points out, this is hilarious…“With Republicans now looking like they can win statewide, what happens to progressive efforts to move existing dems further left?”
Someone please bonk me on the head on election day afternoon and wake me up in a day or two. I’ll need to be comatose to endure the Democrat (sic) Party’s mishandling of all these winnable elections.
Strategy-wise I hope Barney can go on cable and targeted radio; he needs strong, visible endorsement from the African American community. I hope his message will be relevant to what I think most people view of the job…..handling their hard earned money with integrity and carefully. Any other job-related pitches I view as peripheral. He needs name ID especially among core Dem. voters. Hope the last days drive will produce that. He’s got a great resume and solid, cautious personal style which, if packaged by the communicators, will serve him well as authentic.
“He’s got a great resume and solid, cautious personal style which, if packaged by the communicators, will serve him well as authentic.”
Wonderful advice, Stan. I’m glad you’re busy trying to find ways to disguise people like this as Democrats.
DD: That’s because I’m not, nor do I want to be. But since y’all are so interested in being progressive, I have to wonder why you want to vote for Sean Barney. If it’s because he’s a Democrat, just say so. Stop insulting people’s intelligence by maintaining you can see this emporer’s new clothes.
DD has said so. As have I. Being progressive doesn’t exclude being practical.
Being progressive does not mean being wreckless……as Barney should be painting his opponent as a wall street trained gambler.
One of the reasons that Simpler is gaining some traction is that he sounds quite reasonable and accomplished in person. I have attended several candidate forums in NCC where Simpler has spoken (and where Barney was conspicuous as a no-show), and he talks all the right technical phrases about knowing how to deal with finances. Does he over-exaggerate what the Treasurer’s office is responsible for? Absolutely. But I don’t think that’s a partisan thing; I presume Barney would be doing the same thing.
Point being: friends in Kent and Sussex tell me that at the low-budget, community association type candidate forums Simpler is showing up and Barney isn’t. That makes a difference, and that particular difference is not about the amount of money he has to spend–it’s just about showing up and applying for the job. In NCC I think the Green candidate has shown up for several forums where Barney didn’t.
About two weeks ago, I attended the Chapel Hill/chapel Woods/West Meadow candidate forum. Sean Barney was there and spoke, while Ken Simpler did not attend. There were many Republicans, and third party candidates who participated that night.
It’s great to watch the point counter point, folks sticking up for Barney’s shortcomings just emphasises them. The final analysis in this race will be how did the D’s field such a weak candidate?
At least there are Green candidates so I don’t have to vote for bad dems or dirty myself by voting for Republicans.
If Carper’s taint is really a factor, the fact that Barney refused Carper’s offer to get him an gentleman’s commission needs to be considered.
Barney’s independence ended up getting him shot in the neck in George Bush’s idiotic vanity war. So there is that.
“The final analysis in this race will be how did the D’s field such a weak candidate?”
A weak campaigner anyway.
The final analysis in this race will be how did the D’s field such a weak candidate?
They preferred a weak candidate and worked hard to put him on the ballot.
lol. Your confederate currency is worthless. Let it go.
The D’s fielded a weak candidate because their primary objective was not to win in November but to find someone who could beat Chip Flowers in a primary.
They identified a potential candidate who not only had strong ties to Carper and Markell, the most popular politicians in the state who are not named Biden, but who also had military experience in Iraq that could capture public attention and admiration while camouflaging the fact that he had fewer qualifications than the incumbent for serving in the office.
They secured their objective without any help from the voters, thanks to the incumbent’s refusal to exit his personal superhighway to self-destruction.
That left the party with an untested, underqualified candidate to battle an opponent who actually has credentials that seem appropriate for the position.
At this point, I don’t think the party really cares about the treasurer’s office anyhow. They have legislated enough limitations on the position that the officeholder has minimal influence, and they’ve got a deep enough bench (especially if Mayrack wins the race for auditor) that they don’t need another aspirant pushing and shoving at the bottom to find a way to climb the ladder to higher office. If Barney loses, and that’s far from a certainty given the registration edge, chances are he’ll be lauded for “taking one for the team” and will find employment on the staff of either Carper or Markell.