A Longhurst Always Pays Her Debts
So, a little background here. In his News Journal profile over the weekend, and at various points in his campaign, Sean Barney has touted the following:
In the same role as policy director for Markell, Barney said he played a part in pushing legislation that expanded background checks for firearms purchases in Delaware. At the federal level, he wants to do the same and promote “common sense” gun laws and fight the influence of the National Rifle Association.
I have heard that Valerie Longhurst is a little perturbed by that. Apparently she warned Barney months ago to stop taking credit for gun safety legislation since allegedly he had no hand it helping get it passed. He didn’t listen. So now this:
Longhurst was the prime sponsor of the legislation, but all that means is she was asked to carry the water on the bill. Where did the idea come from? Here is the text from the Governor’s 2013 State of the State address:
http://governor.delaware.gov/2013_sots_address.shtml
“Even with excellent school safety plans in place, we know that ready access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines by persons who should not have them leads to tragedy. Earlier this week, I joined Lieutenant Governor Denn and Attorney General Biden to propose new legislation to help get guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. I ask you to join Representative Val Longhurst and Senator Margaret Rose Henry in finishing the job and pass reasonable gun safety legislation that respects Second Amendment rights and makes our streets safer.”
Sean Barney ran the governor’s reelection campaign and helped to set his agenda for his second term. He was the governor’s policy director, and, I’m told, he wrote several of his State of the State speeches, including this one.
If he’s running on his military record and being Markell’s speechwriter, he ought to run as a Republican.
Affinity politics in action (from the News Journal):
Lance Cpl. Juan Ocampos doesn’t know Sean Barney’s politics. But the two retired Marines know each other — and for Ocampos that’s enough.
“To be honest, I don’t know if he’s a Democrat or a Republican,” said Ocampos
More Barney gems from the News Journal:
“Congress worked better when we had more veterans in Congress.”
On his loss to Simpler: “Barney blamed poor voter turnout among Delaware Democrats because only 36 percent of them cast ballots in the election.” [Ooh! Ooh! May I have a follow-up question?]
“He wants a federal minimum wage of $15.” [Let’s see that in his stump speech before we give him props.]
“he’d work to repeal the Hyde Amendment,” [Props for even mentioning it – it’s a widening of the Overton window]
“His policy points are decidedly Democratic, and some of his most-often-vocalized pet projects are those most detested by Republicans. ” [OK, so what are they??]
“We’re in a really ideologically extreme period right now,” said Delaware State University political science professor Samuel Hoff. “But friendships in Congress often trump ideology, believe it or not.” [but will he surpass Carney’s “bipartisan” word count?]
I dunno, sounds a little bit like “I don’t know this Sanders guy, I never saw him at any of the civil rights marches.”
There are probably quite a few people that worked on that legislation that didn’t happen to talk to Ms. Gatekeeper Longhurst.
Also, the days of “I am a veteran, vote for me” working are long passed. America doesn’t care about it’s veterans anymore and they are not held in the high esteem they once were. Other than free pancakes on Veterans Day (ID required)
Honestly, as a staffer, your job is to make your bosses look good. Not take credit for things you were barely involved in. I want to like Barney and respect his military service, BUT he just rubs me the wrong way. Trying for Treasurer where he was way overmatched on credentials and now this run for Congress. Frankly, I am glad he’s being called out by Longhurst. Just because you repeat something enough of times does not make it true. The reporter should delve deeper into these issues instead of just parroting what the Barney campaign is taking credit for. Barney really needs to be more than ‘the veteran’ candidate. I know that’s how hes raising huge money from NY bankers and hedge fund guys who are former vets. But come on…..
Are you sure he was “barely involved?”
It takes a team to get legislation passed. Not just one Longhurst.
How Barney presents it on his website:
“As policy director for Governor Jack Markell, Barney helped Markell pass universal background checks for gun sales in Delaware, along with measures making it harder for criminals to purchase guns through intermediaries.”
“Helped” could mean a good many things.
As the saying goes, success has many fathers. I’m sure Barney played some role in it even if others did more. I don’t think his claims are too outlandish. My guess is Longhurst is backing Townsend and sees Barney as the chief opposition.
The funny thing is Delaware had already required a state background check in addition to the federal background check until…..wait for it…..Markell eliminated the state check because it cost too much money. Sandy Hook happens and now Markell is tough on guns all of a sudden.