Matt Denn Comes Right Out and Says It: Delaware Is A Police State.

Matt Denn Comes Right Out and Says It: Delaware Is A Police State.

31 Comments
This is one of the most important stories of the year. Attorney General Matt Denn admitted that the main reason why no officers were charged in the shooting death of Jeremy McDole was b/c the law enabling police to shoot first and face no consequences is so broadly written that it's virtually impossible to charge police in any shooting.  From the News-Journal article:
Denn's decision didn't rest solely on the facts of the case. Hamstringing the AG's efforts was that Jeremy "Bam" McDole was killed in Delaware, a state that essentially immunizes law enforcement officers from criminal responsibility when they use deadly force in response to a perceived threat. Here, a police officer doesn't have to prove the use of deadly force was "actually necessary to protect the officer against death or serious physical injury," according to the recent state Department of Justice report. "All (the officer) must show is that he believed that to be the case at the time that he used deadly force, whether that belief was reasonable or unreasonable."
So, am I missing anything here? If an officer states that they 'believed' there was a threat, even if no other reasonable person would believe such a thing, he can shoot at will and w/o fear of consequence. 
DL Exclusive: Hundreds of Politicians/PACs in Violation of State Campaign Finance Law. Nobody’s Collecting the Fines.

DL Exclusive: Hundreds of Politicians/PACs in Violation of State Campaign Finance Law. Nobody’s Collecting the Fines.

35 Comments
Deadbeat campaigns, committees and PAC's currently owe the Delaware Department of Elections (long pause to change the batteries in my calculator)...$769,240.  I count 258 individual fines that have been assessed, but never collected. Some of the outstanding fines are gargantuan.  Some appear to have close correlation to key political events, so the committees involved not only owe the money, they have some 'splainin' to do. Since the largest fines have been imposed on the Sussex County Democratic Executive Committee, and since they date back to the year (2008) when an incredible array of resources were poured into the race to elect John Atkins to the General Assembly, possibly cementing a D majority in the House, and since not a nickel has been paid back, I can only ask, "Why?".  Why no action? (Late-breaking news: According to both the Commissioner of Elections and the current Sussex County chair, that $160,000-plus fine has now been labeled an 'error'.  Because, as we all know, $160,000 fines are levied in error every day. Where is Rose Mary Woods when we need her?) Here's how the system is supposed to work, according to sources both within the State Department of Elections and the Office of the Attorney General.  After about 60 days or so, uncollected fines/violations are turned over to the Attorney General's office for follow-up, according to Elaine Manlove, Commissioner of Elections.  It is clear that little to no follow-up has occurred since, well, 2008, at least.  Multiple sources have told me that they have not even received any notification from the AG's office that they are in violation. Not that they shouldn't already know, but still... Here's what Carl Kanefsky of the AG's office says of the way it's supposed to work....
Matt Denn Off to Great Start!

Matt Denn Off to Great Start!

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Two major initiatives, and I like them both. First, his creation of a new Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust is designed to eliminate inherent conflicts within the AG's office where attorneys represent both agencies and members of the public with concerns about said agencies. This has been an issue dating back as far as I can remember. And then the new Attorney General unveiled a new bill aimed at violent offenders who are prohibited from having weapons and violent offenders who are committing gun-related violence. 
Delaware Political Weekly: May 31-June 6, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: May 31-June 6, 2014

7 Comments
Any general election ballot with both Matt Denn and Brenda Mayrack on it is a ballot worth filling out. For years, we, and many of you, have lamented the dearth of progressives at the highest levels of  elected state Democratic officeholders. I am convinced that both Denn and Mayrack are true progressives, and that the offices for which they're running this year are unlikely to be the last offices for which they run.  In addition to being progressives, both are real competent. With all due respect to Beau Biden (and that's about as much respect as he's due), Denn is a huge upgrade in the competence department. As for Tom Wagner, is there anybody in the state, other than perhaps Dick Cathcart, even willing to make an argument about his competence? Unless one views not doing anything as evidence of competence? Now contrast him with Brenda Mayrack. As Spiro Agnew might say, "Nolo contendere".    Speaking of Wagner and Cathcart, for those of you new to this scandal, this is must reading.  Pretty much everything you need to know in one place. Perhaps that Delaware City sycophant who kisses Cathcart's ass (no, not Val Longhurst, the other Delaware City sycophant who kisses Cathcart's ass) will respond to this. Wagner? I dunno. But the term 'suspendered disbelief' was never more appropriate. BTW, in a delicious piece of irony, the pathetic report/whitewash from Wagner that I linked to in the article...is no longer available from the Auditor's office.

We deserve answers from Beau Biden

9 Comments
Beau Biden Tornoe cartoon Governor sickBy now, everyone's heard the news that Beau Biden, our intrepid attorney general and holder of the royal Biden coattails, has decided not to run for re-election and will instead focus on becoming Delaware's next governor. But there's a lot being left unsaid.
Delaware Political Weekly: May 3-9, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: May 3-9, 2014

7 Comments
<strong>Whoa</strong>. Now <strong>this</strong> is interesting. <strong>R Judy Travis </strong>has filed to run in the Brandywine Hundred district currently held by <strong>D Rep. Dennis E. Williams</strong>. Williams is facing a D primary challenge from <strong>Sean Matthews</strong>. It had been expected that two-time loser <strong>Robert Rhodunda</strong> would challenge for the seat again. Instead, Travis, who previously challenged, and lost to, Rep. Bryon Short in 2010, has jumped in. No she didn't move. She was redistricted in 2012, when I think all of the 7th district west of Foulk Road was moved to the 10th. Although Short defeated her by a 57%-41% margin (there were two other candidates) in 2010, she would likely be at least as formidable as Rhodunda. Short is more firmly entrenched than Dennis Williams. So, does this mean that Rhodunda is out, or that there will be an R primary? Somebody, anybody? I mean, <a href="http://www.bobrhodunda.com/">based on </a><strong><a href="http://www.bobrhodunda.com/">this</a>, </strong>it looks like he's running. And Don Ayotte is back....
Delaware Political Weekly: April 19-25, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: April 19-25, 2014

3 Comments
Yesterday, Hunter Biden emerged to tell us that Beau Biden, the new presumed frontrunner for Governor in 2016, is 'doing great'. The day before, it was Pete Schwartzkopf. Assuming that they speak the truth, can someone, anyone, explain to me why the Beaudhisattva is incommunicado? Is he absorbing more enlightenment beneath the Bo Tree? I'm serious, can someone please provide a plausible scenario that would explain his refusal to come out and say, "Hi, I'm here, I'm healthy, didja miss me?"  I honestly don't think I've seen anything quite like this. It defies explanation, at least to me. BTW, if you read Hunter Biden's statement carefully, he doesn't say that Beau's in great health. Come inside for the quote. As to 2016, while Matt Denn has said that he doesn't 'expect' to run for Governor then, neither has he ruled it out. He didn't expect to run for AG this year b/c he didn't expect Biden not to run. I think Matt will accomplish more in two years as AG as Beau has done in six, so he'd be well-positioned to run in 2016, especially if Beau surprises everyone again. Which, IMHO, would be no surprise at all.
Matt Denn is Running for AG!

Matt Denn is Running for AG!

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Is this the good news of the day or what? From Denn's website:
[...]But as I have thought about it and talked it over with my family, I’ve realized that the Attorney General’s office would allow me to take a leadership role on some issues that are critical to our state, while still staying involved in the issues involving Delaware’s children that have been the core of my work over the last six years. The Attorney General, as the state’s chief law enforcement officer, must be someone with the judgment, impartiality and will to prosecute and punish those who have violated the laws of our state. He or she should also possess compassion for our most vulnerable residents, a respect for all citizens of our state regardless of their background, and a vision to prevent crime from occurring by combining smart crime prevention with a commitment to providing Delawareans with real opportunity and hope. I believe that I possess these traits. That's why I have filed to be the Democratic candidate for Attorney General of Delaware in 2014.[...]
Delaware Political Weekly: April 12-18, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: April 12-18, 2014

14 Comments
Beau Biden's 'letter to his supporters' announcing that he would not run for reelection for AG but, rather, would run for Governor in 2016, was an act of breathtaking cynicism.  So let's make one thing totally clear: He is not running for reelection because of his health. Period. With perhaps a dollop of 'I suck so bad as AG that maybe people will forget just how bad if I'm out of office for a couple of years'. So, let's first look at 2016 and work our way backwards, shall we? With all that money in the bank, Beau hopes to scare off would-be challengers. If Biden's successful, this would make it almost a certainty that your Democratic nominee for governor in 2016 would either be Beau Biden or...Tom Gordon.  You see, Tommy's waiting in the wings with the implicit blessing of the Bidenistas. Either way, Joe Biden gets to play kingmaker. You like that? Neither do I. That's why I find this maneuver so cynical. And so typical of all involved. OK, let's become Matt Denn for just a second. He'd like to be governor, but he's enough of a realist to recognize that waiting for 2016 in (a) the oft-chance that Biden won't run and/or (b) the hope that he'll somehow be able to raise enough money to be competitive with Beau are possible but far from sure things. The position of AG has just opened up for this November. I betcha Matt Denn thinks he'd be a great AG. I agree. I also betcha that leaders in the Party are already beating a track to his door.  I don't think anyone could come close to defeating Denn, should he run for AG. With no information whatsoever, I think and hope that that's what he'll do. He'd be an effective and progressive AG. Which is better than what we have now.
Delaware Political Weekly: Jan. 11-17, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: Jan. 11-17, 2014

10 Comments
It's time to recognize the possibility, perhaps likelihood, that Beau Biden will not be able to run for reelection. I think it's pretty clear now that he's battling a serious health challenge He is virtually invisible in public. When he does venture out, people are concerned about what they see. There has been no official update on his condition since August. His spokesman routinely makes statements that Beau previously would have made, most recently on the failure of the Senate to muster up enough votes to restore Beau's signature legislation to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill. I wish our AG a full recovery and a long productive life. However, someone will be elected Attorney General this November. If not Beau, then who? Matt Denn? Or some blinkered law and order type who only cares about talking tough on crime, not on protecting consumers and the public from getting ripped off? It's time we have this conversation. I know that there may be great comfort in imagining the Biden name on the AG line. But it's less likely to happen each passing day. Who will step up? Beau is the only one who can talk me down on this. Right now, he's not talking.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 13, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 13, 2013

28 Comments
Let me get this straight. Jack Markell cuts taxes for his wealthy friends early this session. The only tax among the so-called temporary emergency taxes enacted in 2009 that he cut. Now he says he needs $80 million in new taxes and fees, or bridges will fall down, highways will crumble. Oh, and if they do, it will be somebody else's fault because Markell gave the legislators a full 2 1/2 week's warning before the end of session. Maybe, just maybe, if he stopped appearing on TV, writing half-baked op-eds, or accepting ginned-up awards created solely to increase his national stature (I recommend lifts as an alternative), he might find time to, you know, actually govern. I mean in public, not in secret.