A few days ago I was actually contemplating a post called "Dave Burris is the Anti-Christ," in which I intended to point out that the former Sussex County Republican Chairman has singlehandedly become one of the biggest obstacles to the disintegration of the GOP in Delaware. (As an advocate that the Libertarian Party grow and take over the role of one of the two major parties in the First State I need the Republicans to keep shooting themselves in the foot. Dave has not been obliging me.)
Now, in the wake of Al Levin's abrupt exit from the Republican field, circumstances would now apparently leave Mike Protack flying alone (in far more ways than one) if somebody else didn't step up.
So Dave Burris is considering that challenge.
I'll be frank: a Republican winning the governorship in Delaware this year is a looonng shot, a very loooonnnnggg shot, especially if Jack Markell wins the Democratic nomination. Registrations alone--not the mention Markell's overflowing war chests of cash--would make it appear a quixotic undertaking.
But sometimes risking a loss for the right reasons is a critical decision.
Had Ronald Reagan not challenged Gerald Ford for the nomination in 1976 he would not have been such a strong candidate in 1980, and the national GOP would have remained mired in its post-Watergate doldrums for at least another decade.
So for the GOP in Delaware a strong Burris candidacy--win or lose--will be a good thing.
It would also be good for Delaware politics in general, given the fact that Dave is an outspoken advocate of government transparency, something we haven't gotten out from our legislators or two successive Democratic administrations.
This is not to say that I agree on everything with Dave (although you have to admit he is always honest enough to tell you what he actually believes.
Here are the parts of his program I can get behind (taken from his announcement that he's considering a run):
We part company to a large extent on education. Dave is a fervent champion of charter schools and a strong supporter of Vision 2015. I think (surprisingly, perhaps, for a Libertarian) that his support of charters is a bit too extreme, and you can go back and read about my problems with Myopia 2015.
On the other hand, I do not question Dave's personal commitment to excellence in education for all children in Delaware.
This is not necessarily an endorsement, Dave, but more along the lines of an encouragement. If it comes down to you and Carney, you've got me; if it's you versus Markell, I'll promise a long careful, truly undecided, look at both before I step into the booth. I give you at least an equal chance to win my vote.
Regardless of party, Delaware needs quality people like yourself out in front.
I hope you'll run.
Now, in the wake of Al Levin's abrupt exit from the Republican field, circumstances would now apparently leave Mike Protack flying alone (in far more ways than one) if somebody else didn't step up.
So Dave Burris is considering that challenge.
I'll be frank: a Republican winning the governorship in Delaware this year is a looonng shot, a very loooonnnnggg shot, especially if Jack Markell wins the Democratic nomination. Registrations alone--not the mention Markell's overflowing war chests of cash--would make it appear a quixotic undertaking.
But sometimes risking a loss for the right reasons is a critical decision.
Had Ronald Reagan not challenged Gerald Ford for the nomination in 1976 he would not have been such a strong candidate in 1980, and the national GOP would have remained mired in its post-Watergate doldrums for at least another decade.
So for the GOP in Delaware a strong Burris candidacy--win or lose--will be a good thing.
It would also be good for Delaware politics in general, given the fact that Dave is an outspoken advocate of government transparency, something we haven't gotten out from our legislators or two successive Democratic administrations.
This is not to say that I agree on everything with Dave (although you have to admit he is always honest enough to tell you what he actually believes.
Here are the parts of his program I can get behind (taken from his announcement that he's considering a run):
There is no forward movement on anything that matters.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we’ve lost 22% of our manufacturing jobs since this Governor was elected.
Our economic growth is now in the bottom tier of states.
Our revenues are set to grow only 2-3% this year, but you can bet your house that the budget will grow by more than that.
We spend more than most other states, yet we can’t afford to build our schools and we can’t afford to build our roads.
According to Auditor Wagner, we have more debt and long-term liabilities per capita than any other state.
We part company to a large extent on education. Dave is a fervent champion of charter schools and a strong supporter of Vision 2015. I think (surprisingly, perhaps, for a Libertarian) that his support of charters is a bit too extreme, and you can go back and read about my problems with Myopia 2015.
On the other hand, I do not question Dave's personal commitment to excellence in education for all children in Delaware.
This is not necessarily an endorsement, Dave, but more along the lines of an encouragement. If it comes down to you and Carney, you've got me; if it's you versus Markell, I'll promise a long careful, truly undecided, look at both before I step into the booth. I give you at least an equal chance to win my vote.
Regardless of party, Delaware needs quality people like yourself out in front.
I hope you'll run.
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