For decades, politics in Delaware was akin to a tea party. Civility reigned. Politicians who attempted to get down and dirty were punished for it. The prime example of that was 1996 GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Janet C. Rzewnicki, who was clobbered 70% to 30% after she attempted to question Tom Carper's family finances.
And normally, politicians are not seriously challenged for reelection until they decide to step down themselves. Indeed, criticism of politicians as result of their decisions in office is rare.
This changed in 2000. Incumbent Republican Senator Bill Roth, who himself was approaching 80, was fully expected to retire, and his annointed successor, Congressman Mike Castle, would take his place. But Roth refused to retire, and declared for reelection. Governor Carper decided to challenge the old man. Gasps were heard throughout the state.
The campaign was close. Delaware prides itself on being a state with a bipartisan and moderate reputation, even though it is heavily blue and Democratic. But after Senator Roth literally fell asleep during his debate with Governor Carper, the election was over. Carper won, 58% to 42%. A relative landslide.
Similar deference has been given to Congressman Mike Castle for decades. Castle declares himself to be a Moderate Republican, and no one ever challenges him on it. Indeed, the Democratic party struggles every two years to even put a name on the ballot against Castle, let alone a serious challenge. Castle has gotten used to the free pass given to him by his Democratic constituents that should be his opposition.
Perhaps that is why Castle sounds a little stung and hurt in this story about liberal protesters targeting him with attack ads for casting the deciding vote on a "deficit reduction" bill that made the budget safe for tax cuts, all the while cutting education loans, medicare and other vital social programs.
Rep. Mike Castle and other moderate Republicans are under attack by a coalition of unions, liberal groups and religious leaders unhappy with their vote to scale back federal spending for social programs.
Television ads blasting Castle for his vote [have begun]airing in Delaware[.] As plaintive piano music plays in the background, pictures of families alternate with pictures of millionaires' mansions and champagne being poured into glasses.
"Congressman Castle voted to slash health care for struggling Delaware families, to cut college loans for middle-class kids and to take food off the tables of poor children," the narrator intones. "Why is he hurting Delaware families? Incredibly, to give billions in tax breaks to millionaires."
The House's budget cuts, approved 217-215 just before Thanksgiving, would save nearly $50 billion over the next five years, mainly by trimming growth in spending for anti-poverty programs such as Medicaid and food stamps. The measure also would cut the college student loan program by $14.3 million.
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"They certainly have the right to do this, but it's not very constructive," Castle said. "What they're doing is opposing something without offering alternatives."
Oh please. Castle lies here just like Bush's minions in Congress, which belies any notion of his moderatism or independence from the Conservative right wing. The alternatives were offered and were plain as day: how about not cutting taxes for the rich? How about not cutting social programs? How about cutting wasteful spending elsewhere, as in the Transportation Bill containing the infamous Bridge to Nowhere and Noone. That is the alternative. To lie about the lack of alternatives being offered by your critics and opposition is pathetic and weak.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, one of the nation's biggest unions, plans to spend at least $500,000 on a national advertising campaign[,] and on targeted ads that will run in seven congressional districts, including Delaware.
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The coalition and many Democrats argue that Republicans are using the budget cuts to help pay for a hefty tax-cut package that primarily benefits the wealthy. [T}he House approved a five-year, $56 billion tax cut, mostly in the form of an extension of President Bush's 2003 reductions in tax rates on capital gains and dividend investment income.
Castle voted for the tax cut package.
Republicans have always been very good at holding Democrats' feet to the fire with respect to their congressional votes. Witness John Kerry in 2004. And now it is payback time. And it is a bitch, isn't it Congressman Castle? You voted for the cuts, representing your position against Delaware's families, the poor, the eldery and the needy. You also voted for the tax cuts, representing your position for the most wealthy among us.
Own your votes, Congressman. Stand by them. Don't complain about being criticized. Don't make up lies to bolster your complaints.
It would seem that the Delaware Democrats now have an opportunity to join this ad offensive. It would seem that the Congressman has given us an opportunity to defeat him in 2006. I pray that the Delaware Democratic Party listens. I pray that Jack Markell or John Carney, insteading of fighting each other for the Governor's Mansion in 2008, will instead decide to take out, once and for all, Delaware's ultimate pretender.
For us to be successful in 2006, the 50 State Strategy championed by Governor Dean must include the First State.