Atkins Running As A Democrat
February 24th, 2008 by Joe CiccantiOn WGMD’s Maria Evans show this morning, former State Representative John Atkins says he is running again:
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“Because I have a passion for the people…”
“I had many phone calls– from people–people I have run into around town–not just family and friends, a lot of Mayors, former Mayors that I worked with, state policemen, municipal police officers, fire company chiefs…asking me to run again.”
“Everybody deserves a second chance. I’ve given people second chances…”
“It’s not my ego, and I don’t need the money, but I want to serve, because in my heart, I know that I can represent the people better and did than what we are getting right now…”
“I don’t know how many times I can apologize. And WGMD has accepted the apology. I know all my local papers have. The News Journal –it seems like they still have an axe to grind.”
Atkins, who plans to register with the Delaware Department of Elections this week as a Democrat, says he will become a “conservative Democrat.”
 ”I will go back to Dover and represent the same conservative views that I did as a Republican.”
So it’s official. Is he deserving of a second chance? I believe so. We all make mistakes. All people fall short of perfection no matter who they are and what they do. I’ve made mistakes. God, who is a God of second chances, has given me numerous chances. I have gotten second chances from other people before, and I myself have given people second chances. We’ve all had bad days and have made bad choices, but you move on and learn from those mistakes.
The reaction on WGMD’s Maria Evans show from WGMD listeners was mixed—a little disappointment over his decision to run as a Democrat, but most said they don’t have a problem with him representing the 41st again. Is there any other reaction out there?
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February 24th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Hmmm…sure, everybody is entitled to make one mistake, make amends and move on. Still wondering about the epiphany which brought him to running as a Democrat. Republicans won’t have him back…at least yet…so he decides to play for the other team? How often the Democrats align with his previous conservative Republican personna and will he be a “conservative Democrat” or a Republican in Democrat “clothing”. Should be interesting, if nothing else….particularly IF he is elected.
February 24th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I support John and hope he does well.
February 24th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Aside from his personal conduct, Atkins was an outrageously bad legislator.
It is not a matter of “conservative,” it is a matter of mean-spirited, hypocritical, special-interest-serving, and just-plain-stupid.
My opinions here: http://greendel.org/item.xhtml?name=atkinglifflander
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February 24th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Alan, if you supported Lifflander, Looks like your the just-plain-stupid one. Not John.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
GOBackHome, Ditto on your previous post. Have personal knowledge of Lifflander and there is a reason she lost TWICE to Atkins.
I wish you luck on your campaign Mr Atkins, as long as everyone remembers “Those who live in glass houses, should never throw stones” you may just make it back to the 41st.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Maria,
I thought you gave a riveting interview. Although some of the conservative backslapping from Atkins & the callers was a bit difficult for this progressive to take.
I really appreciated the Frank Sinatra music. I’m crazy about him. His voice is truly irreplaceable.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Thanks, Dana.
And I’m from Wilmington, I grew up to listening to Frank Sinatra on Sundays….
February 27th, 2008 at 2:59 am
[...] I may ride a high horse sometimes. But anyone,…… (WGMD, Sen. Bunting, or Sen. Hocker himself) who still wallows in their support of Atkins, is sending this signal that hitting one’s wife can be winked away and is therefore still an acceptable form of behavior. I find that repulsive. Of course none of these few would do the unthinkable in their own drunken stupor, but to accept it and justify it as a reasonable course of action, by supporting someone for public office who actually did so? C’mon! There is something seriously wrong in this state’s Southern half of the Republican party. [...]
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Forget John Atkins!! We have a good freshman Rep. in Greg Hastings, and I believe it’ll be in the best interests of the people of the 41st to return him next term. He’s certainly capable of representing our interests as well, if not better than his predecessor. And he does not bring the baggage that will inevitably sink Mr. Atkin’s ship - AGAIN - as the election campaign progresses. Long before the special election Mr. Hastings displayed the kind of moral integrity that responsible people can respect. Time to get on board with Hastings and send him back to Dover.