All Eyes On Atkins Vs. Hastings
September 10th, 2008 by Dan GaffneyAtkins beats his primary opponent Barbara Lifflander setting up a race that could switch the balance of power in the Delaware House of Representatives to the Democrats. Much money will be spent in Sussex County’s 41st district. Who do you choose?
Former Republican, former State Rep. and conservative John Atkins. Running as a Democrat.
Republican State Rep. and conservative Greg Hastings.
Hastings? Atkins?
September 10th, 2008 at 4:41 am
It’s not my district, but Greg Hastings would definitely get my vote.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:42 am
It just blows my mind that there are that many voters that fall for John Atkins bull! Lets see:
abuse of power
abuse of alcohol
abuse of a woman
endangering a minor
He says don’t judge me on one night of mistakes……come on….you think he has changed? You think you just happen to do all that out of the blue? This is who he is, this was just not one night ,this is his life!
Did anyone ever think he probably defaced his own signs?
Who had enough money to spend $10,000 on nasty fliers and blame it on someone else……….uh John Atkins did!
Atkins had a taste of that power and he will do anything to get it back, that is what he is all about! He has to be the top dog!
Come on 41st……..WAKE UP !!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Atkins. What has Greg Hastings done ?
September 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Ummm…not what Adkins did?
September 10th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Atkins. But let me get to the bull, your comments state PAST issues that you may need a shrink to help you get through this. You sound more like a child that was upset because you did not get things your way,Obviously you seem a little upset about those numbers from last night. I also agree with patterson show me what bills were introduced or shot down by Mr. Hastings, for the good of the 41st district. Strength comes in the form of numbers and The people that voted were democrats. Mr. Atkins has only been a democrat for 5-6 months. With that being said how do you think it will look when faithful (republican) friends of Mr. Atkins vote in November
John has an edge over Greg and it’s the strength of numbers with people
because no matter what happened in the past, WE the people trust him to do the right thing in office!!—-now go pick up your green and white election signs.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:18 am
You’re right Greg Hastings hasn’t done anything like….
Drive Drunk
Use his power to get out of driving drunk
Hit his wife
Coerce his babysitter to lie to police
Get on the radio and lie to us (no alcohol involved?)
And then since that’s happened Greg Hastings hasn’t tried to intimidate people who were publicly critical of him, including a host on WGMD.
So if that’s our standard for a state rep, I guess you could say Greg Hastings hasn’t done anything.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I’m voting Atkins. To TIREDOFTHEBULL…It is bull*?@*! People like you are so hypocritical to even hold that kind of hostility upon one man. I say hypocritical because finding one person who has not done any wrongdoing in their lifetime, while young or old, is far and few between. So many high-powered people in state positions and government offices have made choices that may not of led them in a positive direction, but with proper steps are able to redeem themselves. Atkins and his family have taken the time to heal, he has the support of his family to once again serve others in the 41st, and he also has the support of MANY in the 41st to serve again. His absence was just that…an absence. His seat was never filled, i’m sorry. I NEVER heard a peep from or about Hastings until word was mentioned that Atkins may seek that seat again. When finally Hastings became vocal and was asked about certain issues, he always had the same comments…well, i’ve only been in office 6 months…well, i’ve only been in office 9 months…come on! During Atkins’ House absence, he remained a voice and a face in the district and he still received calls and concerns from past constituents. The fact that Atkins beat Lifflander is no surprise. He ventured new territory and still gained the support of many Democrats. I am a registered Republican and could not vote for him in the primaries, so unfortunately, my vote was silent, as with many others. And although I am a registered Republican, Atkins’ views, concerns, and his willingness to do and get the job done, is definately what i’m voting for. I’m sick of the bull too; it’s time to let go of past regressions and move on.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hey OVDE, I have a question for you… Why don’t you worry about your own district and let us worry about ours? What you and your spouse never had a fight? I’m not to happy with what happend with John and his wife but that is their business. And they must be working it out, because they are still togather. I live in John’s district and I was VERY happy with him. We would recive letters form John letting us know what was going on in our area all the time. What he was for and what he was not. Many times John would be on WGMD giving out his cell and home number. Saying if we needed him to call anytime. My husband and I would get B=day cards form him. I have only recieved one letter for Grag Hastings, and that was
asking for money. I know that is one little thing but it means a lot. If you asked me, Greg Hastings is just wasting our money being on office! You can bet that this Republican will be voting for JOHN ATKINS in November!!
September 10th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I guess morals mean nothing to some people, as long as Atkins scratches their back a little and sends them a birthday card, it doesn’t matter what he does or says! Everyone says leave this poor man alone, he has done and said all the right things to deserve another chance. He has said all the right things…..easy to do, anyone can talk the talk but can he walk the walk? I don’t think so.
I hear he parties all day down on the beach on Sundays with his good ole boys, then drives home drunk.
I hear when he is out in public, he pours his beer in a pepsi can (that’s impressive)
I hear he indimidates people, I asked someone why they had a Hastings sign and a Atkins sign in their yard. They told me ” I don’t want to make John mad so I let him put it up”
I hear while eating breakfast at the diner with his good ole boys, he was overheard laughing about how he had his signs defaced and blamed it on Hastings!
How about the late night phone calls of indimidation……you think he has anything to do with that? DUH!
I am sure he has done some things for some of you, but you need to realize…….it is not about you…….it is all about him!
IT IS ALL ABOUT HIS EGO ! Keep stroking his ego, I am sure he will do something again that he can’t cover up!
I am all about second chances, but this guy has not changed……
HE DOESN”T WANT TO! IT’S WHO HE IS !
September 10th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Atkins ONLY BECAUSE Hastings served on the school board and did nothing but protect incompetent and ineffective teachers; he’s a good old boy and he’s got a lot of people fooled
September 10th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
How did John have so much time to send letters when he was getting caught for DUIs that were swept under the carpet, kicking in pickup truck doors in a jealous rage, telling his peers in Dover that a Sat. night special in his district was a six-pack and a broad? He got caught that infamous night, lied about it first thing the next morning on WGMD, and the rest was history. Why would anyone believe anything he says or vote for him again? Too much incest and poisons in the water in the 41st.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
ABBY< HAPPYJANE and POLOTRICKS, I agree with all of you 110%, when I arrived at the polls on Tuesday, I was greeted by John Atkins, he was both redeeming and interested in our concerns. When leaving after casting our vote, Ms Lifflander was present. John walked up to her and offered his hand to greet her and wish her luck, she blew him off, as other voters were arriving they noticed just how ignorant she was, perhaps that is another reason John will soon be back in Dover.
No one could seem to find Mr Hastings on any meet and greet yesterday, so I pose the same question, just exactly who is this man and what the hell has he done in the time he has been in office?
September 11th, 2008 at 8:10 am
To TIREDOFTHEBULL again……you say throughout your blogging “I hear..I hear..I hear…I hear…” well open your ears to the rest of the general public and listen to who they’re calling for - John Atkins. What you speculate now is just that, mere speculation derived from assanine people just like yourself who sit around thinking…hmmm what else can we make up that could really hurt Atkins? You said, “He has said all the right things…..easy to do, anyone can talk the talk but can he walk the walk? I don’t think so.” OMG?!?! No, it’s not easy to talk the talk (just ask Greg Hastings *-!Cricket *-!*-Cricket *-!). By the say John can walk the walk - he’s done it before - and whether you like it or not, he’s doing it again.
Lets see…he parties at the beach on Sundays with his buddies?!?! More like family Sundays on his boat!
Lets see…he pours beer in a pepsi can?!?!? He drinks Coke.
Should you have asked someone why they had an Atkins sign in their yard…maybe they just didn’t want to make YOU mad instead of Atkins, you portray more of the intimidator here, not Atkins. The things he has done for the community, the district, and individuals, are not for personal gain - how could it be? Why would a person subject themselves and their family to the stupid scrutinty of individuals like you if he didn’t feel the compassion and a calling to serve the deserving people? Call it ego if you want ..ego is also defined as pride, spirit, individuality, sensibilities, feelings, and emotions. Isn’t it funny that the media is consumed by Atkins running? The calls, the interviews, the articles and photos are blanketed with Atkins - not the incumbent! Oh wait…Hastings couldn’t be reached for comment. Go back to the beach this weekend….make sure you’re wearing your big brimmed hat too, and let me know if you see that Atkins boat with the happy family —drinking cokes! Understand, Mr. Atkins is not the only one your trying to smear…innocent Atkins children have been ridiculed by your nastiness.
September 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am
And you, HappyJane, are forgetting how he “smeared” another innocent child to suit his purpose and help retain the reputation and status he needed. Where was his compassion for her? How did he serve her better self? You are right in one respect..the citizens and constituents of the 41st. ARE “deserving people”…most of us deserving of better, others deserving of getting what they wished (or vote) for. Whether or not one agrees with you or such as TiredoftheBull (and sincerely admit I am one of the latter) you cannot deny the fact that this push of Mr. Adkins has seriously divided this district. Maybe you could say we are now a community of sheep and shepherds. I’ll leave you to figure out where many of you fit. I guess maybe it’s an emotional issue…emotions just got him where he now is because of every thing I have read or heard in favour of John Adkins there has been one common denominator..”what he did for ME”…whether it’s a specific organization with a self-interest or a household getting a B-card. The rest of us are thinking with sensibilities of principles, integrity, honesty and responsibility. A drunk will buy you a drink…or several on your birthday but would you let him drive you or your kids home? Your kid might be running around with a fake I.D. but when he/she gets caught flashing it for illegal or nefarious purpose will you hire a lawyer to fight the case in court or go out and get another to replace the confiscated one? My emotions will cause me to thank and remember anyone who has ever done me a good turn but not blind me to character flaws which could harm or be detrimental to others. You can agree or not…that’s your right and it’s your opinion. We have as much right to express ours. One more thing I’d I’ll give you…Mr. Adkins is not the only person aspiring to such office or purpose with black marks against him…too many have the same, some never having been ‘outed’ as yet but if we have any sense we would all work to elect people who have few to none. I grant you that the “perfect person” doesn’t exist (or exists if you wish to say we are all ‘perfect’ however we are). Perhaps, in your eyes, what has been reported with regards to Mr. Adkins ‘mistake’ was a ‘one-off’ but each incident was one which he had lived long enough, been around long enough, to know was wrong…and that doing so would be enough to cost him trust and the job he was doing. Support the man in his daily life, support his family and help in their struggles…of course… but put him back in office? I might have had he ‘done the right thing’ as he claims he ‘always’ does. Victimhood doesn’t sit well on the shoulders of anyone who defies and denies a wrongdoing. Odd that I notice every one of his supporters will defend his mistake of driving while already having been stopped yet not one of you has a thing to say about trying to weasle his way out of it with his I.D. card or demanding from a teen what he had no right to. I guess those two ‘minor’ details are okay with you…or else you have no idea how to defend them so best ignore them?
September 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am
No, it is not all about John!! It is all about the people of the 41st. Yes, John has made some mistakes; like you never have!!! But this is not all about John’s personal life,it’s what he did for the 41st. What about the VA hospital in Milford. I’m sure if you asked one of the many men and woman who have and is now fighting for our freedom would be more then happy to support him. John is my voice in Dover. I am all for the American people to have the right to own a gun, to protect their home, family and what they work to have. I am for the farmer to be able to shoot the deer and other animals that eat their crops. So that they will be able to sleep at night knowing that they will be able to support their family! When a developer (like Greg Hastings) wanted to close off a road that us locals use, so that he didn’t have to pay to put in a new one. John didn’t allow it! I can go on and on what John has done for this district, the thing is I can’t go on and on about Greg Hastins. Because he hasn’t!
September 11th, 2008 at 11:33 am
TRIEDOFTHEBULL…
When you SEE it frist hand then you can report…not jsut because you HEAR…
How would you like to to say I heard some thing about you. Not knowing you, but just say that I heard it. And it wasn’t true!!!!
September 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Ok Nancy Cleveland..to each his own, and honey you are on your own, except for a handful of righteous do-gooders. I don’t condone what Atkins had done on that fateful night, by any means, but given the words of advice he had tried to endure and take heed to, he’s done very well trying to sort them out.
“Support the man in his daily life, support his family and help in their struggles…of course… but put him back in office?” I say, OF COURSE, Nancy! Office is a part of daily life to any true politician and to any true constituent, in the spotlight and behind the scenes. I support the man and his family, and i would be there to help in their struggles if ever called upon, even you Nancy. It is apparent that you, too, are one who struggles with redemption. Never have i spoke of a personalized ‘what he’s done for ME’; but rather what he’s done for the community. No back-scratches here either, honey. But while I scratch and shake my head at your comments, I bet right now you’re scratching your butt sores from all the crap you just wrote. The mere fact that he flashed his ID card, is nothing new. Do you really think the officer didn’t know who they were dealing with anyway? Atkins had a legislative license plate that threw a ‘hello’ out to them before they even approached the vehicle. As far as the babysitter….intimidation? hardly. There’s no reason to defend this because according to the Attorney General who was assigned this issue, found no basis or substantial evidence of such behavior, therefore being dismissed. These two ‘minor’ details are okay with me, because they’ve only been a ‘minute’ piece of the facts. Not forgotten or ignored, just not worthy of reasons to keep him from office again.
September 14th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Jesus was bashed almost as much as John Atkins for his “Sins”, but at least Jesus was only nailed to the Cross ONCE!
September 14th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
“Jesus was bashed almost as much as John Atkins for his “Sins”, ”
Almost? ALMOST?? ROFLMAO…this is just incredible! I knew a few had quickly tossed a halo above Mr. Adkins head (notice I did NOT say or even suggest he did) but deifying him? Pull yourselves together….
September 15th, 2008 at 8:23 am
maybe Nancy should be more concerned with her foul texting (ROFLMAO)as a person with legislative credentials one would like to think of you as ,you do yourself as a stainless, spotless individual. As we all see you expect that from Mr. Atkins. Hope you don’t live in glass house as you continually cast stones at others
September 15th, 2008 at 8:29 am
As we all can see here there is power in the number of people who support John in the ups and downs of daily life. Other people (unlike us who support John) would rather kick a man while he is down than to offer a hand to help him up. There are many more voices that remain silent and will make theirselves known in november.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Its okay polotricks…..you have to take them with a grain of salt, I notice that Nancy Cleveland is quick to ridicule or reply in ignorance but I havent noticed her sending support Mr Hastings way, is it because like most of us in the 41st district she to knows the lack of work he has done on behalf of his constituents? Its hard to taut praise when you have no idea what the hell the guy has done so its just easier to continue to bash John Atkins, and when she gets her behind up off the floor from laughing (ignorance is bliss they say) perhaps she will see just how ignorant her response was.
I by no means ever meant to imply that John Atkins was any type of diety, I was just making an analogy about the continual nailing to the cross for his Sins, for which he has done the penance that was imposed by the way.
One other thing that bothers me as an English major from college, if you are going to continue to bash the man, at least spell his name right, it is ATKINS, not ADKINS.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
In fact I’m not responding in ignorance…either of you. First of all, like everyone else I freely admit being far from perfect and have committed my own transgressions…difference being (I can tell you and it can be vouched for) mine did not harm, nor could they ever have harmed another living soul…either by word or deed. The things aDkins/ATkins pleaded to could have. And that is troublesome in someone who has such a desire to not only hold office but was instrumental on the Corrections Board. Don’t you even find that something of a dichotomy? The other is having raised a child with standards and principles befitting her family, it would be more than mere annoyance that someone of his ’stature’ would tell, nay expect, her to do something in direct opposition to her beliefs and principles…putting a child in such a position between someone she viewed as a respected elder and her upbringing. Bluntly, I don’t tolerate lies or liars and don’t believe there is reason for either. You do wrong you admit it then accept the consequences, regardless. THAT is someone who could at least get back a little respect. Apparently those who believe this are in a minority and that is the pity.
I don’t know Mr. Hastings and probably never will but I do support his running against Mr. ADkins/ATkins…somebody needs to and better someone who is a member of that particular party because he believes in it than one who does so because it serves his/her own purpose at the moment. Enough of you have complained about flip-flopping over the last few years I’m surprised you seemed to have missed this one…or are willing to accept just any justification for it. Should it come out Mr. Hastings has been guilty of similar misdeeds I would not consider supporting him either.
I refrained then but don’t see any value in doing so now but if that was “just an analogy” made re Jesus and John ADkins/Atkins couldn’t you see how offensive that might be to your community members who subscribe to those religious beliefs…you did say “Jesus was bashed almost as much as John…”.
Re ADkins v. ATkins…when the media, callers et al get it right maybe we will all get it right. What in the world has that to do with anyone being an English major? Speaking of which, I believe the word you may have been looking for was “tout” rather than “taut”
Anyway, since I’m still ROFL it would be time for me, at least, to move on…my beef is, and has been with ADkins/ATkins pursuing election. Getting increasingly rude with and more personal toward others, as it already has done, is not for me. If Mr. A does get elected I sincerely hope he lives up to your collective expectations and aspirations…you’re nothing if not loyal.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Whatever. GO ATKINS!!!
September 16th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Nancy, How can 1 human being have an issue with someone they #1 do not know, re-acts off of what the media sells and has not approached the person they have the issue with to resolve a personal conflict. You speak directive but you hide behind your words. Put your money where your mouth is and find out who the person you speak of is and your mind set will truely change. I was raised that if you have a problem with someone
“CONFRONT” them on that issue. You have done nothing to establish your case to all of us other than your coward writings.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
who is Happy Jane? Sounds like she knows Atkins VERY well. According to her 9/11 blog, she knows “Everything about him”, including where he goes on Sunday and with whom, what he drinks, who he hangs around, and that he has a boat. These are things your average supporter doesn’t know. When a woman writes about a man on such and intimate level, unless he is her boyfriend or husband, it seems a little bizarre, and would lead one to believe they are more than just friends. I mean come on, she’s even admitted to being a registered republican…WOW!!! Sounds like John’s wife should be concerned about Happy Jane or maybe Happy Jane is his wife and this is just another one of John’s staged stunts. Be careful Happy Jane, I hear he can get a bit rough!!!!!
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 am
interesting thought - but wrong. i have met the atkins’ family - MR & MRS for that matter, even their children. Could that be because they frequent the little league fields where my children also play? could it be that they frequent local school football games? or maybe just because I listen to wgmd and have heard mr atkins on as a guest speaking about his days, while out of office? You know, while some people are making negative remarks, b.s. assumptions about atkins PERSONAL life, and feel they know him by this nature, i’m merely stating the facts as i have seen as well. What’s the difference between a loyal supporter and one who’s not? Words. Atkins is still my choice for representative, republican or democrat. Yes, i am a registered republican, but will not vote for the party this time.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Furthermore…Sussex Mom writes - “These are things your average supporter doesn’t know” Give me a break! All of these things are visibly seen in PUBLIC. Intimate? I dont know what your idea of intimate is but it seems like a coke and boat ride might do the trick for ya!