I’ve been going over the list on candidates that have not been on the radio lately, and I’m happy to announce that County Council Candidate Mike Wyatt will be appearing on the radio with me, Jared Morris, on November 3rd at 9:00 am. I’m looking forward to hearing from Mike and glad he’s making time to speak to the listeners of my show and of WGMD.

Also, in the interest of fairness, as I’ve had current Clerk of the Peace George Parish on the air for a full hour to discuss his platform, I gave Greg Fuller, The singing candidate, a call to see if he’d like to appear, Citizens of Sussex, I’m sad to report to you, that Fuller is “too busy” to come on the radio to speak to you. When asked, he mumbled “I’m very busy” — I’m alwars leery of the candidates who are “too busy” to speak to you, the people of Sussex!

I don’t beg for guests and I very rarely call and request a guest, usually if someone wants to come on, they call me. I don’t mean to be a jerk when I say that, but, I’ve got nothing to gain by having any guests on the show, I’m always happy just talking to all of you. So I will not try and talk somebody who is oh so busy into making time to help his campaign. Maybe he was offended by the Rehoboth Bathroom story knowing that his opponent is so strong on the issue of marriage being a man and a woman. Who knows? Sorry guys.. No singing guests on the radio for a little while..

Today WGMD conducted a special broadcast debate between 41st imcumbent (R) Greg Hastings and challenger John Atkins (D).

One hour debate with Dan Gaffney from 8:30 am to 9:30 am with followup candidate/listener questions from 9:30 am to 10:00 am with Jared Morris

The Debate will be rebroadcast on WGMD Radio on Sunday Morning.

For full audio download go to the WGMD Blog www.talkofdelmarva.com

Endorsements. I say I never offer these. Better description is that it’s rare. First.

President

John S. McCain. He isn’t perfect but he’s the last “Great” man in America. Junior can go back to Chicago and join the bomb making squad and “damn” America.

Governor

Who is Jack Markell? A picture in the News Journal? Mr. Carney at least knows how to get to Sussex County and he likes a cold one. Markell won’t come on a right leaning radio show? Heck, Bill Lee goes into the den of national traitors at WDEL but then Lee, the Marine, is Delaware’s last “Great” man.

Insurance Commissioner

And Delaware’s smartest man is John Brady. Hands down the Big Guy’s brain is Delaware’s biggest..

House of Representatives

I endorse Bill Colley. O.K., I’m pulling your leg as I prefer to continue not working for a living. I very much on a personal level like my two fellow Catholics in the race but I have a higher calling and it’s my allegiance to God. The Church isn’t a democracy and God isn’t asking for your opinions. Infanticide is criminal. You denounce it or you feather your bed in the nether reaches, however. I would like to buy one of the candidates dinner and her name isn’t Mike.

U.S. Senate

Christine O’Donnell. She’s an intellectual, she’s always smiling and you know she doesn’t compromise. My, Lord, she has a moral grounding I can only aspire to. Godspeed, Christine. Uncle Joe, see my comments about the race for the House. And those comments you made about that wonderful man who tried saving your first wife and daughter… Joe, there is a final judge.

Lt. Governor.

Copeland and Denn both have passion for the office. Bill Lee will need an ally. I hope Mr. Copeland agrees.

Sussex County Council

I endorse the entire GOP slate. What great people we have in this county, often from both parties but I’ve met these Republicans and they truly are just like the rest of us. There are so many good Republicans that we don’t have room for all of them. There were 3 battling in the primary for one seat. They could all serve us well.

The Forty First

Remember that comedy routine where the politician is asked if he still beats his wife? He can’t answer yes and he can’t answer no. It’s a paradox. Greg Hastings doesn’t beat his wife. He’s clean as a whistle and he’s what small town America has always been about.

Other State Legislative Races

Some good people here but do we want a one party state? A one party state is called New Jersey. ‘Nuff said. The local GOP has raised a good slate. It could be a model statewide and beyond.

On Monday’s show, I interviewed Sussx County Council Candidate Joan Deaver — One e-mail asked me to ask her about a “Boycott WGMD” Bumper sticker that was passed around a couple of years ago.. Here’s one listener’s response:

I remember being behind an SUV and seeing the bumper sticker “Boycott WGMD” and I thought to myself of all the chaos in the world this is what they expend their efforts on? I also remember laughing all the way home thinking to myself how sad for this person. Of course this was an election year and I went home and did a little research and found out why this bumper sticker came to be - imagine my surprise also when I also realized that the SUV the sticker was blazing from was Barbara Lifflanders. Well, needless to say there was no way in the world I was voting for her at that time and it all became clear why she did not want to debate on the station as well.

I then heard the program with Joan Deaver and her response to Jareds inquiry regarding the stickers and why they were there- I also remember her trying to side step the issue sarcastically and then suddenly having a selective memory when it came down to being honest and putting all the cards on the table. What happens when she doesnt agree with County Council, will she then print up bumper stickers to hand out to her district having them “boycott” the council? I suppose no matter who the politician is, be it personal behavior or political, I am beginning to believe even more, that honor, integrity, and just stepping up to the plate and being responsible for your own actions in any format, is what makes Sussex County go ’round - what a shame for all of us. Careful Joan, the voters are paying attention.

Listen to the audio segment here (download mp3)

The Jared Morris Show will host Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee live in our broadcast studio Thursday (tomorrow) at 10am!

 

Listen live on 92.7 WGMD radio and as always online with our live streaming audio here:

WGMD LIVE AUDIO STREAM

http://radio.webstream.net/radio_player_large.cfm?stationCallSign=WGMD

 

live blogging refresh often

08:05:00 pm

The WGMD 92.7 Coverage of the 2008 Primary Begins Now…

08:06:00

News Break “Voter Turnout”

Sussex County Dept. of Elections says Voter Turnout is about 15 - 18% overall.. Up to 25% in Council Districts 2 & 3 — bigger than usual 7% local turnout..

08:07:00

Trish Hinders from New Castle County. (mp3 download here)

General “Consensus is” Bill Lee will take primary over Mike Protack…

08:11:00

WGMD Joe Ciccanti live at election hq in Georgetown, DE (mp3 audio here)

08:12:00

Jerry The Poll Worker talks about turnout at Rehoboth Elementary in 14-4 (mp3 audio here)

Markell 279
Carney 132

Bill Lee 224
Protack 51

08:15:00

ML with one district reporting (audio here)

08:17:00

Bethany Beach Fire Hall Numbers from Phil The Poll Worker (mp3 audio)

Lee 119
Protack 47

08:21:00

Caller from Newark, DE — Listening Over The Air!!

08:22:00 Trish Hinders at GOP HQ in Wilmington

“Waiting for results” — rumors that “Bill Lee will be coming to accept the nomination”

08:23:00

WGMD News Room says:

“2% reporting”

Markell Leading Carney 51% - 48%
Lee over Protack 71% - 28%
Nagel 50%
Miller 40%
Northington 9%

Ins. Comm.

Gene Reed leading with 41%

County Council Seats

District 2

Ricker 47%
Wilson 33%
Reed 19%

District 3 Race

Baker 60%
Bennett 39%

08:25:00 41st District Joe C. (mp3 Audio)

One of 9 ED’s Reporting (district 5)

Atkins 176
Lifflander 128

Reed 58
Wilson 107
Ricker 158

Baker 123
Bennett 77

08:27:00

Ricker Leading
Wilson in second
Bob Reed Trailing

Mark Baker leading Bennett 123 to 77

08:30:00

WGMD’s Trish Hinders in Wilmington (mp3 audio here)

4% of votes in LEe is leading 71.4% to 28.6% “feelings are good in this area”

08:36:00

WGMD News says Nagel 2565 48% Miller 31% Northington 9%

Markel 52 to 47%

Lee 70+ percent

Gene Reed 44%, Stewart 36%, Savage 19%

in Georgetwon Joe. C.

5 of 10 dist. for districts 2

Ricker 491
Wilson 306
Reed 177

2 out of 14 reporting

mark baker 254 to bennett 156

5 of 9 for the 41st

Atkins 637
Lifflander 479

08:37:00

John Brady arrives to WGMD says “light turnout except where there was a highly contested local race”

“You look at Atkins and Lifflander numbers and the best way to reflect that is to look at the Carney/Markell numbers and look if there’s any correlation… Is John Leading by name recognition.. Wilson/Ricker/Reed.. I think what just came in is some of the Georgetown Votes” “We could have the battle of the two mayors for the county council seat in the 2nd disctrict”

08:40:00

Joe C. in Georgetown

7 of ten in destict 2

Ricker 620
Wilson 496
Reed 289

4 out of 14 for district 3

Baker 496
Bennett 252

08:40:00

don’t call in yet for Ricker, says John Brady.. “depends on the outstanding districts”
“what’s suprising me is the growing rate for Baker here…”

08:42:00

8 of 9 reporting

Atkins 968
Lifflander 763

08:44:00

WGMD is reporting with 8 of 9 districts reporting in the 41st District John Atkins is the Winner. (unofficially)

08:45:00 mp3 audio here (Atkins Accepts)

John Atkins says “it’s good to be here … my phone’s going off the hook … that’s great .. i’ll take the win .. we’ll move on to the gen. election .. i know it’s hard for a lot of democrats in the 41st dist. to accept .. i am a new dem … it’s gonna take time … i don’t want anybody to get excited out there … only being a dem for 5 months … dirty literature … we knew it was coming … we’ll live to move on for another election in Nov … some people take for granted ‘you’re gonna win big’ … think that softened my numbers”

08:47:00

Hinders in Wilmington: 63% of the Votes 71% Lee over Protact 28%

Joe C. in Georgetown:

Ricker 679
Wilson 605
Reed 473

Baker 1000
Bennet 718

08:51:00

Markell Sussex County HQ numbers Scott Wilkins in Milford … (download audio here)

“spirits are high … our numbers have Markell in the lead 52%”

08:52:00

WGMD News

Nagel in the lead with 56 to Millers 32 %

Markell 53% to Carney 47%

Lee with 72%

Stewart 42 % to Gene Reed 40% to Savage 17%

08:53:00

Paul in Wilmington talks about Markell and voting in Newark (download audio here)

“We had earlier Jack Markell well above 380 to 140 Carney” “steady trickly” voter turnout

08:55:00

Baker 1602
Bennett 1288

08:58:00

Joe. C from election hq all districts reporting

Mark Baker wins 1813 to Bennett 1499

All districts reporting

Atkins 1095 to Lifflander 938

09:03:00

Judson Bennett: (download audio here)

“I AM NO LONGER A FACTOR” “I HAVE A GOOD LIFE, FOLKS” “IT’S KINDA LIKE GOING FISHING AND YOU DON’T CATCH ANYTHING .. BUT YOU SAY THERE’S ONE GOOD THING .. I DON’T HAVE TO CLEAN EM .. I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE STRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN … IT’S NOW IN THE HANDS OF BAKER IN DEAVER … I HAVE A HUNCH MARK WILL PREVAIL … HE HAD AN INTERESTING CAMPAIGN AND HE WON FAR AND SQUARE” “I CONGRATULATE HIM, MARK BAKER IS A GOOD YOUNG MAN … I WISH HIM THE BEST” “IT WASN’T MEANT TO BE”

09:09:00

Hinders at Lee hq

with 91% of the votes in —-

Lee leading with 71.8% to Protack 28.2%

Markell leading Carney 51.8% 48.2%

09:10:00 The Latest numbers from WGMD News with 96% of the votes in… (audio)

09:12:00

John Brady says: (audio)

Gene Reed… 125,000 in spending ahead of stewart … Tom Savage through word of mouth and no signs has gotten 18 % — today it was Gene Reed’s race — if these numbers hold — that means the person that had the most money — may lose this race –

09:13:00

Bill Colley’s thoughts on Sam Wilson

“WHEN THE PARTY WENT LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE THEY ASKED SAM WILSON TO GO FIND SOMEONE … WELL, HE DID… HE FOUND HIMSELF”

09:18:00

BILL LEE HAS WON THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY OVER MIKE PROTACK

MARK BAKER WINS THE SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL PRIMARY OF BENNETT

JOHN ATKINS WINS THE 41ST PRIMARY OVER LIFFLANDER

09:20:00

99% OF THE VOTES IN

NAGLE 55.5% MILLER 34%
BILL LEE 70%+
MARKELL 37,368 TO CARNEY 35,433
STEWART 42% REED 39% SAVAGE 18%

09:20:00

Hinders in Wilmington at Rep HQ talked to Bill Lee earlier

“He’s ready to REALLY RUN FOR REAL… HE’S READY FOR A GOOD FIGHT”

09:23:00

breaking news from georgetown:

SAM WILSON 37.2% WINS THE SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL PRIMARY DISTRICT 2

09:25:00 “HEADLINES”

LEE WINS

KAREN STEWART WINS

NAGEL WINS

MARK BAKER HAS BEATEN JUD BENNETT

SAM WILSON HAS PULLED OUT A VICTORY OVER RICKER AND REED

JOHN ATKINS DEFEATS LIFFLANDER

…MARKELL IN THE LEAD OVER CARNEY…

09:31 :00

John Brady Commentary…. (audio here) “WAS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSEMENT A CURSE?”

09:34:00

Markell Party HQ with Scott Wilkens — “MARKELL HAS JUST BEEN DECLARED THE WINNER — THIS HAS BEEN A STRONG VOLUNTEER CAMPAIGN — SUSSEXX COUNTY REALLY CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED JACK MARKELL TODAY — WE CAN’T THANK THE VOTERS ENOUGHT FOR WHAT THEY DID, ASWELL —” (download audio here)

09:36:00

the latest from the WGMD news room

with all of the numbers in

Markell 51.2% to 48.8%
Stewart 42.5% to 39.2% to 18.2%

09:40:00

Mark Baker on WGMD: (AUDIO)

“I’M FEELING GREAT — THIS WAS A WHIRLWIND — I’M SO THANKFUL FOR ALL THE SUPPORT — KINDA AT A LOSS FOR WORDS — WHAT’S NEXT IS THE GEN. ELECTION — IT’S KIND OF AN ODD FEELING — THE REAL GOAL STILL LIES AHEAD — WE’RE GONNA CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN HARD AND DO THE BEST WE CAN TO WIN THE SEAT — I DID HEAR SOME OF JUD’S COMMENTS EARLIER — IT WAS A WELL FOUGHT RACE — THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS WE DID AGREE ON — IT WAS A TOUGH RACE — I’D LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR BEING INVOLVED — I HAD TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC — AND INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THEM — IT WAS IMPORTANT… TO SHOW THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MYSELF AND MY OPPONENT — IT WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER — ”

09:45:00

WGMD Caller Reaction and WGMD Re-Cap “Instant Reaction”

09:47:00 “live crowd reaction”

WGMD’s Trish Hinders at Wilmington Democrat HQ (audio download) “LOTS OF PEOPLE EXCITED” “PEOPLE CHANTING JACK MARKELL… JACK MARKELL…” “YELLING ‘WE LIKE JACK’” “HERE’S IT’S NOTHING BUT PURE JOY”

09:52:00

– for the full story on each race visit www.wgmd.com news site and stay tuned to WGMD 92.7 FM all night long and to Dan Gaffney in the Morning at 5:30am, Jared Morris at 9:00am and Bill Colley at 3:00pm for further coverage and listener reaction —

09:54:00

John Brady takes a look at the other races — in Kent County Angel wins “THE BIG STORY TONIGHT THE NAME REED WASN’T THE ONE TO RUN ON THE BALLOT WITH”

09:55:00

“MARKELL WINS” 37849 to 36112
“BAKER WINS” 1813 - 1499
“WILSON WINS” 724 to 736 to 558
“NAGEL WINS” 35994 to 22393 to 6609
“STEWART WINS” 28080 to 25980 to 12002
“ATKINS WINS” 1095 to 938
“LEE WINS” 20826 to 8146

Turnout — D = 28%, R = 16%

09:56:00

Brady: “it’ll be an interesting 56 days to go”

For the complete audio broadcast (download audio here)

Hour 1 : WGMD Primary Coverage
Hour 2 : WGMD Primary Coverage

Primary election day is September 9th.  This morning I  hosted a Sussex County Council candidate debate between republicans Jud Bennett and Mark Baker.

Here is Part 1

Here is Part 2

These two republicans face each other on The Dan Gaffney Morning Show next Wednesday 7am to 8am on 92.7 WGMD radio.  While we wait for the excitement of the debate, what are your thoughts on this race?  (the winner of Bennett vs. Baker will face Democrat Joan Deaver)

Mark Baker and family from his web site.

Judson Bennett picture from his web site.

Atkins campaign signs get tagged.  Atkins supporters fight back with the “thank you” sign.

This sign was up for most of the weekend, but has been since been removed at the request of Representative Hastings.

 

Bill Lee to Host Veterans Forum

DOVER ~ Gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee will host a Veterans Forum in the House Chamber of Legislative Hall, Dover, on Wednesday, August 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.
 
The meeting will be open to all who wish to comment on issues affecting Delaware’s veterans. Those unable to travel to Dover for the forum can e-mail questions or concerns to

Maria@LeeDelaware.com, or call Bill Lee’s campaign headquarters at 302-260-9206.
 
The event has grown out of some of the issues identified in The Delaware Plan and from feedback directly from veterans, according to Bill Lee, a Marine Corps veteran.
 
“Our military veterans, including those who have served in previous and present conflicts, represent a significant, important, and productive segment of our citizenry. The Delaware National Guard and the Reserve have been continuously deployed in combat zones and to natural disasters. We need to hear their concerns and determine how we can best assist them and their families,” said Mr. Lee.
 
The agenda will include property and income tax issues as they affect veterans; state hiring practices; contract set asides for veteran contractors; educational benefits that would extend to family members; the veterans home; best ways to retain highly trained and entrepreneurial retirees in Delaware, and a number of other issues that have been the source of inquiries from veterans. The floor will be open to give and take on all issues during the three-hour, nonpartisan dialogue.   (”Yeah, right!” -dg)
 
“I’ve reviewed the legislative record and Delaware has, for the most part, been veteran friendly, but we need to make certain we do right by these patriots and their families who have been so willing to defend us. Our goal is to hear what veterans have to say and incorporate their priorities into my vision,” said Mr. Lee.

 

This event needs to be relocated to avoid any further appearance of impropriety.