The signs are a secondary issue. I can no longer remain silent. There isn’t any reason why Mrs. Hastings should pick up her home telephone to hear a man making threats on the other end of the line. The only woman in this race is also feeling the heat. Sources in the GOP tell me that Barbara has received threats by email. Is it open season on women? Then, again, a threat is probably considered mild by people who actually belt women.

It may be that none of the candidates are responsible. This is called deniability. It does tell us there are “friends” of a candidate more than willing to cross a line. Threats are serious in any campaign. It may be time for Mr. Atkins to order a cease and desist. I’ve not made any endorsement in this campaign because I trust in the voters of the district. Need I say more?

People tell me Barbara has raised this point before and the emails were nothing more than spam.  So when I learned of the troubles with Mrs. Hastings two weeks ago I asked many questions of political insiders.  Maybe Ms. Lifflander isn’t quite as erratic as often portrayed.  I’m not claiming any candidates are directly responsible and I’m sure they’ll agree threats have no place in this campaign. 

UPDATE

John Atkins telephoned me today and said he doesn’t like the implication he’s behind this sort of behavior. His point is taken. He also explained that it isn’t uncommon for candidates to get berated in public or at home by people opposed to a candidacy. So I will grant that he doesn’t condone such behavior and would like to see it come to an end, across the board. John suggests that signs and threats aren’t the real issue in this campaign but instead a dialogue between the Democrats and Mr. Hastings. Still no debate scheduled and John is willing. Mr. Hastings is on record saying he’s willing to debate but not until after the Democrat primary. I’m guessing Mr. Atkins sails through that initial process and that debating then commences. John also tells me modern technology makes intimidation and the defacing of campaign signs more and more unlikely. It’s likely someone may turn up with video of a vandal at work.

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.

Yes, it’s Joe!

Any thoughts?

We made the August 20th postings…

http://www.redstate.com/diaries/redstate/

Long Neck, DE

Men sailing wooden ships across oceans were brave. A man flying a cloth wrapped box from New York to Paris was brave. The people going into space are the same. All I did was ride a bicycle but Wednesday I did pass a museum where these people are honored. Trying to sleep Tuesday night I imagined myself racing down the National Mall during the last leg of my ride, a Sousa march in my head. Yet when I got there and pulled the bike up beneath the gaze of Lincoln…

I pedaled slowly along the mall and stopped at the monument dedicated to the troops of World War Two. My ride was even slower at Capitol Hill. A suspicious backpack had been abandoned near a tree. I just happened to be on a bicycle, wearing a backpack and with a global positioning system on my back basket. I certainly got noticed! Once it was cleared up we went to the office of the Minority Whip and were escorted to the House Floor. The Minority Leader shook my hand and offered a thank you. His office had our petitions for about 40 minutes and then had us meet with the staff from our home district. Our local Representative doesn’t like returning our calls and the young lady we chatted with didn’t seem pleased to see us. Maybe they thought I wouldn’t make it? Matters got worse as our conversation in the “Cloakroom” was overheard by bloggers from Redstate.com and I believe a site called the Humanitarian. Redstate.com should have a notice about our arrival. Can I note she did accept the petitions?

Speaking of folks we met, I wish Jim Gerlach lived a bit more to the south. The Congressman from Pennsylvania appears to be a “regular” human being. He came by and spoke at length with Denny, Walt and me and is a most unpretentious man.

And can I give an endorsement for the Jamis Commuter? This well engineered bicycle handled open roads, rumble strips, old railroad beds, wooden planks, the bumpy trails at Rock Creek Park and the brick streets of Old Town, Alexandria. I’m in love. If we can’t drill and can’t use shale oil and can’t use coal and can’t use nuclear power then I guess I’ve discovered the Honda of the bicycle world.

I heard some news this week, in between stops, and it appears the “Peace Dividend” is a bit too 90s and Al Gore, well, he’s suddenly as relevant as love beads and the Pax Americana was a myth, as we learned 7 years ago.

I want my government to have some stones. I want the people serving in my government to have some stones. The folks I mentioned at the top had big sets and are now enshrined at the Smithsonian, in our hearts and our memories. Don’t let it fade away.

South Alexandria, Virginia

Day two started a bit later than Monday. I didn’t gobble breakfast from my open refrigerator. I fueled on pancakes at the hotel and then whipped across an urbanized stretch of suburbs and to a park and then down along Rock Creek. At one point I was pedaling along beneath a canopy of trees when a leaf fluttered down in front of me. A small but beautiful scene in a big and lovely park. Then the terrain got a little difficult. Some rocky and bumpy stretches of trail and my handle bars loosened. Luckily I was carrying my wrench and solved the problem when the ground leveled. Day two had its own brain meltdown. I reached a tunnel and walked my bike through it. Hugging the narrow walk at the side and someone told me later there is a bike trail around the tunnel but the sign is posted at the tunnel entrance and not at the trail. Day one had a boo-boo too. My mind on the ride I walked into a gas station and got distracted and walked into a ladies room. No ladies were embarrassed but I sure was as I was washing up when one walked in and asked if I’d made a mistake.

It was hot Tuesday in the Washington area but not as humid as I expected.

It also appears we’ve got the GPS working once again. Maybe that should’ve been my lead? This means you can track Wednesday’s leg to Capitol Hill. It should be cooler and I’ve no objections to the change in weather.

My last worry deals with the GPS. It’s mounted on a basket on the rear of the bike and it has batteries and wires and I’ll have the backpack tomorrow, stuffed with petitions. And I’m going into one of the most security-sensitive cities on the planet. Walt and Denny have called ahead and explained to the House Gallery and asked that Capitol Police be notified. I don’t have a scratch yet and getting slammed to the pavement could bring that to an end.

I’ve spotted some beautiful things, as I’ve mentioned, but was disappointed just east of Denton when I saw two American flags dumped on the shoulder of Route 404. And there is garbage too but nowhere near what I expected. There are also a great many cyclists in the immediate Washington area. Even some out in Glendale but the bike trail there was so quiet it was sometimes a spooky experience. Yet the trail is straight and smooth and free of four wheeled vehicles. We did see a gasoline price in Virginia today of 3.45.9. Are you happy hearing it? You know, your doctor can find just a little gangrene but it doesn’t mean the patient is getting well.

We’ve got a lot riding here and it isn’t only me. It can’t stop tomorrow.

Glendale, Maryland

At 4:30 P.M. I stopped pedaling outside an old unused entrance of the National Arboretum. Denny and Walt came by about fifteen minutes later and we called day one closed. I just climbed out of a long soak in the tub and after dinner it’s off to sleep. Tuesday we plan a trip across the northern and western suburbs of the big city. The Eastern Shore was nothing but a dash through low flat country before the heat of the day settled in. We’ll do most of our traveling early tomorrow and plan to spend Tuesday night near Mt. Vernon. This is more tiring than aching and a good night’s sleep should be great preparation. My preference would be to get day 2 out of the way early and then Wednesday it’s mostly a down hill coast until the last minutes at the far end of the National Mall. We’ll see you all soon and God bless.

The Bill Lee campaign event at Legislative Hall is now in limbo.  Legislative Hall officials confirm what I had been saying all along; this type of campaign event in the peoples building is not allowed.

Joseph Fulgham

Communications Officer

DE House of Representatives

(302) 744-4184 (office)

(302) 739-7349 (fax)

Dan,

 

On this morning’s show (8/18) I heard you discussing the event described in the release pasted below.  I need to both clarify and correct some of the statements that were made.

 

First, the House of Representatives’ policy on the use of our facilities prohibits them from being utilized for political campaign events.  The House and Senate both allow their facilities to be used by all manner of citizens’ groups for meetings, including political groups.  However, campaign events are banned.

 

With regard to the veterans event, this forum was set up by Dave Skocik, who is a long-time veterans advocate.  Bill Lee was invited by Mr. Skocik to attend his forum, but both Mr. Skocik and Maria Evans (Communications Director for Bill Lee) confirm that the Lee campaign had nothing to do with organizing the event or selecting the venue.

 

Dave Skocik said he was incorrectly informed that his forum could be held at Leg Hall.  Under any other circumstances, that would have been accurate.  However, once Bill Lee agreed to attend, and the forum was promoted by his organization, it became a campaign event and ineligible for the venue.

 

Also, let me be clear.  The House Chamber was NEVER reserved for the time and date indicated on the press release.  Had an attempt been made to reserve space with the Chief Clerk of the House – as should have been done before the issuance of the release – the organizers would have been informed of the House policy prohibiting such events.

 

In his defense, Mr. Skocik was inadvertently told by a member of the House staff that his event could be held in the House Chamber and that the space would be reserved on his behalf.  The staffer, apparently unaware of the campaign implications of the event, made a mistake and has since been updated on proper protocol for making such reservations.

 

Your statements this morning that Speaker of the House Terry Spence or Majority Leader Dick Cathcart had approved this event to take place in the House chamber is inaccurate and totally without any basis in fact.

(”My apologies for that.  I didn’t realize that staffers were in charge”  -dg)

 

I hope this clears up any confusion and sets the record straight.  Please inform WGMD’s listeners of these developments and feel free to post this letter on the station’s website.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

We hope to make a stop in Bridgeville for any last minute signers.  Between six and seven Monday morning.  I’ve a current rough count of 1,624.  It was late as I counted.

Some thank yous are needed.  Jack and Dan and Jared and MariLu.  Especially our office manager Sandy.  We wouldn’t be on the road without her.  Or for that matter without the blessing of a very good man who once prowled Capitol Hill for a major TV network.

And Matt Shaffer.  He kept his folks bike shop open late and worked with me on the bike, getting the rack, tires, axle and brakes up to speed.  Biking has become such big business that all of the shops in the area are just about bare of two wheelers and accessories.  Matt came up with what we needed late Saturday.

Walt Palmer and Denny Karol will follow in the van and should be entertaining company late in the days as we wind down.  And these men are volunteers.  God bless all of these people and all 1,624 of you who signed.

Bill

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.