Gerald Brady and Tyler Nixon
Gerald Brady is my state representative. I have been a supporter of his for a long time, and worked hard to elect him two years ago. Gerald, pictured here with Jack Markell, is old school. He's the best retail politician I have ever seen in Delaware.
If you live in his district, he knows where you live, what you drive, where your kids go to school and who you supported over the last several elections. He loves the nuts and bolts of government, understands infrastructure and excels at constituent service.
Gerald's opponent on November 4 is Tyler Nixon, who is on the ballot as a Republican and a Libertarian. I am supporting Gerald, and predict that he will win with at least 60 percent of the vote.
If you live in his district, he knows where you live, what you drive, where your kids go to school and who you supported over the last several elections. He loves the nuts and bolts of government, understands infrastructure and excels at constituent service.Gerald's opponent on November 4 is Tyler Nixon, who is on the ballot as a Republican and a Libertarian. I am supporting Gerald, and predict that he will win with at least 60 percent of the vote.
There are many differences between the two candidates. I'd like to highlight two.
The first is Gerald's hearing aid bill, HB 355, which may seem like a small thing, but is a big deal for the families affected. The second is the ways they were engaged, or not, in promoting offshore wind power in Delaware.
Let's look first at the hearing aid bill, which Tyler Nixon, in this interview on Down With Absolutes, described as a "novelty bill"—as callow a remark as I have heard in politics in a long time.
The bill extends health insurance benefits to include hearing aids for those under age 24, which may seem like a minor matter. I assure you it is not a minor matter to the parents of a child with a hearing defect. About 3 to 4 of 1,000 children are born with a full or partial hearing impairment, which if undiagnosed or untreated can lead to a significant and often permanent learning deficit. HB 355 will help children avoid the need for remedial classes that in many cases could never overcome the damage done by an untreated hearing impairment. If Tyler Nixon wants to characterize HB 355 as a novelty bill, fine. Let him say it to one of the families affected.
I took a closer look at Gerald's legislative record. Eight of the 13 pieces of legislation he introduced were passed by both houses—a remarkable record for a first term representative, and proof of Gerald's work habits.
As for wind power, Tyler Nixon is fond of saying he's been for it since whenever. My question is, what did he do about it?
Despite my detailed knowledge of who did what in the wind power fight, I can't recall when Tyler showed up for a hearing or crossed the threshold of Leg Hall to push for the approval of the Bluewater Wind project. I have reviewed thousands of pages of reports, letters and testimony before the Public Service Commission and the General Assembly, and can't recall anything with his name on it. (If I overlooked something, I'm sorry.) I can't find any evidence of Tyler's advocacy, unless you're counting comments on blogs or calls to talk shows. Here's what I know about Gerald and Bluewater.
You may recall that Bluewater helped build support for the project by developing a close relationship with labor. This close, productive alliance between the environmental and labor movements was essential to the success of the Bluewater proposal.
Gerald, as executive director of the Delaware AFL-CIO, had a meaningful part in building that alliance. Gerald's boss, Sam Lathem, was an outspoken and effective advocate for the project. Bluewater was in constant contact with labor leaders, including Gerald, who did his part to nuture this alliance between Bluewater and labor which led to a commitment to use union labor to build and operate the wind farm.
Gerald didn't say much about the project in public (that's not his style), but he was on board from very early on. He consulted me frequently on the subject going back to early 2007. When the time came, he voted yes on HCR 38 without giving a speech and without hesitation.
The difference between Gerald, who said little but did his part, and Tyler, who said a lot but did little, could not be clearer.
Come November 4, Gerald will win a convincing and well deserved victory in the election in the 4th district. And I plan to be out there helping him. Any questions?
The first is Gerald's hearing aid bill, HB 355, which may seem like a small thing, but is a big deal for the families affected. The second is the ways they were engaged, or not, in promoting offshore wind power in Delaware.
Let's look first at the hearing aid bill, which Tyler Nixon, in this interview on Down With Absolutes, described as a "novelty bill"—as callow a remark as I have heard in politics in a long time.
The bill extends health insurance benefits to include hearing aids for those under age 24, which may seem like a minor matter. I assure you it is not a minor matter to the parents of a child with a hearing defect. About 3 to 4 of 1,000 children are born with a full or partial hearing impairment, which if undiagnosed or untreated can lead to a significant and often permanent learning deficit. HB 355 will help children avoid the need for remedial classes that in many cases could never overcome the damage done by an untreated hearing impairment. If Tyler Nixon wants to characterize HB 355 as a novelty bill, fine. Let him say it to one of the families affected.
I took a closer look at Gerald's legislative record. Eight of the 13 pieces of legislation he introduced were passed by both houses—a remarkable record for a first term representative, and proof of Gerald's work habits.
As for wind power, Tyler Nixon is fond of saying he's been for it since whenever. My question is, what did he do about it?
Despite my detailed knowledge of who did what in the wind power fight, I can't recall when Tyler showed up for a hearing or crossed the threshold of Leg Hall to push for the approval of the Bluewater Wind project. I have reviewed thousands of pages of reports, letters and testimony before the Public Service Commission and the General Assembly, and can't recall anything with his name on it. (If I overlooked something, I'm sorry.) I can't find any evidence of Tyler's advocacy, unless you're counting comments on blogs or calls to talk shows. Here's what I know about Gerald and Bluewater.
You may recall that Bluewater helped build support for the project by developing a close relationship with labor. This close, productive alliance between the environmental and labor movements was essential to the success of the Bluewater proposal.
Gerald, as executive director of the Delaware AFL-CIO, had a meaningful part in building that alliance. Gerald's boss, Sam Lathem, was an outspoken and effective advocate for the project. Bluewater was in constant contact with labor leaders, including Gerald, who did his part to nuture this alliance between Bluewater and labor which led to a commitment to use union labor to build and operate the wind farm.
Gerald didn't say much about the project in public (that's not his style), but he was on board from very early on. He consulted me frequently on the subject going back to early 2007. When the time came, he voted yes on HCR 38 without giving a speech and without hesitation.
The difference between Gerald, who said little but did his part, and Tyler, who said a lot but did little, could not be clearer.
Come November 4, Gerald will win a convincing and well deserved victory in the election in the 4th district. And I plan to be out there helping him. Any questions?
posted by Tom Noyes at 5:28 PM
15 Comments:
Sorry, Tom, but I have to chime in to note first that you are a Democrat partisan above all, lest casual readers believe you are a mere concerned constituent or wind power expert. I think this goes a way to explaining your glaringly-omissive spin job here.
Amidst your doting, I am amused that you would don your cap of erstwhile self-appointed wind power guru to question the veracity of my own advocacy "since whenever".
Perhaps you should have been more honest in your analysis and compared my advocacy to Gerald Brady's. But then Gerald Brady's advocacy and leadership on clean energy is and always has been zero, on any substantive front. So I do understand why the omission (notwithstanding your vouchers for him, or his two or three written sentences in existence on the subject).
Your attempted connection of wind power to Mr. Brady by way of organized labor is so attenuated and stretched as not to be worthy of response.
As to my own efforts, believe it or not your lack of awareness or privy hardly negates my many instances of advocacy and action on this front for at least 7 years ("since whenever" = back to early 2001), nor its contribution to moving the issue.
Frankly, I find it offensive that you would disingenuously purport to characterize and pooh-pooh the efforts of a like-minded advocate, simply to suit your partisan ends. But it does reveal your true priorities viz a viz party over policy.
It is funny, though, I don't remember your name anywhere associated with renewable energy in Delaware, until Bluewater Wind showed up on the scene not long ago. Haven't see much else since, either.
Considering you have done such yeoman's work on the single issue of offshore wind power, and fashion yourself the arbiter of clean energy advocacy in Delaware, you may want to whisper to Mr. Brady how Harris McDowell's SEU stands for Sustainable Energy Utility, not "sustainable energy units". Given Mr. Brady co-sponsored and passed the SEU into law, I would think he would have a clue. But apparently not, according to his bland, rather incoherent vision (if you can call it that) for Delaware's future tenure as one of 62 makers of law and public policy in Delaware :
http://www.communitypub.com/politics/x1157498315/Profile-Gerald-Brady-D-for-4th-Representative-District
Anyway, see you out there. And again in 2010, win or lose. Enjoy the Democrat collateral landslide and savor the flavor, because real change will eventually come to Delaware too...even in our 4th district House seat.
I see Tyler beat me to the punch...
But I wish to bring up two points. One, the passage of 7 or 13 bills, would be quite an achievement for a Melanie George Marshall, but in this legislative session, I can see where the head of the AFL-CIO would have an easier time of it..
I missed Tyler's comment marginalizing the hearing aid bill.. it must have been on page 4 (lol). See here....
I'm digging deep in my memory banks now, but I vaguely remember reports that Tyler was in place at the lynching of Arnette McRae, am I not correct...?
Obviously you are supporting Gerald because of a deep friendship that goes way back.. That said, I supposed the same could be said of me...
As in the Delaware Gubernatorial Primary proved, it is unfortunate when two great candidates go up against each other...for society is the ultimate loser since it is denied the benefits of one; but in regards to property rights, to open government, to allowing the city of Wilmington to proceed roughshod over its citizenry, Tyler Nixon appears at this point to provide a better direction.
Now to Tyler, in response to one phrase..." haven't seen much since" in regards to wind-power.. I too have written little since the passage in late June...
Simply because everything had already been said...
TommyWonk: a 100% democratic partisan who gives himself much to much credit for wind power. I am a democrat who supports Tyler Nixon because I have worked with him on many, many issues. Tyler is not your "regular" republican, but a republican who wants to moderize his party. Its too bad that democrats like TommyWonk cant understand that because you have a d after your name, that makes you a great democrat. Brady has taken big donations from out of state, Why! A State representative taking money from outside Delaware from Exxon Mobile, Sunoco, Clear Channel, Bank of America, Anheiser Busch, Altria Corp Services (tobacco co. pac), Del Bank Pac, WSFA Financial Corp Pac, NJ State Laborers Pac, ad nauseum...this pac, that pac...all the pacs...get the picture.
The best part about hanging around blogs long enough is that it becomes 100% obvious that the last Anonymous is Liz Allen, who is only a democrat when she wants to be in posts.
As I wrote, I would sincerely welcome any specific information about Tyler's advocacy for wind power.
As for being a partisan Democrat, we're having a pretty good year and I'm sticking with my team.
By the way, I was at the Forty Acres Civic Association meeting last night, along with Gerald and several other candidates on the ballot next Tuesday. Tyler missed it.
Not that more than a handful of people read this, but I was out going door-to-door yesterday evening...rather than listening to Gerry Brady pat himself on the back at his neighborhood meeting. But I am sure the meeting was as productive as any other like it, in which Democrat city politicians outnumber citizens and give long-winded updates on 'all they're doing to fix things'. If only we could just harness some of that wind we might power the whole city.
As to actual wind power, I certainly can't argue with Bluewater Wind's foremost advocate. Perhaps, Tom, you might considering focusing on some other areas of renewable energy at some point. There's a wide wonderful world of possibilities out there, beyond wind.
Your massive expertise could do some good, especially here on your blog and on Allen Loudell's occasional 2-minute interview of you. Oh but that's right, blogs and radio don't count.
Nonetheless thanks for all your unpaid service to Bluewater Wind.
You gotta love the way Tyler uses the adjective "partisan" like its a bad thing, yet he constantly slams Delaware Democrats en masse.
Tyler Nixon is from the Newt Gingrich GOPAC-Type school of politics. To understand where his political leanings are, all you need to know is that he supported Ron Paul (R, Wingnut) in the repub primary and supports McCain-Palin in the general. If you want to continue promoting republican right-wing economics, social conservatism, theocracy, and the corrupt republican party, then vote for Tyler Nixon. Otherwise, Brady is the far better choice.
"continue promoting...social conservatism, theocracy,"
Come on, anonone. This is just bald-faced lie and you know it. I oppose both of these with extreme prejudice.
As to being partisan, where have you been? Tom just admitted he is a partisan...as do I, by definition, as a candidate-nominee for two political parties, one of which also virulently opposes "social conservatism" and "theocracy".
Enjoy this beautiful day... especially if you are a Phils fan!
"This is just bald-faced lie and you know it. I oppose both of these with extreme prejudice."
Then how could you possibly support Ron Paul and Sarah Palin, and John McCain and the republican party in general? After all, social conservatism and Christian theocracy are fundamental to your party and its leadership, and they have been for the last 40 years.
Ron Paul had some good ideas... uh... he was the only Republican who said this war was fought for the wrong reason, fought against the wrong enemy, and was a terrible waste of money...
I mean if you were a Republican.... who else could you turn to...
"George Hamilton" Romney? or "Mrs. Donald Trump" Giuliani?
Those two were the jokes... just like their supporters who today are nowhere to be found.... lol
Anonone, you must be nuts too, for as a Democratic fanatic, Ron Paul's views mirror those you espouse.
lol.
Yeah, and Benito Mussolini made the trains run on time.
Paul was joined by 5 other repubs and 1 repub senator in voting against the"Iraq War Resolution", so he wasn't the "only" one. And the lone repub senator was Chafee, who lost his re-election bid and left the repub party to become an independent and an Obama supporter.
Your question "if you were a Republican.... who else could you turn to" is a good one. Sometime, when there is no one to turn to, it is a good idea to leave. As Ronald Reagan once famously said, “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The party left me.”
Maybe it is time for certain repubs to consider the wisdom of that statement relative to their party today.
Ouch, to posit that Tyler wasn't on wind first and foremost is borderline...and not wonkish a'tall. Rather like the venum that Mascitti belched when in fits of bile denied that KHN had ANYTHING to do with wind...his rationale was unfortunately "because, how could she have? She had no title, no power, no 'platform". This from the inbred incumbency of Delaware Way political viewpoints.
Let us hope that the old Delaware Way gets swept out in the years ahead and great leaders can rise on their merits, not on their friendships or otherwise.
Good point about Liz. She skewers me when and where she will all over the blogosphere and then comes onto my blog, continuing in a transparent anony when she has something to crow about.
Tyler Nixon says he has been for wind power since 2001, and I have no reason to doubt him on that point. As for my question, what did he do about it, one commenter "vaguely remember[s] reports" that Tyler went to a hearing.
I have received some spirited comments in support of Tyler, but I have yet to hear of a specific instance when he wrote a letter, spoke at a hearing or attended a meeting in support of the Bluewater proposal.
Thank You Tommy for writing this post! Tyler Nixon has always struck me as a mean-spirited, jackass who thinks he's the smartest person in the room. He demeans everything that he doesn't like (or that doesn't like him), and that above-all is why he will never, ever, ever be successful in politics.
He really likes to talk and he likes to be on the radio, even Delaware Talk Radio, with all of its 5 listeneres. His favorite subject: himself Now, if you were a serious candidate for a State Representative seat for the 4th district, you wouldn't be running down to Sussex county every week to be on an internet radio station. It's obvious he's not serious about the race, he just wants a platform to hear himself speak.
In summary, he's a delusional prick.
well, well the boy king tyler nixon got his head handed to him- 3-1 in the 4th and 84% against in his home e.d.
--the most interesting sighting was tyler voting at lewes school- all dressed up- candidate -lite at 7:50pm and yet not any of the poll workers- from elections recognized him- he lives across the street from the school- he really needs to get real-
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