Category — General

You’ve likely seen these all over the place, but here they are anyways!

You’ve probably been seeing Jack’s message of a better Delaware all over your TVs, but for those of you out of state or without a TV, here’s the latest:

The first is a spot on Jack’s plan to create 25,000 new, good paying jobs in his first term.

The second is a spot focusing on the issues seniors are facing in Delaware.

To see more of Jack’s TV Spots, or other videos on Education and Healthcare, please visit Jack’s youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/JackMarkell.

Stop 57: Odessa
Our final stop of the tour was Odessa where Jack met up with supporters outside Lorenzo’s Pizza. Thanking everyone, Jack summed up the reason for the tour, “I intend to the be the Governor of all Delawareans, and I think it only fitting that I announce my candidacy by going to every single town and giving every single Delawarean the opportunity to come and speak to me.” The Odessa stop was a perfect end to an amazing tour and a perfect beginning for the months ahead!

Jack with supporters in Odessa

Stop 56: Townsend
Townsend was our second to last stop of the tour. Jack stopped at Willey Farms on Rt 13. and spoke with supporters and customers. Before leaving, Jack bought a bag of delicious Bing Cherries to share with his volunteers.

Stop 55: Leipsic
Then it was on to Leipsic where Jack met with several supporters and residents in front of Sambo’s Tavern on the water.

Stop 54: Cheswold
Jack enjoyed a delicious pizza with supporters at Antony’s Pizza in Cheswold. Following the meal, Jack met with Mayor Donald Tinari, an energetic supporter of Jack’s campaign.

Stop 53:Kenton
Next up was Kenton where Jack visited the Country Store on Main St. and spoke with the owner of the store for a few minutes about business and economic development.

Stop 52: Hartly
Jack stopped at Antonio’s Pizza and Gas Station and talked with the owner and local residents.

Jack at Antonio’s Pizza in Hartly

Stop 51: Wyoming
We pulled up to Wyoming Park just as the rain started. Jack spoke under a gazebo to almost a dozen supporters and thanked them for braving the rainy weather. Jack told the group about people he had met from all over the state during his tour and their desire to see Delaware move in a bold, new direction in issues like health care, economic development and education.

Stop 50: Little Creek
Our 51st tour stop was Little Creek where Jack met with supporters and greeted customers at the Little Creek Deli, where he stopped last year during the second leg of the Tour de Delaware. Jack spoke with residents of Little Creek about education and the need to reform the unpopular Delaware Standardized Testing Program. His plan to scrap the current test and replace it with a comprehensive growth measure test was met with unanimous approval by the parents and grandparents at the Deli.

Stop 49: Magnolia
After just missing the rain, Jack stopped in Magnolia and was greeted by almost two dozen supporters who had gathered around the town sign. Jack spoke about the changing demographics of the state and the challenges we face as our population ages rapidly and answered questions about Delaware’s budget, deferred compensation, and consolidating purchases in the public school system.

After speaking to supporters, Jack shook hands and spoke to patrons at the Magnolia Diner. He answered questions on economic development and health care, giving out several copies of his book, Blueprint For A Better Delaware.

Jack talking with patrons at the Magnolia Diner

Stop 48: Camden
Jack stopped in Camden and had breakfast with supporters at Bob Evans. Over a plate of eggs, Jack talked about education, new innovative technologies, and his motivation for entering politics.

Stop 47: Woodside
After a quick drive from Viola to Woodside, Jack stopped at the Post Office to meet up with supporters. A nice couple stopped by on their way to feed a stray kitten, and described to Jack how they felt Delaware needs to move in a “bold, new direction.”

Jack in Woodside

Stop 46: Viola
Our first stop on our last day was in the beautiful town of Viola. Jack arrived at about 9 am at the Viola Post Office, surprised to find some of his energetic supporters playing catch with their lacrosse sticks. Although accustomed to the male lacrosse sticks with larger pockets, Jack picked up one the sticks and joined in. Following a few throws, Jack thanked his supporters and Levy Court candidate Jody Sweeney for stopping by.

Jack in Viola with Jody Sweeney, candidate for Levy Court

Jack Markell spoke to approximately 100 members of the National and Active Retired Federal Employees of Sussex County at the 1776 Steak House in Rehoboth on Thursday afternoon. Jack shared his vision for the state by answering questions from the crowd, which was triple the expected number, on issues ranging from renewable energy to the economy and his new plan on crime prevention and public safety. Jack spent a lot of time talking about his plans for getting Delaware’s economy going, health care and protecting the environment. The group was especially interested in a letter Jack had sent to the state’s top environmental official and leading legislators calling on them to improve pollution monitoring in Sussex County and the rest of the state. Jack said in the letter that measuring how much pollution is in our air, water and soil could help Delaware further reduce its cancer rates.

President Bush’s speech last night showed why it is so important that we elect a Democratic president in November. Proposed solutions to serious issues hard-working Americans are tackling everyday — ranging from the economic problems to health care to education — were largely absent from the address.

Delawareans and people all over America are hungry for serious proposals, not small steps. They want a bold, visionary approach to growing our economy, a plan for providing health insurance to all Americans and a program to modernize our education system and put college within the reach of every student. Not to mention a strategy for energy independence and environmental
protection.

I was disappointed that so many crucial issues were swept under the rug, so to speak. Families in Delaware and throughout America can’t ignore the economy, health care and education, they must deal with these issues every day of their lives. Presidents — and governors — should not pretend to ignore those issues either.

I do applaud the president, however, for his proposal to expand education benefits for military members, their spouses and their
children, as well improve the care of wounded veterans — something that should have been done before U.S. troops
invaded Iraq. I am so proud of the American military men and women serving at the Dover Air Force Base and around the world. They are true defenders of liberty and freedom.

In the Democratic response, Gov. Sebelius of Kansas was right to call for a national unity movement to address the significant problems facing our country. George Bush and other Republicans have badly divided our great nation. One reason I endorsed Barack Obama for president is that I feel his vision for America will unite us and bring us together to develop solutions, not bicker over partisan disagreements.

People in Delaware and the 49 other states are willing to do what it takes to overcome the problems facing us, but their elected leaders must have the bold vision to call for sweeping changes that will allow all of us to do better.

Jack Markell kicked off his “You Talk, I Listen” program on Sunday. The program launched with a huge success as about 50 local residents joined Jack for dinner at the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington. Everyone was welcome to attend as Jack spent time discussing his visions for how Delaware can do better, and also listening to resident’s concerns while addressing their questions about his policy proposals and the state’s future.

“As I’ve traveled across the state for the last nine years as Treasurer I realized that no one understands more clearly the new direction that Delaware needs to go in than Delawareans do,” Markell said. “My campaign sponsored this community dinner because I want to make it even easier for people to come tell me what they think is wrong, and where they think we should be going. For the rest of the campaign we will be having similar events across the state in community centers, peoples, homes, and elsewhere.”

After the tremendous success of the first event Jack is thrilled to get out to more communities and hear what Delawareans have to say! If you would like to set up a “You Talk, I Listen” event you can call our office (302)-283-1420 or send us an e-mail at campaign@markell.org.

Last night, the two-hour season premiere of American Idol kicked off on FOX. The episode featured three Delawareans including two that made it to the next round in Hollywood.

Jonathan Baines, 17, of Smyrna, and Chris Watson, 20, of Dover, both made it to the next round of American Idol in Hollywood, while Ben Haar, 27, of Newark, received ample air time for his hilarious antics. Jonathan and Chris have tremendous voices, and Jack and the campaign staff can’t wait to see them show off their talents in the next round.

Jack, who is an American Idol fan, was very proud of the Delawareans that made it on the show and especially pleased that two of the three moved onto the next round. He would like to congratulate all three for their efforts and also for representing the First State.

Over the weekend, Senator Barack Obama’s campaign decided to send a paid staffer to Delaware to build support for Obama the Feb. 5 primary. The Obama campaign is looking forward to competing aggressively to win the primary and Senator is the first Democratic candidate to put such a large emphasis on Delaware

Last week Jack was the first statewide elected official in Delaware to endorse Senator Obama after Senator Joe Biden unfortunately left the race. Jack and Senator Obama share a strong desire to bring positive change to government and create a better America where people, rather than special interests come first.

Jack has already begun campaigning for Senator Obama in Delaware and is excited to doing more to bring the senator’s positive message for change to voters in the First State. Please join us in supporting Senator Obama and delivering Delaware to his win column.

We’re excited to announce our record breaking end of the year fundraising total of $1.6 million in donations, which compliments our scores of volunteers who’ve been campaigning more than a year out for Jack Markell. Thanks to hundreds of volunteers helping us raise money, phone bank, and go door to door more than a year out from the election, we’ve reached an unprecedented level of support. Check out The Newsroom for more information.

Early this morning, I returned from an energizing two days in Iowa where I traveled to support Senator Biden’s efforts. Although Sen. Biden didn’t do as well as we all hoped, he, his family, and his staff made me very proud during his campaign for President.

I joined hundreds of other volunteers from Delaware and from around the nation in making thousands of phone calls encouraging Iowans to support the Senator at the Iowa caucuses. Clearly, we fell short as the people of Iowa made their preferences clear.

But upon reflection, I am glad to have been part of a campaign that focused on the issues that really matter in this country – national security, health care and fighting for the middle class. Senator Biden’s expertise in these areas and his commitment to fight for all Delawareans and all Americans will continue to be invaluable.