The Same Old Dave Burris

What could the discredited Dave Burris possibly have to say that could be the least bit interesting about adgate? Here is his statement made to the Cape Gazzette. Note how he couldn’t resist making a smear:

Dave Burris, former Sussex County Republican chairman, said, “It exposes a division that’s already there between the party structure, unions and Democratic Party. Certainly, it’s advantageous to Republicans when Democrats are at each others’ throats.” (link)

This is muddled thinking. To begin with “between” compares two referents, not three. “Among” compares three or more. And notice the three he compares: “party structure, unions and Democratic Party.” How are we supposed to understand these divisions or alliances? Party structure vs. unions vs. the Democratic Party? Or party structure/unions vs. the Democratic Party? Or party structure vs. unions/the Democratic Party? Or party structure/Democratic Party vs. the unions?

And what is this business about the “party structure” anyway? The party’s structure is expressed in a flow chart. So is this what the Cape Gazzette went to get from Dave Burris, an absurdity disguised as an insight: “It exposes a division that’s already there between the [party’s flow chart], unions and Democratic Party.” Yes, wise Dave, rank and file Democrats need to beware of the nefarious alliance that unions make with flow charts. Cripes!

But it’s precisely that word “unions” that stands out as a red flag because the unions have nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with adgate. They didn’t make the decision to use the party’s money to run an advertisement on behalf of the John Carney campaign. The leadership of the Democratic Party did. But why miss an opportunity to toss in the word “unions” into a discussion of a controversy and smear them by the forced association, eh Dave?

Nevertheless, I suppose observers of the Delaware political scene should be relieved. This smear actually represents some improvement. It lacks some of the intensity of the dirty tricks Dave Burris has pulled in the past. At least this time, he didn’t suggest that someone committed arson for political purposes or that the FBI would be interrogating anyone. Nor did he identify one socialist in the mix.  This bit of Dave Burris poppycock didn’t have the tenor of his past hateful drivel that arguably drove him away in shame from the Delaware blogosphere.