Posted: March 5, 2004

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner’s political campaign referred to the area covered by radio station WGMD as “hostile turf” in an e-mail message to Minner supporters this week.

The e-mail sent out the afternoon of March 2 begins:

“Governor Minner will be on WGMD live, this Thursday, March 4^th from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. As you know, this can be pretty hostile turf.” 

The e-mail goes on to encourage supporters to call in to the show and offers some talking points on various issues. 

“It is rather disturbing to think that a campaign would consider Downstate as ‘hostile turf,’” said GOP Executive Director David A. Crossan. “The men and women who listen to WGMD, as well as the state’s other news/talk radio stations tend to be intelligent people with a strong sense of civic duty – what kind of message does this send if the Minner campaign considers them to be ‘hostile’?” 

As the issue was discussed Friday morning on WGMD, Gov. Minner called in to the show, argued with the host, then hung up on him. 

“I couldn’t believe my ears,” said Sussex County Republican Chair Phyllis Byrne. “She clearly demonstrated a lack of professionalism and reacted in a thin-skinned – almost paranoid – fashion.” 

“This entire episode should offer the voters of Delaware some insight into the mindset of this governor and the attitude her campaign has towards all of us,” Crossan said.

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