burlingtonfreepress.com

Sponsored by:

vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


2.13.2007

 

Different voices, same melody

Wrote a story for Tuesday's paper about what Senator Bernie Sanders thinks of President Bush's proposed $2.9 trillion budget (hint: not much) and, especially, the plans of prez has for cutting or eliminating a bunch of programs critical to low- and middle-income Vermonters.

Regretably, I wasn't able to get in Gov. Jim Douglas's thoughts on the subject in time for my deadline. That was too bad because, when I belatedly got the guv's take on the subject from his press secretary, Jason Gibbs, it turns out he was more in agreement with our self-proclaimed Socialist Senator than with the Republican leader I did manage to reach, state party chairman Rob Roper.

Roper said Sanders' remarks were the same "rehashed rhetoric" we always get from him. Whoops. Here's what Douglas, via Gibbs, had to say:

"The governor has some very serious concerns about the president’s proposed budget, particularly some of the cuts he’s proposed in health care and social service programs ... It sounds like he (Sanders) and the governor share many of the same concerns. We are in the process now of evaluating the impact of the president's budget proposals on the state, and we’ll have a better sense of that as the days go by this week."

"Having said that, however, we’re optimistic that our Congessional delegation and other members of Congress will be able to restore funding for many of these vital programs and protect Vermont to the extent possible. The budget obviously has to go through a long Congressional approval process. We will continue to provide our point of view as that process moves forward."

Okay, so it lacks the vitriol of Bernie's remarks and there no talk of rolling back Bush's tax cuts that benefitted the rich. But, as a Republican governor, Douglas has certain, uhh, loyalties to consider and disagreeing openly with your party's president can't be something he relishes doing.

-- Sam Hemingway

Comments:
Ah. So our governor, who toured Vermont, drumming up support for Shrub Jr's. re-election (and original election) now doesn't like the program cuts this "feed the rich" president is heaping on average Americans--and Vermonters. Too late now Jimmy boy. You made our bed, now lie in it--or at least publicly acknowledge that it's the Dems in Congress you have to rely on to keep Shrub Jr. from sticking it to our small state once again. Next time around, try giving some thought to why you choose to champion the idiots you have--and did. Careful what you ask for Jimmy.
 
Let' see Shumlin take a crack at
it in 2008!
 
Will Douglas say this to Bush's face at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Washington on February 26?
 
"Will Douglas say this to Bush's face at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Washington on February 26?"

No way. It's very hard for Douglas to talk when his head is shoved way up Bush's behind.
 
"No way. It's very hard for Douglas to talk when his head is shoved way up Bush's behind. "

I'm just hoping when he gets in there, he lights a candle.


Douglas belated ?

nahh, can't be
 
Douglas deserves some credit for his honesty, and I thank Hemingway for giving it to him (I wish it had made the article, though). Sure Douglas is a Republican, but he's a pretty good one. The thing that stands out for me is Douglas standing up to International Paper when Hillary supported it. Granted, Douglas does deserve some criticism. Personally it pisses me off when he attacks anyone who mentions the possibility of any sort of tax increase, but he deserves nothing but praise for openly disagreeing with Bush on the budget.
 
Post a Comment



<< Home

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

June 2006   July 2006   August 2006   September 2006   October 2006   November 2006   December 2006   January 2007   February 2007   March 2007   April 2007   May 2007   June 2007   July 2007   August 2007   September 2007   October 2007   November 2007   December 2007   January 2008   February 2008   March 2008   April 2008   May 2008   June 2008   July 2008   August 2008   September 2008   October 2008   November 2008   December 2008   January 2009   February 2009   March 2009   April 2009   May 2009   June 2009   July 2009   August 2009   September 2009   October 2009   November 2009   December 2009   January 2010   February 2010   March 2010   April 2010