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


5.02.2007

 

Off and running

Lest you thought otherwise, Gov. Jim Douglas is indeed running for re-election in 2008. He said as much in a three-page April 24 letter to prospective campaign donors. He wants their money, he said, "to help fight off the Democrats and win a fourth term."

Is it early to be running for re-election? Douglas spokeswoman Dennise Casey said it's typical to start raising money at this stage.

Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Ian Carleton said the governor is running for re-election all the time, anyway. "This is a governor who campaigns 12 months of the year," Carleton said.

Two years ago, when Democrat Scudder Parker kicked off his campaign against Douglas in October - 13 months before the election - Douglas said, "Anyone who begins a political campaign this early does a real disservice to the state of Vermont."

There are, of course, all kinds of subtle arguments about what constitutes a "political campaign" and whether raising money is the same as campaigning.

Any candidates for governor rising to the top among the Democrats? Carleton said those conversations don't begin in earnest until after the legislative session, which appears to be in its final two weeks. No doubt, those conversations are taking place already, even if less than earnestly.

Will a high-profile Democrat take the risk of running against the three-term incumbent? Who would you like to see and what would that person bring to the table?

- Terri Hallenbeck

Comments:
I managed to grab a sneak peak at an internal memo circulated within the VT Democratic Party. The memo listed a number of candidates they are considering. The list is as follows (not in any particular order):

1. Michael Colby
2. Homer Simpson
3. Scudder Parker
4. Daffy Duck
5. Pinocchio Shumlin

Some difficult choices ahead!
 
Daffy Duck is too intelligent and Homer is too honest. Pick from the rest.
 
Ben Cohen. Seriously. Why not?

The usual suspects:
Markowitz
Spaulding
Racine
Condos
Parker
Shumlin
Symington
Tracy
Salmon
Kitzmiller
 
How about Annie Noonan, the state employee woman? She's got the knowledge and experience, with regard to how Vermont government works. She'd slap Douglas silly too, which might be fun.
 
Member when Douglas first got elected in 2002 in part by accusing Racine of flip-flopping on certain issues? Imagine the fun he'll have with Shumlin. Compared to Shumlin, Racine was a Steady Sam. Flip-flopping doesn't even begin to describe Shummy.
 
Here's an idea -

Peter Diamondstone for Gov.
Peter Shumlin for Lite Gov.
Jane Newton for Sec. of State

And a free one-way ticket out of Vermont for every sane person!
 
Douglas has flip flopped on tons of issues since he's been gov.
 
Bring Back Howard !!!

Dean for Vermont !!!
 
"Anyone who begins a political campaign this early does a real disservice to the state of Vermont."

A prime example of one of Douglas's many flip-flops.
 
Prediction: Because of the total incompetence of the dims/progs the Reps will takeover the House and elect Douglas in a landslide. Maybe the Senate too!
 
Pillsbury for Governor - he was one of the only one's to successfully stand up to Shumlin

---I think he might be Snarkyboy...
 
Pillsbury's great - we need an independent governor.

He's one to watch...
 
How about Deb Markowitz?
 
Michael Colby is Snarky Boy.
 
Seriously, does anyone know a Democrat who is progressive enough to appeal to the base, sober enough not to be written off by the business community, tough enough to stand up to Douglas and the GOP in debates, and not currently a member of the Legislature? Jeb Spaulding might fit the bill, but is there anyone else out there? Is Matt Dunne really ready to be governor yet?
 
I say Annie Noonan is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Annie Noonan is perfect - I hope she runs.
 
Ask Condos how he'd like having Noonan on the 5th floor...are there any closets?
 
Matt Dunne came across as a sort of pompous douchebag in his campaign last year. He's not governor material even if he does have an impressive resume.
 
Annie Noonan would make it very interesting indeed. She's a tough cookie.
 
What on earth is so impressive about Matt Dunne's resume? I think that is just propoganda.
 
Jeb Spaulding would never give up his sure thing paycheck to run for Governor.
 
Can Jeb Spaulding beat Deb Markowitz in a primary?
 
I'd also support Annie Noonan - good state-wide recognition and tough as nails. Could wipe the floor with Douglas in a debate.
 
I think Vermonters want and deserve a leader that truly understands the problems and needs of working people, and who will fight for them, not for the interests of the banks, credit card companies, utilities, pharmaceuticals and insurance companies. We haven't had someone like that in the Governor's chair for a long time, and it certainly isn't Jim Douglas.
 
Oh, here we go again. Big bad business vs. "the people." Was it a bank that loaned you the money to buy a house that you wouldn't otherwise be able to by, friend? Was it a pharmaceutical company that developed the antibiotics you went on last time you got ill, friend? Was it an insurance company that paid to repair your car last time someone hit you, friend? Should we abolish those companies? Or do you suggest that you should have gotten all of those benefits for free?
 
What can you say about idiots like 9:18 5/03 anon? My guess is that he/she has never held a real job, and probably is a Goddard or Vermont Law School grad. Probably either lives on a trust fund or "works" as a community "activist" in Burlington. This is why Vermont has become what it (sadly) is.
 
What about Zuckerman for Governor?
 
Sure. Zuckerman for Governor and Leonid Breshnev for Lt. Gov.
 
How about Shumlin for Governor and
Zuckerman for Lt. Gov?
 
Sure. Pete "Trust Me" Shumlin for Governor and David "free-marijuana-and organic-vegetables-for-everyone" Zuckerman for Lt. Gov.
 
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