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


6.06.2007

 

Presidential politics in Vermont

So the candidates for President have all been in New Hampshire, again, to debate the issues, press the flesh, take out voters' garbage, pick up the kids from school -- whatever it takes to corral a vote.

Vermont, when it comes to presidential primaries, remains a potted plant. Candidates visit us when Lebanon, N.H., runs out of conference rooms and there's meeting space available in White River Junction. Nevertheless, Vermont politicians have begun to choose up sides, I learned by making some calls recently.

The top officeholders in both parties -- Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch -- are still cautiously on the sidelines. But Sen. John McCain corralled endorsements last month from 27 GOP state legislators, including House Minority Leader Steve Adams.

That puts the legislators in a different place than their town and county chairpeople. The GOP took a straw poll at a May 12 meeting of grassroots volunteers, "just for fun," according to state Chairman Rob Roper. The winner? Former Sen. Fred Thompson with 27 percent of the 80 votes cast -- and Thompson isn't even in the race yet. Mitt Romney finished second with 24 percent of the vote, followed by Rudy Giuliani with 16 percent. McCain was fourth, with 15 percent.

On the Democratic side, State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding has signed on with Sen. Barack Obama. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin says he's "Obama all the way." House Speaker Gaye Symington is "leaning Obama," while former Gov. Madeleine Kunin says she's leaning toward Hillary Clinton. The Democrats all were officially excited about the party's slate and said they'd be happy to support whichever of the top three candidates wins the convention.

For their support to matter in the 2008 primaries, the pols will probably have to stuff envelopes at hqs in New Hampshire. By the time Vermont's March 4 primary rolls around, both parties will have chosen 60 percent of their convention delegates and the races may be over.

-- Candace Page

Comments:
"The Democrats...said they'd be happy to support whichever of the top three candidates wins..."


That seems like odd phrasing to me. What if someone other than one of the 'top three' wins?
 
That's a good question, Haik. As the Vermont group leader for Governor Bill Richardson's campaign, I'm hoping Bill can break into the "top tier!"

Anyone interested in the Richardson campaign is urged to visit www.richardsonforpresident.com.

Best Regards to All Bloggers,
State Rep. Jim Condon
Colchester, VT
jimcondon@lycos.com
 
Just don't look in Richardson's closet(s). There's some baggage there.
 
Every candidate has some baggage. Richardson's tenure as Energy Secretary was a stormy one, and he's had his share of flubs on the campaign trail. But as Governor of a very poor state, he's been able to increase jobs while decreasing taxes. He's got the support of labor and business in his home state, and he's been a staunch defender of the second amendment. And, as a trouble-shooting diplomat, he's been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times. I think a top-notch diplomat who cuts taxes and creates jobs may just be what this country needs.
 
It's not Richardson's big head I'm worried about....
 
If Richardson has baggage, Clinton has containers full. Read either of the new books about her - by Carl Bernstein or Jeff Gerth/Don Van Atta - for the details. Do we want to spend the next 18 months hearing about Whitewater, Gennifer Flowers, Hillarycare, etc.? Then Clinton says if she were elected she would name her husband as a "roving ambassador" for the United States. Where, or with whom, will he be roving?

Prediction: Obama will win the Vermont primary, and the nomination, and Obama/Richardson will lose in November 2008 to Giuliani/Fred Thompson.
 
Prediction:

Edwards/Obama over Thompson/Rice
 
Go Bill Richardson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Edwards is a blowhard - a trial lawyer who talks about poverty but lives a luxurious lifestyle - not presidential caliber
 
Gore Edwards !
 
Ambulance chasers Edwards and Welch made their fortunes at other peoples expense. "Have you been injured?" Call 1-800-Peter-Welch
 
President Richardson.....
 
I think having the nomination over by March is just nuts. The earliest primary/caucus/thumbwrestle should be in May, with the convention in July. I'd like to see the country's elected representatives spend more time working and less time campaigning. We're a full 16 months from the election and the presidential campaign is one of the biggest topics in the media/blogosphere, sucking up a limited supply of oxygen that could be better used for hammering the current set of elected representatives to do a better job.
 
Let's just quietly get behind Richardson.
 
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