vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

7.30.2007

The non-campaign campaign

Vince Illuzzi is getting a lot of phone calls and e-mails these days. Ever since Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin started hawking the idea that perhaps Illuzzi, the maverick Republican senator from the Northeast Kingdom, would make a good independent candidate against Republican Gov. Jim Douglas in 2008.

It's an idea so crazy I didn't include it in my story that ran last week on the 2008 gubernatorial race outlook. The Democratic Party wasn't biting. Neither were key members of the Progressive Party. Without them, the idea had no chance. Even with them, it's shaky.

For his part, Illuzzi is carefully neither opening nor shutting the door on the idea. He will alternately outline the reasons he wouldn't run (he has a 5-year-old son who demands his attention, a law practice and a state's attorney job) and the reasons why he'd make a good candidate (he's always been able to work with people of all parties, he gets a lot of things done, a lot of people look to him for help. He was, after all, the one who fashioned the compromise on educating funding last session even though he was not on any committee dealing with the issue.

He can't deny that it isn't flattering to have his name bandied about in such a way. "It's nice to have it out there," he said. "It's fun to ride the wave." He counters that by declaring, "I'm a realist."

The best part, he said, is he can just sit back and watch it play out. If his name catches on, fine. If it doesn't, well, that's fine too.

The idea behind Shumlin's notion is that if Illuzzi ran against Republican Gov. Jim Douglas as an independent, the Democrats and the Progressives wouldn't field viable candidates (a la Bernie Sanders for U.S. Senate last fall). That's a big if. Democratic Party Chairman Ian Carleton isn't interested in doing that. The Progs would probably not be unanimous either.

There are other catches. What happens if Illuzzi loses? A Legislature without Illuzzi? Hasn't existed since 1980. Where would he be without a place to do what he does - getting in the middle of all the biggest issues and wrangling some unlikely outcome? If he shunned the Republican Party to run against their top dog, would he have any future in politics? And Illuzzi said he wouldn't be inclined to run a bash-Douglas campaign, which might not suit the people who want him to run.

Illuzzi said he's received some calls in support of a run. He's also heard from the governor's office suggesting he should be wary of Shumlin. And from Rep. Peter Welch, expressing gratitude that the race in question is not for Congress.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 1:42 PM |

Comments:

Shumlin is certainly creative with the smoke and mirrors. That makes two feeble attempts at dividing the GOP in the same fashion that he has done with his own party.

A great showman, indeed.

But Shumlin knows as well as anyone that Illuzzi just ain't gonna fly.

And I'll tell you why in one word. Abortion. Illuzzi has a very clear record - he is more conservative on the grand-daddy of litmus tests than a lot of other Republicans.

Nice try Shummy - but no cigar.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:22 PM, July 30, 2007

If my state senator continues to support Shumlin as the senate leader, I'm not going to support the Vermont Democratic Party any longer.

Heck, I'm not sure that I can support the Vermont Democratic Party anymore anyhow.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:29 PM, July 30, 2007

The Dems and Progs shouldn't touch Illuzzi with a 100-foot pole, not to mention a 10-foot one.

Illuzzi is an investigative reporter's dream - Vermont's King of Pork, plus he's an attorney who has been sanctioned by the Vermont Supreme Court for ethical violations.

Better to have honest Jim Douglas for another term as Governor than some sort of murky deal between Shumlin and Illuzzi.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:02 PM, July 30, 2007

Way to go Shumlin - you really know how to pick a winner:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2004/bills/intro/S-179.HTM

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:16 PM, July 30, 2007

Illuzzi gets 10-20% of the Republican vote no problem. If the Dems and Progs could hold hands on this, he has a real shot.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:12 PM, July 30, 2007

So help me explain why the Democrats would vote for a right-wing Republican with a right-wing record (see above) over an incumbent with strong moderate appeal?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:18 PM, July 30, 2007

I'll bet Illuzzi carries Bennington, since he was about the only one, way back, to question why people were getting sick inside one building and only one building. Douglas didn't want to touch it with a ten-foot pole (sorry, there's that pole again). Can't win on one issue though, and I don't know how much dirt exists on Illuzzi. Douglas is clean, but he's almost too clean.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:31 PM, July 30, 2007

Illuzzi is far from a right-wing Republican! He probably has a 100% labor voting record and is well respected with environmentalists across the state.

The guy introduced a budget bill amendment that would have given all state employees a livable wage by cutting Douglas' $7,000 annual raise and the other outrageous salaries on the 5th floor.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:15 PM, July 30, 2007

What planet are you on??? The record speaks for itself. Anti-choice as cited above.

Guess how he voted on civil unions. Well - you don't have to guess - go check it out:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/rcdetail.cfm?Session=2000&RollCallID=2433

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:43 PM, July 30, 2007

Another gem:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2000/journal/SJ000128.htm

If you guess Defense of Marriage Constitutional Amendment, you guessed right! (i.e. not left!)

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:51 PM, July 30, 2007

Another beauty - Our man Illuzzi is pretty cozy with the gun manufacturing lobby:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/DOCS/2000/BILLS/INTRO/S-032.HTM

This guy is a true blue Democrat, no doubt about it. Great pick Shumlin.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:57 PM, July 30, 2007

Super Shumlin strategy - soften things up for a '10 run by finding a patsy to take Douglas down in '08.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:02 PM, July 30, 2007

If nothing else, Illuzzi should run against Douglas just to shake up the coronation a little. Illuzzi should limit contributions to $50 and challenge Douglas to do the same. They should then have to engage in a series of Illuzzi-Douglas debates in every town statewide. Questions right from the mouths of Vermotners and no PTZ, GOP or VPR allowed in the room or hall or wherever.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:22 PM, July 30, 2007

Nice try but Douglas doesn't enter a room unless the press is there.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:07 AM, July 31, 2007

I have to disagree with the statement that Vince Illuzzi is a conservative. It's true that many public votes have been to satisfy his constituents in the Kingdom but virtually every other move he makes at the State House is left of even the most liberal democrats.

And which of those liberal democrats would stand even a prayer of defeating Douglas? Want to give Scudder another go?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:11 AM, July 31, 2007

1. I keep hearing that Illuzz is further to the left than many Democrats - but his record says otherwise.

2. Illuzzi has what I would call a "Shumlin Problem" - i.e. there is a sleaze and an air of dishonesty about him that just doesn't ressonate with the voters

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:27 AM, July 31, 2007

Shumlins got his plan and it is working.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:34 AM, July 31, 2007

Yeah - he's got a plan alright - getting Republicans elected!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:59 AM, July 31, 2007

IBM just cut 90 jobs.

Remember when Jim = jobs ???

Not anymore.

Today Jim = Jobloss.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:42 PM, July 31, 2007

Yea, well Jim told us that he would build the Circ highway too.

Once he got elected, he couldn't get it done.

Very little of the Dougals Agenda has been achieved.

Dick Snelling found a way to work with Dems in the Legislature ... and he had to work with a hammer like Ralph Wright.

Governor Gridlock can't get anything done with a softie like Symington ... the guy is weak.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:39 PM, July 31, 2007

Douglas has done nothing in 5 years but try to sell a bill of goods thats full of hot air and empty promises.

If I were this Administration, I'd be very nervous if Illuzzi jumped into the governor race.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:58 PM, July 31, 2007

No Luzzi, With Vince Illuzzi!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:11 PM, July 31, 2007

Go Vince!!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:06 AM, August 01, 2007

"Governor Gridlock can't get anything done with a softie like Symington ... the guy is weak"

That's the truth. But, I'm also not sure Douglas wants to get things done.

He's discovered that nobody will take him to task for having a record of inaction.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:45 AM, August 01, 2007

InVINCEable!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:03 AM, August 01, 2007

How about: "In Vince, Ability"

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:39 AM, August 01, 2007

Vince Illuzzi cared about the health and well being of the employees working at the State Office Building in Bennington. Jim Douglas let them rot inside the building for like a year before he even came down to scope out the situation. Guess he didn't want to get sick himself. Illuzzi cared and Douglas hid. I'd love to see Vince kick Douglas's behind.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:21 PM, August 01, 2007

I'm conVINCEd!!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:50 PM, August 01, 2007

"Vince Illuzzi cared about the health and well being of the employees working at the State Office Building in Bennington."

Sorry, that's a big fat joke. Illuzzi glommed onto and exploited a situation of questionable truth for his own personal gain. As he's been known to do in the past.

"Jim Douglas let them rot inside the building for like a year before he even came down to scope out the situation."

That is false. The claims of "sick building syndrome" were being investigated in a non-hysterical manner.

Howcome only state workers ever get "sick building syndrome?" How come private sector workers -- who are the vast majority of office building occupants -- don't get it There's no evidence that there's anything wrong with the building in question. There's just as much chance that this is a case of mass hysteria -- aided and abbetted by the media and exploiters like Illuzzi -- as there is that there's actually anything wrong with the building.

So the Governor is supposed to go down there at the first moment when someone suggests that there's something wrong with the building and say, hey, let's move you all out and find someplace else to put you, at enormous taxpayer expense?

Jesus, I'm glad you're not in charge of the state.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:09 AM, August 02, 2007

Hey. Review the history on that Bennington building and tell me when Douglas "personally" took interest. Also, your use of the term "non-hysterical" leads me to believe you are a Douglas insider, so get out of here and do what your paid to do.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:08 AM, August 02, 2007

Vince is a nice guy but for women his positions would be troublesome.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:08 AM, August 02, 2007

Tracing IP address of the guy attacking Illuzzi on the Bennington sick building...

...Montpelier, VT

...109 State Street, Pavillion Building

...5th floor

...used "J Gibbs"

Interesting.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:23 AM, August 02, 2007

Yeah, probably is Douglas Lite (Gibbs).

I guess years of Bennington employees filing complaints about bad air, illnesses and asking for help, yet getting only lip service from our governor, makes people hysterical in the eyes of one blogger in here. Douglas should have showed some interest MUCH earlier in the process in Bennington. At least Illuzzi was intelligent enough to recognize there was a serious problem. He didn't "glom" on. He gave a sh*t.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:51 AM, August 02, 2007

"I guess years of Bennington employees filing complaints about bad air, illnesses and asking for help, yet getting only lip service from our governor, makes people hysterical in the eyes of one blogger in here. Douglas should have showed some interest MUCH earlier in the process in Bennington. At least Illuzzi was intelligent enough to recognize there was a serious problem. He didn't "glom" on. He gave a sh*t."

Years of filing complaints? Did they start during the Dean Administration?

And if it's been "years," when did the Legislature do something? Never.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:29 AM, August 06, 2007

Talking with someone in the know, the sarcoidosis cluster was not discovered until like 2004, on Douglas's watch. That's when the employees started asking for help. Douglas then pretty much left it in the hands of the now-departed Wallis woman. The legislature got actively involved in the summer of 2006, forcing Douglas to finally become engaged in the problem. Thank God the legislature DID get involved or those employees would probably still be getting lip service from Douglas and his crew.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:46 AM, August 06, 2007

2004. If that is true, then the "years of complaints" comment by the previous poster is not really accurate, is it.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:27 PM, August 06, 2007

Yeah, it's true. Paper indoor air complaints in the beginning then six diagnosed possible deaths.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:50 PM, August 06, 2007

What does "diagnosed possible deaths" mean. No one died from this allegedly "sick" building.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:27 PM, August 07, 2007

Yet...