vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

8.07.2007

Leaning left and right

It appears from the photo in today's paper as though Gov. Jim Douglas and Rep. Peter Welch were getting along like old chums. With new-fangled technology your daily newspaper can now bring you more than just words and pictures. You can catch the audio and visuals of yesterday's little exercise skit HERE, by clicking on Audio Slideshow next to the photo.

You will note that the Republican governor and the Democratic congressman joked about leaning right (Douglas encouraging Welch to do so; Welch proclaiming it uncomfortable), leaning left, and finally both of them finding comfort in a stretch that has them in the center.

How did we come up with the audio, you ask? I have no idea. Just accept that it is a changing world.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 2:41 PM |

Comments:

They've always gotten along like old chums.

When Welch ran the Vermont State Senate, Welch gave Governor Gridlock everything he wanted.

They watered down the healthcare reform bill together. They screwed the state college teachers together. Welch even refused to help out Scudder Parker in his effort to dethrown Governor Doesless.

Old Chums indeed.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:49 PM, August 07, 2007

belch

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:28 PM, August 07, 2007

These two need to get a room and consumate their love already. At least they're in the right state for a civil union.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:45 PM, August 07, 2007

Oh come on... its kind of refreshing to see some bipartisan good humor emerge from the stench that Shumlin has cast over Montpelier.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:06 PM, August 07, 2007

That stench you smell comes from the Governor's office.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:08 PM, August 07, 2007

LOOK ... Terri whines about all of Peter Welches press events, then the BFP prints a story about the Governor holding a press event to commemorate the opening of a bridge that has been open for over a year!! (clearly not news!)

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070807/NEWS/70807025

What the hell, Terri????

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:50 PM, August 07, 2007

"They watered down the healthcare reform bill together. They screwed the state college teachers together. Welch even refused to help out Scudder Parker in his effort to dethrown Governor Doesless."

Awwwwwwww! Waaaaah! Booo hooo! I'm so angry! Welch isn't really a true socialist like me! Waaaaaaah!

P.S., and it's dethrone, not dethrown.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:20 PM, August 07, 2007

Oh, I see.

You think that Catamount Health is a GOOD thing.

You think that our healthcare system is great.

And anyone who points out that there might be big problems in the healthcare system is just a whiner??

Very interesting position. I think it helps explain why there are so few Republicans in the legislature -- their ideas suck.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:27 AM, August 08, 2007

A BRIDGE OPENING??

The BFP thinks that's NEWS??? The BFP thinks this is something other than a campaign stop for Douglas??

And then they have the gaul to tell us that Welch's events aren't news?

Give me a break !!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:34 AM, August 08, 2007

Vermont reporters merely troll. They will never go deep sea fishing. Too much work.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:14 AM, August 08, 2007

That's overly harsh. I agree that Terri is wrong in her critique of Welch, considering the BFP's to cover every little Douglas media event.

But to say that they troll isn't fair. We have a very small press corps in Vermont. They are all stretched too thin. They don't have the luxury of taking 3 weeks to do a deep investigation into any paticular area. They need to keep grinding out the articles in order to keep their bosses happy.

They aren't lazy. They just don't have the resources that they need.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:55 AM, August 08, 2007

"...in order to keep their bosses happy"

And, for the most part, their bosses are right-wingers with their own agenda (e.g. Gannett owning the FP).

Liberal media?? Yeah, right.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:53 PM, August 08, 2007

Media is very status quo in Vermont.
Democrats are a stale bunch.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:00 AM, August 09, 2007

And the Republicans aren't?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:30 AM, August 09, 2007

The dominant political party in any time and place always becomes stale. And the Democrats are the dominant party in Vermont. The question is, will they stay that way? Highly questionable, with the two jokers who are running each chamber of the Legislature right now.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:56 PM, August 09, 2007