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


12.04.2007

 

Step 3: Open bank account

***Updated below***

If the road to running for governor is measured in steps, Anthony Pollina took step number three Monday. He filed a bank designation and treasurer appointment form with the Secretary of State’s Office. Such forms are required when one raises or spends $500, though one can also file the form before raising that much.

(Step one was thinking about running, step two was announcing to his party members that he’s really thinking about running, and this is step 3. Step 4, presumably, would be announcing one’s candidacy in an official sort of way, but let’s not go assuming that. We could see more steps added to the process than we imagined.)

Pollina designated former Democratic state Sen. Janet Munt of Burlington as his treasurer. For his own party designation, he listed Progressive. Pollina is, of course, courting Democratic support.

As for courting those Democrats, it’s interesting to watch how Progressives go about that. Prog Party Chairwoman Martha Abbott told me last month that none of the Democratic names floating out there for governor would cut the mustard with Progs. In a blog entry today, she seems to suggest that state Sen. Doug Racine doesn’t quite cut it either. At this point, it’s not hard to imagine that no matter what Democratic candidate emerges, the Progs will say he/she falls short. Abbott also uses the future tense, not the condition when speaking of Pollina's candidacy, as in: "Anthony Pollina will be an effective candidate for Governor."

Abbott writes:

"No one disputes that Doug Racine would be a bona fide candidate. However,
Anthony appeals to rural, traditionally Republican Vermonters and has the
potential to get votes from people who have voted for Jim Douglas in the past
and are ready for a change. Anthony’s work with Vermont Farmers over 35 years
has earned him many loyal supporters among farmers but also among many folks
whose livelihood in the rural economy depends on the survival of Vermont farms.
Anthony Pollina, like Bernie, can appeal to people who do not traditionally vote
for Democrats."


One other candidate has filed a bank designation form with the Secretary of State’s Office in the governor’s race. And no, it’s not Jim Douglas. It’s Tony O’Connor of Derby, the Civil War buff with a sense of humor who was featured in a Nov. 4 Ed Shamy column and said, "A month ago I had no chance. Now I'm up to slim to none. That's an improvement." He lists his party affiliation as "none."

**** update****
Pardonez-moi. It's been drawn to my attention that Douglas has said form on file and if he's making no changes, doesn't need to file a new one.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Comments:
Janet Munt doesn't even know what planet she's currently on. Good choice Anthony!
 
I have never known a "traditional rural Vermont Republican" that supported Pollina. You must be thinking of some of the trustfunder flatlander-Volvonistas that have invaded parts of the NEK in recent years. You know, the pony-tailed ones with the LL Bean shirts and boots that never seem to work at anything except their 2-row organic carrot patch.
 
Doug Racine understands business as he has been a part of a very successful one for years so, in my view, he has more crossover appeal than Pollina does.
 
Yea, how is Pollina going to debate Racine and say he soesn't know anything about Vermont business and politics?
 
Isn't Racine the reason we have Douglas in the first place?
 
A three-way race is why we have Douglas in the first place and it looks like that's going to happen again, unfortunately. Pollina is a non-winner but will do nicely as a spoiler.
 
What exactly would Pollina run on, besides coffee? "I'm a good guy,so vote for me?" That'll get you 10 percent of the electorate, maybe. And that'll be just enough to make sure Douglas gets to do nothing for another two years. Thanks Anthony. Trust me, no one will ever accuse you of not being well intentioned. Is that good enough for you? Didn't think so.
 
Racine would probably make a fine governor, but he can't beat Douglas. He lost when the seat was open, and there was a second Republican in the race. If Scudder couldn't run against the Dem legislature, certainly Racine can't. Racine gets a small margin of victory in Chittenden county, and gets whupped in the other 13.

Pollina should be talking up the milk company, ways that VT can support biz other than corporate welfare, and challenge Douglas in the NEK, Orange, Lamoille and Rutland.

Racine should run for LG, a post he can and has won. It has the added benefit to him of saying "neener neener" to Shumlin, a guy who deserves it.
 
Actually, Con Hogan took more votes from Racine than he took from Douglas.

Without Con in the race, Racine could do quite well.

A lot of folks are fed up with Douglas's lack of attention to state business.
 
Pitts should remember that Pollina got 25% in a tough three-way race the same year Douglas defeated Racine (I don't know where he gets 10%).

Pollina has built a business from the ground up, unlike Racine who inherited one. Pollina has never faced Douglas and after three attempts from the Democrats who approached Douglas with cotton gloves many are ready for a real fight. Something Pollina can and will deliver.
 
Polina's "business" has yet to make a profit.
 
"three attempts from the Democrats who approached Douglas with cotton gloves"

Clavelle wasn't a Democrat. He was a Progressive who sucked up to the Dems in order to gain their support. Clavelle couldn't win and Polina won't be able to either.

"Pollina got 25% in a tough three-way race"

That's another way of saying that Polina came in dead LAST in a 3 way race.
 
"...many are ready for a real fight. Something Pollina can and will deliver."

Yeah, and once the referee raises Jim's arm in victory, Pollina can slink back to his corner and bitch and moan for another two years.
 
Pollina's great but the challege will be the money. The GOP can throw bundles of money to the governor. We're really going to need to chip in in order to defeat this do-nothing governor, but it will be worth it.
 
Anonymous said...

"Isn't Racine the reason we have Douglas in the first place?"

No, osama is. Douglas got elected in 2002. If you'll recall, Most folks were with Bubbles and the coalition of the clueless then.

Possibly, even in Vermont.

Of course they've long since come to their senses.

Definitely in Vermont.

Despite being his Vermont Campaign Chair, Douglas always spends the year before each election pretending he never even heard of Bush.

He gets reelected because the independents find him comparatively sensible compared to Bush and say, "Ah, what the hell, he's not that bad." and punch his ticket.

On the other hand, while he's not that offensive, he's not that loved, either. He doesn't exactly inspire a lot of passion. He's had six years to do something. He hasn't. He's vulnerable.
 
bubba said...

"I have never known a "traditional rural Vermont Republican" that supported Pollina. You must be thinking of some of the trustfunder flatlander-Volvonistas that have invaded parts of the NEK in recent years. You know, the pony-tailed ones with the LL Bean shirts and boots that never seem to work at anything except their 2-row organic carrot patch."

That's what we hire the likes of you and sport for, bubbles. Without us, you'd be totally schtupped.

Oh, why I'm thinkin' of it, ease up on the fertilizer next year and try not to destroy the roses when ya plow the drive.

Always a pleasure.
 
"That's what we hire the likes of you and sport for, bubbles. Without us, you'd be totally schtupped."

Who taught you to speak? Once again you are totally incomprehensible. Please get help.
 
Hopgan took more votes from Racine than he did from Douglas in 2002?????????????
Truly you jest
 
""Isn't Racine the reason we have Douglas in the first place?"
No, osama is. Douglas got elected in 2002. If you'll recall, Most folks were with Bubbles and the coalition of the clueless then."

This was posted by anonymous, but it's obviously jwpoop. So now the guy has at least two personalities, just as I thought.
 
"So now the guy has at least two personalities..."

One more reason I won't be able to sleep at night.
 
I just loves watchin' ya talk to yourselves, sport.

Always a pleasure.
 
Terri
You are usually very astute, but you missed a big point here. The "traditional" Vermonters don't have a say anymore when it comes to electing governor. Win over the big money of Chittenden County (who will, by the way, give money to either Dems or Reps as long as the candidate will win and give them access) and you have won.
 
Isn't it "Traditional Vermonters" who traditionally vote Republican who have elected Jim Douglas time after time?
 
Check out this Pollina cartoon over at PolitckerVT.com. New site?

Vermont Spoiler

It's done by a guy named Rob Tornoe. Ever heard of him?
 
It's a pretty lousy site -- they've still got Darren Allen's Hall Monitor blog listed more than a year after he left the Press Bureau to become a flack.

Way to keep your thumb on the pulse of Montpelier, Politicker!
 
Pollina for Lt Gov
Matt Dunne for Gov
 
And Hugo Chavez for Treasurer?
 
Anonymous said...

"Isn't it "Traditional Vermonters" who traditionally vote Republican who have elected Jim Douglas time after time?"

Just who are these "traditional Vermonters" of whom you speak?

Precisely what constitutes a traditional Vermonter?
 
Sure ya could, bubbles. Sure ya could.

Always a pleasure.
 
bubba said...

"I could tell you, moron, but it would just go over your pointy little head."

So, ya could tell but not show, eh?

In other words, you ain't one.

Gee, what a surprise.

Always a pleasure.
 
responding twice to the same post . . .

jwcoop feels the need to get the last word in -- against himself.
 
And then you chime in, little fella.

Always a pleasure.
 
Pollina all the way!
 
Not likely.
 
Pollina is the only way Douglas gets reelected.
 
"JWCoop10 said...
Pollina is the only way Douglas gets reelected."

Go Pollina!
 
Douglas didn't need Pollina to beat Racine, Clavelle, and Parker, sport.
 
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