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


7.02.2008

 

Brock decides

Randy Brock finally decided what office to run for this fall -- a Franklin County Senate seat.

All the fun of a rematch with Tom Salmon evaporated when Salmon, who squeaked out victory over Brock in 2006, was deployed to Afghanistan.

“Although I seriously considered a bid for auditor this year, I decided that it would not be appropriate to run against someone who was serving his country in a combat zone and who would be unable to campaign,” Brock said. “I also feel that I could be of greater service in the Senate, where I could work on crafting solutions to Vermont’s fiscal crisis.”

Brock will be challenging Democratic incumbents Don Collins and Sara Kittell. Senate races in Franklin County are always interesting and competitive and this one is now guaranteed to be both. I hope Brock works on his milking skills, because that could be one challenge.

In a press statement announcing Brock's decision, the Vermont Republican Party had him using a phrase that must have scored some points in a focus group or poll because Republican legislative incumbents and hopefuls keep using it. Pick out that word in the following quote:

Brock accused legislative leaders of misdirecting their priorities on what he called “boutique issues,” like non-binding impeachment resolutions or trying to decriminalize marijuana while criminalizing advertising “puppies for sale” without a license.

Brock served a single term as auditor, ousting Democrat Elizabeth Ready in 2004.

He's lived in Swanton for 22 years, although he was a long-distance commuter to Boston before he retired from Fidelity Investments in 2003. He and his wife, Andrea, have one daughter.

He graduated from Middlebury College -- but before Jim Douglas did. He has a masters degree from Yale. He's a Vietnam veteran.

So who -- if anyone -- will run from the Republican Party for auditor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, Congress? In about 19 days, we will know.

-- Nancy Remsen

Comments:
Brock will be providing campaign satellite feeds from his home in Naples, Florida, to Franklin County residents.
 
Brock lives in Florida, not Swanton.
 
Ummm - he doesn't even own a house in Florida.
 
Ummm -- check again.
 
Sounds like sour grapes. How was he elected to Auditor if he wasn't a legal resident?
 
Its a very simple matter to decide. Florida has no income tax. If he was living there, he would certainly avail himself of the favorable tax conditions there. Someone should ask whether he filed a Vermont income tax return this year.
 
** SAM HEMINGWAY **

When will we see the retraction for your post "Anthony's Ag-ony"

NOFA Director Enid Wonnacott said, "For Sam to say that we’re attacking Anthony is simply wrong. I don’t have a beef with Anthony,”

Sam was WRONG.

Where is the retraction?

Man up Sam. Print the retraction.
 
Legal residents of Vermont often spend the majority of their time in other states (see Tarrant, Richard).
 
But he has a mailbox here and everything.
 
Never mind where his legal residence is --- let's count how many DAYS he was actually in Vermont and his district.
 
Brock is a republican!
 
Brock will lick the governor's bioots to high shine!
 
Brock has nom real ties to Vermont or his district!
 
Go Brock! We need more good people working on solving the state's problems. If you can bring solutions, I don't care if you live in FL or VT. Good people are hard to find.

Perhaps the real question is why is Salmon running for re-election. Assuming the State Auditor position is real and has substantial responsibilities how can he possibly think he can execute the requirements of the office when he is deployed?

Congrats on his patriotism and serving his country but shame on him for not acting in the best interest of the citizens of the State. The right thing to do is pass on the re-elction bid this year; serve his tour of duty proudly and then run for the post again once he returns.
 
Right. Service men have no right to hold public office.
 
That's not what I said. I said he should give the position up and run again when he returns. The job needs to be done and he obviously can't do it and be on duty at the same time. Do what is right for the State and forgo self-interest. It's the right thing to do.
 
Anonymous said...

"Brock has nom real ties to Vermont or his district!"

Well, given the fact that he's runnin' as a gop, he's got no ties to reality, either.
 
Your position is that service men shouldn't be able to run for office.

That's very clear.
 
Jim Douglas should prove his support for his guy Bush's policies and volunteer to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. Just please get the hell out of Vermont, and take Dubie and Brock with you.
 
NEK said...

"Sounds like sour grapes. How was he elected to Auditor if he wasn't a legal resident?"

No, but it smells like nekwit nonsense.

I hate to confuse your ignorant ass with the facts, nekkie boy, but just because he was a legal resident of Vermont when he ran in '04 don't make him a legal resident of Vermont in '08.

Besides, even if he can prove legal residency, it clearly didn't prevent didn't him from losin' his reelection bid in '06, now did it, nekkie boy?

That's what I thought.

Of course, Bush and the jimi douglas experience have done such a wonderful job with the economy and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past two years as they've overridden Democratic veto after Democratic veto that conditions are so much more favorable for gops this November.

After all, who want to pay $2.25/gallon for gas when you can spend $4.50/gallon or more for that same gallon of gas and God knows what for heating oil.

Reality, nekkie boy. Visit it sometime.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Go Randy Go!!! Randy is the best thing this state has seen in a very long time. He is brillant, humble and truly loves this state. We are very fortunate that he has volunteered his time to participate in the electorial process. I wish more like him would. Again, go Randy go!
 
** SAM HEMINGWAY **

When will we see the retraction for your post "Anthony's Ag-ony"

NOFA Director Enid Wonnacott said, "For Sam to say that we’re attacking Anthony is simply wrong. I don’t have a beef with Anthony,”

Sam was WRONG.

Where is the retraction?

Man up Sam. Print the retraction.
 
Anonymous said...

"Legal residents of Vermont often spend the majority of their time in other states (see Tarrant, Richard)."

Then by definition, they're not legal residents of Vermont.
 
Franklin County voters aren't as gullible as Roper, Brock and the Vermont GOP think they are. Douglas has p&*ssed all over them in 2008, so I hope they thank our governor with a big fat middle finger.
 
Anonymous said...

"Go Randy Go!!! Randy is the best thing this state has seen in a very long time. He is brillant, humble and truly loves this state..."

Yeah, and Velveeta is the greatest thing to happen to cheese in a very long time and we're lucky to have it, too. Screw Cabot!

Forgetting, for the moment, the complete and utter absurdity of your ignorant anonymous ass's statement, little factually-challenged nameless-nitwit fella and the inescapable, fundamental reality that your ignorant anonymous ass isn't "brillant" enough to figure out how to spell brilliant, use the spell-check function or have the slightest clue what the hell you're talking about with respect to this or any other topic on any conceivable level, all things considered, in the interests of any possible friends or family you may have, both living and deceased, you are to be commended for posting anonymously.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
** SAM HEMINGWAY **

When will we see the retraction for your post "Anthony's Ag-ony"

NOFA Director Enid Wonnacott said, "For Sam to say that we’re attacking Anthony is simply wrong. I don’t have a beef with Anthony,”

Sam was WRONG.

Where is the retraction?

Man up Sam. Print the retraction.
 
"After all, who want to pay $2.25/gallon for gas when you can spend $4.50/gallon or more for that same gallon of gas"

Cool huh and the left opposes expanding our oil drilling efforts. I think they actually like gas at this point because it rationalizes their pet projects ...inefficient wind and solar power. Get use to it Coopy. Your buddy Barack will let it run higher if he has his way. His energy policy is pretty clear. He is for fossil fuels but doesn't want to explore and drill more. He likes nuclear but doesn't want to expand further. He likes coal but doesn't like the emissions. Crystal clear to me. No wonder you haven't been able to communicate the party line energy policy. He doesn't seem to have one. $4.50 will seem like a bargain in December if he wins.
 
Coop says.."After all, who want to pay $2.25/gallon for gas when you can spend $4.50/gallon or more for that same gallon of gas and God knows what for heating oil."
The Dems wanted to increase the price of gas long ago so it would force us to conserve- did it work? NO
The Dems like to send megabucks to the Saudis and Hugo but won't drill here. Sorry Coop- you can try to blame the GOP but it was Pelosi who made the statement 4 years ago that SHE would see that oil prices drop.
 
Randy Brock would be an excellent Senator. From this blog, it appears the only concern is his residency. Your "carpetbagger" comments work both ways.
I think you are all worried that Randy can -and will- win this seat.
 
Funny -- Brock didn't have the sack to run against Welch.

What a whimp.
 
The more oil money America sends to the Arabs, the richer the Bush family gets.

The Pappa Bush has made tens of millions off of the Saudis through his "work" with the Carlyle Group.
 
Brock has those James Bond revolving license plates. When he's in Vermont, it rolls to the VT plate, when he's in Florida, it rolls to the "sunshine state" plate.

It would be fun to do an ad against Brock. Have some guy sitting in a chaise lounger on some beach along the Miami strip, sipping a drink with an umbrella.
Or a convertible car with Vermont tags, driving down the alligator alley. Endless possibilities.
 
Mrs. Brock apparently conducts garden tours of their home in Naples, according to the local paper.
 
NEK
Coop says.."After all, who want to pay $2.25/gallon for gas when you
can spend $4.50/gallon or more for that same gallon of gas and God
knows what for heating oil.""

"The Dems wanted to increase the price of gas long ago so it would force us to conserve- did it work?
NO."

Really? Well, little fella, given the fact that shrub did do it and State and Federal fuel-tax receipts are down indicating that people are driving less, I won't even ask ya to produce the evidence you don't have to substantiate the case you can't make since the point is now moot, nekkie boy.

"The Dems like to send megabucks to the Saudis and Hugo but won't drill here."

Well, nekwit, once again, I hate to confuse your ignorant ass with the facts but shrub and the gop-scum in Congress have been doing that all along so irrespective of the fact that ya don't know your ignorant ass from your elbow in this case, either, ya don't know your ignorant ass from your elbow in this case, either.

"Sorry Coop- you can try to blame the GOP but it was Pelosi who
made the statement 4 years ago that SHE would see that oil prices drop."

And what didn't she do that the gop-scum minority in the Senate didn't filibuster and/or Shrub didn't veto?

The only case where shrub has failed to override Democratic efforts was when the gop-scum in Congress who have to face the voters in November started worryin' about saving their own skin and voted 385-25 in the House and 97-1 in the Senate to stop adding to the SPR.

Sorry, nekkie boy, your ignorant, ill-informed ass can try to blame Pelosi, Reid and the Dems in Congress all you want but as long as the gop-scum minority in the Senate continues to put party der fuhrer ahead of Constitution and Country enabling shrub to block most any and all Dem efforts to remedy the situation while shrub insists on sticking with the same failed policies that have brought us to this point, there's not much Pelosi can do until we get a legitimate, competent, President Obama and increased Democratic Majorities in the Legislature to stop the bleeding and get the Country moving in the right direction again, which leaves you still dumb, still scum and your ignorant ass has still got bupkis.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
I know it's hard for NEK and other GOPers to believe... but it was a Vermont House Republican who as Chair of House Transportation brought forward through his committee and to the floor an increase to the gas tax!!!

It was the Senate Dems that killed it.

Why did he bring it forward?

Because he saw the declining revenues of a gas tax and the increasing infrastructure needs.

And like a good fiscal manager, he was trying to balance the budget instead of GWB's and Congressional GOPers to just add it to the nation's debt.
 
Isn't Karen Kerin running for AG?
 
Anonymous

"I know it's hard for NEK and other GOPers to believe... but it was a
Vermont House Republican who as Chair of House Transportation brought forward through his committee and to the floor an increase to the gas tax!!!.."

Don't confuse the whacks with the facts.
 
There is no confusion over which category Coop fits into.... Official Spokesmodel of the Whacks
 
As always, kind and comforting words from Grand Master Whack. No hate-speak from Coop.
 
The gas tax proposed by the Transportation Committee was to be used for infrastructure improvements since they couldn't squeeze money out of the general fund- AN ENTIRELY different scenario from the Dems planned tax increase proposal which was to make people conserve.
I was also referring to federal- not state but since you wanted to twist the facts I responded.
http://www.americansolutions.com
In less than 3 weeks, 1,250,000 Americans have signed this petition- have you signed yet Coop?
 
It was a Republican (Rich Westman) who proposed raising the gas tax.
 
NEK..

"The gas tax proposed by the Transportation Committee was to be used for infrastructure improvements since they couldn't squeeze money out of the general fund- AN ENTIRELY different scenario from the Dems planned
tax increase proposal which was to make people conserve."

Ah, so you're dumb, you're scum, ya got bupkis and ya don't know what the hell your ignorant, ill-informed ass is talking about but you were really lying about an ENTIRELY different Federal Program that you're dumb, you're scum, ya got bupkis and you don't know what the hell your ignorant anonymous ass is talking about, so it's OK, eh?

Nice try, nekwit. No sale.

You can post all the bogus, factually-challenged/fundamentally-dishonest, clueless-kudlow, newtwit-nonsense, gingrich-garbage petitions you want, nekkie boy, and given the fact that reality and the facts ain't doin' your clueless-cretin cause any favors and ya got nothin' else, I'm sure ya will, but the fact remains that the likes of newt and kudlow are the people who put us in this fix in the first place and Federal Taxes on Gasoline today are the same 18.4 percent/gallon they were 10-11 years ago when gas was under a buck per gallon, so ya don't know what the hell you're talking about and you're lyin' your ignorant, ill-informed ass off now, too.

I realize, like most gops, your IQ falls somewhere in the 20-50 range and while that's good weather for sugarin', your ignorant, ill-informed ass lacks the requisite mental capacity to form intent to say nothing of making an argument you can substantiate with fact and evidence. After all, that's why you're a gop.

Nevertheless, you were lyin' slime postin' ignorant trash with bupkis when your ignorant ass first posted this dimwitted delusional-dreck petition a week or two ago and you're lyin'-slime now.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
You can spin it anyway that you want to.

The fact is that REPUBLICAN (Rich Westman) proposed raising the gas tax.

It was a Republican proposal.
 
Anonymous said...

"As always, kind and comforting words from Grand Master Whack. No hate-speak from Coop."

In other words, you're still dumb, you're still scum and your ignorant anonymous ass has still got bupkis.

Thanks for clearin' that up, little factually-channeled nameless-nitwit fella.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Anonymous said...

"You can spin it anyway that you want to."

Actually, he can't. Nekkie boy's even worse at attempted spin than he is at substantiating his invariably-psychotic slop or anything else involving rational thought.
 
Did anyone get to go on the Brock garden tour in Naples - now that would be something! You could ask her all about her "Vermonter" husband.
 
Did anyone get to go on the Brock garden tour in Naples - now that would be something! You could ask her all about her "Vermonter" husband.
 
Nah, that's a bit "boutique" for my tastes.
 
Anonymous said: "The fact is that REPUBLICAN (Rich Westman) proposed raising the gas tax.

It was a Republican proposal."

Umm ... maybe ... kinda ... sort of.

From the Times Argus, Aug. 14, 2007:
"The Democratic leader of the Vermont House said Monday that 'all options are on the table' when it comes to funding repairs to the state's roads and bridges, but denied Republicans' allegations that she is focusing on increasing the gas tax ...

... Symington and other Democrats replied that there is no legislative plan to push for a gas tax increase and that it is simply one of the possible solutions to the state's infrastructure problem that should be considered...

Symington added that she has been working with Rep. Richard Westman, R-Cambridge, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and Charles Smith, the president of the Richard A. Snelling Center for Government, to arrange discussions with legislative leaders and Gov. James Douglas' administration to discuss the infrastructure problem."

So, Symington and "other Democrats" said it was just one of the options, and got Richie Westman -- a Republican who owes his chairmanship to Symington -- to give them some cover.

Sorry, in the immortal words of JWCOOP10: No sale.

From the same article:

"The back-and-forth between Symington and Adams began Monday morning when the House Republican leader issued a press release decrying the 'Democrats' plan to raise the gas tax.'

That allegation relied on a report late last week from a central Vermont newspaper story on how the Green Mountain State and its neighbor New Hampshire might fund upgrades to their roads and bridges following the deadly collapse of a Minneapolis bridge.

But Symington said Monday that she and Senate Majority Leader John Campbell, D-Windsor, were misquoted in that article. Both appeared to be endorsing raising the gas tax as the main option in raising the funds for the repairs and upgrades.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, was blunt in his opposition to increasing the gas tax. He said he is not aware of any discussions among Senate Democrats to seriously consider proposing an increase.

'Who wants a gas tax?" Shumlin said. "I don't want a damn gas tax.'"

One of Shumlin's finer moments...
 
Yea dude ... it was a Republican who proposed increasing the gas tax.

Spin it any way you want.
 
IndependentVter..

Anonymous said: "The fact is that REPUBLICAN (Rich Westman) proposed
raising the gas tax.

It was a Republican proposal.""

"Umm ... maybe ... kinda ... sort of.

From the Times Argus, Aug. 14, 2007:
"The Democratic leader of the Vermont House said Monday that 'all
options are on the table' when it comes to funding repairs to the
state's roads and bridges, but denied Republicans' allegations that she
is focusing on increasing the gas tax ...

... Symington and other Democrats replied that there is no legislative plan to push for a gas tax increase and that it is simply one of the possible solutions to the state's infrastructure problem that should be considered...

Symington added that she has been working with Rep. Richard Westman,
R-Cambridge, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and
Charles Smith, the president of the Richard A. Snelling Center for
Government, to arrange discussions with legislative leaders and Gov.
James Douglas' administration to discuss the infrastructure problem."

So, Symington and "other Democrats" said it was just one of the options, and got Richie Westman -- a Republican who owes his chairmanship to Symington -- to give them some cover."

Sorry, in the immortal words of JWCOOP10: No sale."

Well, little fella, your indignorant ass can quote me and speculate as to Westman's possible motives in the midst of your selective editing all ya want, but ya can't alter the fact that Westman's a gop who, by your own admission, made the suggestion irrespective of whether "Symington and other Democrats got him to do it to give them some cover or not."

Nice try, little fella. No sale.

Christ, indy. Given your glass jaw, minimal skills and your fundamental and inescapable lack of a case and a clue, ya really oughta stop droppin' your hands and leadin' with your chin. I don't wanna hurt ya, little fella.
 
Anybody from Franklin County want to weigh in on Brocks chances?
 
Yeah, what is the situation?
 
If Brock was smart he would have run against Welch. He could have made a name for himself. He would have lost but could have looked really credible doing it.
 
Ah, so Brock runnin' against Welch and getting his sorry butt kicked back to Naples for his efforts "would have made him look "really credible doing it", eh, little factually-challenged nameless-nitwit fella?

Nice try. Just 'cause he's smarter than your ignorant anonymous ass don't make him smart, schmuck.

Always a pleasure.
Dismissed.
 
Let's hear from people in Franklin County!
 
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