vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

7.22.2008

The picture

Looking over the candidate filings across the state (which you can peruse here, some morsels for thought:

House members not seeking re-election (that's 12 Democrats and 3 Republicans):
Peter Hunt (D) of Essex Junction, now serving as Gaye Symington’s campaign driver
Gaye Symington (D) of Jericho, now running for governor
Mary Peterson (D) of Williston
Denise Barnard (D) of Richmond, running for Senate instead
Don Bostic (R) of St. J
Steve Larrabee (R) of West Danville
Jim Fitzgerald (D) of St. Albans
Avis Gervais (D) of Enosburg
Kathy Lavoie (R) of Swanton
Al Perry (D) of Richford
Gail Fallar (D) of Tinmouth
Harry Chen (D) of Mendon
Harry Monti (D) of Barre
Robert Dostis (D) of Waterbury
Hilde Ojibway (D) of Hartford

Darryl Pillsbury of Brattleboro has said he’s not running again, but as an independent he would have to file yet anyway.
Republicans Tom Depoy and David Allaire of Rutland will try to win back the seats they lost two years ago, as will Progressive Winston Dowland of Derby Line.
Ron Allard of St. Albans, a Democrat who irritated the Democrats by siding with the governor on vetoes, will indeed have Democratic challengers as promised.
Senate members not running:
Jim Condos (D) of Chittenden
George Coppenrath (R) of Caledonia

That's the way it looks, pending write-ins and independents and the like.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 6:40 PM |

Comments:

so who is running?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:27 PM, July 22, 2008

everyone else.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:34 PM, July 22, 2008

If the State Republican Party leadership could get their act together, it would be a good year to pick up some seats in the legislature.

The biggest campaign advantage the D&P's have is not in policy positions as much as in the organizational ineptness of the Repubs today.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:41 AM, July 23, 2008

Don't count on the Progs making many advances. They will most certainly capture 1 seat down in Brattleboro and Pearson and Zuckerman are getting a stiff challenge from Democrat Kesha Ram. Pearson being the weaker of the two may be vulnerable if he doesn't get out there and campaign (which I know he isn't).

Otherwise, Dems will probably expand their majority to veto proof next time around especially with Democrats at the top of the ticket like Symington and Obama.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:24 AM, July 23, 2008

Pearson was going door-to-door a couple of weeks ago.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:31 PM, July 23, 2008

Rachel weston and her groonies won't do well in zuckie's district.

Progressives will do well this year.

Republicans might lose even more seats. Hahahaha how great.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:37 PM, July 23, 2008

Oh, I thought that the Progressives were supposed to be above that kind of partisan fighting?

Guess not.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:54 PM, July 23, 2008

Sorry to break in here, but I seem to have lost a bridge span somewhere. It's green metal and very old. I'm paying a private company half a million dollars to move it, but they lost it. If anyone finds my missing bridge, please call me right away. My boss is as angry as a ten year old can be.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:02 PM, July 23, 2008

ram is a student from los angeles who has no clue about hard working farmers and their tax bills. 4 years of protesting to save the trees at groovy u.v. does not make her qualified. she actually said in an interview that she was running here instead of california because it would be easier to win in vermont. no thanks. and do not compare symington to obama. not even the same ballpark.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:23 PM, July 23, 2008

progs=major party status? i don't think so.....

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:33 PM, July 23, 2008

Progs are working on getting major cult status.

They are buying some jungle land in South America and calling it Tonytown.

Of course, they are going to have to wait 3 months until Tony starts calling himself a "Progressive" again -- but that will buy them some time to stock up on fruit punch.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:39 PM, July 23, 2008

Is Deb Markowitz a Prog?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:32 PM, July 23, 2008

I think it is just her husband who is the Prog.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:53 AM, July 24, 2008

Ok. First -- calling young people who choose to be engaged with their democracy and their communities "groonies" is such an old grumpy person king of thing to say. And terribly not progressive-- you should go back and check your values-- the 'p'rogessive movement's vigor and strength come from smart, engaged, activist, young 'groonies' such as Weston and Ram. Politics in general could use more civic minded idealists such as them who reach out to diverse communities and share power across generational lines.

Second-- Ram is running in the University district (ie. chock full of people under 25). It makes sense that a 20 something represent a district thats median age is 20 something: she will be able to relate the issues of this demographic better than a middle age white guy. This is a representative democracy. Come on people-- think back to Civics 101!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:41 PM, July 24, 2008

Yup that's what we need one more unqualified legislator

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:07 PM, July 24, 2008

Well the GOP has plenty of school bus drivers in the legislature -- representing the Kingdom.

I guess we could stand a college educated Vermonter who reflects the demographic makeup of her district.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:29 PM, July 24, 2008

"...vigor and strength come from smart, engaged, activist, young people like [*me!*]"

Rachel, it's true. You just blow us all away. Give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:16 AM, July 25, 2008

Anon 11:29.....that's the point entirely. The citizen legislature is an outdated concept. The State faces serious problems that ,as you suggest, bus drivers, dairy farmers and small shop owners do not have the experience or background to address. That is why you see so many boutique issues come in front the legislature and command so much of their time.

The State takes more time to license and regulate auctioneers, well diggers and tattoo artists than it does to ensure the elected officials of our state are qualified.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:36 AM, July 25, 2008

"The State takes more time to license and regulate auctioneers, well diggers and tattoo artists than it does to ensure the elected officials of our state are qualified."

The electoral process takes much longer than it takes to licence a tattoo artist.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:10 AM, July 25, 2008

A tattoo artist has to demonstrate some minimum skills proficiency... a legislator doesn't.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:25 AM, July 25, 2008

Yes they do. A legislator's test is harder. It's the voters that decide.

If you don't like who the voters choose -- then run yourself.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:28 PM, July 25, 2008

Attention Barre voters: Please join me in becoming a "Koch Sacker." You can become an official member by pledging to vote for Isabelle over Tom Koch. Together, we can sack Koch!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:57 PM, July 25, 2008

"If you don't like who the voters choose -- then run yourself."

It's part of the problem, bud. There is no money in it as it is structured now. You can make significantly more in the private sector. Only those with free time and a second source of income can do it. It isn't possible to view government service as a career in VT, only a hobby.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:50 PM, July 25, 2008

Anonymous said...

"A tattoo artist has to demonstrate some minimum skills proficiency... a legislator doesn't."

And a tattoo artist who can't draw a heart or spell Mom can always blame it on Symington and become an incompetent, gop-scum Governor or his Commissioner or Corrections and carry the ignorant anonymous trash with bupkis vote without breakin' a sweat every time, little nameless-nitwit fella.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 9:55 PM, July 25, 2008

Anonymous said...

"Yup that's what we need one more unqualified legislator"

Well, little fella, if the psycho seven in the Senate and the 49 gop-swine in the House ain't enough incompetent gop-scum rubber-stamps for ya, ya can always ask doogie to proclaim Naples, Florida to be South Swanton, light a clueless-cretin candle and pray for Randy Brock to ride to the rescue.

Assuming, of course, that wasn't plan A and your ignorant anonymous ass already tried that.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:14 PM, July 25, 2008

""If you don't like who the voters choose -- then run yourself.""

Anonymous said...

"It's part of the problem, bud. There is no money in it as it is structured now. You can make significantly more in the private sector. Only those with free time and a second source of income can do it. It isn't possible to view government service as a career in VT, only a hobby."

Really? Gee, I hate to confuse your ignorant anonymous ass with the facts, little factually-challenged/nameless-nitwit fella, but if what you say is true, the jimi douglas experience has made quite a career for himself outta ridin' that hobbyhorse in the wrong direction.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:24 PM, July 25, 2008

Tom Koch rocks!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:28 PM, July 25, 2008

" You can make significantly more in the private sector."

Well Bud, I don't want legislators who are in it for the money.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:15 AM, July 26, 2008

"Well Bud, I don't want legislators who are in it for the money."

Then you get what you ask for.... a legislature that can not get out of its own way. The State faces serious issues. It is a shame we don't want to put qualified people in place to address them, Bud.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:32 AM, July 26, 2008

It's called Democracy, Skipper. If you don't like the people who are in office, campaign for better people.

We can't automatically disqualify people because we think that they are too stupid -- if we could, we wouldn't have an idiot for president or a troll for governor.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:53 AM, July 26, 2008

This comment has been removed by the author.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:09 PM, July 26, 2008

JWCoop10 said...
So much nameless-nitwit nonsense, so little time.

Anonymous said...

""Well Bud, I don't want legislators who are in it for the money.""

"Then you get what you ask for.... a legislature that can not get out of its own way."

Well, little airhead bud fella, given the fact that Doogie's gop-scum veto-proof legislative minority grows smaller and smaller with each passing election cycle, you can take solace in the fact that most Vermont voters appear to agree with you and your prayers j may soon be answered.

Face it, unless they're tryin' to tell ya that the First Amendment guarantees them the unfettered right for you to worship as they see fit and the Second Amendment guarantees them the unfettered right to weapons grade plutonium, gops don't get outta bed in the morning unless there's a buck in it for them and that can't be good for the jimi douglas experience's veto-proof legislative minority.

"The State faces serious issues."

Yes, but given the fact that his veto-proof legislative minority has remained intact and six years of doogie/dubie debacle incompetence would have that effect on any state, you've got to stay positive. Competence is on the march and cluelessness may well be on its ignorant anonymous ass, but Summer's still here, Labor Day's a long way off and November's an eternity away, so don't lose focus. The game is four quarters and we're not even done with the third.

Eyes on the prize, little airhead bud fella! Eyes on the Prize!!

They may not be able to get out of their own way, but doogie's veto-proof legislative minority has managed to block effectively for him and keep competence and good sense at bay for the better part of six years now.

Granted, that may well change come November, but clumsy and clueless as they may be, ya gotta give 'em that much.

"It is a shame we don't want to put qualified people in place to address them, Bud."

Well, again, little airhead bud fella, if that were true, jimi's veto-proof legislative minority wouldn't have dwindled rapidly with each passing election cycle to the point where both he and it are starin' at fourth and forever and in serious jeopardy this November.

So take heart but keep your head in the game, little airhead-bud fella, competence is on the way and both our long State and National Nightmares may soon be over.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:15 PM, July 26, 2008

Coop dissing Coops diss. Classic

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:34 PM, July 26, 2008

blame all the problems on republicans, yet the democrats continue to have a huge majority in all aspects of the legislative. everyone is to blame, across the board

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:48 PM, July 26, 2008

Unfortunately, just like in Wash DC, here in Montpelier teh minority party GOP with a GOP Governor (Or president in DC) completely change the dynamics so with one intention - try and make the Dems Majority look bad.

Just look at yesterday's cloture vote on a LIHEAP bill that has bipartisan support. The GOP prevented moving it forward because they want to politicize their all or nothing approach to energy - drill more!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:18 PM, July 27, 2008

Anonymous said...

"blame all the problems on republicans, yet the democrats continue to have a huge majority in all aspects of the legislative. everyone is to blame, across the board"

Nice try, nitwit. No sale.

I hate to keep confusin' your ignorant anonymous ass with the facts, little fella, but like the Depression and the First Bush Deficit, this is a gop-scum inflicted disaster from top to bottom and as long as bush and doogie have their respective veto-proof gop-scum legislatures in place and they continue not to give a damn about the Country or the State of Vermont, there's not much the Dems can do if the gop swine remain hellbent on bringin' the Country and this State down with 'em and the respective executive branches and veto-proof gop-scum legislative minorities are vanquished in January, Dem hands are ties and you continue not to have a case or a clue or know what the hell you're talking about.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 12:31 AM, July 28, 2008

Anonymous said...

"Unfortunately, just like in Wash DC, here in Montpelier teh minority party GOP with a GOP Governor (Or president in DC) completely change the dynamics so with one intention - try and make the Dems Majority look bad.

Just look at yesterday's cloture vote on a LIHEAP bill that has bipartisan support. The GOP prevented moving it forward because they want to politicize their all or nothing approach to energy - drill more!"

Well, when the gop-scum constituency begins at Entergy and ends at Exxon and the incompetent gop-scum executive branches in DC and Montpelier and their respective veto-proof gop-scum legislative minorities don't give a damn about this Country, the State of Vermont and anything or anyone else but themselves and their gop-slime corporate criminal constituency, that's bound to happen.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:30 AM, July 28, 2008

yawn

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:04 PM, July 28, 2008

The GOP has three strong candidates is Caledonia, primary will be interesting!!!!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:38 PM, July 28, 2008

Jane Kitchel will definitely win one of the seats!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:23 PM, July 29, 2008

Denise Barnard for Senate? This flip-flop hypocrite cry-baby will be nothing less than a party hack and will add nothing to the Senate.