vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

6.03.2009

Bartlett: I'm definitely running

Sen. Susan Bartlett, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said on Vermont Public Radio's "Vermont Edition" today that she is definitely running for governor.

I'm not sure that she had previously said it so explicitly that she's definitely in. She said she will be announcing in July.

Bartlett had previously said she wouldn't make a decision until after she was done grappling with the state budget. She finished grappling, more or less, with the budget mere mintues before the show aired.

I guess we can be sure now that the budget will be a campaign issue.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 6:49 PM |

Comments:

Speaking as a non-Dem indy outsider, I will say that she has always struck me as a straight-shooter and certainly not an ideologue.

Should be an interesting primary. She will probably bring some "substance" and gravitas to a debate that would have been sorely lacking in both if it was just Racine vs. Markowitz.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:51 AM, June 04, 2009

So what?? Absolutely no chance.

# Posted by:

Older is Better | 7:25 AM, June 04, 2009

Doug Racine has the best shot at ousting Douglas.

Bartlett is nothing more than a schill for the Governor in the legislature. She says all the right things in the beginning, but then she and Martha Heath fall all over themselves to be in the inside circle of Douglas, Lunderville and Reardon.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:36 AM, June 04, 2009

I'm looking forward to hearing from all of the candidates.

Making one's mind up before anyone has even begun campaingning is kind of silly ... JMHO.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:08 PM, June 04, 2009

Her entrance will slow people down re: making commitments which is likely a good thing. It will give the debate a chance to develop.

Shumlin was awful on Mark Johnson today. Everytime that guy says, "to be perfectly honest' or "I'll be completely candid with you", I distrust him more. If she crowds him out, then great.

Anybody but Shumlin.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:49 PM, June 04, 2009

More proof that the Dems were completely political during the budget process. Shum-shady, Bartlett and Racine's lackey - Larson - had no intention of finding a solution that put Vermont first - their only goal was to gain the political upper hand over Douglas. Terri and Nancy - it's time for you guys to expose their hypocrisy.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:45 PM, June 04, 2009

And the Governor's intentions were pure? LOL

He's the sleaziest politician in the state (next to Shumlin).

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:51 AM, June 05, 2009

To Anonymous 4:45p...

Jim Douglas is political about every action or decision he takes - starting with his budget address in January - every year.

And every one of is press conferences is about politics.

Jim Douglas is more political than even Shumlin - it just isn't really reported on.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:04 AM, June 05, 2009

Anonymous said...

More proof that the Dems were completely political during the budget process. Shum-shady, Bartlett and Racine's lackey - Larson - had no intention of finding a solution that put Vermont first - their only goal was to gain the political upper hand over Douglas. Terri and Nancy - it's time for you guys to expose their hypocrisy.

Are you kidding? If they reported every time a politician did something political there would be space left in the paper for the weather. That goes for Ds, Ps and Rs.

Give me a a break dude. Your display of supposed outrage amuses me. At least try not to be so partisan.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:35 PM, June 05, 2009

Politicians behave politically. That's why they're politicians. The big issue is whether they stand on principles to the greatest extent possible.

Part of the problem in this state is the two-year term; both sides of an issue can be exploited for short term political gain at the expense of principle or the best interests of the state.

That said, Susan Bartlett is a straight-shooter and a fiscal pragmatist. She's also a virtual unknown outside of Montpelier and Lamoille County. Those don't bode well in a primary where the far-left of the party and especially Chittenden County hold sway.

# Posted by:

Independent Vermonter | 4:33 PM, June 07, 2009

Straight shooter - are you kidding me?

She says what she needs to to the person she is talking to - and she is especially not true to her many colleagues. She often takes hard and decent committee work and shreds it to suit her persoanl beliefs.

But you are right, she will have difficulty in a primary because she is nowhere as known as she thinks she is!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:10 AM, June 08, 2009

Shumlin might win the primary, but no way would he win the election. There are alot of Dems who just don't care for him. He is the sleaziest politician in the state (next to Douglas). He won't unseat Douglas. I could see Bartlett as the underdog more right leaning dem, but I think Racine would beat her in the primary. I just don't see Markowitz in play at all.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:26 PM, June 09, 2009

Shumlin for Governor!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:01 PM, June 10, 2009

Bartlett can't win. Shumlin can't win. Racine can't win (best shot someone said? that is sad).

Deb Markowitz COULD win, as she is actually palatable to Progs. Racine's "overture" to Progs is just a laugh: he wouldn't know a Progressive policy if it smacked him in the face.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:31 PM, June 11, 2009

You are kidding of course -

If Markowitz wins the primary, the Progs will be in.

If Racine wins, they stay out!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:04 PM, June 11, 2009