Markowitz takes GMD user poll in come-from-behind victory

If it means anything at all... (1.00 / 5)

It means that voters are short-sighted of what it will take to beat Brian Dubie.  

---

by: crtcl @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 16:17:32 PM UTC

You mean (0.00 / 0)

only YOUR candidate can beat Brian Dubie?
And if your candidate loses the primary, and Dubie wins the general, are you gona walk around going, "I told you so"?
And if your candidte loses the primary, are you gonna help Dubie prove you right by voting for him, or not voting at all?
Hey, I can be an asshole too......

Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.

---

by: kestrel9000 @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 16:55:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

sticks and stones... (0.00 / 2)

Just to be clear, I don't have a horse in this dog and pony show. Like the rest of you, I will be choosing from the slate ambitious enough to get out there on the trail, chasing whatever sticks you throw at them and bringing them back slobbering for more.

I'm sorry if I offended your democratic sentimentality, I guess I must have transgressed upon your candidates delicate image. It's probably not a good idea to get too attached - look what that had in store for all the Obamacons!?

I only wish someone in this race would start throwing some sticks and stones instead of getting offended all the time. I don't see the possibility of real action coming out of any of them, Dubie at least will deliver on his platform of obstructionism, laissez faire capitalism, corporate cronyism, parades, posturing and polluting to every last mile. Dems, on the other hand, will likely do what they always do, celebrate unexceptionalism, deliver watered down versions of lofty promises and blame everyone else.

---

by: crtcl @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 18:40:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What, if anything, (0.00 / 0)

in the fuck are you talking about?

Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.

---

by: kestrel9000 @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 19:08:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You set yourself up for disappointment. (4.00 / 2)

I think that if you paid closer attention to all the bills that pass through the legislature and all the negotiating that is necessary to move anything forward, you might feel less inclined to dismiss the candidates so easily. Think of how hard it would be to get anything done in this world if every office, every business, every service was run on the same basis as the legislature, with every worker having an equal vote in each and every decision from simple housekeeping through budgeting of company funds and negotiations with other entities.  

That expediency that distinguishes private enterprise, propelling it swiftly forward would be anathema to our democracy.  The legislature is a necessarily cumbersome system that limits the possibility of any special interest successfully running the table.  As frustrated as we are with its inability to enact good policy swiftly, we would be even more unhappy if it were possible for what we consider bad policy to be enacted arbitrarily by a power elite.

The way I look at it, at least on the state level, unless and until I am willing to run for office myself,  I have little right to criticize lawmakers as a whole for their inability to deliver on promises that we exact from them in the vacuum of the campaign trail.  We must instead labor as voters to discern which promises are within their means to deliver and which are merely the collective vapor of wishful thinking.

---

by: Sue Prent @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 19:20:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, we're all such pathetic saps. (4.00 / 2)

In fact, we're so foolish and hapless, and you so lofty and omniscient, that it really is gratifying to me that you even take the time to come here and pity us at all.

I can't even bring myself to beg for illumination about how to beat the almighty Dubie.  I'm sure my weak brain would be annihilated by the knowledge.

---

by: Tim Wolfe @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 18:52:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's a challenge... (0.00 / 0)

You should step back and read Sue Prent's response to the same posting that got your knickers all up in a bunch. What do you think is going on fundamentally with people who would sooner get offended than engage in real, thoughtful dialogue? Like I said, is it that precious "democratic sentimentality," or something else.

I couldn't agree more with Sue's analysis, except to say that the egalitarian future I envision would promote more of that type of onerous and burdensome participation seemingly exemplified by the legislative process in offices, businesses, communities and workplaces everywhere, as they should be in the home and the government - we are equal partners in this farce.

I would also caution anyone to think that "bad policy [isn't] enacted arbitrarily by a power elite." Just because they have to take some time banging heads together doesn't mean they're not getting what they want. In fact, it's about time the dems started acting like they really want it for a change - or, do you think the health care overhaul has helped? That Guantanamo is closed? That the wars are over? That jobs will grow on trees now that we've watered the banks with money?

I'm paying plenty close attention and don't think I've dismissed the candidates at all, it's a challenge. I hope the candidate I choose is up for it.

---

by: crtcl @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 21:16:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Actually (0.00 / 0)

I read and rated Sue's comment a 4 yesterday.  It was a very succinct response to a different comment of yours than the one that got me feeling so snarky, yes?

I love "real, thoughtful dialogue."  Your condescending one-liner was not it.

But while we may have different political attitudes, our concerns seem very similar.  I heartily agree that the Dems have demonstrated a lot of shortcomings while in charge of the federal government (though I'm less clear how that's relevant to a GMD poll about the gubernatorial primary).  I've also held local office, and I know first-hand just how hard bringing about change really is, even on that level.  I also happen to think the Dems have done a few very good things, and the reason I'm a Democrat is to keep pushing the party to do better.  

Which brings us back the primary: I'm glad you haven't dismissed the folks we have to choose from, as your initial comment suggested.  I am totally with you in hoping that the one I vote for, as you put it, is up for the challenge!

---

by: Tim Wolfe @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 12:58:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The reliability of the poll decreased over time (0.00 / 0)

I suppose it is like a half life sorta thing... As regular readers saw the post, they responded and it was a somewhat pure "who are YOU" type of situation.  However, as soon as ONE camapign posted on their Facecrap or other advocacy site that their supporters should flood the page with votes, it became a game of numbers.  Unfortuantely it is the same numbers game that the election will be, a dipstick of who can get people convinced to turn out and do something, so maybe I am wrong??   I actually think it would be easier to get  someone to vote than to find this page, register and hit the vote button.

Did the number of subscribers go up during this period??  Who knows, this whole primary, at least with the three assumed front runners, has been way to filled with questions that had/have too many answers...

---

by: hoopmeister @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 12:33:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, I for one am highly skeptical of the sudden bump for Markowitz; (3.50 / 2)

especially given the direction that conversation on the site has taken almost since the beginning of the race; but be that as it may, it's great to see the Markowitz folks visiting our page.  Welcome, welcome and we applaud your enthusiasm.  In little more than twenty-four hours, we'll all be in the same big boat.

---

by: Sue Prent @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 16:46:51 PM UTC

Speculations... (0.00 / 0)

Given that Dunne was initially leading for most of the run, I'd guess the other bumps were from concerted efforts to vote here.*  Running with that assumption, I'll hypothesize that

a) a plurality of the regular GMD readers are pulling for Dunne, and
b) the Markowitz campaign has a bigger online social network than the Racine or Shumlin camps.

Whether any of that has a correlation to the results tomorrow, though, who knows.  I'm voting for Dunne, myself, but I think Markowitz is still the front-runner and has been (at least by a little) for the duration of the primary.

But as you and plenty of others have said, awesome to see the energy from all the campaigns, and I'm really looking forward to all joining forces.  I am so impressed with the way this race has been conducted on all sides, and am looking forward to helping any one of them become our next governor.

* Of course I didn't see the progress of the poll over time, and I can't rule out that a push from the Dunne group either, but (biased as I am) I think it less likely.

---

by: Tim Wolfe @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 19:09:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

snapshot (0.00 / 0)

As you indicated by your statement above the poll results, this poll is a snapshot.  Snapshots taken at various times will have different results.  So it shows Deb leading at the moment.  But she wasn't over the weekend or even earlier today.  The only "snapshot" that will matter at all is the one after the polls close tomorrow.

I think people are better off focusing their energy on the Primary voters than on this poll [even it it is "fun" for political junkies].

---

by: Linda in the Northeast Kingdom @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 16:50:34 PM UTC

Moment of Truth (0.00 / 0)

Interesting discussions on this diary and others.

This poll could certainly have been manipulated by various camps and is therefore self-selected and unreliable (but still interesting).

When it comes to actually voting, people will be faced with the need to vote for the candidate that is most likely to win in November.

This may or may not be the candidate they like best or most want to be governor.  

What does it teach us when the Vermont electorate voted consistently for a liberal congressional delegation, a liberal Vermont House and Senate, a liberal Democrat for president and a conservative Republican governor and lieutenant governor?

I believe the fight is for a rather large slice of the center.  Which candidate is most likely to succeed there?  I believe the answer to that question should guide people's votes. It will mine.

---

by: Norman Etkind @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 21:19:09 PM UTC

Thank you! (4.00 / 3)

GMDers,

I want to thank you for this opportunity. Polls are just snapshots, but our grassroots organization is really buzzing. Our supporters are engaged and ready to bring home a victory. I also want to thank all of my primary opponents for their hard work and for their participation in democracy.  

---

by: Deb Markowitz @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 21:32:24 PM UTC

Cluelessness? (0.00 / 0)

Some of us were just too clueless or undecided enough not to be able to get our acts together to vote in time for this poll.... I meant to, I really did!  

However, you can be sure I will find the time tomorrow to do it for real.

---

by: vtleslie @ Mon Aug 23, 2010 at 22:26:42 PM UTC

I kept hitting the SELECT button (4.00 / 3)

but it wouldn't go all the way through.

Each time I tried, little bunches of pixels would  just hang from the bottom of the circle - no matter how hard I hit enter.

sláinte,
cl

-- Religion is like sodomy: both can be harmless when practiced between consenting adults but neither should be imposed upon children.

---

by: Caoimhin Laochdha @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 01:25:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

You really shouldn't use punch cards to blog. (4.00 / 2)

It takes hours to write "+++NO CARRIER+++"

Musician, Web Designer, Photographer

---

by: JulieWaters @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 01:41:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

That would explain (4.00 / 3)

why your vote was counted for Paul Beaudry.

---

by: Jack McCullough @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 01:43:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Do I sense a little Tension here? (0.00 / 0)

Reading this has made me like a nut case, sitting here all by myself, giggling at a computer screen - but FINALLY - individual choices are showing with GUSTO!  Imagine what it must feel like to be one of the candidates reading the results of this semi-absentee ballot box?  But, the "snap-shot" can't be off the mark by so much that anyone needs to stress over the results; I see a tiny little bar at the bottom that says "Susan Bartlett"

---

by: brattlebarb @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 03:34:59 AM UTC