Unity 2010: The Tour Continues (updated with video)

For those who want to move forward (3.50 / 2)

I could have posted this under several earlier diaries but since this is the most recent that discusses the Democratic effort to defeat Dubie...  

Anyone who feels strongly that the recount will delay the campaign can skip the recount and begin working today to elect the Democratic primary winner (whomever that turns out to be). Contact the Democratic Party and volunteer to help.  There are a lot of people who have been working for quite some time to elect the eventual primary winner.  They can use as much volunteer help as they can get.

Volunteers are working in Montpelier, Burlington and several satellite offices.  Suggest you call the Montpelier office at 229-1783 and ask how you can help.

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by: woodpile @ Mon Aug 30, 2010 at 19:47:12 PM UTC

I respect them all for this! (4.00 / 1)

Nothing spells "I Love & Respect Vermont" better than the decision for unity in the first place, and now putting that word into real action.  
I couldn't be happier about anything else right now!
Thank-you!

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by: brattlebarb @ Mon Aug 30, 2010 at 20:53:30 PM UTC

Dubie's "plan" is all smoke and mirrors. (4.00 / 2)

I thought this was a well-targeted remark from Peter Shumlin:

"It shouldn't surprise us that after Brian flew across the lake to have dinner with George W. Bush, he comes out with an economic plan that's very similar to the plan that bankrupted America: deficits, unending deficits, tax cuts for the wealthiest Vermonters and budgets that don't balance."

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by: Sue Prent @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 01:59:01 AM UTC

do you have (0.00 / 0)

a link to Shumlin's segment? I'd love to see it.

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by: sailor_titan @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 03:25:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

'Couldn't find it when I looked last night (0.00 / 0)

but picked-up the quote from Seven Days (which is linked to the diary.)

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by: Sue Prent @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 13:41:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

run (0.00 / 0)

Shumlin's going to give Dubie a run for his money.  This will be some campaign if it ever really gets going.  

When you wake up each morning look around you.  It might be the last time you get to do it.  

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by: Watercloset @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 02:54:38 AM UTC

Is anyone else (0.00 / 0)

who voted for Dunne or Bartlett (more people combined then voted for Shumlin, Racine or Markowitz) wishing their candidate was included in these unity efforts?

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by: jjem @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 04:36:21 AM UTC

Please (4.00 / 1)

Bartlett is on vacation in Maine.  Matt's brother was just hospitalized for fairly serious reasons.  It's okay if they step out of the spotlight for a little bit.

Musician, Web Designer, Photographer

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by: JulieWaters @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 04:55:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Please? (0.00 / 0)

I'm pretty sure they have phones and internet in Maine, as well as in hospitals. It would take very little effort to include their name on a press release or email.

I'm going to support the Dem nominee. I said I would and I will. But my LEVEL of support (volunteer hours, money if I ever find a frickin' job) can be influenced. I think the purpose of the unity efforts should be to make all of the candidates' supporters feel unified. Right now, as a Dunne supporter, I'm feeling sort of dismissed.

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by: jjem @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 13:53:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

As a Dunne suporter... (2.00 / 1)

I would also like to see Matt out there and hope to see him under the golden dome in some capacity. He can take all the time he needs for his family, I'm just not sure why Deb is in on this, too? I realize a lot of people voted for her, so her unity affectations along with the others may help fold into the Shumlin campaign those that would rather not fold. But the truth from my perspective is, Deb never says anything useful out there, just a bunch of rhetorical campaign malarkey, and I'd rather see the candidate focus in on some real issues rather than continue beating around the bush.  

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by: crtcl @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11:07:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well... (3.00 / 1)

Markowitz received nearly 1/4th of the vote in the primary.  That's a lot of supporters who need to be drawn into the fold.  She was close enough that she could have asked for a recount herself.

Insulting her or her style doesn't do much good at this particular juncture.  It basically comes across as sour grapes and doesn't do anything to advance your argument.  

Musician, Web Designer, Photographer

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by: JulieWaters @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11:33:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

foreshadowy... (0.00 / 0)

Luckily that doesn't apply to me, I've been "insulting" her (read: pointing out the obvious) all along. It's at this "particular juncture" I find it apropos and amusing to point out that while Shumlin and Racine's proposals don't go as far as I would like, bringing Markowitz along for the ride is a little like foreshadowing just how far you might be willing to compromise when it comes to actually making change.

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by: crtcl @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 23:06:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I voted for Dunne (4.00 / 2)

And you know what?  I have faith in him to do and say what he judges is most helpful, in this campaign and in the future.  I never felt very partisan in this primary, and I certainly don't feel like starting now.

Don't forget, Matt's conceded, while each of those three could still technically become the nominee.  So their unifying behind Shumlin, the expected nominee, is exactly what we needed.

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by: Tim Wolfe @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 12:45:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Matt Dunne and his supporters (3.50 / 2)

Strategically it is critical (and was critical from the time the first "unity" email went out) to actively include/involve/invite Matt Dunne's supporters.  Matt garnered 21% of the vote -- yes, fourth place but still a significant number of people.  He and his supporters also raised more money than anyone but Deb (Shumlin had more money, because of his personal contributions, but Matt raised more money).  The issue in some ways isn't really Matt -- Matt will decide in what way and how much he will participate in the effort.  It is the boots on the ground, town-by-town supporters and contributors that this effort needs. To send out emails and press releases that do not include Matt and by inference his supporters is hurtful to all of us who worked for Matt and are committed to electing a Democratic governor but who currently have not been included in the "unity" effort.  

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by: Jill M @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 13:17:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I guarantee you that Matt is in the loop. (0.00 / 0)

These decisions are made strategically by the party, with an eye to what will do the job of defeating Brian Dubie.  I am not privy to their rationale, but I would guess it isn't easy to craft a targeted response to each Dubie "burp of wisdom" when it must be delivered by three different individuals.  To crowd in a fourth or fifth might only serve to have them stepping on one another.

I think I can say unequivocally that there is absolutely no underestimation of the support Matt has received, and the power of his supporters in the winning equation.

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by: Sue Prent @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 13:56:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Too much credit (4.00 / 2)

Sue, you're attributing too much power to the VDP. The party structure itself is not particularly influential in these kinds of decisions. How, where, and with whom to campaign are decisions made by the candidates.

Plus, all you Dunne supporters on this thread, instead of lamenting some imagined "exclusion," realize that to a large extent it's up to Matt how much he wants to participate -- and now that the primary is over, he needs to get back to his Google job and help take care of his family: newborn babe and recuperating brother.

You could, on your own bravely step out and make your own stand for unity. It's about putting a Democrat in the governor's office, not engraved invitations.

Take a deep breath, know that a lot of us who voted elsewise have great respect for Matt (my top two were Doug and Matt), and come on board with eyes on the prize. We all know that Vermont will be a much better place with a Democrat at the helm.

NanuqFC
The time is always right to do the right thing. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

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by: NanuqFC @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 15:20:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for adding some perspective there, Nanuq. (0.00 / 0)

As I said, I'm not in the party, so I probably do attribute too much power to them.  I just assumed that these things are organized strategically, and sharper minds have assessed the best way to get the job done.

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by: Sue Prent @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 15:27:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sadly no (0.00 / 0)

The party is just a shell that gets activated for a coordinated campaign each year. It goes through the necessary motions to insure there are town committees, county committees, and a state committee, and many of those committees are very, very good and effective. However, for the most part, the candidates and officeholders only pay attention to party matters around election time and offer little attention or support to the organization otherwise, and certainly don't use the party as a place to discuss strategy for themselves and their supporters. Leahy's organization is the one that really matters in the state as far as Dems go.

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by: FXF @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 18:38:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Continued (0.00 / 0)

A strategic decision was made not to reach out to Matt's supporters?

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by: Jill M @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 14:07:41 PM UTC

I think Matt explains well in his own words (3.50 / 2)

commenting on another thread:

On same page, wasn't asked to be a part of this release (0.00 / 0) [delete comment]

Just catching up on GMD. I am definitely on the same unity page and my understanding is that I wasn't invited to be a part of this release because I wasn't within the 2% recount threshold. I was also not in the Burlington area when I was made aware of the press conference yesterday pushing back on Dubie's econ dev plan, but Peter's team did reach out to me.
I have been spending a lot of time at DHMC where Josh is still recovering, and helping get his kids to first days at school along with Judson's first day. That has to be my focus right now, but I will be out there making sure we have a Democrat in the Governor's office.  
by: mattdunne @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 09:30:36 AM EDT
[ Parent | Reply |   ]

http://www.greenmountaindaily....

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by: Sue Prent @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 14:16:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

continued (0.00 / 0)

This isn't a discussion about Matt as an individual (or candidate) it is a discussion about those of us who supported Matt and who have been shut out by the process as it has gone forward. I have yet to see a direct response to that question.

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by: Jill M @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 14:28:13 PM UTC

Well, I have no answer for that. (0.00 / 0)

I'm not even a party member, so the communication I have received has only been directly from the Racine campaign, for whom I was a volunteer.  Perhaps someone from the Democratic Party could chime in here.

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by: Sue Prent @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 15:01:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In what way have you been "shut out of the process?" (0.00 / 0)

I get that you haven't had a strong voice in the exact decision about what happens next, but I don't see how many of us have.  Have you tried to volunteer to help the party in any fashion?  Were you turned away?  Were you told not to bother?

I feel as though I am missing something in what you're saying here.

Musician, Web Designer, Photographer

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by: JulieWaters @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 15:09:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

continued (0.00 / 0)

This is not only about me, but here goes.  Those not already on the three candidates' email lists did not receive the joint emailed message so anything those Matt supporters heard they read second hand in the papers or on GMD.  I happened to be on all three (which, to someone on a losing campaign glaring ommitted Matt's name) so I got three.  I responded to the two where I knew the campaign mamager-- one did not answer.  One told me that the emails were for supporters to give them an update on where things were. I am on the state committee so I have been in touch with them but they are not the lead on this. As someone who has been deeply involved in political campaigns, sometimes as staff more often as active volunteer, for over 40 years, I know that when primary campaigns are over it is very important for the winning campaign to actively recruit or at least reach out to the volunteers on the losing campign quickly to be most effective. So, did I call up and say when can I start? no.  Did I reach out? yes.

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by: Jill M @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 15:35:27 PM UTC

It sounds to me like your complaint (4.00 / 1)

is with the Dunne campaign for not forwarding the note to his supporters.  

I'm willing to let this one go, given Matt's situation.  Most Dunne supporters I know are very happy to see the unity of the top three and understand that now that he's out of the race, Matt's personal situation gives him a bit of a pass for the moment.

This is a fairly complicated situation, given the circumstances and each candidate is primarily responsible to his or her own supporters at this particular moment.  It's very important that the final nominee reach out to supporters of the other campaigns, but they need help from those campaigns to do so.  They can't just magically send things to the mailing lists of the other candidates.  It really seems to me as though you're looking for something that isn't realistic here.  If you're on the state committee, why aren't you pushing them to get more directly involved?  You've got a lot more power in this situation than most people I know and you seem to be using that power to complain about things that you are in a better position to change than most of us.

Musician, Web Designer, Photographer

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by: JulieWaters @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 17:15:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

continued (0.00 / 0)

You and I have dramatically different views of what the most effective way to handle this should be in order to recruit the best volunteer organization going forward.

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by: Jill M @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 17:36:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

dream on (0.00 / 0)

Being on the state committee doesn't mean anything because the state committee doesn't have money and the state committee doesn't have control of the primary process (as it does in New York, for example). Therefore both officeholders and candidates pay it lip service.

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by: FXF @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 18:43:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I might be in the minority (4.00 / 1)

But I don't tend to worry about who "reached out" to me or not.  (But maybe that's just because I don't expect them to.)  In any case, as a former Dunne supporter, I don't feel like Shumlin or anyone else "owes" me anything.

As someone who now supports Shumlin, though, he does owe me as good a campaign as possible.  I get that you're making a strategic point about his not losing Matt's volunteer base for the tough fight ahead.  That is important.  But let's get past the recount before we decide that anybody's getting ignored; for now, attention is on those who were within the crucial 2%.  There's a logic to that.

In the meantime I'm keeping an open mind, and I don't doubt that Matt will rally his troops with Peter when the time comes.

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by: Tim Wolfe @ Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 20:11:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There seems to be some confusion... (4.00 / 2)

...as to what usually happens (in Vermont, at least) after a primary.  Usually, there is a winner; the winner says s/he hopes the other primary candidates' supporters will come on board; if the other candidate(s) are interested in unifying the party, they will endorse the winner.  Further coordination and bringing in the "boots" everyone is so fond of talking about is up to the candidate's campaign staff and has, in my memory, been fairly hit or miss.  The VDP, as people have pointed out, is a pretty useless entity.

The current situation is quite different:  there IS a recount, and the forward focus -- temporarily -- is on the 3 who are in the recount request margin, as only one of them will be the nominee. It's hard enough to focus 3 people, much less 5, into 1 strong message and it makes sense to keep that focus sharp until the recount is over and,almost certainly, confirms Shumlin as the nominee.

At that point, the usual -- as above -- will probably go into effect.  When you have campaigned long and hard for someone you very much wanted to have win, it can be easy to feel let down by the usual tumble of Vermont campaigning. Truly, though, I can't seen any evidence for people being left out or dissed or ignored. The "acknowledgment" hard-working volunteers desire is usually considered to be their candidate's vote total. This isn't disrespect -- it's the basic reality of political hardball. Historically, it has been assumed that anyone who wants to campaign for a party's nominee will go volunteer with that campaign. Since the chances that the recount will change the results are incredibly small, there is nothing stopping anyone from signing up with Shumlin's campaign right this minute and getting ready to rumble.

Reaching out, or inviting, or coaxing, or whatever is a useful strategy that winning campaigns will probably use more systematically in the future. It's a lot easier to do now than it used to be. This primary has shown us ways we can improve organization and coordination, but some of these ideas and methods are new to the usual mix and not fully integrated yet. I think it's unfortunate to develop hurt feelings where no slight was intended. Far better use the energy to improve the process and soundly defeat Dubie while doing it.

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by: MadamPince @ Wed Sep 01, 2010 at 13:25:11 PM UTC

I second (0.00 / 0)

everything here.  Extremely well put.

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by: Tim Wolfe @ Wed Sep 01, 2010 at 17:43:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]