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What's going on in Burlington?

by: Jack McCullough

Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 07:52:34 AM EDT

When I moved to Vermont in the 1980's and started paying attention to state and Burlington politics I developed the view that in Burlington the Democratic Party had pretty much become the tool of the Republicans, and that the only idea they hated worse than losing power for themselves was having the Progs get it (they were called the Progressive Coalition, a/k/a the Sanderistas, back then). It seemed to me at the time that in fighting their rearguard action against the insurgency they made common cause with the R's more often than not.

Fast forward twenty-four years. The old days are gone, the D's have elected some genuine left-wingers to the State House (such as my old friend and fellow Winooski 44 defense counsel Sandy Baird), and Progressive Pete ran for Gov. as a Democrat.

So what's going on here? If the D's and P's had stuck together they could have elected a P City Council President, but no, one Democratic Councilor crossed over, and together with all the R's, ensured the election of Republican Councilor and State Rep Kurt Wright as City Council President.

I don't have anything against Kurt Wright, but I can't help be struck by the contrast. In Montpelier our newly appointed representative Jon Anderson is roundly excoriated by local Democrats by crossing over and siding with the Republicans in his first important vote, while in Burlington there hasn't been much outcry at the prospect of the Democrats failing to hold together to support someone who should be their political and ideological ally.

So I ask you: WTF?

Jack McCullough :: What's going on in Burlington?

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What's going on in Burlington? | 7 comments

Republocrat syndrome (0.00 / 0)

The problem is after years of having a two party system Vermonters have smartened up and realized they're politicians are all republocrats not acting in the public interest anyways. That's why the emergence of third parties has been successful.

Actually Jack, the history you'd be most interested in is before you got to Burlington in the 1980's. It was like the late 60's or early 70's when the Democrats wrestled control from the Republicans. Then the democrats slept while the Sanderistas campaigned.

Burlington has been a pretty political place for the last half century. My answer to what's going on in Burlington? Nothing New.

If only we could have the music scene back from the mid-1990's in Burlington, the place was hot, but then went cold after Club Toast shut down and bands moved.

See The Complete Catalog Of Everything I Have To Say At www.rednalsiofvermont.blogspot.com

by: Rednalsi @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 08:22:34 AM CDT

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All but one (0.00 / 0)

I think that it was actually four Ds and one independent that voted with the Rs.

by: daybell @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:51:45 AM CDT

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Hello??? (0.00 / 0)

Maybe the Burlington Dems aren't the crazy leftist loons you seem to be here in Montpelier. I mean Republicans and Democrats CAN work together.

The venom some of you folks spouted off recently attacking a member of YOUR OWN PARTY here made me sick. So much for being the big tent party.

I'm hearing that some of the local Dems are starting to get turned off on this site and the hate that is begining to spew here.

by: Pizzaman @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 14:37:06 PM CDT

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Right on, Jack (0.00 / 0)

The Dems in Burlington have become so blinded by rage against anything with a capital "P" in it that they'd rather side with an extremist Republican than a moderate Prog.

Take, for example, how Dems like Ed Adrian picked Kurt Wright because of his experience. However, Tim Ashe has more City Council experience than Wright.

This is John Tracyism at its finest. The guy lays awake nights dreaming of a day with no Progs. Likewise with the 4 Dems voting for Wright. They probably went home proud of their vote because at least a Prog did not become Council president.

The next Council elections cannot come soon enough.

by: GiveTexasBack @ Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 21:56:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Re: However, Tim Ashe has more City Council experience than Wright. (0.00 / 0)

Are you sure this is true? Wright was first elected in 1995 to the Burlington City Council. He served two terms before coming back to the board two years ago.

by: Pizzaman @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 15:52:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Pussy Democrats GO HOME and watch some John Wayne movies (3.00 / 1)

Democrats really worry me when they are not representing the average Vermonter and are representing the rich average moderate Republican.

They don't fight back - and their policies therefore are perceived as "losers". The John Wayne Republicans always inevitably come out of their caves, torches fully lit for a good show for all of the press. Certainly CAX will camp out on the City Council awaiting the out of order Robert's rules show!

I want to see someboday, anybody? in the Democratic Party showing some "ass kicking qualities" soon, maybe that is Shumlin, let the CAX'ers go geee that's over the top, Well god damn it! look around you things are over the top. Dead Vermonters for oil or whatever the latest grab bag BS they are saying now.

Look at these defending lying war loving group of Republican's and thier lap dog wagging tail press. Listening to protecting Bush from being called a liar this morning.

Look at the CO2 not to mention, mercuy related toxic emmissions flying out of those 1000 foot smokestacks in the Ohio Valley, blowing into Vermont every time we have previaling southwest winds.

Where in the hell is the Democrats who are are the John Wayne types? That WAS one of the qualities that made Dean good and interesting- it's that he would NOT take any shit from these cretons!

by: RHfactor @ Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 12:13:17 PM CDT

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Good for the Dems (0.00 / 0)

The civic balance between the mayor and the council is better served this way. The people of Burlington are fine with Kurt Wright as city council president. Trust me. I'm a liberal, a former P city councilor, and a lifelong Burlingtonian. Try to relax folks. This is not a big deal.

by: Haik Bedrosian @ Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 00:27:23 AM CDT

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What's going on in Burlington? | 7 comments