There are plenty of distortions and inaccuracies finding their way into the public forum these days, so it is doubly important that our sterling roster of Democratic gubernatorial candidates remain scrupulous about their facts. If not, there may be hell to pay. This week, when the Shumlin campaign made certain questionable assertions of primacy in the area of single-payor healthcare advocacy, Matt Dunne's campaign responded by crying "foul:"
In a mailing sent out to Vermonters this week, Shumlin writes," "I am the only candidate in this race who has sponsored a single payer health care bill..."
Similarly, in a response to questions from the Burlington Free Press on Vermont's social safety net, Shumlin writes "I am the only candidate who sponsored a single-payer health care bill."
However, in the 1993-1994 Legislative Session, House Bill 0763 titled, "Vermont Health Security Plan/Single-Payer Health Plan" was co-sponsored by several House Members including Matt Dunne. In fact, Dunne has had a long history supporting single payer health care legislation and his current health-care plan is based on a single payer system.
The Dunne campaign is asking the Shumlin campaign for a public apology. It is also demanding that a Dunne-approved correction from Shumlin be sent (at Shumlin's expense) to all the voters who received the original mailer that contained the erroneous statement.
(Here is the latest from candidate for governor, Matt Dunne: - promoted by GMD)
Anyone who says the economy is doing fine in Vermont isn’t talking to the same Vermonters I am.
Since 2003, the number of new businesses in Vermont has dropped every single year. Jobs are being lost in all sectors and in all parts of the state and there has been no leadership shown in Montpelier to turn our economy around.
Nobody knows the challenges of operating a company in Vermont better than today’s business leaders. They are on the front-lines trying to convince Vermont students graduating from our state colleges and universities to stay and work in Vermont. They are working to attract new investments to grow their companies and have dealt with the unresponsive and non-transparent bureaucracy in Montpelier. It is these entrepreneurs and executives who know what kind of leadership is necessary in Vermont and what types of changes need to be enacted to make business more successful here.
Earlier this week, we entered an exciting new phase of our campaign by releasing the names of 26 business leaders who are endorsing the campaign. As the only candidate to have worked in multiple companies in Vermont, I was honored to have support from so many of my peers.
Will Raap, Chairman of The Earth Partners and Founder of Gardener's Supply and Mike Lane, Chief Operating Officer of Dealer.com joined me at an event in Winooski to announce these endorsements. As business leaders, they recognize that this next election will determine where we go as a state, not just for the next year or two, but for the next several decades. The next Governor must not only understand our challenges, but actually have the experience to deliver on the promise of a better economy.
Will and Mike joined 24 others in endorsing the campaign, including:
Please note: this diary represents my own personal opinion and should not be construed to represent, in any way, a consensus opinion by GMD.
Someone asked last week when the GMD admins were going to come right out and say who we each are supporting for Governor. It's a fair question. I've had a "Doug Racine" bumper sticker on my car for a couple of months, so I guess this is as good a time as any to offer my opinion (for what it's worth.)
First of all, I am not a Democrat. I tack a little too much to the left to be entirely comfortable in the Democratic corral. That being said, even if a qualified Progressive had entered the race, I would still be supporting Doug because I think he is the right person for the job. I have to say that my "short list" includes Matt Dunne, and it is my fondest wish that he will run for Lieutenant Governor. I'm not going to denigrate the other Democratic candidates, any one of which would make a significantly better Governor than Brian Dubie.
I first met Doug when he was serving on the board of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. He struck me immediately as a sincere and engaged individual with a genuine commitment to Vermont's environment. That he was a business owner/operator, making time to serve on the board of such an organization impressed me further.
When Doug made a preliminary visit this year to St. Albans, on January 24, I still intended to keep an open mind and assess all of the candidates before committing to the Racine campaign. Doug spent quite a while visiting with all of the individuals who gathered at Cosmic Bakery to hear him speak that day. In his general remarks and one-on-one conversations, he was relaxed and informal, putting everyone at ease. He spoke passionately about many issues, but especially about education and healthcare, which I believe remain high on his list of priorities.
I am confident that Matt Dunne shares the high-ground with Doug with regard to all of the issues that are important to me. I was also very impressed with Matt on my first encounter with him when he visited Hudak Farm in St. Albans. Matt has made the imperative to finally bring broadband to every corner of the state his signature issue, and promises to reinvigorate Vermont's economic future through technological dexterity. He brings very impressive business credentials to the table in support of this claim and I do not doubt his ability to effectively make the case for his priorities.
Doug also recognizes the importance of finally getting Vermont's IT capabilities up to 21st Century standards; and Matt is committed to education, socially responsible service solutions, and universal healthcare, just as Doug is. One key difference is in the strategy for moving Vermont toward universal coverage. Like me, Matt firmly believes that a "single payor" system should be the choice to provide that universal coverage. Doug has successfully introduced legislation to begin our advance toward universal coverage with a comparative study of three different healthcare systems, including but not limited to a single-payor model.
Why then, you might wonder, have I chosen Doug over Matt? The answer boils down to personal style, and who I think has the best overall potential for effectively competing in this election and then delivering on an overall Vermont-friendly and socially responsible agenda as Governor.
(In keeping with our policy to promote first-hand diaries by candidates for statewide office to the front page, here is the latest from Matt Dunne: - promoted by Sue Prent)
On Mother's day, along with celebrating Sarah's amazing parenting, I always take some time to reflect on my mother's contribution to my life. She blazed new trails while mentoring a generation of women.
My mother lived during a transitional time, when barriers were broken, but traditions remained intact. She was the first woman editor of the Michigan Daily newspaper and went on to be one of the first women to go through tenure track and get tenure at Dartmouth.
During that time at Dartmouth, she and the education department she chaired became a resource and sanctuary for the women students who were also finding their way at the most male of the Ivy League schools. To place in context, in late 1970s the winner of the Winter Carnival fraternity song contest was "Our Co-Hogs Will Sleep Alone." This wouldn't have been quite so disturbing had the judge of the contest not been the Dean of Freshmen.
Yes, I will enter the race to be Governor of Vermont in 2010.
We will make an official announcement tomorrow, but since the work of building our state's future will be done by people like you, you are really the most important audience.
Here are the details:
What: Matt Dunne for Governor announcement
When: 10:45 am, Tuesday Nov. 3rd
Where: Tip-Top Cafe, 85 N Main St., White River Junction
Okay, okay... sheesh, I figured everybody'd be all over this poll. Guess it's up to me (for the record, over the last 24 hours, I have finished this post twice only to have the app crash on me and lose all my work... ARRRRG!!)
42 percent said they'd vote to re-elect Jim Douglas.
33 percent said they'd replace him.
25 percent said they were not sure.
Roper & company are trying to be blase about it, but this is a dramatic sea change. At this point in the last two cycles, Douglas's re-elect numbers were in the 60's. What's more ominous for the GOP is the significance of that number, which they no doubt recognize: 42%. It's roughly the mean, historical, hardcore GOP voting block that their statewides can depend on cycle after cycle. That's what he's down to, in terms of firm support.
16% percent of Vermonters say Governor Douglas is doing an excellent job. 38% a good job, with only 5% of people not sure how he's doing.
But when you put these numbers together, you've got a clear picture; the "nice guy" Douglas image is still intact, but moderates and independents are no longer confident that he's the right man for the job. It's probably not helping him that he's been using his so-called "listening tour" to TELL voters (through the media) what's important to them, rather than - y'know - listening. That only widens the perception that he's out-of-touch.
And if you think they're not scared, consider this: The original title of the WCAX web piece on the poll was "Questionable fourth term for Douglas." If you'll notice, it now reads "2008 Governor's Race Starts To Shape Up". The station reportedly responded to a reader's question about the change, saying they had received "internal and external complaints" about the original headline.
Now come on. Do you think if you or I had complaints about the message sent by a news headline that the Douglas communication offi- er, I mean WCAX - would give us the time of day? No freaking way. That was political damage control, pure and simple.
Vermont has overwhelming Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate. 4 of six statewide, constitutional offices are held by Democrats. Democrats (in reality, if not name) control each of Vermont's seats to the national Congress.
But no Democrat has stepped up to the plate to even make meaningful noise about running for Governor. It's an embarassment.
For months, people have been warning that somebody needs to get off the dime on this (even while resentment has been growing at the prospect of an avalanche of A-list Dems who will likely go what they see to be the easy route - stepping up for the office when Douglas eventually steps down voluntarily - instead of stepping up now when their party and their state need them). For months people have been warning that if a Dem doesn't announce, Anthony Pollina (the former Progressive Party candidate for all things statewide who seems to have no interest in doing anything other than starting at the top), would get out in front and label the Dems weak, ineffective, and try to turn the "spoiler" argument on its head. By the end of the summer I've said...
Pollina plans to hold a series of meetings around the state in mid October to gauge support for a gubernatorial bid. If there's strong grassroots support - it's likely that he'll run.
Even the casual observer will notice that Peter Freyne at Seven Days has had little good to say about Speaker Symington and Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin. Hey, we've all had complaints - he's hardly alone in that. But Freyne may be seeing so much red when he looks at those two that he's losing perspective.
First was his reaction to the gay marriage commission, in which he mocked the two Dem leaders mercilessly, but couldn't squeeze out a single comment on the merits of the issue (despite his tireless support for civil unions). The latest is this week's column reporting that Shumlin is pushing Progressive Anthony Pollina to get into the Governor's race. It quotes Progressive Rep Dave Zuckerman as saying that "'He came up to me at an event in Montpelier,' said Zuckerman, 'and said we’ve really got to talk about how we’re going to get rid of Jim Douglas, and I think Anthony Pollina should really consider running.'" The account mentions a follow-up conversation, and Shumlin's desire not to go public during his "calculating."
Well, Sen. Shumlin remembers things a bit differently. From his recollection, it was Zuckerman who brought up Pollina. While Shumlin recalls being complimentary of Pollina (and has since reached out to him to mend long-broken fences), he says he has long maintained (to "anybody who will listen") that Pollina could not take the middle, and would therefore lose such an election.
Who would Shumlin really like to see run? Says Shumlin: "I have told anyone who will listen that the best candidate, in my judgment is Matt Dunne." (and Dunne verified Shumlin's encouragement in an unrelated conversation with me a ways back).
It doesn't make very thrilling copy, or very juicy political theater, but it does make a lot more sense, no?
It's veto-override time, and the Dems have laid out an issue that places them in stark contrast with Jim Douglas. Despite his attempts to control the global warming debate, Douglas has let his snarky side shine through with dismissive and patronizing comments about the topic. Meanwhile the Democratic legislators have been out drawing contrasts on this, as well as on the other veto in play - the campaign finance bill. Check them out here and here for some examples.
Given the events of the week, it would seem to behoove us to consider the names being bandied about as potential replacements for Governor Douglas - all of which would, presumably, take energy and climate issues more seriously. Despite the assumptions of many, most of the Democratic "A-listers" are in no hurry to challenge political juggernaut Douglas. There's no sign that politicos like Peter Shumlin, Gaye Symington, Deb Markowitz or Jeb Spaulding are making any moves. For who is, we consult the rumor mill (and if anyone has heard any other buzz, please chime in in the comments)...
Name
Bill Sorrell
Matt Dunne
Paul Millman
Resume
Attorney General of Vermont since 1997, when he was appointed to fill the spot by Governor Howard Dean (for whom he’d served as Secretary of Administration) after Jeffrey Amestoy became Chief Justice. Sorrell argued for Vermont’s campaign finance law before the Supreme Court and has argued against tobacco companies and auto manufacturers on behalf of Vermonters
Former Majority Whip in the Statehouse, Americorps head and State Senator from Windsor County. Unsuccessfully ran against Lt. Governor Brian Dubie last year and has been promoting his Service Politics Institute since. He is currently doing community outreach work for Google
CEO and co-founder of the employee-owned Chroma Technology in Rockingham, which received the Business Ethics Living Economy Award. VP of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center, and a board member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. He’s a member of the VT Business Roundtable.
Buzz
Baruth has been pushing him as a candidate recently, and Sorrell is clearly allowing his name to be floated
Dunne is a political animal and is widely expected to run for either the top spot or the number two spot again. Freyne has been promoting him as a challenger to Douglas.
Still only a rumor, but a rumor-plus at this point. Millman is well known in Windham County as an entrepreneurial success story.
Pros
The most well-known of the three to Vermonters, having been on multiple statewide ballots, generally winning handily. Has a moderate image that may appeal to swing voters.
A solid campaigner who knows how to run an effective operation. Has been “introduced” to Vermonters on a statewide ballot already. Strong on the stump and popular among the base, having defeated popular former state Rep. John Tracy in the ‘06 Lt. Gov. primary.
A tailor-made resume to hit Jim Douglas on his strengths – particularly among the swing voters. Strong management experience and an engaging success story. Has been widely lauded by people of all political stripes. Personal wealth and connections could narrow Douglas’ fundraising advantage.
Cons
Largely untested in a tough race. Some ambivalence towards him from the Democratic base, outright hostility among some in the left in southern Vermont following his response to the Woody Woodward police shooting incident.
Would be running for the top spot after coming off a loss for the number two spot, would therefore have to convince people he could win against a tougher candidate. Seen by some as too young for the top job.
Although the hubbub places him as politically progressive, he remains largely an unknown on policy issues. Not a familiar name outside of Windham County. Democratic base may be leery.
I'm slowly transcribing the taped interviews I did at last weekend's DemocracyFest, and I was pleased to be able to get Matt Dunne's attention, as he was just doing a flyby between other obligations in order to do a presentation on his Service Politics project.
Dunne, of course, is on top of the "who's-gonna-run" speculation lists for '08 - either in the context of a second try against Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, or possibly even against Governor Jim Douglas.
Matt's a good guy and I always enjoy talking to him. Detractors tend to paint him as overly ambitious, but I think what they're often detecting is the just the same sort of political addiction that many of we bloggers share. The guy is just really into this stuff.
The interview is below the fold. As with the Dean interview down the page, my recorder dropped some audio (which I denote)...
250-1
75-1
in Vermont, I was honored to have support from so many of my peers.
