Douglas loves his polls. He always spends scads of money on polling, and according to his campaign finance filing, he’s already done 3 this year for a total of $23,000. And the timing may suggest that he may not be as confident as he seems. Consider:

From April 8:

Lawmakers voted Tuesday morning to override Gov. James Douglas’ veto of the bill, with a narrow victory in the Vermont House paving the way for the state to become the first to allow same-sex marriage without a court order.

2 1/2 weeks later, $10,000 for a poll.

From June 2:

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – State lawmakers are headed back to work now that Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas has followed through on his promise to veto the 2010 state budget.

A week and a half later, 8 grand for a poll.

Clearly, part of the strategy for beating Douglas should be to force him to take controversial actions whenever possible, as he seems to be compelled to dash off to the pollsters at thousands of dollars a pop to check his numbers everytime he sticks his neck out there. heh.

This has nothing to do with GMD, politics, etc., but I’m performing Friday (7/19) in Saxton’s River, VT, at Pleasant Valley Brewing Company from 8-10.  Here’s an example of what I do:

Great news! The Republicans have come up with a strategy to attract Hispanic voters: pepper their commentary on Judge Sotomayor's confirmation with wacky, Desi Arnaz-flavored ethnic slurs.

That's right, Sen. Coburn decided to share his wisdom about what would happen in the unlikely event that Judge Sotomayor would get hold of a gun and shoot him. It's his considered legal opinion that if that were to happen, she would have “a lot of 'splainin' to do.”

Read the rest here.

A quick trip by the SoS office after work, and I’ve got my reading for the evening. Clearly, there’ll be a need to dig in with a fine toothed comb (as will the many other media types – legacy and new – who were on hand), but I know folks are hoping to get some of the basics ASAP, so here we go.

Markowitz is reporting a total of $190,736.83. With $5745 of that as in-kind contributions, and reported expenditures of $56,356.31 listed, that leaves a cash on hand amount of $128,635.52. Her amounts include a rollover from her Secretary of State campaign account of $17,175.83.

Racine is reporting a total of $102,415.69. With $2663.24 of that in-kind, and expenditures of $19,553.35, that leaves a cash on hand amount of $80,199.10. $844.45 was rolled over from his Senate account.

This means that, in terms of money in hand, Markowitz exceeds Racine by a surprisingly low (relative to expectations) $48,436.42. Good news for Racine, and it means this race is already more competitive than expected.

On the other hand, Racine’s (under $100) contributions come from 314 givers, while Markowitz reports 742. At this point, its the game of lists that in the long run is more important than early cash on hand in a competitive race (which this clearly is). Those contributors can be returned to later, as Markowitz has more names, with a lower average contribution amount, meaning they overall have more to give than Racine’s contributors do at this point. The difference is meaningful.

As far as Douglas goes, he is reporting a bottom line of $104,565.68 – $91,203 of which comes from this reporting period. That’s right – both Markowitz and Racine outraised him in this reporting period. He also reports a whopping $55,675.24 in expenditures, and with no in-kind contributions, that leaves him with $48,890.44 – far less than either Racine or Markowitz.

That’s huge, and marks a sea change that could swamp Douglas. The good news for him is that he’s reporting a whopping 840 small dollar contributors, so that bottom line cash number will grow – but it’s still not good news for the Republican Governor, as far as the inevitability narrative – which has been his most powerful campaign weapon – goes.

Susan Bartlett did not report any fundraising (although there is a $12,009.65 Senate campaign carryover listed, as well as $300 to open an account for an eventual gubernatorial campaign).

As far as Lieutenant Governor goes, nobody filed for that office per se. Flanagan filed for his Senate campaign (and funds can be rolled over from one to the other), but I seem to have already lost my copy on the walk home. If it pops up again, I’ll write up the details.

More interesting is the lack of a filing by House Majority Leader Floyd Nease, who has been openly discussing his interest in the Lite Gov office – even making moves towards formalizing a campaign. Word on the street is that Nease, while not closing the door on a run, is reconsidering in light of competing personal responsibilities and may now be leaning towards staying where he is. While anything can still happen, moving strongly one direction, then leaning back the other way during such an already-lively jockeying for position phase makes it far more likely that he won’t run, given the laws of electoral momentum and inertia.

Anyway, lots to read. I also got my new comics in today, so I’m terrifically conflicted as to what to pick up next. Sure, I wanna know what names of note are supporting which candidate… but on the other hand, Captain America is coming back from the dead this month. Decisions, decisions…

Back in April, the Vermont Agency of Transportation put out the word that $3.8 million in federal economic stimulus money was available for “Non-Class 1” roadway paving. Local municipalities were encouraged to apply for a piece of that pie to support local paving projects that met the federal criteria. As vtrans indicated, “only roads designated as “Rural Major Collectors” or any other Class 2 or Class 3 roadway that qualifies as a Federal-aid Highway are eligible. Vermont contains about 1,000 miles of local roads that meet the ARRA criteria, and we encourage communities that possess these roadways to consider applying.”

Well, the Agency of Transportation is just getting out notification to the 29 towns that submitted such applications but were not selected for funding by VTrans. Curiously, of those 29 rejected, 22 are represented in the legislature by Democrats.

No doubt that’s just a coincidence.

Yesterday, Deb Markowitz made her first foray into the scary world of the netroots, leapfrogging the statewide scene and instead heading straight for the mothership. From Daily Kos:

Hi DailyKos!

I wanted to post a diary here to introduce myself and to announce the spectacular results of our first filing deadline.  The outpouring of support so far has been tremendous, and I look forward to defeating Jim Douglas and putting a Democrat back in the Governor’s office.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions.

My email is debmarkowitz@gmail.com.  I’ve copied my campaign’s first press release after the jump.

Thanks!

Deb Markowitz

She only received a handful of comments, as its hard to get attention for Vermont races in that arena – apparently even if you’re a candidate. Still, she probably raised a few dollars out of it. Of course, probably not nearly the $23,000 in pledges for the eventual nominee that have been generated through the local netroots (on the way to $100,000). But hey, at least she’s out there.

Rest of post (consisting of her press release) follows:

Over One Thousand Individuals Contribute to Markowitz Campaign for Governor – Total exceeds $190,000

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz’s campaign for Governor announced today that more than 1,000 individuals contributed to the campaign since she formed an official campaign committee just a few months ago. The contributions show a broad and deep support from ordinary Vermonters. The total raised was over $190,000.

Commenting on the historic number of early contributors, Secretary Markowitz said “I am thrilled by the overwhelming support our campaign has received from across the state. These past few months, I’ve spoken with thousands of Vermonters in every county from Bennington and Windham, to Essex, to Franklin and Grand Isle. It is clear that there is a desire for real leadership and new energy, and an end to confrontational politics in Montpelier”

Support for Markowitz’s gubernatorial bid has come from every county and from all corners of Vermont, and from supporters from all walks of life. From retired Vermonters, to former Governors and small business owners, including Guilford Select Board member Anne Rider, small businessman Tim Briglin, and Howard Mitchell, a retired Vermonter from East Fairfield – and more than a thousand others like them.

Said Secretary Markowitz., “While we are still in the beginning of our campaign, this early success is a demonstration of a true movement for real change and new leadership for Vermont as we build a strong economy, improve our public education, keep our small towns and rural areas vital, and protect our beautiful state”

Organization Facts

• 90% of all contributors from Vermont

• 90% of all contributions from Vermont

• 1,050 individuals have contributed

• 449 public supporters from every county in Vermont

• 1,166 email sign-ups

• Average contribution of $168

http://www.debforvermont.com

A recent article by the generally exceptional Susan Smallheer at the Rutland Herald on the license extension process for Vermont Yankee fails to mention the role that the Vermont Legislature has granted itself in the question around whether the aging Vermont Yankee reactor will be allowed to operate beyond it’s scheduled shut-down.

While our recklessly pro-nuke Federal Government has the exclusive right to decide on license extension, the Vermont Legislature will have the final say on whether Vermont Yankee is a reliable enough value to be allowed to continue operating past 2012.

This is a plant that has recently suffered 3 radioactive leaks, an unplanned power reduction due to a known and unaddressed maintenance issue, and increased fenceline radiation. One of the oldest nuclear plants in the country it once (prior to the most recent round of issues) prompted Gov. Douglas, in a candid moment, to wonder aloud about the likelihood that “Homer Simpson is running the place.”

Still, the debate remains contentious, Entergy has yet to offer a Power Purchase Agreement to Vermont Utilities and many legislators feel that short-term electricity rates may be more important to Vermonters then the property tax relief, jobs, and environmental security that could come with the renewable energy development that is poised to replace Vermont Yankee.

In the end, this momentous decision on the future of Vermont Yankee, and, by extension, our opportunity to start producing our own, distributed, local energy will be made democratically by Vermont’s General Assembly.

Do you know where your Vermont State legislators stand on Vermont Yankee?

Our governor, who never misses an opportunity to defend Entergy, will not have any direct-role in this debate which will likely be decided in 2010.

This will be a moment where the Dem-controlled legislature will either:

A) Show an ability to stand up to powerful interests and for a visionary, proactive agenda to encourage the growth of a clean, decentralized, energy industry and portfolio for the future of Vermont.

OR

B) A willingness to negotiate with a corporate entity that has again and again shown utter disrespect for Vermont and it’s people. And, simultaneously hand Republicans’ a victory in an election year.

Many legislators, including some very dependably responsive and honorable public servants continue to be uncommitted one way or the other on whether VY should be granted permission to continue.

Despite Vermonters in communities across the state declaring their disgust with Entergy and their shoddy record… and despite continuing, disturbing, and increasingly frequent issues at the archaically designed facility many of our ‘leaders’ continue to stand on the fence.

Do you know precisely where your Legislators stands on Vermont Yankee?

Through a set of circumstances too twisted for this post, I came across the following blog post recently on a “whites only” social networking site, www.newsaxon.org:

In the speech delivered to the San Juan chapter of NOW, Sotomayor said, “I want to be perfectly clear about this next comment so that there is no mistaking my words to mean something other than what they plainly say: the time has come to end white male oppression by castrating every white male until they are no longer dominant in Western culture. That means forcible removal of their testicles. I realize the brutality of my comment, and I don’t know how to say it more clearly.”

And the comment to that post:

Still think white folks don’t need band together?

Well, imagine my surprise to the news that Judge Sotomayor could have said something like that and it hadn’t been reported in the MSM.  Two seconds of googling, of course, show that the “quote” is from a pretend-news site similar to The Onion – www.carbolicsmokeball.com

Full post is here:

http://carbolicsmoke.com/2009/…

So now I’m thinking that this gem will also end up in the forwarded emails we all get–the ones that originate with a moronic third cousin twice removed but end up forwarded by someone closer, someone who we wish would have been a bit more skeptical before passing it along.

But there it is, and at least one Faux News watcher on the same distribution list as you will likely think the story and the quote are true.  

Fresh news from Dan Barlow from the Vermont Press Bureau, offered without comment. Because what more need be said?

Vermont officials asked state regulators Tuesday to revoke FairPoint Communication’s authority to operate, saying they have lost faith in the company’s ability to do its job.

The Vermont Public Service Department asked state regulators to investigate the troubled telecommunications company, specifically why its certificate of public good – essentially its authority to operate in the state – should not be taken away.

( – promoted by odum)

Today’s Burlington Free Press, front pager entitled “Vermont Looks to Save $30M,” about the search for places to cut state spending. Nice example of creative thinking at work:

Lunderville told the committee the Douglas administration has its own plan for finding efficiencies. Starting this week, 10 “Tiger Teams” from throughout state government and including outside volunteers will search for savings, he said.

Okay, first of all, “Tiger Teams”? Hasn’t Dilbert been making fun of Tiger Teams for about ten years now? What’s next, Six Sigma? Will every state worker get a free copy of Who Moved My Cheese?  

Second, if this is such a great strategic move, why not do it earlier? How long, exactly, has Jim Douglas been Governor? And he’s only now thinking of this?

Third, “outside volunteers” would scare me if I were a state worker. Some PHB-type (Dilbert reference again) from the private sector, maybe a Republican operative, is coming to my office to stand over my shoulder and judge my work process? Great.  

When push comes to shove, however, I expect that this will turn out to be another lame and impact-free PR tactic. If you can’t give ’em results, at least make it seem like you’re trying.