A few weeks ago, I wrote here about outdoor writer Dennis Jensen's excellent blast of Jim Douglas' photo-op on the opening day of trout season, in which he couldn't even be troubled by baiting his own hook. Now, as I pointed out before, what I like about Jensen among other things, is his willingness to delve into political matters from time to time that go against the orthodoxy of his generally conservative-leaning audience. I was on the lookout for a backlash after that latest article. The only one to be seen came in the form of a letter to the editor from, who else but, Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche, one of the few Douglas admins who haven't jumped ship lately. Laroche, the guy who baited Douglas' hook, offered up a defense of Douglas that illustrates exactly why Douglas continually seems to get a pass from voters: the illusion of doing something, as well as a rather selective airing of the accomplishments.
Part of what I attribute to Douglas' continuing electoral success (aside from his role as “The Great Preventer”, who keeps the non-existent nefarious liberal-Marxist elements at bay) is that on the surface, if you're one who doesn't follow politics closely, he sure seems like a busy guy. Breaking ground at new constructions, cutting ribbons, singing the praises of McDonalds' “nutritious food” the day after appearing at an event to support the importance of buying local food, marching in parades, etc. For some people that really seems to be enough. And Laroche's letter to the editor appeals to that mindset.More below the jump.
Laroche's letter (available here for the next few days here) starts of by calling his baiting of Douglas' hook as “enthusiasm” (apparently Douglas wan't so enthused about it as to get his hands dirty), and then goes on to lay it on us thick with this one:
The Douglas administration, of which I am part, has succeeded at improving hunting and fishing opportunities in Vermont during the past five years. The governor has also been there as a supporter of fish and wildlife at events of all kinds and recognizes that there is more to do to improve and protect these important natural resources.
Laroche, like many modern-day GOP politicos, has a rather selective memory. It was not that long ago that Douglas sabotaged the New England Wilderness Act of 2006, in which our delgation at the time worked very hard to add and protect over 45,000 more acres to protected wilderness. At the very last minute, Douglas wrote to then House Enviro Chair Richard Pombo, one of the most anti-environmental congressman in modern history, to complain that there was not enough public input on the bill (not true). Douglas' last-minute sabotage effectively killed the bill at the time. Laroche himself has been no friend to wilderness, as he was a rather vocal opponent of the Champion lands deal a few years back.
So selective memory, and illusion. The illusion:
This is the first governor in 40 years that has stood on a stream bank and supported fishing. Yes, Dennis, I too will not be surprised, “come the second Saturday of April 2009,” to find Governor Douglas at my side at the water's edge, once again, fishing!
How much you wanna bet that “the second Saturday of April 2009” is the only day Jim Douglas goes fishing next year? I sure “will not be surprised” if that' s the case. Laroche insults our intelligence, he really does, when he expects us to construe a contrived photo-op with the real deal (as Jensen pointed out, “It looks good. It makes him look like he's one of “us.” And looking good, saying the right things and acting “the part” is all that matters, when it comes to getting elected and re-elected.”).It kind of reminds me of when you see Bush visiting a factory where people actually work for a living and there's a picture of him turning the lever on a giant machine or something else that makes it look like for a split second ( the click of a shutter, to be more accurate) he actually can relate to the working men and women of America. I'd rather see him have to eat spam three times a week and not go to the dentist for a tooth abscess for three months because he can't afford it, if I were to believe he has a clue about what working people really have to deal with in this country today.
How many Fish and Wildlife meetings has Douglas attended? Does he even know the difference between a rainbow and a brookie, or a goby and a minnow? What's next, a photo-op on opening day of deer season with Laroche loading Douglas' rifle, as Douglas's rubber-gloved hands take it and fire off a shot or two?
I gripe, but the truth of the matter is that this technique seems to be an effective one for our photo-op governor. For many, “acting” is more important than “being” or “doing”(just look at the gooey con-love for Ronald Reagan and Fred Thompson). And whoever faces down Douglas this year, regardless of the party, needs to drive this point home – Jim Douglas is not “one of us”. Photo-ops, obstructionist, and out-of-touch is what really defines Jim Douglas.
Some time ago, I penned diaries discussing what I considered to be the best strategies for victory (at the time…. that was a while ago) for Gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina, and then-potential candidate Peter Galbraith, who – of course – has since formally deferred to the Speaker of the House's candidacy. Seems only reasonable to do one for Symington as well (with the usual caveats that it only represents one opinion). Since those are long, research-paper style pieces, I'll have to slog through it over the weekend.