It’s on!
The same day Doug Racine received coverage in the Free Press regarding his appearance before the Progressive State Committee looking for support in his bid for Governor, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz fires a shot right at Racine, indicating that this primary election, much as many would like to see otherwise, will likely include Dems running straight at each other (emphasis added).
Dear xxx,
Thank you for your service to our Party, and thank you for taking the time to talk to me as I begin to organize a campaign for Governor…
…One of the issues I hear every day, especially from our fellow Democrats, is they are looking for a candidate who will not repeat the mistakes of the past and who has a real shot at winning. I couldn’t agree more. I would not have formed a committee, and begun organizing if I wasn’t confident I could run a campaign capable of defeating any other candidate in the race…
…This is also the time when we start to hear a lot of talk about what the Progressive Party will do. I think we learned in 2008 that the Progressive party will make its own decisions about whether or not to run a candidate for governor – that is not something we can control. Our focus has to be on building the strongest, most energetic and idea-oriented campaign possible…
…My leadership style is to welcome everyone to the table to help be a part of the solution – Democrats – Progressives – Independents. Even open minded Republicans.
Racine boosters have been complaining to me that Markowitz has been talking down Racine off the record. Pumping up the “he had his chance” and “he’s unelectable” rumblings. I wasn’t sure how much of that was simply boiler plate election grumbling, but from this letter, it seems clear that this will be part of her strategy from the get-go, as opposed to simply working through a campaign construction phase pretending she has no opponents in September ’10. I mean, one would have to be completely out of it not to see who she is referring to here, especially given the timing. There are no coincidences in politics.
The earliness of this pointed shot by one of the candidates at a rival really surprises me every bit as much as Racine’s appearance before the Prog state committee did. I’ve been in and around Democratic Party politics in this state for some time, and it’s clear we are in uncharted territory at this early date in the cycle.
Looking at this email, as well as the calendar, it’s hard not to think that this is gonna get ugly. Complete letter follows below the fold.
Dear xxx,
Thank you for your service to our Party, and thank you for taking the time to talk to me as I begin to organize a campaign for Governor. I have found these conversations very helpful and would like to continue that dialogue with you and other members of our Party. To that end, this is the first of my monthly emails to State Committee members. My goal is to address the issues and ideas that come up in my campaign and to welcome any feedback or advice you may have. As the new campaign cycle begins to unfold, and we begin to choose our Party’s candidates for elected office, I think these sorts of communication will be important to all of us.
As you know, both through my office and other activities, I speak with hundreds of Vermonters from around the state every month. Based on these conversations I believe we have a real opportunity in 2010. Vermonters from across the political spectrum are voicing serious concern over the direction of our state government – particularly the leadership of the current Governor. They know our state can do better, and they are eager to hear fresh approaches and new ideas to address the common issues we face.
One of the issues I hear every day, especially from our fellow Democrats, is they are looking for a candidate who will not repeat the mistakes of the past and who has a real shot at winning. I couldn’t agree more. I would not have formed a committee, and begun organizing if I wasn’t confident I could run a campaign capable of defeating any other candidate in the race.
For that reason, in the weeks and months ahead, I am focused on giving Vermonters a clear sense of my vision for our state – and on building a campaign that can withstand whatever comes my way. There may be a Democratic Primary. I welcome that as a sign of the strength of our party and our commitment to electing a new Governor.
As we’ve learned from past campaigns, an early start is essential, as is early fundraising. The current Governor has a long record and deep pockets; I don’t intend to let either go unchallenged.
This is also the time when we start to hear a lot of talk about what the Progressive Party will do. I think we learned in 2008 that the Progressive party will make its own decisions about whether or not to run a candidate for governor – that is not something we can control. Our focus has to be on building the strongest, most energetic and idea-oriented campaign possible.
That being said, what we learned in 2009 is that working together the Democrats and Progressives can make history. Think about it: Marriage Equality would not have passed without the Democrats and Progressives coming together. If there is a chance to over-ride a potential budget veto by the Governor and spare Vermonters further devastating cuts, it will come because Progressives and Democrats work together. And it is my sincere hope that this summer, and into next year, we can work together to make more historic, progressive changes in Vermont government.
Like the rest of the country, Vermont is facing some real challenges – and unless we are all willing to come together we will not be able to move forward. My leadership style is to welcome everyone to the table to help be a part of the solution – Democrats – Progressives – Independents. Even open minded Republicans. I am hoping that this approach will strengthen the campaign, and of course – it is a necessary approach for leading the state. It is going to take all of us working together to get Vermont back on track.
I know these are issues that many of you feel strongly about, and I look forward to continuing the discussion in the coming weeks and months.
You can contact me at debmarkowitz@gmail.com. Please feel free to contact my staff anytime as well, Jason’s cell phone number is 802-399-7298 (email jason@debforvermont.com). Finally, I hope you’ll also take time to visit my website at www.debforvermont.com.
Look forward to seeing you soon,
Deb
For the most part they are only interested in holding on. Until we see the backside of Douglas “working together” is pretty much a myth. If the Democrats start another one of their street-fights amongst themselves, the Progressives can be forgiven for ignoring their overtures toward coalition…and that will put it in the bag for Douglas. He counts on this every time to keep them off his back (and on each others’) until the final hour; and they deliver.
As a small local group of environmental activists, we in the NWCRG, tried to get some focus on the Governor’s sins last year. We approached both Symington and Pollina with our complaint that the Governor, who appointed both the Act 250 Commissioners and the judges who ultimately review their decisions on Appeal, had the temerity to appear onstage in St. Albans at a pro-Walmart rally that boldy pressured Hudak Farms and the NWCRG to drop their appeals of the Act 250 permit. Neither candidate wanted to touch this conflict of interests. Instead of forcing the governor to defend himself over this and his reinterpretation of the governor’s ethics policy to enable conflicts of interest, the spotlight was turned onto Gaye Symington’s tax return. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I hope Shumlin will make his intentions clear in the near future, so we will know the complete (?) Democratic field. There’s no hope that this will be tidy.
So far, what I have seen from the Markowitz campaign is a lot of talk about working together and “issues” and “vision”…but she does not list one. I know that Democrats that I talk with as well as Progressives are still waiting to see what she actually means by those terms with no definition.
Easy to talk in generalities.
As far as Progressives, she continues to feed the fire. Not exactly coalition building material. We have looked at the candidates and their issues in the past and will do it again. It is about far more than a party label…it is actually taking strong stands on the important issues and making convincing arguments; Healthcare, workers rights, housing, environment, Entergy Nuclear, agriculture, progressive taxation, you name it. The people I know want leadership on these and many other key issues.
Here at the primary start,and meaning this as admonishment to no specific candidate let us review some useful ground rules for a state Democratic Primary .
Foremost ,while running in the primary please refrain from hitting below the belt, holding, tripping, pushing, biting, spitting or wrestling. Candidates are also prohibited from kicking, head-butting, or hitting with any part of the arm other than the knuckles of a closed fist (including hitting with the elbow, shoulder or forearm, as well as with open gloves, the wrist, the inside, back or side of the hand). They are prohibited as well from hitting the back, back of the neck or head (called a “rabbit-punch”) or the kidneys. They are prohibited from holding the ropes for support when punching, holding an opponent while punching, or ducking below the belt of their opponent (dropping below the waist of your opponent, no matter the distance between).
Special prohibitions if in a “clinch” – a defensive move in which a candidate wraps his or her opponents arms and holds on to create a pause – is broken by the referee, each candidate must take a full step back before punching again (alternatively, the referee may direct the fighters to “punch out” of the clinch). When a candidate is knocked down, the other boxer must immediately cease campaigning and move to the nearest neutral corner of the ring until the voters have either ruled a knockout or called for the race to continue.
With all this under consideration good luck and many thanks for running.It is a marked improvement over last year .
Seems to live with an assumption that somehow she is the chosen one. Her sense of entitlement is laughable. Get over yourself already. Your record is just not that impressive and, from what I hear, your personality is often an acquired taste.
It should be no shocker that DiamonDeb is coming out with all guns ablaze since she seems to be a take no prisioner campaigner.
It also should be no shocker that the very same style has built up a little baggage for her in progressive and other Dem circles. She has been a “thanks for your input, let’s do it my way” type person in her current office.
Doug may have been up on the block before and not come away with the prize, but in reality, that just makes him the tested candidate. His broad experience and general appeal to a lot of sectors of the electorate are a plus for Vermont, and I don’t know how Deb will contrast her sitting by in quiet mode for all these years, in the same safe chair, if she was that much in disagreement with JustsayNO Jim….
Racine is the front runner out the door in a lot of areas, and I think Deb knows she has some catch up to do, especially after the stain of buying the election with out of state cash was made public….. that didn’t work for Skip Vallee in the Chittenden Senate race…why should Deb be any different???
My own preference is for a Democrat who can work with Progressives and moderates to forge a reasonable governing coalition. I could probably live with some Progs. As a member of the Democratic party, I would object strongly to having our choice of candidate dictated solely by whether the Progressive party will run someone against them, but, gee, I’ve learned to get over a lot in my life.
All of this could be completely moot however. If the Prog and Dem candidates would simply focus their fire on Mr. Irrelevant, denying him a majority, the legislature can then simply vote in the top liberal vote getter. The new legislature has the guts to do it.
If you like Jim you will love Deb.