Jim Douglas will not run for reelection.
WHY – No one likes to end their political career with a concession speech on a Tuesday evening in November. Particularly after spending almost four decades in public life. Douglas has already spent thousands of the dollars he’d raised for a re-election effort on polling this year, and he obviously did not like what those polls told him.
WHY ANNOUNCE NOW — If he did not, whichever Republican loses to Deb Markowitz or Doug Racine (or possibly another Democrat for that matter) will complain that Jim Douglas did not give the GOP enough time to ramp up a campaign. Now Mr. Douglas has insulated himself from criticism from whichever Republican looses the race next November.
Mr. Douglas had extremely low reelect numbers going into last year’s election. He was reelected because he was effectively unchallenged, not because his leadership – such that it is – had been reaffirmed by voters.
The Symington campaign (3+ / 0-)
Recommended by:
mataliandy, kestrel9000, itzik shpitzikwas the absolute worst campaign I have ever witnessed. It somehow managed to be awful without being in the least bit amusing; that is hard to pull off.
The weak in courage is strong in cunning-William Blake
by beltane on Thu Aug 27, 2009 at 11:54:26 AM EDT
We can’t afford it. There is no excuse for anything less than a decisive victory this time.
Open Thread starts now. Let’s hear it.
Not having an incumbent governor makes Dems the favorites for the open seat race, which we all know is huge given the history of re-electing incumbents.
But I think what’s most interesting is the precarious position this move has placed Lt. Governor Brian Dubie in.
There is very little in the way of leadership at the top of the Vermont Republican party, and now Dubie is the only proven winner they have to work with. But I would be hard-pressed to believe he wants this job.
As Lt. Governor, he’s flirted with running for Senate, became much rumored to leave for the FAA, spent a significant amount of time out of his office, and has seemed to have little involvement in the political dialogue. His actions aren’t indicative of someone seeking higher office, or for that matter, enjoying the one he currently holds.
Lt. Governor Dubie is a family man, first and foremost, and part of the reason he didn’t pursue that Senate race in 2006 was because his kids were still in school. But in 2010, that won’t hold true any more.
Now, perhaps the signs earlier in this year that he wasn’t going to run for re-election were based upon the idea that he might be running for Governor this time around. But from what I know, my guess is that he’s enjoyed the time he’s had, and he’s looking to move out of elected politics.
I don’t think he would’ve been much of a candidate, but his absence would certainly be huge for the Vermont GOP, and I can’t imagine how they would cope with having such little leadership within an already struggling party.
that I’m really surprised. The all out attack on the ANR seemed to signal something was different. I guess it’s that he has nothing to lose.
So this is pretty big. I’m not really sure what strategy the Republicans have going on here besides- go down quietly and with some semblance of pride left. I would think that Dubie would want to bump himself up to Gov. but I’m sure there are people on this site who know the real deal.
I guess what this means is that we’re going to have a Democratic gov… Feels weird to type : ) I think we should get Pollina in the Lt. Gov and a whoever is more progressive into the top spot. This is really going to test the rhetoric of the dems since they have much more political leeway without a strong repub in the race.
Here is what I see the Republicans having on their bench:
* Brian Dubie -Too conservative, not enough charisma. He would lose.
*Randy Brock -I don’t think he would have a chance (after all, he did not win the race against Salmon).
*Dianne Snelling -She would be a strong challanger. In (last) name recognition alone she could make it close.
*Vince Illuzzi -Vice would be the dark horse candidate. We know he is interested in the office, and I suspect he has already been making calls to his friends in labor feeling them out on this. If he jumped in, he could make the race interesting. Unlike other Republicans, he could win the Teamster and VSEA endorsment.
Anyone want to bet a beer over the above picks?
Of the coming Apocalypse. First Sarah Palin and now this. Last one to the canned goods loses.
I would move to NH. Conservative Lynch looks like a Liberal next to Brock. This guy is George Bush Crazy! As for Snelling, she would be the GOP’s best choice. That doesn’t mean I want the GOP to make the best choice!
Douglas still has more than a few months to shrink the size of the state government ,slice at the budget,lay people off ,save Vermont Yankee for Entergy and gut development regulations.Also he still has small gang of PR people sprinkled throughout the state government and knows how to use them . My guess is he will be one pain in the neck lame duck ,even with the new improved assertive Democratic legislature.
A Dubie and Brock ticket would be definitely be something. Bench,what bench ?
“Governor Douglas has served Vermont with a full commitment to our financial stability. He’s been a steady fiscal conservative while meeting the needs of the people.
His personal touch, commonsense approach and fiscal responsibility have served the state well. Thank you, Governor and Mrs. Douglas.”
Is this how you get the Democratic base to rally behind you?
– I can’t imagine voting for him again.
Wasn’t there word going around that part of his support for marriage equality was based on the fact that he had higher political ambitions?
I’ve heard Gov. D several times the last few days and he is rather circumspect when it comes to Dubie.
He says stuff like: he’s smart, he’s affable, its his turn, etc.
When Gov D asked if he thinks he should run, he says it a personal decision.
When asked today whether he thought Rainville should run he said he thought she would make an “outstanding” governor.
He never said he thought Dubie would make a good governor, much less an outstanding one.
Must be something going on here or I’m just reading too much into this.
PJ