From the Democratic Governor’s Association:

The Democratic Governors Association is moving Vermont into its top tier of targeted 2010 pickup races, as Governor Jim Douglas announced his retirement today.

[…] “The Democratic candidates running for this open seat have long records of public service to the people of Vermont,” (DGA Executive Director Nathan) Daschle said. “With such strong leaders in this race, we have an excellent opportunity to win back Vermont’s governorship. As a top-tier pickup opportunity for our organization, we are committed to ensuring that a Democrat wins this race in 2010. Our political program will dedicate the same attention and day-to-day involvement that other top-tier states such as Florida and California receive.”

This is no small potatoes. The DGA is bringing in more money than it ever has, raising $11.6 million in the first half of 2009. The urgency and high level of funding is not just simply the Bush-backlash zeitgeist, it reflects the reality that Governors elected in 2010 will be overseeing the all-important redistricting process. That’s not an issue at the federal level in Vermont, given our at-large seat, but it makes all the difference for the composition of the state legislature. Simply put, this is the worst cycle imaginable for an entrenched incumbent Governor to opt out, at least as far as his or her party is concerned.

With the promise of financial support from national Dems (the kind of support lacking in past contests), the argument will be made that our primary is not helpful, given that it will lock up the DGA money until September. The fact is, though, that it empowers a vigorous primary as it promises significant support in the key stretch for whichever Democrat gets the nod, effectively nullifying one of the most significant arguments against a contested primary (that they won’t have money left over to beat the Republican). Combined with our 1000 Vermonters for Change Facebook project, which will be primed to deliver $100,000 to the primary winner, the Democratic candidate should be in a strong financial position for the General Election.