I don’t have the exact quote, as the podcast isn’t up yet, but during the discussion of Brian Dubie’s announcement, Mark Johnson casually asked his guest (Kristin Carlson of WCAX) why he would choose to dribble such big news out over email, as opposed to a press conference – wondering aloud if he was afraid to face a roomful of reporters. It’s a good question. At Blurt, Shay Totten seemed to accept Dubie’s explanation that it was simply an “unorthodox” approach “not confin(ing) interviews to a single press conference” and “trying (not) to play up the announcement more than it needed to be.” (UPDATE: Totten has since responded with an entire post on this. It’s a good read. -OT)
But that’s weak, weak tea – at best. More likely they heard Johnson’s comments and tried to head off further criticism.
Because Johnson was right on. There is no good reason to make such a major announcement in such a lame manner – except to avoid the scene. He could’ve met with all the same reporters at exactly the same times he did (and will) after all. Dubie does well in one-on-ones where he can turn on the charm. He does not do well in a press conference setting, with its increased pressure and where he has to be quicker on his feet – and he knows he’s in serious danger of Democrats using the same kind of “blathering press conference” ads against him that his buddy Douglas used to sink Peter Clavelle in ’04. Remember – this is also the same Dubie who ducked debates as long as possible for the same reasons. This is not a You Tube era candidate.
Dubie was not being mavericky with his email announcement, he was reminding us all of just what a problematic candidate he is for the Republicans.
I admit I had the same questions when I heard of the email announcement. I have a lot of respect for Dubie. He is a decent guy, despite being wrong on many issues. But the truth is he’s not particularly good on his feet and his inability to respond verbally may be what ultimately sinks him. His opponents might do well to search through old video and audio to show that he’s a bit slow on the uptake. It will be fun to watch him in debates.
One of my favorite Dubie moments is when, during an interview, he couldn’t remember what “BISHCA” stood for… it’s hilarious. Wish I could post it…
BD
In the end, it’s not going to make a dime’s worth of difference. The world, to paraphrase some other Republican, will little note nor long remember how Brian Dubie launched his bid for Governor. Not a single vote will be swayed.
Still… it’s a remarkably understated way to kick off the biggest career of his life. “Trying [not] to play up this announcement”????? Isn’t that exactly the point of a campaign kickoff — to play it up for all it’s worth? To hog the spotlight? Especially when your announcement is the most-awaited in a campaign season?
The big unknown about Dubie is how he will perform on center stage. Sure, he’s been Lieutenant Governor since the Spanish-American War, but who really pays much attention to the office or its occupant? And how much do we really, really know about Dubie as a candidate, a politician, or a person? Not much, I would argue. (Well, I’m sure the political junkies on this site know quite a bit, but Dubie is pretty much a name, an empty suit, to the general public.)
Dubie could have made a splash with his announcement. He could have started answering the questions and filling in the blanks. Instead, they all remain, and he missed an opportunity to get out in front of the process.
made it clear his family wasnt initially on board with the idea and that he would get housing in Montpelier, several not-quite-digs at Douglas’ 3hr round trip commute from Middlebury.
Also spoke of a “radical idea” to solve the budget that he joked his wife had advised him not to share during the campaign.
Ha Ha Ha