Embracing the promise of twenty-first century communication technology, Doug Racine officially kicked-off his gubernatorial campaign today with a simultaneous appearance, via live-streaming, at nine gathering spots across Vermont.  I joined the group of about sixteen people who  assembled at the McCarthy family’s “Cosmic Bakery”  in St. Albans to enjoy coffee and pastry and watch Doug’s kickoff speech, held at the much larger gathering in Winooski’s Champlain Mill.  Following opening remarks in which he described his campaign as a grass-roots effort focused on hope and optimism for Vermont’s future, and contrasted  that  positive message with the negativity of the Douglas administration, Racine responded to a series of questions that had earlier been submitted by e-mail from voters in various locations.

When asked to list what his top three priorities would be as Governor, he listed “jobs” as number one, citing the necessity of providing broadband access throughout the state so that Vermont might benefit from the growing market for hi-tech products and services.  He also spoke of the opportunities available for Vermont to become a leader in answering the problems posed by climate change, and observed that, unlike the current administration, he does not believe that encouraging a flourishing business environment  must  be done at the expense of ordinary Vermonters.  

Moving to his second priority, healthcare, Racine spoke of the need to move toward universal and affordable coverage in Vermont, regardless of what happens on the national front.  He identified his third priority as accomplishing the “efficient management of government;” which he said may not be a goal that generates a lot of excitement, but is an underlying requirement for addressing all of Vermont’s urgent needs.

Through his responses to other questions, we learned that he opposes touch-screen voting for it’s lack of a “paper-trail;”  is committed to a strong school system in which the state partners with communities exercising local control; supports pre-k education as a way to ensure the success of Vermont’s children in meeting the challenges of the future; believes that the practice of cost-shifting for essential human services like mental health does not serve the best interests of Vermonters; and that the state must step-up to the plate to pay these costs.  Focussing on recent attempts to justify cost-cutting through reductions in school spending,  Racine pointed-out that, even though school enrollment may be declining in Vermont, the number of children with special needs is increasing.

At the conclusion of the live-streamed event, local participants were given an opportunity to register comments and questions for future response.  Supporter Jack McCarthy, who is the Superintendent of Schools for the Franklin Northwest School District expressed indignation with Governor Douglas for his “insults to local school boards,” unfunded mandates and cost shifting.  Some of the St. Albans listeners said they would like to hear more about other issues, such as Vermont Yankee (for which Racine is on record as opposing re-commissioning); but they were promised further opportunities to query the candidate in the upcoming months.  

I am still waiting for a requested explanation of his stance with regard to the issue of ATV use on public lands; but, a couple of days ago, I was assured by campaign Field Director Amy Shollenburger  that he is working on a draft response for GMD on this topic.