(Click here for the GMD gubernatorial primary candidate questionnaire part 1)

(Click here for the GMD gubernatorial primary candidate questionnaire part 2)

(Click here for the GMD gubernatorial primary candidate questionnaire part 3)

This is the final series of responses from the five Democratic candidates for Governor to the questionnaire sent to them by GMD. These, and all the questions we asked, had their genesis in this diary from last summer, as well as emails from readers. The questions were cleaned up and refined a bit, to streamline the process and make it as inclusive of all the suggestions as possible.

The final questions below are a bit more Democratic-voter “inside baseball,” as they concern the primary process – including how each candidate intends to help the winner, if in fact they are not the one chosen to face the Republican candidate in November.

And again, some candidates’ responded question by question. Other times candidates would take all the questions under a given category and write a collective response encompassing all the questions. In some categories, candidates would respond by combining some questions and not others. As such, the questionnaires are presented as follows: under each category, all the questions we asked are listed as bullets. At the end of each category, the candidates’ complete answers are presented (in alphabetical order by candidate). If the candidate answered each specific question, their answers are numbered accordingly. If their answers are not numbered, that indicates a generalized response to all the questions collectively.

In addition to the questions below, we also asked if the candidates would be willing to take part in a live forum or debate sponsored by GMD at some later date. All candidates indicated they would, so that possibility remains on the table.

THE 2010 ELECTION PROCESS:

• Many young voters in Vermont were introduced to politics by their involvement in the 2008 presidential campaign. How will the candidates transfer that momentum to the state level and address the concerns of young Vermonters? How are you going to use the internet in your campaign?
• What can you do to ensure that all the ‘big names” and the Democratic legislators get behind you if you are the Democratic nominee? How will you work to get prominent Democrats working for the candidate if its not you?
• In addition to unequivocally endorsing the winner of the Democratic primary, what special advantage will your support, endorsement and campaigning for the winner of the primary bring to the general election campaign. On the chance that you are not the nominee, why will you be the best campaigner for the nominee and why would a nominee want your support on the campaign trail above all others?
• What are some of the ways a hard fought and issue driven campaign can energize the party to victory and help the new Governor achieve a more effective agenda upon taking office?

BARTLETT:

1. I believe that young people are very concerned about the future of Vermont and they want a place that they can afford to live and a place that will have opportunities for them to raise their families.  They value not only good jobs, but our environment and our values that we show in so many ways.  I find that many young people understand that there are no simple answers and they want to truth about what we can and cannot accomplish.    

I have a website www.bartlettforgovernor.com

a face book page http://www.facebook.com/pages/…

a twitter account https://twitter.com/bartlettfo…

email susan@bartlettforgovernor.com

I have posted to GMD, vtdigger and ibrattleboro and plan to continue. I have submitted to Vermont Tiger and Vermont Daily News.

2. Every democrat and many independents I talk to are tired of the lack of leadership provided by Gov. Douglas. They view Brian Dubie as more of the same. I don’t think it matters which of the five democrats wins the primary, we would all enjoy the support of “the ‘big names” and the Democratic legislators.”

The real questions are: Who can beat Brian Dubie? Who is able to walk into the governor’s office ready to run state government, ready to lead on day 1?

I have served 16 years on the Senate Appropriations Committee, learning the ropes from Howard Dean and Jeb Spaulding. I have been Chair for 10 years, making difficult decisions balancing the often-conflicting needs of state government. Appropriations are the only place, other than the governor’s office, where you deal with every part of state government.  I have to know how all of the parts work and how they fit together.

I am ready to lead and confident that primary voters will vote for experienced, common-sense leadership and that I will be the nominee. If not, I am prepared to do whatever is asked of me to make sure a democrat is elected governor, and that we continue to control the house and senate.

3. First of all the best campaigner on the trail better be the candidate!  Only the candidate can answer the question of what they want the other 4 folks to do for them.

My message will not change as a result of the primary.

4. We have already participated in a half-dozen forums where each candidate speaks at length on various topics. While there are differences in style, experience and proposals, we are fundamentally expressing a consistent democratic message. This is good for the eventual nominee, who will enjoy having the principals of our party at the top of voters’ awareness.

Voters will choose from a spectrum of moderate to liberal candidates. It is my hope that supporters of the four candidates who are not elected quickly rally behind the winner and immediately donate time and money to win the general election. That is what I intend to do.

DUNNE:

In 1992, my home community sent me to the Vermont House at age twenty-two.  Inspired by that experience, I have consistently empowered young people in the political process.  Throughout my career in public service and the private sector, I’ve focused on engaging young people not just as voters every two years, but as democratic citizens who have much to contribute to our state government.  

As a legislator, I established and maintained an active internship program that utilized students from UVM, Dartmouth, and Vermont Law School in formulating policy solutions to Vermont’s challenges including brownfields legislation and the Vermont Film Commission.  After discovering how little objective information and research resources are available to the Vermont Legislature, I co-founded policy research shops at Dartmouth and UVM.  These efforts engage bright, energetic, and dedicated students in the governing process while also supporting lawmakers with non-partisan resources to improve policy outcomes.  Electorally, in my 2006 race for Lieutenant Governor, my campaign established a strong grassroots presence and engaged Vermont’s youth directly through “service politics”.  Through the primary and general election, we connected campaign volunteers and staff with communities around the state to provide opportunities for engaging in service projects such as building trails, stocking food shelves, and cleaning up parks.  The campaign provided hundreds of hours of direct service volunteer hours in Vermont communities and didn’t end on election day. Organizations and campaigns across the country have adopted service politics to engage young people, over the next several years I helped organize dozens of additional service politics events across the state and the people inspired by our approach in 2006 are excited to get involved again with this election.

Two years later on a national stage, the 2008 presidential campaign excited young voters who yearned not only for hope and change, but for continued engagement and a voice in the process.  As a result of partisan gridlock in Washington, many today understandably disappointed, but it is crucial that we continue to engage their talent and idealism in creating a better state.  Vermont is not Washington, and so I pledge to continue my approach of soliciting the ideas and inspiration from young Vermonters and encouraging them to actively participate in their government on both sides of Election Day.   A large part of that participation will be online, and my campaign and administration will continue to embrace new and innovative technologies that help connect people and communities with candidates.  Howard Dean showed the power of MeetUp and small-dollar online fundraising, and the Dunne campaign will strive to build on that legacy, utilizing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, text, emerging on-line tools, and whatever technologies inevitably come next. As usual, I will look to those younger than me, digital natives, to identify the new ways to use technology to engage people and empower voters to take action.

I am not worried about the prospects for party unity following the Democratic primary. All of my fellow Democratic candidates would make better governors for Vermont at this time than the presumptive Republican nominee.  I know they feel the same way. No matter who emerges as the Democratic candidate, we will come together to support that individual.  I commit to bring my campaign’s organization, grass roots approach and energy to the general election campaign no matter what.  

However, I differ with some who believe we must reach a conclusion quickly.  A strong positive campaign, focused on the issues and solutions to solve them, is absolutely critical for success in November and in establishing the next Governor’s agenda. What Massachusetts taught us is that if we do not have a candidate who is willing to demonstrate a willingness to work hard for every vote, to effectively advocate for change, to champion new ideas, and to credibly articulate practical solutions to address citizens’ concerns, we will not prevail.

MARKOWITZ:

1. Among the nation’s Secretaries of State I am widely recognized as a leader in engaging young people in the political process.  The civics education program I developed – Vermont Votes for Kids – teaches young people the importance of voting to our democracy.  Many of you have seen our buttons and bumper stickers which say: Your Vote is Your Voice which we produced initially as part of our outreach campaign designed to engage college students and other young people in the political process. You can find out more about both of these initiatives by going to the Secretary of State’s website www.vermontvotesforkids.com and www.govotevermont.com.

We are already bringing that same energy and focus into the campaign by including college students and other young adults in our grassroots efforts.  Perhaps because I have visited Vermont high schools all across the state for over a decade, talking with students about how they can make a difference if they got involved, there are young people all across Vermont who have been volunteering to work with the campaign.  We are also reaching out using new media and more than 2,700 people have already joined our on-line community through our email outreach.    We have a great campaign website, Youtube channel, email updates, Facebook pages and Twitter.

2. I greatly respect all of my primary opponents and know that all of us understand that we share the same goal – to ensure that the next governor of Vermont is a Democrat. It will be of the utmost importance for all Democratic candidates, activists and leaders to come together after the primary to support the winner and I expect that we will all do so.  I have never taken anybody’s support for granted and that is why I have already reached out to Democratic legislators as well as party leaders – from town chairs to state committee members, and I feel honored by the endorsement of Governor Madeleine Kunin.  As the winner of the primary I will reach out to those who have endorsed other candidates and will ask them to help us beat Brian Dubie.

3. We are building a strong grassroots campaign and, once the primary is over we will be working hard to be sure that the winning Democrat is the next Governor of Vermont. Our future and our children’s future depends on changing the course of our state. That is enough for me to support a strong Democratic ticket.

4.  We have just suffered through eight years of rudderless government.  Vermonters are looking for a leader who can get things done.  A hard fought and issues driven campaign will help us show Vermonters that I have a positive vision for Vermont.  When our base voters understand the issues that are at stake we win. We saw the incredible energy President Obama grew in our country. I hope Democrats and all Vermonters see how much I care about the issues that must be addressed and they will help me win this election so I can deliver on my positions.

RACINE:

I am committed to a truly grassroots gubernatorial campaign. I have already begun developing a statewide team of volunteers who are working on the ground every day to invite people into the campaign and encourage their active participation. I am offering internships with the campaign as well, for young people who would like to gain specific campaign experience. I am also working to build a solid online presence – we already have a great website and a Facebook page, and we will soon be up on Twitter. We have a good email list that is growing every week, with good participation on that list.

My campaign is ahead of all of the others in the use of the internet. I showed my commitment to a statewide field campaign that uses technology in new and interesting ways with my recent Campaign Kickoff Party. We had 10 locations around the state with a live-stream video to the nine places where I couldn’t be physically present. We have received very positive feedback from the folks around the state who attended the party – the first of its kind in Vermont. I will be doing more events that provide opportunities for Vermonters to engage with me through the use of technology as the campaign goes on.  

I believe that a competitive primary can definitely energize voters, as long as we all focus on the issues and on the overall goal of doing better for all Vermonters. We must, and I will, encourage Vermonters to get involved in the campaign – by going to the debates and forums, by volunteering for a candidate (hopefully me), and by offering feedback and asking questions, and of course, by voting. When people feel welcomed into the process and they are encouraged to participate, we all get stronger, and so does our democratic process. I will not attack my colleagues who are running with me for the Democratic nomination, and I will be glad to talk with Vermonters about issues that are important to you. I will also work with the Democratic Party, the Progressive Party, and Independents to build a broad base of people who will be ready for action in the general election.

By doing all of this and working with Vermonters, I am hopeful that these same folks will be active after I am in office. I will need all of your help to move a positive, proactive agenda forward to ensure that all Vermonters have real opportunities to get ahead, as well as access to universal, affordable, quality health care. One of my first priorities will be cleaning up the damage left behind by the Douglas-Dubie administration. This administration has been cutting services to Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens, and there will be repercussions from those cuts for years.

We can all look to the national scene to learn a lesson that we cannot stop working together once we have won an election – we must continue our work to achieve the goals that are so important to us. I am committed to working with all of you in this way – now, as a Senator, and later as the Governor. You deserve more from your elected leaders. You deserve a governor who will lead in a way that shares power with you to achieve our common goals. I want to be that governor.

SHUMLIN:

1. Barack Obama was successful in motivating young people because he gave them a reason to vote by inspiring them with his message of hope and change.   If Democrats are going to get 18-25 year olds engaged in this election we must do the same.   I’m running for governor because I want young Vermonters to have the same opportunity that I have had to live, work and raise my family here.   All Vermonters, but especially young Vermonters, need to know that it does matter who the governor is not just for the present, but also for the future.  Decisions made today can impact the state 10, 20 and even 100 years from now.   I want young people to see a future for themselves in Vermont and that’s a message that I will articulate during the campaign.  

My two teenage daughters keep me up to speed on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and like many I use my hand held phone for everything (although not while I’m driving!).   The internet has revolutionized how campaigns are run and I intend to take advantage of all it has to offer.   I want my supporters to take an active role in my campaign.  I will use the internet and social networking sites to engage them, keep them informed and solicit their advice and opinions.   The internet will also be a valuable tool in educating undecided voters about who I am and what I stand for.  

2. I have pledged not to run a negative campaign against any of my fellow Democrats during the primary.   We all know that we need to work together to make sure that Brian Dubie is not the next governor of Vermont.   I think the best way to bring us all together during the general is to run a positive campaign during the primary that articulates a bold and positive future for Vermont.

3. I am committed to making sure that a Democrat is elected governor of Vermont and I will campaign as hard as I can to make that happen.   I hesitate to claim the title of “best campaigner” because I think that distinction should be given to the five Democratic candidates as a whole.  If the four candidates who do not win the nomination join forces as a group behind the nominee we will be unstoppable.

4. The stakes are high in this election and I think the more we talk issues the clearer that will be.   Voters will have a choice: move our state forward on a new path or continue in the same direction we’ve taken during the last 8 years.  I think voters want to be energized and excited about their government again and if we give them a reason to they will.  So I say bring on the issues!