Careful what you ask, because you might just get it.

Not too long ago, I lamented that:

Like many Democrats and liberals, I’ve complained about the lack of choices in our primaries and the ability of the left to put multiple, serious choices forward in contested primaries. Some years, I’ve had to scream about no one even wanting to run.  

Another GMD reader nails it with his spot-on comment at the Open Thread, —

   We Need A Primary

   [W]e need a full fledged primary to rally the troops and get us engaged in taking out the Governor.

   Deb, Susan, Doug and others would all be fantastic candidates. Everyone should dive in and may the best candidate win. I mean, when was the last time we had a three-way primary for Governor?

   It will make the nominee stronger.

Could not agree more.

We need good candidates running in our primaries, and we need primaries that serve voters by showcasing our best candidates. We will continue to have neither as as long as the primary occurs in the fall rather than before the summer months.

This year, we have several excellent Democratic candidates running for Governor. With several terrific choices, I find myself in the odd situation of NOT being able to vote for people I have supported in the past. I find myself in the odd situation of NOT being able to vote for candidates whom I respect deeply. I find myself in the odd situation of NOT being able to vote for candidates whom I genuinely expect to contribute to a better Vermont future well after August the 2010 primary even if they finish in second, third or forth place.

Just think about that, someone will come in third or forth place in the Democratic primary next month; and my reaction will be, I’m glad that person will be here tomorrow to contribute to a better Vermont. Truth is, we all know that whoever comes in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th place, we’d all be much better off if they were already Governor today. You can certainly argue that latter point, OR you can be objective and credible; but you can’t do both. Finally, ask and ye shall receive!

I figured out the other day that I’ve known the gubernatorial candidates, collectively, for approximately 88 years. It’s a wide range. One candidate, I’ve known since Richard Nixon was President (Doug Racine – 36 years). On the other end of the scale, I’ve “only” known my next-county-over neighbor Susan Bartlett, and her husband Bill, for a measly decade (or as some would say, this entire century). The point is, between grade school in the 70s and the Great Conservative Recession of the 21st Century, I’ve known, respected, trusted, had beers, played pick-up ball, argued, celebrated or lamented over something with one of these quality people and dedicated public officials at some point. I will always appreciate how fortunate I am today, or have been at different times over the years – to have been a friend, a colleague, an employee, a collaborator on policy/legislation/administrative rules or political strategy, to have campaigned for or with many of these folks for different offices and during different election cycles. Most off all, they have – to a person – honored me with their willingness to listen to me even when they do not agree with me and even when my ideas did not add the most value to a particular situation. Talk about a tough vote.

This background detail is far more personal than my comfort level generally allows, but I wanted to also explain how difficult – truly difficult – this year’s decision is for me. I am supporting Deb Markowitz because she has my unqualified confidence. I am not, however, voting against anyone else in the Democratic primary. The fact is, the five most qualified people to be Governor of Vermont are the five currently running in the Democratic primary. I hope my candidate wins, and I will enthusiastically work to see that the winner of the Democratic primary is our next Governor.