(Promoted as part of our ongoing policy of promoting serious candidates for statewide office in Vermont. – promoted by JulieWaters)

Yesterday morning, I once again stood up for Vermont values when confronted by criticisms from Vermont’s right-wing community. This is the type of strong leadership we need when facing Brian Dubie’s conservative base this November.

During an interview on the Mark Johnson radio show yesterday, I took on a barrage of questions from conservative Vermonters attacking my position on a woman’s right to choose.

These questions came shortly after a discussion about Facebook where I argued that candidates such as Brian Dubie who have radically conservative social views – like opposing a woman’s right to choose – will frequently attract like-minded people to social media platforms. We’ve already seen conservative politicians like Sarah Palin gain significant net-roots support from these groups and it’s clear that Dubie is starting to benefit from the same “tea party” community.

While I reaffirmed my long-held and unwavering position on trusting women to make the best decision about their bodies, I also called out Brian Dubie during the broadcast for holding the opinion that women should not be able to choose even in the case of rape or incest.

It’s clear that Dubie’s social views are too conservative for Vermont and that his positions on women’s rights run contrary to the values of most Vermonters. A Governor can have great influence over access to health services despite what might be in legislation and given the efforts to undermine Roe v. Wade in other parts of the country, we cannot afford to have Dubie take Vermont backwards.

While Dubie thinks he and the state know better than women and their doctors, I will ensure Vermont does not slip backwards into his conservative social agenda. The small radically conservative community in Vermont has clearly been activated and motivated by Dubie’s campaign but we cannot let them be the voice of our state. To win in November we will need a candidate who will not shy away from such attacks and will fight for the values that are core to our tradition as Vermonters.

I am eager to continue standing toe to toe with Brian Dubie on these important issues this fall and to ensure Vermont’s values are upheld, not erased by the opinions of a vocal minority.