I know I’m not the only one struggling with the choice in Tuesday’s primary, but I’m wondering if other people are having trouble for the same reasons I am.
As I’ve said, it really boils down to three candidates for me, Dunne, Racine and Shumlin. I like all three of them a lot, but haven’t made my final choice yet.
Who else is struggling. What makes the decision difficult for you? What do you consider to be the biggest strengths and weaknesses of your choices?
… necessarily, but I’m gonna pick one of those three, as well. Which? Probably won’t know till Tuesday.
Would they mind a situation of “job share”?
But seriously, I sense your struggle and actually had my own – but only a short while ago made a decision. I thought about NOT voting in the primary because I believe that even without my vote, someone worthy is going to end up front and center.
I have since made my decision because I can’t STAND the thought of not voting – but now wonder if I should even admit the process publicly since it involves nothing terribly sophisticated, bright or cleverly reasoned.
I’ll try to make it short.
Issues aside – I took a peek at personality among the three.
I, like you, also like Shumlin and he’s made some very significant contributions already – but where’s the creativity I think will be vital among the higher ranks in government(in reference to his ads)? And in another sense, he seems a bit too hungry and I’m feeling it’s a power/ego thing (but I’m overly analytical on these things, I know). Blunt and tactlessly stated, I apologize; If I voted for Shumlin, would I be voting for HIM or for what he’s already accomplished; like a “reward” of sorts? – but I DO like him.
I also like Racine, but he seems almost too much at ease – no power/ego thing there, but then, maybe a little too confident, and if that’s true, isn’t having too much confidence a bad thing? I felt a need to look cautiously and listen carefully, and that didn’t feel good -But I DO like him..
I have made my decision (sorry – I know you’re asking for those who are as yet undecided – but not long ago, I had also been undecided) to vote for Dunne for his ability to communicate and willingness to listen, and, even though this may not register as anything meaningful to those who are younger than I am, he’s close to what I’d consider the “next generation” of leadership and style and has the better view of what the word “future” means – plus, I think he has pizazz and some spark and has the energy to tackle the learning curve, should there be one – and maybe I’m just feeling a sort of burn out, but I’d like to see that kind of energy at the helm.
Between Markowitz and Shumlin. In the end I decided on Shumlin because he has an proven record of getting things done, whereas Markowitz’s role as secretary of state makes it a bit more of an educated guess as to what she could accomplish.
There is no limit on the number of terms a governor can serve in Vermont, unless things have recently changed, and historically, it seems that they keep the seat once their in it.
I also thought of this when making my choice:
“An in-depth evaluation of government in 2008 ranked Vermont high compared to other states. It ranked highest in “small discrete issues and huge global ones.” It performed poorly in the issues in-between and planning for the future”
And this is the gap that I feel Matt Dunne can cover – “in-between and planning for the future”.
I admit being less engaged than I first thought I would be. I attribute that to being able to enthusiastically support any of the top four. However, every time I think about my vote, an image pops into my mind of the 4th of July parade in Morrisville. Susan Bartlett was there on her home turf walking purposefully and waving to the crowd. Matt Dunne shook hands and manage to personally greet and talk with many along the route. I think Racine and Markowitz had people there, but I really don’t remember. But, it’s Shumlin’s folks that stick in my mind. He had several young supporters with signs chanting his name and a short, punchy song about his strengths. They got the crowd involved in a call and response chant. I know it’s not substance – but it was a parade after all. To me it communicated excitement, energy, creativity, ability to connect, and a desire to win. That may just be the tie-breaker for me.
I was down to the same 3 as Julie, I started out in Racine’s camp, even attended a supporters gathering. But as this campaign went on, I heard Dunne and Racine talking in terms of how they would navigate the waters, Shumlin sounds more like he will carve his own canal. Not the best analogy but that’s the sense I got.
With the political environment today being what it is, promoting things like internet for all, transparency, efficient government, etc is not going to cut it. We need someone to run on firm positions and win, then it will be possible to bring about the level of change we need.
In the VPR debate, I heard the other candidates take prudent, reasonable positions on what they would do as governor. Then Shumlin came in a laid out a vision:
Reduce the number of non-violent offenders in jail, redirect the money to early education, pass single payer health care, and relieve business of the burden of that cost and make VT a business mecca.
Boom.
Education, not incarceration. Shift money from the corporate interests of corrections and insurance companies, and reinvest it in getting our kids a solid educational foundation, universal health coverage, and a better job market. These have the possibility of making a real difference.
Using the rainy day fund, broadband for all, jump starts, etc… they are not enough at this point. Whatever is being proposed now, in the heady days of the democratic primary, this is the high water mark. Candidates who are running an essentially defensive position or a effective government approach have no vision to stand on going forward. Whatever hints we hear now will get’s diluted in the general election, unless there is a clear vision thrown down.
When you listen to the candidates, ask your self what exactly they are committing to, not what you are reading into the rhetoric. [cough, Obama]
As always in this primary, I have probably exaggerated the differences and some points to draw some distinctions. I think all 3 of these democrats would be great nominees.
I’ve appreciated the constructive exchanges in recent weeks. How refreshing to be choosing between a number of quality candidates, and doing so civilly? (Could we just get rid of the Republican party?)
That said, I’m really looking forward to Wednesday when we all get back on the same team.
I’m stuck between Dunne and Shumlin, myself. Racine and Markowitz have not been on my radar because down here in the southwest corner they’ve had no presence as far as I’ve seen.
I’ve looked around a bit, but I’ve found no solid information on where any of the candidates stand on small hydro. Small hydro is an incredibly important idea here in VT, where there are literally hundreds of extant spillways that could be put back into service making clean electricity.
This issue is very important to me and I’m hoping someone here has knowledge or information on where the various candidates stand. Knowing a candidate supported small hydro would help me make my choice.
(Full disclosure: a friend of mine has bought a mill and is trying to get the permits, etc., to put turbines back in. Learning about the issue from him I was converted me to the view that since this state was built on hydro power, we are uniquely positioned to become leaders in small hydro and green energy. Before that I was more about free and wild waterways.)
Final nail was the double articles in today’s Barre/Montpelier Times Argus regarding you, Wardinski, and Powers (front page, below the fold, good coverage for both of you). Marjorie would be a fine Lt Gov, but in the end I’m not in the mood to support a party that is made up of better Democrats than the Democratic Party.
I’m not a Democratic Party supporter … get it?