I’m not gonna wax all goopy for my friend Philip, here – just the facts. Speaking generally, first…
- He’s right on the issues. Duh.
- He’s a scholar, rather than another person from the professional pol/lobbyist/Montpelier set. Not that I have anything against the professional pol/lobbyist/Montpelier set at all (where most of my friends live), but there is a clubby atmosphere that forms in that crowd that could stand to be broken up from time to time, and I’d feel especially good about doing that with a scholar.
- He’s a professional artist for heaven’s sake. Not in the sense that he draws pictures (I dunno, maybe he does), but he’s from the arts. He’s a writer, and I think more of our men and women from the arts community – again out of principle – should get into politics. Get a little more of that vision thing going (Vaclav Havel, anyone?)
On to the more specific…
- He’s totally approachable. You can talk to the guy and he’ll listen. Always.
- He won’t pander. He’ll listen, but be straightforward when he disagrees, just as he’ll respect your opinion.
- He’s not dogmatic, and he’s going to be willing to think outside the box for that reason. But at the same time, his stands on principle are unbreakable, and he can be counted on to take those stands when the time comes, without exception.
- He’s a good person, which is the highest praise I know how to give. You just can’t have too many good people in government, and Philip’s one of the best.
UPDATE: Wowie zowie, the Burlington Free Press agrees, giving Philip their endorsement along with fellow Dems, incumbents Ashe, Miller and Lyons, and Republicans Snelling and Smith.
Damn! First, Anthony Pollina running for State Senate as a Dem, now the Free Press itself endorses a blogmaniac for office!? Should I be keeping my eyes open for scary-looking horsemen on the horizon?
You hit all of the high points John. Fact of the matter is, there is likely only one competitive seat in this race. The four incumbents will be re-elected (Ashe, Miller, Lyons and Snelling). The moderate Republican Charlie Smith will pick up a seat (I have been quite surprised by the number of LIBERAL Democrats that have told me that they will be voting for him, especially people involved with school issues since Smith’s wife Amy Mellencamp is the principal at Burlington HS).
That leaves one seat that is truly competitive and Sally Fox and Philip are both giving it their all in the final week of the campaign. I think Philip has the momentum, but he did come in slightly behind Sally in the primary. The only thing that may be an issue for Philip is that if I am right about seats above, that means that there will be 3 senators from Burlington. Philip would make it 4. I have no idea whether voters will factor this into the equation (frankly I think it is meaningless).
Andy is a long time friend and I got to know Sally when she worked for the City and staffed the Council’s Public Safety Committee that I chair. They are both great people. The long and the short of it is that I think that Philip has run the singular most impressive campaign for State Senate I have ever witnessed. He has earned our trust and earned our vote.
I know I am not supposed to say this, but I am ONLY voting for Philip. One singular bullet vote. I will not be voting for any other candidate. That is how much I want him to win. If you live in Chittenden County and want Philip to win, I would encourage you to do the same. I hope all of the Democrats win, but lets face it, that simply is not reality.
Best,
Ed
And not just because he endorsed my campaign. LOL.
Philip is just a wonderful guy, an excellent candidate and will be a true voice of The People in the Vermont Senate. Thoughtful, articulate, empathic, with great solutions for what ails us, and an ability to listen and really hear what you are saying.
I hope Chitt voters don’t just cast their ballots for him, but mobilize GOTV so there is no doubt that he is one of their 6 Senators next session. You need him. We all need him under the Golden Dome.
You are absolutely right about him really listening to people and thinking outside the box. He’ll be a great asset to the people in his district if they send him to the House chambers.
Emailed him a few times about something I read on his blog and I concur. Approachable. Talk-to-able. Generally thoughtful and considerate even to a complete stranger.
…I am seriously BUMMED that I can’t vote for Philip. Point to remember: the composition of the leg — and ESPECIALLY the Senate — has a major impact on us all. The only reason I haven’t been doing serious campaigning among my far-away Chittenden county friends is that, being my friends (therefore: people of taste, discernment, and awesome principles) they are all CLAMORING to vote for him. But if you know people in Chittenden County who haven’t made up their minds, using your persuasive powers to get them to vote for Philip would be good for all of us.
Don’t worry about horsemen. It’s the 21st century. They’re Hells Angels now.