Peter Shumlin is the latest reason why I love Vermont. Why is Vermont special. If slavery is the US’ original sin, then Vermont was born without original sin, yeah, it’s called the immaculate conception. We’ve had our share of bigots, crooks and deadbeats, but we’ve had so many in a great long line that begins with Ethan Allen (in all his imperfections) to Matthew Lyon to Justin Morrill to George Aiken to Ralph Flanders to Consuelo Bailey to Phil Hoff to Bob Stafford to Richard Snelling to Madeline Kunin to Howard Dean and FINALLY PETER SHUMLIN.

For this Vermonter, real conservatism means carrying on the traditions of the only legitimate child of The Enlightenment.