Really perplexed by this bit over at the Digger:

Hines and Hartnett are also friends. They first crossed paths at Burlington High School decades ago and have stayed in touch. In January, Hartnett helped Hines obtain enough signatures to get her name on the ballot by putting her petitions out near the cash register at his business, according to a witness.

A nice enough start, except that Hartnett is the Democrat running Republican Kurt Wright’s campaign.

The Republican has acknowledged the potential political edge provided by Hines’ presence in the race, but says that he sincerely respects her work and has known her for years. Her candidacy is apt to attract more Progressive and independent voters than Republicans or Democrats, and a three-way race makes it easier for someone to win with little more than 40 percent of the vote.

How convenient that Hartnett happens to be ‘good friends’ with Wanda Hines and was so nice to help get her on the ballot and enter the race as an independent (as a generally left of center independent at that…).

So thoughtful of him, to you know, help spread democracy and all by getting more people on the ballot, especially now that Kurt and Co. have managed to kill off IRV and we go back to 40% to win a plurality.

And it goes on from there:

…and called opponent Wanda Hines a likely pick for a key role in his administration. Her current boss, Community and Economic Development Office Director Larry Kupferman, would be fired.

Responding to rumors about their relationship last week, Wright insisted that there was “no collusion.” However, he retreated slightly from an offer to give Hines “a key role in the administration.”

The whole article is a good read:

http://vtdigger.org/2012/02/12…

And I say, BTV, WTF?