The Freeps on the AG race

There are a couple of interesting developments in the AG's race today, both in the Burlington Free Press.

 First is the endorsement. Following the lead of the St. Albans Messenger, Stowe Reporter, and Waterbury Reporter, the Free Press endorsed TJ Donovan.

The question is, where has Sorrell, the engaged campaigner, been all these years?

Former Gov. Howard Dean characterized the attorney generals’ primary as a choice between the challenger’s ambition vs. the incumbent’s experience.

Donovan’s ambition is built on his six years as Chittenden County state’s attorney, the county prosecutor.

Donovan presents an alternative to the comforts of incumbency.

Donovan will bring a new energy to the office.

The Free Press editorial board recommends T.J. Donovan in the Democratic primary for Vermont attorney general.

Especially coming in the face of a survey claiming that Sorrell has a huge lead over Donovan, one more endorsement from a major newspaper is a big deal. Which leads to the question: what is the Burlington Free Press talking about in its news pages? A couple of weeks ago we published a diary in which our message to the two candidates was:

Hey, guys: Stop whining. Sincerely, jv

 

The point was that they should stop all the nonsense about PAC coordination, absentee ballot bullshit, and everything else that really doesn't address the issues in the race. We were right.

So the biggest story in today's Free Press is all about PAC coordination, campaign finance, absentee ballot bullshit, and everything but the issues in the race. After exhaustively reviewing the minutiae of all these issues, the Free Press pretty much concludes that there's not much there, or at least no much definitive evidence on any one of these points.

Around here, that looks like the definition of “not a story”.

Just because it's what the candidates are talking about that doesn't mean they should get the platform to do it. Come on, Freeps! There are a few days left to talk about the issues.

3 thoughts on “The Freeps on the AG race

  1. But their record in statewide races is a lot better.

    Shumlin, Scott, Douglas, and a host of other candidates who have won after the Freeps endorsement might disagree with your assessment.  

  2. although I had been quite undecided concerning the Democratic Attorney General primary race of late, this particular political race has also held my interest all the same.

    Ironically enough, while endorsements usually hold little if any weight when deciding how I will vote or who to vote for, today’s Burlington Free Press editorial and strong endorsement of TJ Donovan helped me make up my mind to vote for him, something I did late this morning.

    In case it is of interest, I have since blogged up a blog post about it (via Vermont Watch), here.

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