So VTDigger has been closely following the political story of the week. and its coverage has sparked some fascinating responses. The political story of the week, by the way, ought to have been Randy Brock’s joke of an economic revival plan (the usual right-wing dogma, plus the mysterious Biz In A Box)…but, thanks to an epic brain-fart by Governor Shumlin, was instead the unanswered questions over the financing of his 2200-square-foot humble cottage.

Did he not realize how this would look? Like it or not, the topline on this story is “Governor gets $700,000 property with $35,000 of his own cash.” And as for his stout defense of his private life… well, he’s partly right. But when you occupy the top elective office in the state, and you’re the recipient of what appears to be an extremely favorable financial transaction thanks to some unknown out-of-staters, then your public life impinges on your private life, and some measure of explanation and disclosure is appropriate.

Instead, he got all huffy. And in the process of ineptly defending himself, he managed to channel his inner Mitt Romney:

“Are you going to criticize me now for forming an LLC?” Shumlin asked. “With the rest of Vermont and America?”

Yeah, Pete, “the rest of Vermont and America” is constantly forming LLC’s. Way to sound like an entitled, out-of-touch one-percenter. The inflated sense of entitlement continued through his Thursday presser, as he was obviously offended that reporters would dare question his sweetheart land deal. He delivered the topper with his ill-tempered walkout.

The following day, Shumlin campaign manager Alex MacLean delivered a reasonable explanation for the deal. If it had been given immediately, the controversy would have quickly been over.  Simple, basic politics. Something that Governor Shumlin is usually pretty good at.  

And now, the funny business over at VTDigger…  

Digger’s original story on Shumlin’s “cottage” sparked a lengthy comment thread. A lot of the comments were from Shumlin backers slamming VTDigger for daring to commit an act of journalism. State Rep. Warren Kitzmiller did his best to set up straw men and knock ’em down:

Is our Governor not allowed to buy land and build a home? Is it a requirement that he pay absolutely top dollar for the land?

No and no, but that’s not the point. The point is, if you make a deal like this, you ought to be prepared to answer a few simple questions about it. And Shumlin wasn’t. Next up to bat: Don Kreis of the Vermont Law School.

…where exactly is the news here? That the governor would like to travel back to Putney less and be closer to his office? That he has done exactly what every single other Vermonter would reserve the right to do without question? Nothing illegal, nothing improper, noting embarrassing, nothing even surprising.

Stee-rike three. This has nothing to do with the length of Shumlin’s commute. And sure there was nothing improper, but at first glance it sure looked funny. And Shumlin perpetuated it thanks to his hissy fit. Batter Up, Avram Patt of the Washington Electric Co-op:

An elected official looking to build a home has personal friends that he goes in on a real estate purchase with, in a legal arrangement that appears to work well for all of them. Turns out these friends have over the years contributed a few hundred dollars or a thousand dollars a pop to his campaign?

OK…..

So?

Another swing and a miss. The Digger story was written before anyone in the Governor’s camp explained his relationship to his “personal friends.” At the time, the Governor hadn’t told us a blessed thing. Which is precisely why this story became something more than a blip on the radar screen.

Then things get weird. Three commenters, in quick succession, write practically the same thing. First, Sarah Smith:

I used to have a lot of respect for Vt Digger. I have lost all of it. This reporter should be let go.

Then, Tom Holton.

I used to have a lot of respect for Vt digger.This is not the case anymore. This reporter should be let go. Sorry VT digger, you just lost a reader.

And the clincher, from Eric Robichaud. Read closely, please.

Thank you for the email requesting that we comment on this article in support of Governor Shumlin.

My comment is that I used to have a lot of respect for Vermont digger and I no longer do.

Thank you.

Oh great. So Eric gets an e-mail urging Shumlin supporters to slam VTDigger. And clearly Sarah Smith and Tom Holton received the same e-mail. What an excellent way to help the Governor.

A bit later, Eric apparently realized he’d screwed up, and posted another comment.

The reporter for Vermont Digger ought to be fired.

Thank you.

No, Eric, thank YOU for bungling your initial comment, thus revealing the organized effort to pressure VTDigger. Then, a few comments down the thread, Eric tries again. With equally unfortunate results.

Vermont Digger should be banned from all press conferences until they learn to respect Governor Shumlin.

I, amongst others, will no longer be buying your paper at local stores which will hurt the local economy. Truth be told, i never liked it anyway.

Think global, act local!

Oh yes, reporters who don’t show the proper deference should be banned. Tell me, Eric, what does Digger have to do to regain its “privilege” of attending a public event? Write “I Will Not Badger The Governor” 100 times on the blackboard?

And finally, Eric, thanks for revealing that you don’t have the least goddamn clue what VTDigger actually is. “Buying your paper at local stores,” indeed.

In closing, I speak to whoever sent the e-mail soliciting Digger slams: Cut it the f*ck out. Your actions are an affront against the exercise of journalism. And besides, do you really think Governor Shumlin needs this kind of help? He’s got this election in the bag, and he’ll have massive majorities in the Legislature. I shudder to think how you’d be acting if Shumlin actually faced a dangerous opponent.

Look, I’m gonna vote for the guy, and I want him to succeed. But when I see him screw up, I’m gonna write about it. And when I see his supporters playing games with VTDigger, I’m gonna write about that. It does him no favors to make excuses for his failures, and it certainly does him no good for him or his supporters to lash out at the news media.