Just like every other voter in Vermont (even the ones who live in rental housing), I’m getting my share of political mailers. Today there were two, and they were a nice little study in contrasts.
The good: a piece from Pearce for Treasurer, featuring a hearty endorsement from Governor Shumlin. Effective and positive.
The bad: a Vermonter* First mailer urging a vote for Buddy Barnett for State Senate. The piece was full of the usual lies — VERMONT DEMOCRATS WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES, etc. But the capper was a rather odd photo of the candidate.
*I’m dropping the “s” in “Vermonters First” because it’s entirely the creation of one Vermonter’s inherited wealth. From now on, “Vermonter First” it is.
Which made me consider voting for Buddy.
But only if he’s the dog.
More on the mailers — with pictures! — after the jump.
The Pearce piece. Nice big picture of Shumlin and Pearce on one side with a good positive message about Pearce’s experience and track record as Treasurer. Here it is, artfully photographed by Yours Truly with our woodpile as a backdrop:
The other side has a bigger picture of Shumlin with a full-throated endorsement: “A vote for Beth Pearce is not just a vote; it’s a smart investment.” All in all, a solid piece with just the right message.
The Broughton/Barnett billet. Lies, lies, lies. Odd spacing in the upper right, where “Buddy Barnett for Styate Senator” floats in an ocean of empty space. Plus weird photo putting a dog front and center, with the candidate (I think) lurking at the rear:
Oddest political photo since Vince Illuzzi’s rictus sardonicus in the short-lived Vermonter First online ad. (The one illegally depicting the state seal.) I guess the candidate is the shiny-domed, soul-patch-foreheaded guy lurking behind the happy family. Looks a bit skeevy to me. Or Photoshopped.
But hey, I love the dog! Noble beast, gazing confidently into the distance, bravely facing the future as if determined to make his/her mark on it.
The dog is obviously the central figure in this pose. And while I wouldn’t vote for Uncle Touchy there if Lenore Broughton paid me to, well, if the dog is actually the candidate, then I’m definitely voting for him. (Sorry, Tony.)
So… what’s in your mailbox today?
It’s probably just a stock photo they had laying around. This is a picture of him:
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hp…
Full disclosure: I am running in the same race as Buddy. And if you can pardon a bit of self-promotion, you can see pictures and profiles of all candidates running in Washington County here:
http://vermontelection.org/201…
Not all of the candidates offered full information about themselves, so I admit that it is incomplete.
As posted up there:
http://www.istockphoto.com/sto…
Stock photo, cheap too.
That is indeed a handsome family on the flyer and an attractive lady on the reverse; however, as many people who know me have pointed out, it isn’t me. After some reflection I think I understand what is going on. The flyer I received had both my name and that of another local candidate. I’ve also seen a flyer with my name only. My guess is that the mailer is identical wherever it goes with the single exception of candiates’ names, which may number 3 or more in some instances making it expensive to customize the material to include each candidate’s personal picture. Instead, they apparently decided to depict “typical” concerned Vermonters.
As everyone is well aware, I cannot, legally, coordinate any of my activities with this organization nor they with mine. I can say I have, to the best of my knowledge, never had any dealings with any of the people at Vermonters First in any venue and I have no idea what criteria they used in deciding to support my candidacy, but if they are willing to say nice things about me, I’ll not be offended.
For anyone who is not yet familiar with my philosophy or concerns I invite you to visit: http://www.buddyforvtsenate.com/ or visit my facebook page.