if you thought the 2014 gubernatorial campaign was going to be a bit of a snooze, you might want to hang on to your Snuggy.

The Republican roster may be poised for cannibalism; and there is a hint of open rebellion in the works even for the incumbent’s party.

We are Vermonters, after all, not Canadians: and we never want to look altogether too dull.

Tomorrow, VPR is scheduled to present a  gubernatorial debate featuring the three Republican primary candidates.  As of this afternoon, VPR promos were still suggesting that Scott Milne will participate, despite the fact that two days ago, Milne announced that he would pass up on an opportunity to engage his primary opponents, about whom he said:

“They are going to be working against the Republican Party and the nominee after the primary so it didn’t make sense to go.”

Will he or won’t he? That seems to be the question.

But meanwhile, back at the ranch, Milne is reportedly hosting his own private telephone forum this evening. We have learned that he intends to robo-call 30,000 Vermonters to invite their participation.

Speculation among the GMD faithful has been high as to whom, exactly, might comprise the selected 30-thou.  ‘Might be hard to find 30,000 phone-ready Republicans in Vermont, so we guess he’s got a goodly portion of blue-dog Dems in the mix as well.

We wouldn’t be at all surprised if he didn’t even fancy his chances with Progressives, given how dissatisfied they have been with much of Governor Shumlin’s performance.  Of course that is a fantasy for the truly delusional.

If you find yourself among the lucky 30,000 and are not inclined simply to hang-up, we’d love to hear from you. You can be our fly on the wall and tell us what all transpired.

There is, however, a related twist-upon-a-twist that really could get interesting.

Some Democrats, persistently disappointed by Shumlin, are reportedly planning to write-in Doug Racine for governor on their primary ballots, as a protest vote.

The primary is a safe opportunity to register that protest with the Governor, loudly and clearly; and many are still angry with the manner in which Racine was pushed out the door.

Unlike Milne’s possible fantasy, Racine as a write-in has a good chance of picking up serious votes.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the Governor gets the message.