First off it is a curious thing to me how Bruce Lisman, former top executive at Bear Stearns investment bank has been so readily accepted as Vermont’s premiere fiscal scold. 
At the time it crashed in flames, Bear Stearns had a leverage ratio of 33 to 1 (for every dollar in equity, it had $33 of debt). Should he really be lecturing anyone on fiscal restraint?
Be that as it may, Bruce Lisman took four years, one million of his many millions of dollars and built his very own non-partisan “political outfit,” the Campaign for Vermont. Add to this exploit one recent key component: Governor Shumlin has managed to shoot himself in the foot just about every other day for several months and has transformed into a seemingly vulnerable opponent. And … Viola! Bruce has “found” his political voice according to VPR
It’s been almost four years since former Wall Street executive Bruce Lisman founded his public policy outfit, Campaign for Vermont. But only recently has he begun using his public platform to castigate the Shumlin administration directly. And his pointed criticism suggests Lisman might be setting the stage for what could be a wide-open race for governor in 2016.
Others have traveled here before. Rich Tarrant and Jack McMullen were both rich Republican types who, like Lisman, after successful lives in business decided Vermont politics might be a nice ‘closer’ for their careers — a plutocrat’s nightcap.
Tarrant waged an attack-ad driven campaign against Bernie Sanders to be Vermont’s US Senator, spent $ 7 million, and lost. And of course businessman McMullen moved to Vermont and year later wanted to be a senator but never made it far — losing the Republican primary to farmer Fred Tuttle.
For now Lisman is still keeping his “market price low” regarding a run for governor
So is he gunning to be that guy [to run]? Since the founding of Campaign for Vermont in 2011, Lisman has deflected inquires about his ambition. He continues to do so today. “I don't give it a lot of thought” Lisman says.”I guess i'm in the same place I've been. I don't give it a ton of thought….” [added emphasis]
It's as if he bought a prime piece of land, took out a building permit and then expects people to believe he hasn’t given building a house or a mega mall “… a lot [or a ton] of thought”.
Ultimately if he runs for office he must sell a commodity — himself — to Vermonters. In that regard he appears to have charisma only equal to Tarrant and McMullen’s, i.e., none.
Lisman for governor would be just another bad Wall Streeter commodity swap — by Shumlin’s default.
No joke!
The reason Shumlin is vulnerable is all about a primary. Unless he somehow pulls a progressive rabbit out of a hat between now and 2016, he will be primaried.
Vermont will not be looking for someone to the right of the Democrats, because he has already assumed that position himself. His vulnerability is a product of that shuffle to the right.
It’s not as if Democrats and Progressives aren’t well-stocked with more attractive candidates than either Shumlin or Lisman.
Hopefully, they can find a way to avoid competing primaries and just let the voters (Democratic and Progressive) pick the candidate who can win, against Scott, because whoever that is will be left of the fatally damaged Shumlin.
This should’t be too hard because apart from a friendly face and some hot vehicles, Scott isn’t known for much of anything beyond making nice with the Chamber of Commerce.
And even given Scott’s polo shirt limited appeal, Lisman couldn’t make it through his own primary if Scott chooses to run.
– emphasis
I believe Hirschfeld to be at the top of the heap in VT reporting, but I cannot agree with this one.
His voice has been consistant & coy with, as Sue noted, all while batting eyes behind jaypan fan waiting for a groundswell to hoist him to certain victory. Talk about delusions of grandeur.
Must be pretty boring up here in these sticks w/nothing to do but write checks to pay for his Campaign For VT Governor. His ‘voice’ appears whenever an opportune moment presents itself to rub an enemies nose in their own dogshit. Since this happens frequently ‘his voice’ has plenty to say.
He sees the brass ring as he rides his comfy merry-go-round but will be found as the egomaniacal foolhardy fraud he is whenever he comes in contact with a real Vermonter just as Romney was trashed in Iowa for claiming ‘Corporations are ppl too’. Yuh huh. He sticks out like a sore thumb spanking-new LL Bean garb and all. He can’t un-polish those shitkickers enough to fit the supposed meme of ‘small town VT boy makes good’ and has returned to save his state. And he can never end a conversation w/o congratulating himself somehow with his fussy and faux-humility.
If there are those begging him to run – it’s b/c he has purchased an entourage whose job descrption includes begging him to run.