(Promoted for the usual reasons – promoted by JulieWaters)
Today Brian Dubie’s campaign put out a joking press release about the upcoming forum in Bennington County.
Dubie’s campaign called it “a game of ‘let’s pretend’” and their campaign manger, Cory Bliss said, “It’s no surprise Brian’s opponents would rather debate an empty chair than talk about their own agenda for higher taxes and dozens of new government programs.”
The irony here is that someone must stand in for him because Brian won’t stand up for himself. Instead of making jokes about not showing up to debates, Brian Dubie’s campaign should explain to Vermonters why their candidate has declined every forum he’s been invited to and is too afraid to have an open and honest discussion on the issues.
The metaphor of an empty chair in the release is an appropriate symbol not only for Brian Dubie’s absence during this campaign but also for his tenure as Lt. Governor.
Every two weeks Brian Dubie is paid by the people of Vermont, yet he puts nothing on his public calendar and declines to show up at public forums to face voters. It is insulting to Vermonters that Dubie refuses to participate in the forums he is invited to, and then turns around and mocks the Democrats for having someone stand in for him.
During this campaign I’ve often asked one simple question: Brian Dubie, where have you been?
Where have you been when you declined every forum invitation you have received? Where have you been when you criticize other candidates’ jobs plans without putting out a plan of your own? Where have you been when you deride Vermont as a bad place to do business while, under your watch, the economy suffered and the number of new businesses dropped?
Brian Dubie would rather make a joke than join a debate. But the state of our economy is not a joke and the number of out of work Vermonters is no laughing matter. Brian Dubie, let’s put an end to the games and talk about the real issues facing Vermonters.
That goes for everyone. This is great.
What if the empty chair proves a more viable debater than Dubie?
If the empty chair does well, would it be too late for a write in candidacy in the Republican primary?
… and get people to look at the big picture of our path into the mess:
– Leader of the “Free World” a fancy dancer to a medieval king
– War for Iraq oil is about control – NOT pumping it until Saudi supplies exhausted! Iraq still not up to pre-war oil production
– Modern capitalism is about what you can get governments to do for free, so it’s not on your balance sheet. (See above)
– Fancy Dancer was never free market, and anyone who knows what a free market is knew that before Bush was governor. (See above)
– The importance of all the above dwarf anything we do here in Vermont. Until we get the above straightened out, we will continue to drift, rather than progress.
Matt, you raised this issue when Dubie beat you in your run for Lt. Gov. It’s not that I don’t think Vermonters don’t want their Gov to focus on Vermont. It’s that this line of attack has proven to be not enough to beat Dubie.
What I don’t understand is why more D primary candidates are not pointing out what a negative view of Vermont Douglas and Dubie have. It seems to me that every time they are in the press they say what a bad place Vermont is to work in. As a Vermonter I want my next Governor to stand up for Vermont. I want them to say it’s the best place to live and work in the country.
Try that message and people may start listening.
the point he’s making:
Where have you been when you deride Vermont as a bad place to do business while, under your watch, the economy suffered and the number of new businesses dropped?
WHDD? What has Dubie done besides fly a plane? Track record as Lt Gov? Experience to lead the State? Qualifications in management and PR extolling the assets of the Great State of Vermont? We are hiring a CEO for VT. Let’s check the resume.
You’re a great communicator and I have respect for the fact that you’re willing to interact on a personal level. I appreciate being able to ask a question or state a personal issue and have you respond directly – and I really enjoy the idea that you are interested and willing to hear every point on the issues.
I’d like to ask, if you win in the primary do you think you’ll still be interested in what people have for questions or opinions?
I think most people share your opinion in terms of Dubie. And some share the frustration of not having him seated where he would be in a position to answer questions but most of us know he has nothing to say and so your time will be better spent in forging ahead by doing what you’re already doing – communicating.
Many issues are majority issues; things such as health care and education (and I can only hope for reform)and jobs, but since I may very well end up voting for you, I hope that you’ve been open to the issues of our prisons and prisoners and put those men and women into the workforce, too.
I have a “street view” on this issue, and I’m hoping you can hear me when I say that should you win or lose you won’t forget that there’s huge cost savings to be found in the entire industry surrounding communities, in restorative and treatment measures and education reform. Other states are leading the way and I hope Vermont can jump into the swing of the pendulum before it’s too late.
Meantime, thank-you for everything you’ve written and keep it coming.
Mr Dunne, you do realize Brian Dubie isn’t running in the Democratic Primary, right? Why would he participate in a Democratic Primary debate?
I realize you are trying to generate a theme, but perhaps you could focus on an event in which Mr Dubie could have reasonably been expected to participate but chose not to instead of manufacturing hype over this little stunt.
…. someone we’re told exists through pictures and quotes (hohoho!) but he only stops in when no one is looking… if someone should point to the sky at a glimmering airplane and say “look; there’s Dubie – he really DOES exist” I still wouldn’t believe it!