All posts by mmccarthy

Knock Knock Knockin’ on Voters Doors in the Cold (Almost) November Rain

( – promoted by Sue Prent)

Senator Sara and candidate Mike (me) were out knocking on doors a bit in the cold rain this afternoon after taking my nephew and her grandson to the St. Albans City Halloween festivities. A chorus of “I just can’t take any more negative ads.” was heard loud and clear. There was also, however, a very friendly welcome from nearly everyone, even those who obviously don’t vote for Democrats like us very often.

I have to get back to the phones, but before I do I take a moment to remind you that most candidates on your ballot have done a lot of work to earn your vote. Whether they deserve that vote or not is up to you as a voter, but I hope you’ll get out and play your part in the great dance of democracy. Please vote on Tuesday (if you haven’t already). If you like any of us enough to give a bit more time, please come and hit the phones with us by signing up for a shift here.

http://my.barackobama.com/page…

Doug Racine Lends His Support to McCarthy’s Senate Campaign Tuesday

I’m very pleased to announce that Doug Racine will be joining me tomorrow for a fundraiser at One Federal.

Senator Sara Branon Kittell, David & Kaki Hutchinson, Pixley & Don Hill, Judy Ashley-McLaughlin, and Pam & Jack McCarthy will be hosting a reception on behalf of Mike McCarthy, Candidate for Vermont State Senate.

Featuring Special Guest Senator Doug Racine

at One Federal Restaurant in St. Albans

(at the corner of Lake St. and Federal St.)

Tuesday, October 12th

4:30-6:30pm

To RSVP, email Diana González at diana@mccarthy4senate.com

or call (646) 283-5613.

Pure Vermont? Interesting coming from B-Dubs

( – promoted by NanuqFC)

As a candidate, I think about messaging a lot. I’ve tried to keep my messaging positive. We have buttons and T-Shirts and stickers that say “I Like Mike”. Makes some people think of Facebook, which is good for me, if they’re on Facebook. Makes some people think of the very likable Eisenhower campaign messaging in a nostalgic and positive way. I hope it makes people think of me as a friendly candidate that they come to with their concerns and questions.

When I first saw that a “Pure Vermont” tour was coming to St. Albans as part of Brian Dubie’s campaign I thought of white supremacists, the Spanish Inquisition and a host of other unsavory associations. Then I started to think about it some more and things really got scary.

I thought “Pure Vermont” must be referring to Brian Dubie, the man. He’s a likable, good looking Vermonter. He’s the kind of guy some folks would “like to have a beer with”. Remember where it got us the last time we voted on likability over substance?

Wait a minute though. Haven’t I seen virtually billboard-sized campaign signs for B-Dubs sprouting up on barns and on the corner by the interstate off-ramp at Exit 19? Maybe that’s the Dubie campaign’s vision of a “Pure Vermont”. They must really understand that the bigger the sign is, the better it blends in with the natural beauty of our rolling countryside.

When it comes to campaign finance, it’s hard for anyone not to tap their friends from out of state for help buying lawn signs and other expensive collateral. My Aunts in Delaware and California both sent me a little contribution for my campaign. Brian Dubie’s campaign contributions are particularly interesting. I take the PhARMA contribution as a sign of what’s to come of health care reform if Mr. Dubie is elected. Sounds like “Pure Vermont” to me, if you want drug manufacturers to decide who gets what drugs and how much they cost.

A fascinating summary of Shumlin and Dubie contributors here:

http://vtdigger.org/2010/09/16…

I also think that the “Pure Vermont” slogan doesn’t work so well for a campaign that is so obviously engineered by out-of-state consultants. It’s no secret that Harris Media based in Austin, TX was instrumental in crafting Dubie’s slick, but somehow still down-home campaign look and feel. “Pure Vermont” is a good slogan for this campaign, if your vision for Vermont’s future means spending your dollars importing ideas from out-of-state.

In all seriousness, who buys that Brian Dubie’s campaign can be described as “Pure Vermont”? When choosing a campaign slogan I think it’s best to think about how people will take it once they sit with it for a while.

Franklin County Democrats Host Comedy Night Fundraiser @ Chow Bella! 9/29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Franklin County Democrats Host Comedy Night Fundraiser @ Chow Bella! 9/29

House Representative (and professional comedian) Jason Lorber will host a night of comedy to benefit the Franklin County Democratic Party at Chow Bella Wednesday, September 29. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the performance will begin at 7:00pm. All are invited! A $20 donation grants admission. Cash bar.

Performers include:  

Jason P. Lorber

Nathan Hartswick

Traci Spencer

Dustin Bruley

Wendy Whaples Scully

Event sponsors include Chow Bella! and Lorraine and Larry Handy.

For more information contact Democratic County Chairwoman Euan Bear @ 827-6674.

Shumlin: For Whom Is Brian Dubie Cutting Taxes?

(Michael McCarthy is a candidate for Senate in Franklin County, challenging Randy Brock. – promoted by Sue Prent)

I was lucky enough to be able to promote my campaign for State Senate on the Charlie, Ernie and Lisa show this morning, just before Brian Dubie and Peter Shumlin started going at it for the first time in a live debate.

Listening now I am so excited to hear Peter call B-Dubs out on his tax proposals. Brian Dubie keeps trying to link the override of the governor’s veto with a tax hike last year. Peter countered that the only people who had a tax increase in the plan that passed were Vermonter’s making over $350K per year.

Peter pointed out that Brian’s only specific tax proposal was a “George W. Bush tax policy” of cutting taxes for the wealthiest Vermonter’s. Brian kept reiterating that the override of the veto on the most recent budget was an example of Peter supporting a tax increase. Whose math is he using?

We need policies that really benefit small businesses (really small businesses, not just businesses with big payrolls and corporate connections). We need leadership that understands state budget and taxes. We need a commitment to environmental protection and healthcare reform. I think Peter Shumlin is that leader, especially after listening this morning.

 

Democratic Unity Tour to Start in St. Albans Tuesday

( – promoted by odum)

Presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee Peter Shumlin and other Democratic leaders, including Sen. Doug Racine, will begin a Unity Tour across the state in St. Albans Tuesday. They will start from Cosmic Bakery on Main St. in St. Albans, hosted there by Franklin County State Senate candidate Mike McCarthy (Hey, that’s me.).

I’m really excited by this opportunity and I want to invite anyone who is interested to come and join us in a show of support for our candidates. We must beat B-Dubs in November! They are slated to be at Cosmic (30 S. Main Street) from 10am-11am on Tuesday morning.

Other events will be announced across the state, so please get out and support the Dems when they are in your neighborhood.

What do coffee and cupcakes have to do with job growth in VT?

(Good to hear from another candidate – promoted by JulieWaters)

This is my first post at GMD so let me introduce myself- I’m Mike McCarthy, candidate for State Senate (Democrat, Franklin County/Alburgh)

Sue Prent was in my bakery/cafe today (Cosmic in St. Albans) and suggested I get more involved in the GMD scene. I love reading the posts here, and I find that the commentary reinforces my world-view in a way that helps me understand why the R’s love Fox News so much.

I’m running for the State Senate because I am excited by the opportunities we have in the next session, and I’m not terrified of the budget challenges we face.

My small business struggled to a start in 2008, when things were starting to go bust all over America. Now Cosmic employs me and two other staff full time as well as five to eight part-time staff with more planned for next year as we expand. None of us are getting rich (yet) but we make (and eat) good food and we can the pay the rent! Who wants a cupcake?

I want to bring energy and long-term vision to Montpelier and bring back better state government for my neighbors. I recognize that we won’t have grid parity overnight and that a single payer health care bill will take a movement to push it through, but I’m willing to fight for a greener, healthier Vermont. I hope you’ll join me!