Replies

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/13/us/vermont-gop-finds-candidates-in-short-supply.html?_r=0

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2014/06/12/milne-running-governor/10365117/

Filing is closed in Vermont.

“The Republican Party, at this point in Vermont history, is pretty much on fumes,” said Garrison Nelson, a professor of political science at the University of Vermont. “It’s the least relevant it has been in the close to 50 years I’ve been in the state.”

There’s no rat running against Lt Governor Phil Scott, the rat dropped out in favor of Progressive Dean Corren, so as not to split the vote.

No Republican is running for any statewide constitutional office, other than Scott and 3 in the Gov race. Former State Auditor Randy Brock decide not to run.

The only GOP candidate for Governor with a website is some hemp farming women with a psuedo-hippie campaign spiel that I guess only seems coherent if you’re high.

http://www.emilypeyton.org/

Put down the bong, Emily.

Travel Agency Owner Scott Milne, who got in at the last minute, appears to be the official party choice. I hope hippie lady doesn’t win the primary, or else I’ll have to endorse the Libertarian candidate.

http://www.danfeliciano.com/

Contrast his website, you’d think SHE were the Liberatrian and he the Republican.

>> “The Republican Party, at this point in Vermont history, is pretty much on fumes,” said Garrison Nelson, a professor of political science at the University of Vermont. “It’s the least relevant it has been in the close to 50 years I’ve been in the state.” <<

Weird. I know the state was taken over by insane socialists starting in the 60s and 70s, and had become dominated by RATs in recent years, but Republicans still occasionally win office there, and I could have sworn just a few years ago we had 4 out of 6 of the statewide constitutional offices in VT or something to that effect, because Jim Douglas and his Lt. Governor headed the executive branch, the state auditor was elected as a Dem but switched parties to the GOP, and the GOP won something else in VT that I can't recall at the moment.

And it looks like the Republican Lt. Governor is STILL in office. Yeah, it’s not much, but at least they have a token statewide office, so it’s better than California or Massachuttes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Scott_%28Vermont%29

Furthermore, the party switching State Auditor is the son of a former Governor and won re-election as Auditor after switching to the GOP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_M._Salmon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_P._Salmon

Assuming he wasn’t a total RINO after he switched (or only switched for some sleazy reason ), the VT GOP ought to recruit that guy to run in 2014. It shouldn’t be hard for them to win as long as they slate credible candidates. I’d say its their own fault for the sorry shape they’re in during an expected GOP year.