Summary
[Anthony Pollina] has been "the most strident critic of Democrats as Democrats that Vermont has seen in the last 20 years," as Democratic State Chairman Ian Carleton put it. Pollina and his followers merely disagree with Republicans. They disdain the Democrats. From their perspective, Republican policies are so benighted that they need not even be debated. It's the Democrats' positions, and even more it's the Democrats' attitudes the pragmatism and compromises - they find unacceptable.
"No one will run because of Pollina," said one senior Democratic office-holder, who would rather not be identified here. "You can't win with him on the ballot and there is no way to get him off the ballot. So you'd have to give up the position you now have, only to spend six months in a campaign that you'd lose."Almost surely the case. More Vermonters are liberal than conservative, but Pollina and the Progressives are not merely liberal. They are "of the left," and most Vermonters are not. And it doesn't much matter that the difference between being "of the left" and being a liberal is more a matter of style than substance. Pollinas no radical - more a romantic. Still, given a choice between an incumbent who is conservative but not right-wing and a challenger "of the left" who has never held public office, most middle-of-the-road Vermonters (and theirs are the decisive votes) would no doubt stick with [James Douglas].See the full content of this document
Extract
The Pollina Problem
A most peculiar affair is this 2008 campaign for governor of Vermont. It has not yet begun. But it is over. The winner is Gov. James Douglas.
Here the usual "barring unforeseeable events" caveat is required. Something bizarre might happen. Like any other mortal, Douglas could die or suffer a debilitating illness between now and Election Day, November 4 (but let's hope not). Or some juicy scandal could erupt- a Capital City call girl? - exposing his administration as corrupt and decadent.Yeah, right.So consider him re-e...See the full content of this document
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