VP Vance calls criticism of Young Republicans ‘pearl clutching’
By Guy Page
The Vermont Republican Party Executive Committee Wednesday retracted a statement by Chair Paul Dame over the response to the controversy surrounding an apparent ethnic slur made by Sen. Sam Douglass (R-Orleans) on a Young Republican chat on the Telegram social media site.
The October 14 story in Politico has gained national attention, including an X post from VP J.D. Vance: “This [Jay Jones, VA Dem Attorney General story] is far worse than anything said in a college group chat, and the guy who said it could become the AG of Virginia. I refuse to join the pearl clutching when powerful people call for political violence.”
Chair Paul Dame at noon today said he relieved Douglass of party duties, but stopped short of calling for him to immediately resign. In contrast, the executive committee later ‘retracted’ Dame’s statement several hours later. The committee joined Gov. Phil Scott and House and Senate GOP leaders call yesterday for Douglass, a freshman legislator, to unequivocally resign after learning of an exchange reported in the October 14 Politico:
In one instance, Walker — who at the time was a staffer for Ortt — talked about how a mutual friend of some in the chat “dated this very obese Indian woman for a period of time.”
“Giunta responded that the woman “was not Indian.”
“She just didn’t bathe often,” Samuel Douglass, a state senator from northern Vermont and the head of the state’s Young Republicans, replied to Giunta.
Timeline of statements today
Shortly after noon today, VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame issued the following statement (published in full):
“Yesterday’s story in Politico which included some of the language allegedly used in a private group chat among a group of Young Republicans was shocking and grotesque to all Republicans. Although the remarks attributed to Sen. Douglass themselves were not bigoted or racist, because of his participation in the group, it has reflected poorly on himself, our party and Young Republicans everywhere.
‘Sen. Douglass owes it to his colleagues and his constituents to address the issue publicly. Included in that statement should be a categorical condemnation of the vile remarks made by the other members and a clarification of whether he had seen these remarks at the time they were made and why he didn’t condemn the other participants at the time.
“Last week I applauded VA Delegate Carrie Coyner for confronting AG candidate Jay Jones for his awful private remarks at the time they were made, and I hold Sen. Douglass to the same standard. Republicans everywhere need to be vigilant and oppose these kinds of remarks, even when they are made in private.
“I am removing Sen. Douglass from duties he has at the state party effective immediately until this matter is resolved.
“If Sen. Douglass can not meet the minimum standard for informing the public about issues he is involved in, then I will also join the Governor and legislative colleagues in calling on him to resign.”
At 4:38 PM, Douglass issued this apology but did not agree to resign, saying he would issue a statement later in the week. The statement is published below in full:
‘I completely denounce and fully condemn the vile and disgusting comments included in the POLITICO article and I have cut all ties with those involved. My role in the group chat in question was a procedural one about bylaws and floor strategy. There were often periods of multiple days when I didn’t check this group chat and I was unfortunately unaware of those comments. I should’ve been more vigilant, more careful, and less naive about who I associate with and my digital environments. I will continue to call out this behavior whenever I see it. The comment attributed to me in the article was not a generalization and doesn’t represent my views or character. I apologize so deeply to my constituents and colleagues that our county and state have been dragged into this. I am currently weighing all my options to ensure that the outcome of this is what’s best for the safety and wellbeing of my family and my constituency, and I will make another statement before the end of the week.”
Following both Dame’s and Douglass’s statements, at 8:06 PM the Executive Committee issued a statement retracting Dame’s statement (published in full):
“The Vermont Republican Party (“VTGOP”) Executive Committee stands united with Governor Phil Scott and the Republican Senate and House leadership and calls for the immediate resignation of Senator Sam Douglass. The VTGOP Executive Committee condemns the hateful, racist, and antisemitic messages revealed in a national Young Republican group chat.
“Vermont Republicans believe in personal responsibility, respect for others, and the dignity of every individual. Those values are not negotiable. We will meet this moment with action to ensure that our Party always reflects the decency, fairness, and respect that Vermonters expect, and our Party was founded.
“The VTGOP Executive Committee unanimously supports this statement and issues a full, complete retraction of the previously issued statement by Chairman Paul Dame.”
Dame, a member of the committee, reportedly was involved in the retraction.
Vermont Young Republican Chairwoman Chelsea Rowell also published a statement:
“On behalf of the Vermont Young Republicans, I must state clearly that racism, discrimination, and hateful behavior have no place in our organization or in public life. The comments in recent reports do not reflect the values of integrity, respect, and responsibility that we uphold. Our focus remains on fostering principled leadership and strengthening our movement through character and accountability.
“With that being said, Chairman Samuel Douglass and Committeewoman Brianna Douglass have resigned from their positions at Vermont Young Republicans. The organization will move forward under my leadership, and we will continue to work toward training, recruiting, and electing young Republicans in Vermont. We will continue to fight for a Vermont our children can be proud of.”