Can Vermont Republicans take advantage?
by Rob Roper
Campaign for Vermont released some initial teaser numbers from a poll they conducted as we head into the 2024 legislative session just about a month away. They are not good for the Democrat/Progressive supermajority. They are very good for Governor Phil Scott. Are they good for Republican legislators?
The big number that pops out is that only 35 percent of Vermonters polled believe the state is on the right track. Responding to the question, “Generally speaking, would you say things in Vermont are going in the right direction or wrong direction,” 53 percent said wrong direction. 35 percent are totally cool with what’s happening, and 12 percent had no opinion.
Asked, “Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Vermont State Legislature [controlled by a Democrat Supermajority] is doing representing issues you care about,” only 40 percent approved while 51 percent disapproved, and 9 percent didn’t know. On the other hand, asked the same question about Phil Scott, 64 percent approved of the job he’s doing while only 30 percent disapproved.
A solid interpretation of the data is that a majority of Vermonters don’t like the policies coming out of Montpelier, blame the Democrats/Progressives for passing unpopular laws that yield unsatisfactory outcomes, and appreciate that the governor did his best to stop those policies via his veto pen, although unsuccessfully. Certainly, watching the drama of the Clean Heat Standard (S.5), where thousands of Vermonters called, emailed, and wrote letters begging Democrats to kill the ideologically driven bill that is estimated to add 70¢ to a gallon of home heating oil, only to be backhand slapped by Democrats (every Republican voted against the bill) bolsters that conclusion.
Similarly, the even more unpopular policy of banning internal combustion engine vehicle sales by 2035 – and making it progressively harder and more expensive to buy one in the meantime – appears to be striking a nerve. Car dealers in all fifty states, including nine here in Vermont, recently wrote a letter to President Biden telling him to back off EV mandates as customers don’t want them. Down I-91 this week, Connecticut’s Democrat governor Ned Lamont and that state’s Democrat legislative majority just pulled the plug on joining the California Clean Cars and Trucks initiative. New Hampshire never considered signing on. But the Vermont legislature jumped in with both feet despite a survey showing around 65 percent of Vermonters do not agree with that policy. Solid evidence that they jsut don’t care.
Apart from their radical “green” agenda that is driving up the cost of living in the state – housing costs, energy costs, transportation costs, and the cost of products that are transported and housed (ie. pretty much everything) – the stuff you were able to afford to buy is more likely to be stolen because of the Left’s “defund the police” policies. Crime in once safe, rural Vermont is way up, as is the drug use and homelessness at the root of these problems.
Moreover, it can’t help that Vermont Democrat leaders are also siding with the people who just stormed the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony brandishing swastikas and chanting “from the river to the sea,” an antisemitic rallying cry for genocidal racial cleansing. This, despite another recent poll by Marist for PBS and NPR and reported by the New York Times showing that only 1 percent of Americans support Hamas, and just 30 percent support the Palestinians as opposed to 61 percent who support Israel.
And herein lies a glittering example of the problem. The one demographic exception to the majority of Americans who support Israel over Palestine following the October 7th massacre is people who identify as “very liberal.” Very liberals are anti-Israel by a 2-1 margin (32 to 16 percent). And Vermont’s “very liberal” population is very vocal. We have a disproportionate number of “very liberal” activists, “very liberal” media outlets, and “very liberal” politicians. But these folks, while overrepresented in those afore mentioned bubbles, do not represent a anything near a majority of Vermonters. (Note to Republicans: Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the 65 percent who are not “very liberal” are “very conservative.” They are not.)
Getting back to the Campaign for Vermont poll, I suspect (without access to the cross-tab data) some subset the 35 percent of Vermonters who think the state is on the right track and the 30 percent who disapprove of Phil Scott is “very liberal.” This should present an opportunity for Republican House and Senate candidates in 2024 – if they do the work to take advantage of the situation. Here are four suggestions to start working on today:
1) Recruit candidates for every seat. Start this yesterday. Too many Vermonters are under the illusion that voters overwhelmingly choose for Democrats, so what’s the point of getting involved. The truth is, most voters never have the opportunity to vote for a Republican because there isn’t one on the ballot. Last cycle roughly half the Democrat and Progressive house candidates ran unopposed. Voters aren’t choosing Democrats and Progressives; they’re stuck with them. You’ve got to be in it to win it, as the old lottery slogan wisely observes.
2) Recruit “Representatives.” The problem with elected Democrats today is that they are “very liberal” ideologues who only listen to other very liberal ideologues and ignore the problems and opinions of the majority of people in their districts in favor of national or global ideological agendas. If Republicans similarly recruit only very conservative ideologues who aren’t interested in focusing in on and working to solve problems of their constituents, they aren’t going to win. Pick people known in their communities with a reputation for solving local problems. People who are primarily interested in things like funding the police and making sure people can afford to heat their homes in winter.
3) Volunteer and Donate. Politics is not a spectator sport. If you don’t participate, you can’t expect to win. Not everyone is in a position to run for office, but everybody can support someone who does run. Write letters to the editor. Attend sign waves. If you have a lot of friends, host a house party. And donate! It costs at least $10,000 to run a competitive state House race, and multiples of that to run for senate. Democrats understand that Early Money Is Like Yeast (EMILY’s List). Republicans need to learn that lesson. You can’t expect the candidate to shoulder that burden all by his or herself, or to win without resources. (One opportunity to contribute now is to the Right for Vermont PAC, which is building a war chest that will be used to recruit and support Republican candidates for 2024.) If you’re not on the field, you can’t win the game.
4) Actively Make the Case. Democrats stink and are out of touch. That’s the problem. But what’s the solution? If the answer to that question is silence from Republicans, how will voters know to vote for you? They won’t and they won’t. But this is not hard. Just tell Vermonters that, unlike the Democrats passing laws now, Republicans won’t force you into an electric vehicle you don’t want and can’t afford, powered by “renewable” electricity you don’t want because you can’t afford it, especially after you pay the property taxes you can’t afford, on the house in the neighborhood that’s no longer safe. Republicans have solutions to these problems! A majority of people will agree with you. Probably thank you. Maybe even vote for you. But Republicans need to articulate and spread these messages themselves because the Vermont “very liberal” media is not going to help. So, to steal another advertising slogan, Just Do It.
Rob Roper is a freelance writer who has been involved with Vermont politics and policy for over 20 years. This article reprinted with permission from Behind the Lines: Rob Roper on Vermont Politics, robertroper.substack.com
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Categories: Commentary
No one can vote for non-existent candidates & the pinheaded VT “GOP” that loathes conservatives, Trump, & all things traditionally American don’t put up candidates in most races. They enjoy the status Quo & worship traitors & hypocrites like Romney and their god Mitch McConnell.
The Communists in the statehouse and within your neighborhoods very effectively & efficiently ruining your peace, safety and general quality of life are here for the duration, correct Mr. Dame? Comrade…..you out there??
Huh. Must be out early today building “workforce” housing (i.e. Communist era-style drab often communal-type attached living quarters devoid of character, analogous with LOW-INCOME housing for illegals & those with criminal backgrounds generally unemployed) & giving welcome packets to illegals at the border.
Can Vermont Republicans take advantage? These uni-party clowns in VT are their own worst enemies, they couldn’t be elected dogcatcher. If it wasn’t for Trump they would have no party at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MScbsiVyIVI
“The people that voted for Trump are never going to abandon him. I don’t care what Mueller does. I don’t care what the media does. They’re never going to abandon him. Know why? They elected him knowing who he is. And in many cases, they admire who he is. He is the one person standing in the way of them losing their country. In their minds, that’s what’s at stake”. – Rush Limbaugh
the VTGOP loves everything just the way it is, they will not change ANYTHING…….
all hail the uniparty, all hail the NWO, all hail build back better
all hail, you will own nothing and be happy.
What makes you think they would do anything different?
Top two leader love it just the way it is.
112,704, are …..rather disappointed.
One, they don’t care as they are selected not elected. Two, polls are about as believable as the term “safe and effective.” Three, the day of retribution is at hand and no amount of polling for dollars or favors, deep denial, or chicken dancing under the Golden Dome, Capitol complex, or in the penthouse at the Pavillion Buidling will change or stop what is coming.
They don’t care, they hate you. And they know there is nothing you can do about it.
As someone who lives in another northeast blue state but loves visiting Vermont, I think there are two reasons to be optimistic -Republicans there have nowhere to go but up, and the demographics could be favorable in Vermont if Republicans get their act together. I can’t imagine most Vermonters want to ban gas cars, boys in girls’ locker rooms, or 18 percent property tax raises. It is time for the non-left to be more vocal.
This plan is just plain stupid.
Let look at this if reverse order:
If you make your plan to call democrats stink, you lost 60% of the voters. You can easily find issues that cross party lines without giving up the love and defense of the republic. You can do this without giving up fiscal responsibility. The ground you play upon is already controlled by marxists as is all the media….
Volunteer, donate…..we don’t even have a list to work from in many counties. WE HAVE NO PLAN. We don’t even have an organization……there are people who would do this, many more would, but when you come into an organization, that is utterly in chaos, and they don’t want to do anything different, the sensible, reasonable thing to do is walk out, not waste your time and money on a group that doesn’t want change.
Many of us know the problems in Vermont, we are living them. Affordability, Drugs, and School funding/education. When you make a platform that addresses Vermont problems rather than “red meat” republican banter from national, you might get somewhere. Instead, we always go national and fall for their framing the conversation, for them framing the debates, for them controlling the entire narrative. Until we are smart enough, we’ll continue to lose in epic fashion. There is so much waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money, it’s staggering, the fact nobody talks about it shows they are all in on it.
Recruit, cannon fodder is not a winning game plan, it’s a way to bring down moral and subject people to unnecessary pain. We need wins, small wins, lead to bigger wins. We have people that would support a candidate that has a chance, popular, successful and perhaps not in a town whereby 90% are liberal. Bringing people from other towns to help, gives people hope, builds a team and seasons people on what it takes to win. Most importantly, it gives people a taste of success. It takes 10 years to build an army, wouldn’t expect to rebuild an organization in less than 5 years. The fantasy of we’re going to win if we put candidates in all positions is a fool’s errand.
People hate change. The most important thing could be to replace every leading member in the VT GOP with new people, have the old guard as advisors. Within 5 years you’d have change.
But nobody wants to give up their power.
Excellent observations Neil, and completely accurate. The Bennington County GOP has an elderly individual running the show who wouldn’t dare to openly or vocally take on a democrat even if that dem was running about slashing the very throats of GOP challengers. They hold a monthly meeting in their grand home where a dozen or so sit around complaining and partaking in coffee & donuts. The woman undoubtably donates $$ annually to the state GOP for a nice healthy tax deduction, and in turn she keeps her “power” and its supposed stature – all the while contributing absolutely nothing toward turning the tide of the abject evil that has overtaken VT.
We originally joined the group and as you described above, permanently bowed out after but two meetings. We witnessed notices being sent to the Bennington Banner re: various GOP “happenings” around election time which the Banner predictably refused to publish. When I expressed outrage at the group’s acceptance of this practice, the head of the organization laughingly replied, “Oh we’re used to it, they always ignore it”. Then, after voluntarily composing a very strongly worded letter-to-the-editor on behalf of the GOP group – I was told that they simply did not want to send it my letter the Banner.
Dame and his RINO buds are all giddily satiated by the aforementioned status Quo and their collective hatred against Donald Trump who attempts to squelch it. And we all suffer deeply in light of it. I mean, you know the dude reads VDC all the time as does his predecessor. But even she had & occasionally still has the decency to respond; Dame doesn’t.
C’mon Dame! MAN UP! Show a wee little bit of gumption, like Marie Paradis when she was forced to stare down the barrel of a dang gun thanks to the INEPTITUDE of you and your homies.
The above plan is the same one given out every election season.
It doesn’t work.
When you have a baseball team loosing for 30 years in a row, what does the owner do? (the people)…
Is your management team good?
Are your players good?
Do you have a good training team?
Do you have the money?
Do you have the facilities?
You assess them all. You change everything that is not working.
WE KEEP DOING THE SAME THING!
WITH THE SAME PEOPLE!
WITH THE SAME PLAN!
AND GUESS WHAT WE GET???????? THE SAME RESULTS!!!!!!!
and because of this, it is very, very, very safe to say Vermont will not change. The VTGOP will predicably come across another massive defeat.
But we seem to be happy losing, go figure. And people who point out the obvious are labeled as traitors….not members of the GOP, and other non-sense.
There you go again, using common sense and pointing out the obvious. How dare you!? Those who are aware know it took decades for the highest tier despots to carefully and patiently plot out the destruction of not only America, but the Western world. Vermont is a yellow hole in the snow compared to trophy States like California, Texas, and New York. The swamp runs deep and wide. A close look at the placed players in Vermont, not a whole lot of them are from here. The ones who are from here took big money, under the table, to play with the big boys, get a seat at the big table, at the big club.
The good news is they are being exposed. The game is being upended. Fraud has a limited shelf life. Their entire game now has shifted to covering up their criminal conduct at all costs, even taking a good many lives down with them. War is indeed Hell. What unfolds from here will be dangerous, precarious, and miraculous all at the same time. Hold on tight and be prepared, the ride is going to be very, very bumpy.
Respectfully, Neil, you are dead wrong. The last time the Republicans won a majority in the house (2000) they did so by running 135 candidates for 150 seats. They won 83 of those races — a 61% success rate. Last year Republicans ran 78 candidates for 150 seats and won 43 — a 55% success rate. The problem with recent Republican candidates — and the people who recruit them — is that they tend to commit to running very late, even as we have moved the real election day up 45 days via early voting, which doesn’t give any challenger enough time to organize and execute a real campaign. So one thing that needs to change is how we look at the calendar.
Moreover, when you let half of the Democrats run unopposed it is A) demoralizing to the Republicans in those districts and B), it frees the Dem incumbents and activists in those districts to gang up and attack the Republicans running in neighboring districts. So, “the same thing” we have been doing for the last several cycles is — in fact — focusing in on a few “competitive” districts while leaving the rest of the field open. How’s it working out?
“We don’t even have a list to work from in many counties.” Yeah? Make a list. Where do you think lists come from, the list fairy? People on the ground in the districts make the lists. Get the checklist from your town clerk(s) to start. Then run online polls, collect the data and build out the list. Pull names from local media stories and social media and connect them to issues. Do door to door petitions on issues and add this data to your list. This is how Franklin County Republicans did it, and now they hold every seat in the county but one. That’s the model to follow. It works. But it takes work.
“Many of us know the problems in Vermont, we are living them. Affordability, Drugs, and School funding/education.” Yes. These are the issues Vermonters Republicans should be focused on — and highlighting the fact that Democrat policies are at the root of every one of these problems. But most voters overwhelmingly don’t connect these dots on their own. The liberal media isn’t going to connect those dots for them. Republicans need to take on that job and do it effectively: Democrats are the Problem — on affordability, drugs, etc — Republicans are the Solution. “The same thing” Republicans have been doing every year is hoping voters have an epiphany regarding the damage Democrats are doing to our state and change their voting patterns while we sit in the corner with a goofy smile on our face. That is the — demonstrably — failed plan.
“the VTGOP loves everything just the way it is, they will not change ANYTHING.” You do realize that the VTGOP — town committees, county committees state committee — is created through a participation and election process, right? So, you know who apparently loves everything the way it is and will not change anything? The folks who don’t show up. The folks on this page who bitch that the VTGOP won’t change, but could change it if they showed up to town committee organizational meeting with five friends — but don’t.
Well Rob, I could be wrong, I’m humble enough to say it. The year 2000 was a long time ago, almost 2 generations of Vermonters ago, that’s how long ago. Things have changed drastically, and not for the better.
Facebook didn’t even exist in the year 2000, it wasn’t until 2004. All these social media platforms…..didn’t exist.
We’ve “educated” two generations in Marxism and we and they don’t even know the difference. Our populace doesn’t know the difference between a republic and a democracy. They don’t even know how to recognize or discern truth. They have “educated” them in love…..which is really lust.
This is asymmetric warfare of the most corrupt kind.
So this is what I got to witness, first hand in the VTGOP.
A good candidate ran for Governor, he was given no aid whatsoever in the primaries…NONE>
At the big summer meeting they, the party, refused to even introduce him let alone let him speak.
But when he was making too much sense, the republican governors association sent Gov Scott a million dollars.
Now we know Scott has the list of Republican voters, it would be pretty easy to share with those below, just sayin” Last meeting, where I went to Washington Co. GOP….they didn’t have a f’n list. That’s not on me or any other conservative voter, nice try though.
Many have tried to make change within the VTGOP, remember the Agri_Republicans???? They were told they could not do that.
I may be wrong, but I may be right in some ways. The VTGOP is on a current track for an epic loss, again this year. I’d bet a $100 their current plan will not work.
And you know what, every conservative and liberal would bet on my side, want to know why I think that? Look at the coffers of the VTGOP……everybody is keeping their $100 to themselves.
It’s not the year 2000, alot has changed, much change needs to happen.
Maybe you’ll prove me wrong, but history suggests it’s not a winning plan.
Who is Keith Stern……ask him his experience….lol…
Are the candidates pre-selected? Is everyone given a fair shot? Is everyone given good support and advice? Ask all the people who have run and lost. Don’t take my word for it. See what they’ve done within the party. Ask them if they would do it again. Ask them if and what they would change from within……
ask around
With all due respect, I suggest widening your lense to view and take in the big picture. Who dictates the VTGOP? The RNC perhaps? After the shellacing in Virgina, it was pointed out the RNC gave them no money. Why? Perhaps because reportedly they only have $9 million left in the till? Also, perhaps we are far beyond the old guard two party system because both platforms are not representing the People anymore. The left is standing on abortion and perverted immoral behavior over an economy that works. The right is standing on, I don’t even know – their message isn’t getting through other than pointing fingers at the left and then voting with them. The only person busting through the convoluted narratives is 45 – and the hatred and vitriol against him speaks volumes to the People – more so than empty platitudes, empty pandering, empty suits, and no results to make our lives any better – only worse. Perhaps the VTGOP needs to stop paying good cop, bad cop, stop putting foreign interests above all, and stop playing the “feelings” game, and work for the People for a change.
Huh. I don’t exactly see throngs of dimocrats rallying for candidates or attending meetings either though – just likely a LOT more money greasing palms for this wayward party from out-of-state ne’re-do-wells such as George Soros. They are flush. Interestingly however I’m bettin’ that if you were to bring up merely three bills or proposals for bill that were introduced into the legislature in ’23 by these crazed, worthless d-bags (sorry, but there exists no alternate apt description) the vast majority of their “followers” wouldn’t have a clue as to what you were referencing. Yet they vote them all into office every time.
The people of VT, many (though certainly not all as I’m a transplant myself) transplants from other states are poorly informed with regard to their public servant’s platforms, ideologies, voting histories, etc. & just waltz into the polling place like drones & party-line vote as though it was November 8, 1960 all over again. Dems = good. GOP + bad. My propagandized DNC-controlled media told me so…..
As I described in my own response to Neil, I agree with him that this VTGOP themselves require some of the “transitioning” that their clinically insane friends & cohorts on the other side of the isle blather about so much – the VTGOP, as they currently exist, needs to be transitioned right out the door. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if it is……
And btw, I have been highly involved in personally attempting to make a difference in VT from composing literally dozens of letters to the editor & guest editorials over nearly 25 years that were published in the Banner, the Reformer, & the Manchester Journal. I served for over 7 years on a town Planning Commission. I’ve attended GOP meetings (as described above) and attended rallies & campaign sign-waves.
See a big difference in the political climate yet? Neither do I. Not my job and the VTGOP is useless.
Vermont actually does have lots of problems now – crime, drugs, homelessness, taxes. If Republicans don’t find a way to take advantage, they never will. Run seats in every seat you can.
“We the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful, we’ve come so far, done so much, with so little, we’re now able to anything, with nothing at all…we the unwilling…”
You can complain that nothing changes, or you can work to change things. Explain to me how in just three or four election cycles Franklin County went from two Republican house members and zero senators to holding both senate seats and every house seat but one — in a county that is demographically less conservative than Addison county (zero Republicans today), Caledonia County, Rutland County, Orleans County, and Essex County. Fundamentals…. Recruit strong candidates, fundraise, do the hard work of campaigning (knock on every door, do direct mail, BUILD YOUR OWN FREAKIN’ LISTS, work together as a team) and run on a local, local, local basket of issues voters care about and a majority agree with you on. This can be and should be a positive conservative message. Vermonters agree that they don’t want to pay 70 cents a gallon more for home heating oil. Same goes for gasoline and diesel. They agree that they don’t want to pay 20% higher property taxes. They agree that the state shouldn’t ban ICE cars and trucks, forcing folks to buy vehicles they don’t want and can’t afford. They agree defunding the police is stupid and has led to huge crime issues in our once safe state. If you want to fold this hand and walk away, well, I think you’re extremely foolish.
The voters in Franklin County still have common sense. The Vt Legislature has targeted the voters of Franklin County and tried to overturn our votes. Right now a legislative committee is spending enormous amounts of money trying to oust duly elected Sheriff Grismore. We voted for Grismore knowing full well the charges against him. We knew what we were doing.
I personally already described in some detail to you following your baseless accusation that posters on VDC do nothing to advance a conservative message. The point is – your friend Paul Dame & all/any of his associates currently heading up the VTGOP volunteered for their positions. No one coerced or forced them into it; hence it is THEIR job – not mine or Neil or Melissa’s – to transform the GOP here into an organization that WORKS. One that works to locate candidates, support them, fund them through whatever means they can legitimately & legally conceive, promote them, & have them win. You know, kinda like the VT dems obviously do to win elections & subsequently destroy lives.
Last time I called VTGOP headquarters many years ago to request a large lawn sign which I was willing to place on my personal property, I was told I would have to pay for it. Brilliant!!! Not. Did I? No. These dudes need to get real or get out. In reality though? I predict they will do neither. (BTW, I’m a seer on the side while I’m not working night & day to help the VTGOP since those in charge do nothing to help themselves.) And in keeping with my side job, I predict that the GOP in VT will lose round about as many elections as they did last time, just as my fellow seer Neil predicted. R u a bettin’ man, Mr. Roper?
BTW, your message in your last post sounds great….now get DAME, the head of the VTGOP to run with it & win, after all this is, again, HIS gig. He asked for it. That’s how that stuff works.
Kathleen, I am not defending Paul or belittling the folks on VDC who do in many cases work hard to advance the agenda and/or support candidates directly. You know who you are better than I! But regardless of Dame’s performance, you don’t seem to know how the party works or is structured. There is a reason the Town committees organize first, then the Counties, then the State. It is the responsibility of the town committees to recruit and support House candidates — that’s their gig, and they volunteered for it –, the Counties to recruit and support Senate candidates and the State Committee to recruit and support candidates for statewide office. Yes, they are all supposed to work together as a team — but it is a “bottom up” organizational structure, not top down. The towns support the counties, support the state — not the other way around. So if you want Paul Dame to take my or any message and run with it, pressure has to come from the bottom up. (Curiously, if it’s not your job to get him to do something, why would it be mine? Why would it be anybody’s? FYI, I’m trying and asking here for your help and getting the finger in return, so there’s that.) Also, who exactly is supposed to pay for the lawn sign you put up in your yard? Name a person, because someone has to donate the money to have it printed and shipped. Who should that be? I guess the List Fairy’s cousin the Lawn Sign Fairy? I understand not everyone can afford the $5 or $10 for a lawn sign. This is where local town committee, county committee or candidate direct fundraising efforts can help. Nobody – not Paul Dame or anyone else — is stopping you from organizing your own activities within or outside of the party structure. Again, I understand if you don’t want to do this. It’s hard and time consuming and sometimes costs money. But if that’s the case, don’t trash the people who are trying to do this work. How does that benefit anyone? It seems you’d rather lose than do the work of winning.
Re: “So if you want Paul Dame to take my or any message and run with it, pressure has to come from the bottom up.”
Rob, I’m not buying it. In my experience (as a school board member) there is no such thing as bottom up ‘party’ pressure. Political pressure comes only from grassroots issue-by-issue opinion. And even then, only when a specific concern becomes unusually polarizing. When it comes to the VT GOP, there is no issue – except, perhaps, Never Trump – who threatens the establishment orthodoxy on either side. The VT GOP does whatever its upper echelon dictates.
Party organizations, platforms, and practices tend to take on a life of their own, as does any organization. Clearly, Paul Dame is marching to the tune of establishment political orthodoxy, as you appear to be doing now.
Don’t blame Dame or the other usual suspects for this dystopian political process, you say. It’s the little guys. Town Committees are, after all, an easy mark. They are a hodgepodge of ever-changing participants, and easily manipulated by the establishment.
The best example I can offer is Vermont’s so-called ‘local control’ of education by elected school board members. What a joke. Enter the Vermont School Board Association (VSBA). It is the VSBA and its behind the scenes affiliation with the Superintendent’s and Principal’s Associations (not to mention the State Board of Ed), who control whatever ‘platform’ the education establishment agrees to.
Why even have a VT GOP? Be it from the ‘bottom up’ or the ‘top down’, the party’s ability to support any local political movement is nonexistent. In the 45 years or so that I’ve lived here in Vermont, having served on a school board, planning commission, downtown development association, what have you, I have never, ever, been contacted by anyone from either party, locally or statewide.
Why is that? Because I’m a known entity, a non-conformist. As, I suspect, are most of the people on VDC complaining about Paul Dame and the VT GOP’s impotence. We simply want to be left alone to our own devices. And we resent it when someone blames us for the demise of an established organization that can’t get out of its own way, be it the VT GOP or the VDP.
Does anyone here know who Anne Lezak is?
Re: “Also, who exactly is supposed to pay for the lawn sign you put up in your yard?”
More obfuscation. A typical political diversion by an establishment poltical orodoxy.
How about the VT GOP pay for it? … from it’s wealth of fund raising successes across the State.
Jay, Again, I’m not defending the job Paul is doing (though I am certainly not rooting to see him fail, and will do my best to help him succeed because I want to see conservative Republicans win elections). But it seems to me the “same thing” done year after year for the past several cycles is bitching for party leadership to change, and not doing anything substantive to either change it or find ways to work around it. What are the folks complaining doing different this cycle in an effort to garner different results? Genuinely curious.
The VDP is just as screwed up as the VTGOP, but those on the left who disagree with how their party operates form VPIRG, CLF, EAN, Rights & Democracy…. to push the narratives and issues they want — and recruit and endorse candidates.
“Political pressure comes only from grassroots issue-by-issue opinion.” Yes. That is the very definition of a bottom to top power dynamic. The same is true for intraparty politics.
“the party’s ability to support any local political movement is nonexistent.” Yeah, pretty much. So either fix that or find another mechanism for supporting local political movements. I’d suggest starting with local town committees, and stop looking to the state. You know, bottom up. This is what Franklin County did. Screw the state party, we’ll do this ourselves. A very legitimate way of doing something different to get different results.
Re: “Also, who exactly is supposed to pay for the lawn sign you put up in your yard?” More obfuscation. A typical political diversion by an establishment poltical orodoxy. How about the VT GOP pay for it? … from it’s wealth of fund raising successes across the State.”
Who exactly do you think the VTGOP gets its money from? Grassroots Republican Vermonters. If those folks don’t donate, the party has no money to pay for lawn signs or anything else. One of the ways the party fundraised last cycle was by asking folks who wanted lawn signs to make a donation to help fund the lawn sign program. Actually kind of reasonable. I thought the “where’s my free s—?” party was the other one. I guess not.
Rob the organization of the VDP is not screwed up by any means. It is completely run with an iron fist, ultimate top down. These organizations you tout as influencing the party are also run by the same political operatives, they all take orders from above. They and the democratic party are in lock step with Agenda 21, which was signed by Geoge Bush in the 1990’s down in Rio……..I can remember and you can find his speech talking about the New World Order….at the time I voted for him and had no idea what he was talking about…..but then both candidates were pimps for the NWO, so there was no win.
There were some good candidates, Cynthia Brown comes to mind, she stepped out of line and what happened to her? The VTGOP is a softer you don’t comply; we’ll just make your life miserable and speak out against you from within the party. You will get nowhere. Ask Kieth Stern and couldn’t have been a nicer guy….
If you put up for vote by all republicans, who should be the leader of the VTGOP, I suspect you’d have different results. In some way you are correct about from bottom up, but the funds, the support and lack of participation should be a strong indication to those at the county and town levels that something isn’t working? So why would they continue?
If the restaurant kept serving liver and nobody was buying…….but everybody next door was buying chicken…….what would you do? Why would you not want to at least ADD another item to the menu?
It suggests the problem is much more complex than most would like to admit.
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “I’m not defending the job Paul is doing (though I am certainly not rooting to see him fail, and will do my best to help him succeed because I want to see conservative Republicans win elections).”
What??? So now those of us criticizing Paul Dame are ‘rooting to see him fail’? Are we misogynists, white supremacists, fascists, and domestic terrorists, too? Come on, Rob. This is an ad hominem characterization I would expect from a progressive liberal. We don’t have to root to see Dame fail. He does well enough in that regard on his own.
And so now you’re “not defending the job Paul is doing”, but you “will do your best to help him succeed” anyway??, in order “to see conservative Republicans win elections”, even while that’s not happening at all under Dame’s management?
Circuitous logic, perhaps?
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “it seems to me the “same thing” done year after year for the past several cycles is bitching for party leadership to change, and not doing anything substantive to either change it or find ways to work around it.”
Then why do you and the VT GOP keep doing ‘the same thing’ year after year?
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “What are the folks complaining doing different this cycle in an effort to garner different results? Genuinely curious.
For one thing, they’re lobbying to have folks like Paul Dame replaced. You are the only person I see on VDC defending Dame.
Clearly, the majority of VDC commentors are trying to explain to you why the Trump MAGA movement is the better bet to achieve the conservatism we all desire. And, just as clearly, you continue to resist that movement. At this point, what do you and the VT GOP have to lose by supporting the MAGA movement? The worst that can happen is that you continue to lose.
@ Rob Roper:
Re” Yes. That is the very definition of a bottom to top power dynamic. The same is true for intraparty politics.”
No, intraparty politics is not like that at all. And just saying that’s so doesn’t make it so, either. Just witness the overwhelming condemnation of the VT GOP by ‘grassroots’ commentors on VDC.
And still, no one listens.
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “Who exactly do you think the VTGOP gets its money from? Grassroots Republican Vermonters.”
Does the VT GOP publish a list of its donors? Does the VT GOP publish a list of those it financially supports? How do you know these are “Grassroots Republican Vermonters”?
In my district, the republican candidate for the VT House, who I supported at the grassroots level, had to pay for his own signs. Otherwise, to the best of my knowledge, he didn’t receive any VT GOP guidance, leadership, or support.
Whatever your thoughts on these matters are, Rob, the VT GOP has been an abject failure now for years. The VT GOP has its own political agenda. It does not reflect the will of almost everyone commenting here on VDC… no matter how hard you try to convince us otherwise.
Neil, the Dem Caucus is certainly run with an iron fist. No argument there. But the Party is a mess. The ED before the current one embezzled 18K, or something like that, and donors basically abandoned it. Dem candidates don’t look to their party for support. They look to the PACs and the activist organizations.
Jay,
“Then why do you and the VT GOP keep doing ‘the same thing’ year after year?” The whole point of my initial article was to do something different. Recruit on a different timeline, recruit candidates with different qualifications, focus on different issues, prioritize fundraising in a different way. What are you proposing to do differently? Except lobby to replace Paul Dame, which you did exactly the same thing two years ago. Who, by the way, did you recruit to run against him in November to bring the difference? Nobody. Yeah….
“So now those of us criticizing Paul Dame are ‘rooting to see him fail’? Are we misogynists, white supremacists, fascists, and domestic terrorists, too? Come on, Rob.” First point, when people offer to bet me that Paul will fail, yes I’d say they are rooting for that outcome. As for the second part of this weird non-sequitur, your accusation that I’m insinuating anything along those lines is a quite bizarre figment of your imagination.
“Clearly, the majority of VDC commenters are trying to explain to you why the Trump MAGA movement is the better bet to achieve the conservatism we all desire.” I’m focused on local politics and local issues. Trump has about a 27% approval rating in Vermont. I’d love to hear your explanation for how running on national issues in support of a wildly unpopular politician from New York/Florida in this state is a pathway to winning local elections. Popcorn is popping in anticipation of your answer.
“Just witness the overwhelming condemnation of the VT GOP by ‘grassroots’ commentors on VDC. And still, no one listens.” This is not the forum to make such complaints if you want to be effective. Here you are preaching to the choir – of about six people tops. What I’m asking in this forum is if people are willing to move outside this bubble to do the work of changing public opinion. The answer sadly seems to be no.
“VT GOP has been an abject failure now for years.” Yes, which is why I am asking people to come forward and help either fix it and make it effective, or find another vehicle that can be effective in time for 2024. I’m game for either alternative. What’s your proposal?
“In my district, the republican candidate for the VT House, who I supported at the grassroots level, had to pay for his own signs.” Yes, because the VTGOP has no money because people aren’t donating to it. Your options: help the VTGOP fundraise so it has money to share with candidates, or donate directly to the candidates themselves, or form your own PAC to raise money for the candidates you support. (As to your question about who donates to the Republican Party and who does the party give to, yes, it’s all a matter of public record, all donations over $100).
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “What are you proposing to do differently? Except lobby to replace Paul Dame, which you did exactly the same thing two years ago.”
Come on, Rob. Deb Billado was the VT GOP chair two years ago. I had no reason to lobby against the new chair, Paul Dame, two years ago. I didn’t know who he was. But I have since witnessed his ineffective leadership and criticized him during his recent re-election. But that was only a month or two ago. Your logic is not only circuitous, it’s inaccurate.
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “First point, when people offer to bet me that Paul will fail, yes I’d say they are rooting for that outcome.”
If what you just said isn’t a ‘weird non-sequitur’, what is? Someone made a bet with you that Dame would fail. And, therefore, that justifies your ‘insinuation’ that everyone is rooting to see him fail. And for your next strawman?
Oh, it’s me. I’m the one insinuating. Right? Your dialog verifies my conjecture as well as I ever could.
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “First point, when people offer to bet me that Paul will fail, yes I’d say they are rooting for that outcome.”
If what you just said isn’t a ‘weird non-sequitur’, what is? Someone made a bet with you that Dame would fail. And, therefore, that justifies your ‘insinuation’ that everyone is rooting to see him fail.
And for your next strawman?
Oh, it’s me. I’m the one insinuating. Right? Rob, your dialog verifies my conjecture as well as I ever could.
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “I’d love to hear your explanation for how running on national issues in support of a wildly unpopular politician from New York/Florida in this state is a pathway to winning local elections.”
You first. Explain how the VT GOP supports anything that becomes a pathway to its having won something recently?
@ Rob Roper:
Re: “I’d love to hear your explanation for how running on national issues in support of a wildly unpopular politician from New York/Florida in this state is a pathway to winning local elections.”
Apparently, you think Vermonters don’t care about national issues. Why would they care about terrorists coming across the borders, or inflation?
You may be right when it comes to the people in Burlington and Brattleboro and their concern for national issues. They obviously don’t care about the police and law and order. I suppose, then, you’d say no one cares about drug abuse and increasing suicides either.
Do you honestly believe Vermonters don’t care about our totally failed national public education system and the grotesque amount of tax monies funding it?
But then, why does this “wildly unpopular politician from New York/Florida” care so much about these national issues, when no one else in Vermont does? Is he that out of touch? Or are you out of touch?
Maybe Trump would gain more traction in Vermont if you and the VT GOP acknowledged the benefits of his specific policies, instead of projecting the over-simplistic claim that he’s ‘a wildly unpopular politician’ as cover for your own lack of popularity.
Again, tell it DAME. His job. His responsibility. I’ve done my part, as aptly described for your benefit, as a private citizen. Demonstrate a little courage & chutzpah, Dame. And zip it for God’s sake when it comes to your rather bizarre animosity towards Trump. The guy kicks butt & never backs down, unlike the VTGOP.
Up front, I am an Independent as both party headquarters don’t represent me or my values. Who are the top donors to the VTGOP? Who are the county reps or big dogs who direct and dictate how the money is spent or to whom it is given? There were two big shindigs this year (the BBQ and the ballroom blitz in Burlington) was there a unified front or was it MAGA v. RINOs? The Democrats have big money and are unified liars and deceivers. So, the answer should be VTGOP put their money where their mouth is and don’t be liars and deceivers. Is that too much to ask? Apparently, after the past two decades, it certainly seems that way.
The absolute worst thing the VTGOP did was put up Liam Madden and threw away a congressional seat. They knew exactly what they were doing and pretended it was all legit. The so-called Republican Governor supports The Biden and the leftist marxist propaganda machine – hello?
So, forgive the populace if they can’t seem to “rah, rah sis boom bah” for VTGOP because as they are losers, and apparently they are perfectly fine to keep it that way. Change the top and maybe the bottom will have more faith and enthusiasm.
I don’t disagree with grassroots’ frustrations with party leadership that you describe. Agree 100% Liam Madden and the way the party handled his candidacy was a fiasco. I will, however, note that the main reason he won the primary was because grassroots Republican voters did not turn out to vote for either of the actual Republican candidates on the ballot.
I’m not saying you need to rah rah cheer. I am saying you can’t sit on the sidelines and expect things to change for the better. You can’t control the state party? But maybe you can control a town committee. If you don’t like the candidates — or in about half the districts in Vermont don’t even have one — recruit someone you like.
Change the top, you say. Who is supposed to change the top? The top? Don’t count on that. Only the bottom can change the top.
Who will change the top? The top won’t do it, the bottom has to do it? Ifsofacto, the top has the power, control and the money – they don’t care what the bottom wants or thinks. In other words, corruption and collusion is their way and until that is addressed, it won’t change. I pointed that out numerous times. The bottom doesn’t seem to feel obligated to do anything about holding their “leaders” to account – why would that be I wonder? Again, the RNC is dictating the party – not only in Vermont, but other places as well. Our neighbors in New Hampshire seem to get it and pushing hard. They take live free or die very seriously. Here, not so much until the bottom falls out from under the bottom – then maybe, just maybe….
In reply Mr. Roper, first Paul Dame is a fool by “eating his own” with his never-ending bashing of Donald Trump. Vote for whom you wish with your own ballot, but as the head of the VT GOP, it is “deplorable” (to use a popular term with those who hate & fear Trump) to publicly knock the unofficial head of the national GOP & former POTUS. If this idiocy brought Dame votes in VT & had voters giving his candidates favor, I’d be silent, but INSTEAD it directly causes many to surrender to the leftist crazed powers that be out of sheer FRUSTRATION and the GOP loses race after race after race. Just stop, Dame – Your groveling & kowtowing to the left in order to just placate them demonstrates weakness & cowardice, NOT strength. Use your breath to OUTLINE in print, in social media, in all mass communications – the reasons WHY VT is failing & who is to BLAME for that. Hint: It ain’t Trump. And if ANYONE is “trashing” anyone else – it’s Dame trashing Trump who remains, like him or NOT, a beloved, respected former POTUS who is polling in first place as the GOP candidate as we write!
In reply to your question as to who pays for lawn signs? I’m presuming that they are paid for via the thousands upon thousands (exact figures could be provided should Dame choose to impart them) of dollars DONATED by citizens, organizations, & alternate sources the GOP takes in n annually. Next, the signs are GIVEN out to citizens who request them so that the “free” (as Bernie might state) campaign coverage/promotion they provide can in turn help GOP candidates win elections. Throughout other areas, (using my native L.I. as but one example) – such signs are liberally provided to any & all supporters who request them with automobile signage available as well so that wherever you go, your candidate/party goes too. Should signage be vandalized/stolen & the perp caught, the party moves to very publicly denounce & pressure the lawbreaker be held accountable. Insofar as mailing these rather cumbersome signs – each GOP headquarters location (are there even any any more??) should be provided signs & then known or reliable supporters can pick them up rather locally for themselves. This is done via your organization’s “foot soldiers” as it were – perhaps young students/volunteers willing to do a one-time drop-off for the cause. Lastly, bumper stickers are CHEAP as heck – even on sites such as eBay & I made up a whole lot myself in opposition to Prop 22. The Baptist Church in my hometown made up signs on their own as well; never charging anyone to display them. I also vehemently disagree that this organization led by Dame is or should be run by a “bottoms up” type of structure. In business (or politics), success & structure comes from the top down. Minimum-wage employees aren’t creating policy & running with it to build multi-billion-dollar corporate empires – the well-trained well-educated savvy executives establish policy & the intricate workings of said company. Thereby, if an elderly town party head is no longer producing for the GOP in terms of votes, events, donations, etc., they need to be appropriately thanked for their service, given a proverbial gold watch (or maybe just a gold-tone watch in these instances) & the party head appoints a more dynamic, interactive, bold individual as replacement.
Lastly, you mistakenly believed I was giving you “the finger” within my comments on here, when in fact such is not the case – I’m merely giving “the finger” to Dame & his buds at the head of the VT GOP table. What they are doing does NOT work and that speaks volumes. And yes, I’ll repeat what many do under similar circumstances under a variety of applications: What’s the definition of “stupid”? Doing the same thing(s) over & over and expecting different results.
Nonetheless, I’m CERTAIN I’ll be seeing Dame on some street corner with bullhorn in hand lambasting Donald Trump in the near future. Great goin’, Dame. Just great. Keep it up. Not!
” You thought Where’s My Free S**t” comes from the dems? You mean the people who loathe & badmouth President Trump as much as the RINO’s in the VT GOP do? You mean you expect me to believe that you cannot distinguish a GOP private citizen who asks for a LAWN SIGN to help promote & advertise a candidate – and a democRAT who wishes to overthrow the USA as we know it & transform it into a Communist state where all citizens fully rely upon their allotted, meager services & goods from the dictatorial government?? Are you seriously inferring that the VT GOP cannot distinguish between a citizen who seeks to extend their assist to the party by allowing them to promote their candidates for the purported good of the party as opposed to those seeking to be housed, fed, be given clean needles with which to enable their drug habit, as within republican(?) Phil Scott’s hotel homeless program??
Again, Dame & his RINO cohorts simply aren’t representing the concerns or the will of many Vermonters. In a fundraiser held this year – the VT GOP in fact chose a NYS(?) GOP Gubernatorial candidate who LOST his race for governor in that state & who Dame et al then requested he come to VT to discuss (you can’t make this stuff up) how to win races here!??
Since I’m originally from Nassau County, LI, NY myself where your “keynote speaker” Lee Zeldin essentially hails from, I can tell you that the entire GOP party there is deeply corrupted & has long played the system in lording over their public employees there particularly in order to steal from the taxpayers & line their own pockets. Ever hear of the notorious One Percent Trial there & the antics perpetrated by “GOP” Senator Al D’Amato? Perhaps Guy Page might wish one day to resurrect a synopsis of the entire charade to demonstrate precisely what a party & its leaders are capable of when it nets them money and power….
I fully agree with Melissa in her deduction that there is a LOT more at stake here in terms of “foreign” interests, duping the constituency, and enabling the VT GOP’s piss-poor performances to continue with intent for a number of nefarious reasons that do not in any way benefit WE the PEOPLE.
Couple of points. Phil Scott’s homeless hotel program. You do realize that Phil Scott vetoed the state budget because it included money for that program? You can disagree with a lot Scott does, as I certainly do, but he was right to try to stop that program, and you are wrong to accuse him of supporting it.
Yes, Lee Zeldin lost his bid for governor, but he did in fact show how a statewide candidate running on a strong platform can help OTHER more local candidates get elected. Some losers have coattails, and some winners don’t. Zeldin helped get several congressional candidates across the finish line, giving (along with Ron DeSantis’ similar efforts in Florida) the GOP its slim majority in the Federal House. Phil Scott could learn a lesson from Lee Zeldin on that point — campaign to help others win.
As for my “free s—” comment, I’ve been in Vermont politics for a long time, and sadly I see a lot of people on the right who expect others to do the work, raise the money, put their necks on the chopping block of public opinion… but somehow feel entitled to the policy and electoral outcomes they want without participating in a meaningful way themselves. But 2024 is the year to put your time talents and treasure where your mouth is. It’s a huge opportunity to move the state to the right. Let’s not blow it.
The retort to your latest reply has arrived & should be showing as the last reply at the bottom of your screen. We all are now waiting with bated breath for Mr Dame to “appear” in person on VDC……no more Cappo’s or underbosses or soldiers of any kind.
And yes, I do, very much like The Godfather trilogy.
Memo to Paul Dame (or his successor, Rob):
“Recruit strong candidates, fundraise, do the hard work of campaigning (knock on every door, do direct mail, BUILD YOUR OWN FREAKIN’ LISTS, work together as a team) and run on a local, local, local basket of issues voters care about and a majority agree with you on. This can be and should be a positive conservative message. Vermonters agree that they don’t want to pay 70 cents a gallon more for home heating oil. Same goes for gasoline and diesel. They agree that they don’t want to pay 20% higher property taxes. They agree that the state shouldn’t ban ICE cars and trucks, forcing folks to buy vehicles they don’t want and can’t afford. They agree defunding the police is stupid and has led to huge crime issues in our once safe state.”
Let’s say there are two leadership choices for Vermont GOP voters, for fun and games.
We take the leading, most popular Governor in the country and the head of the VtGop and have them lay out their plan for Vermont and ask people to join and follow their lead, mold the party in their image so to speak.
Then we have another very popular former president come and do a fund raiser, lay out his plan, ask those in Vermont to give and follow his lead, mold the party in his image so to speak.
Which one do you think would garner more money, more people, more plan?
Now the former president would know that he’s on different turf, the battlefield is much different. He would focus on what is important to Vermonters. He wouldn’t listen to polls, and he would most definitely not allow others to frame the conversation. He’s not even letting his own party that is supposed to be on his side, frame the conversation within……..on demonstration for the world to see because he’s not going to a rigged debate, just like we have in Vermont.
Replace the above with someone of the same mindset and character. See what happens. Keith Stern offered just a reasonable alternative and he was basically run out of the party. John Klar, who gathered many candidates was told he cannot work under the term Agri Republicans…..
There is a divide within the party, it’s not just Vermont. All the people are not blind and stupid. You can buy a list for not much money……data mining is so incredibly invasive now…..yet when those in power don’t know this, don’t share this, don’t already have one to share, or perhaps it’s more like unwilling to share. The actions display their unrelenting grasp for power and control.
The results for Franklin county and Grand Isle county are the exact things I’m talking about.
Many of us on the outside have changed, we’ve changed our thinking, because the old was no longer working. We changed our ways and whom we want to represent us, because the old, which we’ve come to find out is just the same party by a different name, (aka uniparty) doesn’t represent us, they represent the lobbyist, the WH), the United Nations, everybody but the common Vermonter. We can see the truth, we can see the lies, we want no more of it.
We’ve changed. We want change. We are not welcome within.
Phil Scott INITIALLY sought to pare down the hotel homeless program, FINALLY, after it was supposedly put in place to house the “homeless” (which is subjective as the proof that you were supposedly homeless was that you needed none & there was no residency requirements either) during the Chinese/NIH-introduced pandemic. Instead, it was approved thereafter the man-made crisis costing Vermonters multi-millions and the Governor this year actually acquiesced yet AGAIN after initially proclaiming an objection. Vermont STILL currently houses “homeless” in motels to the detriment of the taxpayers and most of the drug-addicted & mentally ill homeless people themselves who NEVER receive the genuine help they require to potentially become productive citizens or at least people not incessantly suffering from various addictions. And this mentality & these actions by democrats & RINO”s remain eternal & always shall as it serves their purpose which is to control a large segment of the populace under the guise of “serving” a “greater good” and manipulate election results.
As far as “free stuff” you missed my entire highly detailed point, maybe conveniently, that “free stuff” should never extend to a political party’s offering of campaign signs et al that constituents request in order to voluntarily help in endorsing the candidates for that political party. And I know well of all the “Vermonters” who require & beg for “free stuff” as the progressives, the democrats, & the RINO’s like Governor Scott are waving them into VT each day from illegal aliens to “refugees” to migrants from a myriad of countries in Africa to out-of-state drug runners & gangbangers in order to aid in “diversifying” VT, as per the legislators’ phony ideations of what diversification is and why it should be imposed upon this state.
And again, with no need to reiterate for the third time all the energy, money, & time I’ve expended over two decades in attempted to no avail assist the cause in fighting for conservatism in VT, I don’t need to be lectured or “guilted” into continuing this quest under what I and many others consider a weak, dysfunctional VT GOP that loses consistently under its current mode of operation and which continually insults and berates a former POTUS who served under this same party and whom a large number of Vermont residents support – myself included. Sorry, but fool me once – your fault & fool me for the tenth or time – mine!
But since you insist that the State GOP simply cannot afford to “liberally” give out printed posters or bumper stickers (which can be personalized & purchased for as little as a few dollars for bundles of one hundred) because the VT GOP has no money whatsoever to support such basics – how about we hereby formally request that Mr. Dame HIMSELF interject here & provide his fellow party members with a couple years’ worth of VT GOP financial statements including all the costs spent for campaign materials specific to lawn signs/posters/bumper stickers & including, but of course, the monies then received by charging supporters to “reimburse” these exorbitant fees – an entire accounting of everything over the past two years; it would likely be enlightening!
And by the way, with personalized bumper stickers costing an average of a few bucks per 100 – NO, I’m not giving the VT GOP $5.00 to promote a GOP candidate.
Lastly, Zeldin was chosen by the VTGOP to be a “keynote” speaker because he’s a “moderate”, a RINO, and a good ‘ol boy of Nassau County, NY’s DEEPLY corrupted Political system – something else you neglected to address.
So why don’t we ask, once Mr. Dame interjects here – WHY he doesn’t choose to request President Donald J. Trump – an actual WINNER of public office – that being the highest in the land – to speak in Vermont as a headliner for a REAL FUNDRAISER to bring in REAL $$ to the GOP’s coffers here in VT? Why Mr. Dame? And if you won’t, why won’t you?
And now……let’s hear from the head of the VT GOP himself, Mr. Paul Dame to provide us with a formal accounting of the party’s finances and to request that he formally invites President Trump to Vermont!!! What’s the worst that could happen, Mr. Roper? You wind up with a progressive/democrat Super Majority in the legislature? Oh…..wait.
We’re paying $60k per year to rent a one room hotel room for homeless. That giant sucking sound is Montpelier wasting taxpayer dollars. That’s $5,000 per month to rent a hotel room, not even a nice one! We could put people up in Trump Hotels for less money and they’d have a better room and meals!
Where’s the GOP on this one? lol….this thread is gaining legs! lol Guy, please put it back on the front page, see what happens, interview the Governor and Gop leadership on this one.
Hell, while your at it, ask them their current views on Covid and the “resurrection”……see what they say today. Come on Guy, let’s make it interesting.
We are waiting, Mr Dame…….
BTW, I’ve never seen Paul Dame in person. Does he happen to look a lot like Ronna McDaniel by any chance? I’m kinda beginning to think that they’re maybe the same person.