VT: In the last 2014 election puzzle, Gov. Shumlin (D) re-elected by legislature

[Tender Branson]

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http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/08/shumlin-finally-re-elected-vermont-governor

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I haven't paid too much attention to Vermont, other than running across some articles recently criticizing Vermont's single-payer universal healthcare plan as a fraud. Shumlin won against a popular Lt. Governor of a popular Republican Governor amidst the 2010 Republican wave, Shumlin won re-election decisively in 2012, what caused his dramatic fall in popularity (and sudden willingness of Vermonters to vote GOP again?). It's not like there was some left-wing third-party candidate who did especially well, the GOP came legitimately close to winning more votes than Shumlin...then what would the state legislature have done?

[Antonio the Sixth]

It's rather embarrassing for Shumlin that 2 of his 3 elections were from the legislature.

[Vosem]

I haven't paid too much attention to Vermont, other than running across some articles recently criticizing Vermont's single-payer universal healthcare plan as a fraud. Shumlin won against a popular Lt. Governor of a popular Republican Governor amidst the 2010 Republican wave, Shumlin won re-election decisively in 2012, what caused his dramatic fall in popularity (and sudden willingness of Vermonters to vote GOP again?).

His single-payer plan was very unpopular among Vermonters, and to ensure the state legislature would elect him over Milne he abandoned it.

It's not like there was some left-wing third-party candidate who did especially well, the GOP came legitimately close to winning more votes than Shumlin...then what would the state legislature have done?

In 2002, the GOP candidate won a narrow plurality, and was elected. The tradition is to elect the first-placed person unless they're embroiled in some scandal.

[Türkisblau]

Vermonters don't have an aversion to voting GOP, just look at Phil Scott.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I haven't paid too much attention to Vermont, other than running across some articles recently criticizing Vermont's single-payer universal healthcare plan as a fraud. Shumlin won against a popular Lt. Governor of a popular Republican Governor amidst the 2010 Republican wave, Shumlin won re-election decisively in 2012, what caused his dramatic fall in popularity (and sudden willingness of Vermonters to vote GOP again?).

His single-payer plan was very unpopular among Vermonters, and to ensure the state legislature would elect him over Milne he abandoned it.

It's not like there was some left-wing third-party candidate who did especially well, the GOP came legitimately close to winning more votes than Shumlin...then what would the state legislature have done?

In 2002, the GOP candidate won a narrow plurality, and was elected. The tradition is to elect the first-placed person unless they're embroiled in some scandal.

Reading an article like this Analysis: Shumlin built ‘lead airplane’ for single payer

Which makes it sound like Shumlin sabotaged single-payer healthcare out of political considerations, is enough to flip my approval of him from FF to HP.

A state which elects a self-described "independent socialist" to the United States Senate by a 71-25 margin doesn't sound like a state which would go into uproar over a governor proposing an actually feasible and workable single-payer UHC plan.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Vermonters don't have an aversion to voting GOP, just look at Phil Scott.

This.  He might make a great candidate for Governor in 2016.  But I suspect Leahy will retire, in which case, he might make a great Senate candidate.  I wouldn't at all be surprised if Shumlin runs for the Senate in that case.