Vermont Megathread

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Honestly, I wish Scott were right-wing. At least then the Overton window wouldn't be so f[inks]ed up that people like Dan Bishop can make their way to the White House, while people like AOC are left in the dirt.

This is the first I've heard of Dan Bishop as Presidential material. What a concept.

Anyway, I can't believe I'm saying this about a FCBSL Republican Governor, but I'm endorsing Scott against the anti-vaxxer during the ongoing viral pandemic.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

As to Scott Milne, one thing that not a lot of people outside Upper New England understand about the 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial races is that Shumlin was personally disliked in addition to his political liabilities. He was a womanizer who was involved in shady property disputes with his neighbors. He barely even got nominated in the first place in 2010 with less than 25% in a five-way primary.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Are you supporting Scott for reelection now, Dave? I remember you saying a week or two back that whether or not he signed H.510 was going to be a hinge point for your opinion of him.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I realize that me saying this sounds like self-parody but I'm actually serious: Vermont culture has genuine similarities to general boomer/Gen X lesbian culture, to an extent that is probably genuinely part of the appeal of candidates like Becca Balint in the state (and neighboring parts of Western Massachusetts). This is someone who looks and talks like she knows what a head gasket does and why older Subarus have such persistent coolant and radiator issues. It's not out of the question that she watched Star Trek: Voyager and/or has skinny dipped at that one waterfall in North Pownal. It's like aging fraudsters having a special appeal in Florida or extraction company executives in West Virginia.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

This is bad for Christina Nolan though, clearly she has a unique problem with the Trump Republican electorate. They really don't like her!

One really does have to wonder why.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Other numbers from the UNH(/WCAX?) Survey Center Poll

https://webpubcontent.gray.tv/wcax/docs/UNH%20Poll.pdf

Christina Nolan, the center-right lesbian former state attorney handpicked by the VTGOP and the NRSC is DOWN 30/24 in her primary against a total fringe type. Extremely high undecideds (42%), but Nolan has remarkably high disapproval, so the right wing of the VTGOP has it out for her. If she loses, it would be extraordinarily embarrassing for the Republican establishment. I still think she will win. However, if the far right of the party is performing this well, it could bode poorly for moderate State Senator Joe Benning in his bid against far right Gregory Thayer in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor. A victory for Thayer would be the utter ruination of the mainstream conservative and liberal conservative wings of the VTGOP. Could even mean Phil Scott might have a closer than expected contest with his no name challengers. Seems like the VTGOP far right is mobilized to vote against the entire not-far right slate.

If Nolan looses it will further cement that nationally,  Republican Party is firmly anti-gay people

You might be underselling the fact that Nolan is just kind of weird. Remarkably uncharismatic and running a shoestring campaign.

She also seems unsure of how Trumpy she wants to be and is unconvincing whenever her answer for the day is more than "slightly".

It's not out of the question that she watched Star Trek: Voyager and/or has skinny dipped at that one waterfall in North Pownal.

I've been there. Had no idea that was a skinny-dipping spot.

Depends on the crowd, which depends on the time of day. There's also Rock River in Brattleboro, but it's mostly gay men there.