We need a new Governor in Vermont, and have for some time now.
One of the big dynamics that works against us in trying to elect an alternative to Governor Jim Douglas, who has consistently stood in the way of responsible fiscal and government policies as well as priorities such as Marriage Equality (which passed over his veto), is the date of the primary election (Sept. 14), coming so close as it does to the November general election. This is especially frustrating if you feel, as many of us in the netroots do - that a primary contest in the state is needed to put together the voter interest and media attention necessary to win in November (as well as to have an opportunity to choose the best candidate, rather than have one chosen for us by the party insiders, or simply by default). And one big way it hurts us is by leaving little time for raising competitive funding after spending on a primary battle.
So, I created a Facebook group that is (hopefully) part of the solution: 1000 Vermonters for Change.
The goal is to get 1000 people to join over the next year - 1000 people who commit to sending a $100 contribution (more or less) to whoever wins the Democratic primary, the day after the primary election. That's $100,000 and its a pretty big boost in Vermont - especially coming from the netroots.
At present, there are twofor sure Dems in the race - Secretary of State Deb Markowitz and State Senator (and former Lt. Governor) Doug Racine. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Bartlett and Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin are also likely candidates.
Now obviously, this won't be for those folks who would never support a Democratic candidate. And its not a suicide pact either - if we elect our own Zell Miller, nobody's gonna show up at your door with a crowbar demanding the cash. Still, it'd be something powerful and meaningful that we could do right now. Folks who usually give large amounts of money to candidates can afford a hundred more. Folks like me who cant afford squat can commit to putting the occasional $5 bill into a jar to build it up to $100 by September of 2010.
It's not too early to step up and commit to a change for Vermont in 2010.
I first announced this on the Vermont netroots site, Green Mountain Daily. In less that a week, we have accumulated 103 members (101 in the FB group proper, and another 2 no-FM members who emailed and who were announced as members in the comments of the FB page). That's $10,300 dollars - nothing to sneeze at in Vermont, where campaigns for Governor are typically run for under $1 million. If you are a Vermonter, a former Vermonter, a Vermont enthusiast, or care about issues such as marriage equality and would like to see its primary opponent in the state of Vermont tossed out for his (failed) efforts, please take a minute to sign up, invite your friends, and encourage friends who aren't already on facebook to register and join this group.
It is a tiny state, it's true but, c'mon...1000 people. In more than a year. We can do this. Here again is the link. Thanks for any help in getting the word out about this informal, netroots-driven effort to level the playing field against a powerful, Republican incumbent.