MONTPELIER – A state judge gathered Friday with the top three Democratic vote getters for governor in a Montpelier courtroom to hammer out the details of how to speed a recount in their party’s primary.

Peter Shumlin, Doug Racine and Deb Markowitz, who all attended the hearing, said they will do what they can to move the process along and have their nominee ready to face Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, a Republican.

“We share the goal of uniting behind a single candidate as soon as possible,” said Shumlin, who with nearly 200 more votes than Racine, is the apparent nominee.

But despite using time-saving measures such as machine ballot counters where possible and working through the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashana next week, it may be difficult to recount the 76,000 ballots in the Democratic primary and re-tally the results by Sept. 20. That date represents a likely deadline because federal rules, which also prompted the Legislature to move this year’s primary date into August from September, require a 45-day period for ballots to be mailed overseas and returned by voters there.

One possible delay will not be a problem, said Markowitz, who is also the Secretary of State and oversees elections. Although the ballots will have to be ready to be printed on Sept. 20, (in fact other than the line for the Democratic nominee for governor they already are ready), they will not all have to be printed. That’s because town clerks will receive electronic files of the ballots, which can be printed on their office printers for the small numbers of voters who will need them or need them mailed immediately, Markowitz said.

A variety of other technical issues were also worked out before Superior Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford drafted the order which will guide court clerks around the state in how to conduct the recount requested by Racine. His order includes Racine’s request that, to save time, tabulator machines be used in a statewide recount in Vermont for the first time since the law was changed this biennium to allow their use.

Nobody knows how long the recount, which will begin Wednesday, will take: It is the first statewide recount in modern Vermont history of a primary election. While typically a more adversarial process between political parties, the unity among the top candidates means this recount is more a collegial family affair to determine the selection of the Democratic nominee.

Clerks arranging the recounts in the courthouses in each of the state’s 14 counties will try to assign four-member re-counting teams consisting of two Racine supporters and two Shumlin supporters. But where that is not possible, Judge Crawford and the candidates agreed those four-person groups could be configured differently or could include supporters of just one candidate. So far the Democrats have found more than 600 possible volunteers to work in shifts on the recount and are seeking more, although far less than the 40 people per county will likely be needed in smaller jurisdictions like Essex County and Grand Isle County.

Crawford rejected a suggestion by the candidates that the volunteers and officials work on Saturdays, although he left open the possibility that would change if the recount proceeds too slowly.

“What I really want is a process that is steady and reliable and 100 percent accurate,” Crawford said.

“The potential for this to drag on is not in anybody’s best interest,” Racine said.

Crawford also gave the three candidates a bit of personal disclosure. Markowitz is a family friend and his wife donated $750 to her campaign, the judge noted.

That is fine, “as long as she is willing to match it,” Shumlin joked.

http://www.timesargus.com/article/20100904/NEWS02/709049935/1003/NEWS02

According to a just-released, uncertified tabulation of statewide votes by election staff in the Office of the Secretary of State, Shumlin’s lead was just 197 votes more than second place finisher Racine. Election officials report Shumlin’s total was 18,276 compared to Racine’s 18,079.

Deb Markowitz finished in third with 17,580 — 696 behind Shumlin.

Matt Dunne’s vote total was 15,323 and Susan Bartlett had 3,759.

The total number of votes cast was 74,634.

The results of the state’s tabulation of vote counts by local officials confirmed the order of finish that news organizations reported election night based on information collected by phone, fax and email from clerks.

The question now is whether Racine will ask for a recount because the vote was so close. Candidates may request recounts when the difference is 2 percent or less.

Racine called a news conference at Richmond Town Center, where he has just requested a recount.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100827014

Brattleboro Reformer
By CHRIS GAROFOLO /Reformer Staff
Posted: 08/20/2010 03:00:00 AM EDT

Friday August 20, 2010
BRATTLEBORO — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Shumlin is making one final sweep of the Green Mountain State in his pursuit of the party’s nomination next Tuesday.

Shumlin, the outgoing Senate president from Putney, expressed excitement about his campaign earlier this week to the Reformer, crediting Windham County voters for their support during his political tenure.  He is one of five Democrats vying for the party nomination on Aug. 24 to square off with Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie, Vermont’s current lieutenant governor.

“We are optimistic that we’re going to win the nomination and beat Brian Dubie in November,” he said. The county has not produced a governor in about 40 years, and Shumlin said he will “never forget who brought me to the dance” when he sits in the governor’s chair.

“I made a decision early on in this race that resulted in a lesson that I learned from the voters of Windham County, who have been so good to me for so many years, and it is — stand up for what you believe in and get tough things done and the voters will stand by you.”

According to Shumlin, he has the action plan to make the infrastructure changes within Vermont to create jobs and recover faster than the other 49 states while moving away from an oil-based economy.

“I think my vision for job creation is catching fire because I have a very specific plan to get Vermont back to work,” he said.
He lays out five points as part of his campaign:
– A single-payer health care plan where coverage follows the individual and is not a requirement of the employer.
– Broadband Internet access and cellular phone service to every last mile by 2013.
“I will do for the Internet what our last governor from Putney, George Aiken, did for electricity,” he said.
– Establish a block grant for early childhood education for parents of 3- and 4-year-olds so (predominately) women do not have to make the choice between a job and affordable, quality child care, he said.
– Generate a tax structure that grows wealth and jobs.
– Retrain Vermont’s work force to do the jobs of the 21st century.

Calling himself a social liberal but fiscal conservative, Shumlin said only two of his platform programs (health care and early childhood education) will cost money during a fiscal year that is expected to have a $120 million budget shortfall.
“With health care, our challenge as a state is that we’re spending $1 million a day on health care. That’s both unsustainable and unaffordable. It is also the fastest area of growth in the state’s budget, which is also unsustainable,” he said. Shumlin pointed to a study done 12 years ago that examined the fiscal impact of a single-payer system for Vermont, and said it would save the state an estimated $110 million ($250 million in today’s money) in administration savings alone.

“I’ve never known an insurance company to make Vermonters healthier. I will get it done, and it will cost less, not more,” he added.

The second fastest growing area of the state budget is corrections, Shumlin said, and he has found a way to save $40 million annually to provide community-based care for offenders and grant money for children’s early education.  In statistics he said were from appropriations at the state level, 69 percent of female and 45 percent of male offenders are nonviolent. Of those figures, 90 percent have difficulty reading and more than 90 percent have drug or alcohol addictions.

“Vermont has the distinction of locking up more nonviolent offenders per capita than any other state in the country,” he said. And putting millions toward early education will pay off tenfold in the future and break this destructive cycle, he added.  “I will be the governor with the courage to provide community-based drug and alcohol consulting, mental health consulting, adult education, life skills and housing through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and stop this madness of spending almost $40 million a year of taxpayer money incarcerating people who we’re not scared of, but mad at. I want to lock people up we’re scared of,” he said.

Democrats will choose between Shumlin and four other candidates in the statewide primary next Tuesday.
State Sens. Susan Bartlett of Hyde Park and Doug Racine of Richmond, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz of Montpelier and former state Sen. Matt Dunne of Hartland are also vying for the party’s nomination.  But Shumlin points to his track record of “making things happen” in the Statehouse, such as the Legislature approving same-sex marriages in 2009 and the vote not to allow Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant to continue operations once its license expires in March 2012.

“I get it done. I think people are moving to our campaign because, as the Burlington Free Press said in its endorsement — I stand above the other four in my ability to get things done and have the vision for where Vermont needs to go,” he said.

http://www.reformer.com/ci_15834361?IADID=Search-www.reformer.com-www.reformer.com

The Burlington Free Press editorial page editors recommend Peter Shumlin for the Democratic nomination for governor of Vermont.

Our state is in the midst of one of the greatest economic challenges it has faced in a generation. Vermont’s next governor must be a strong leader who can work with the Legislature to get things done. Whether you agree with his positions, Shumlin’s record as Senate president pro tempore has shown him un- afraid to engage difficult issues and act decisively.

The newspaper has covered the election extensively from the opening announcements on. All candidates, including the unopposed Republican in the primary election, were asked to respond to 12 questions 12 weeks in a row. The answers ran in the Tuesday newspaper and online.

Our reporters interviewed all the Democratic candidates. The editors met with each candidate individually. The newspaper sponsored a debate. The candidates’ records and position papers were evaluated. We scoured their campaign websites, connected with them on Facebook and followed them on Twitter. Staffers attended numerous debates through the state.

Democrat Peter Shumlin presents a clear contrast to the Republican candidate, Brian Dubie.

Vermonters are entitled to an open and vigorous debate among the gubernatorial candidates leading up to the November election. Shumlin, a resident of Putney in Windham County, will bring the energy and spirit to the fall campaign to fully engage Dubie, who lives in Essex Junction in Chittenden County, in a way that will give voters the campaign they deserve.

Shumlin is a realist who fully understands the state’s struggles in the midst of a multi-year revenue shortfall. He has the experience to know that Vermont has passed the point where Montpelier can continue to balance the budget simply by cutting more or by hoping for an economic turnaround to restore revenues. He has the integrity to tell Vermonters about the hard work and sacrifices ahead.

He stood on his principles in presiding over the Senate override of Gov. Jim Douglas’ budget veto in 2009 — the first time in Vermont the Legislature overrode a governor’s budget veto.
Shumlin objected to the transfer of teacher pension obligations to the state Education Fund,
a move he says would have led to a sharp increase in property taxes.

He led the charge in passing marriage equality legislation and then, again, overriding the
governor’s veto to make Vermont the first state to recognize same-sex marriage without court intervention and a leader in protecting the rights of all citizens.

He kept his word to hold Vermont Yankee owner Entergy accountable by delivering the Senate’s overwhelming vote to deny the nuclear power plant an extension of its operating license beyond 2012.

The tasks before the next governor will prove to be equal to all the skill and dedication reflected in Shumlin’s legislative record.

The next governor must work with the Legislature to solve the state’s fiscal problem, finding ways to make up for the year-by-year revenue shortfall while meeting Vermonters need for services during hard times.

The next governor must invest in the state’s future prosperity and lay the ground work for opportunities.

The next governor must lead a cultural change in all levels of government in Vermont, where too much happens behind closed doors out of expediency or habit. The principle of open government must never by laid aside, and access — a vital step to accountability — must be restored to the norm.

Peter Shumlin rises above his four competitors — Susan Bartlett, Matt Dunne, Deb Markowitz and Doug Racine — from one of the strongest fields of Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls in recent memory.

The past 10 months have been a startling exercise in bringing the electoral process down to the grass roots, where direct access to each candidate by voters became the rule. In dozens of debate and forums, countless rallies, news conferences and house parties, just about any Vermonter who wanted to meet a candidate or hear what had a chance to find out what he or she had to say in person.

The campaign has exposed few serious differences among the candidates when it comes to core beliefs and broad policy direction. All five Democrats pledge to face down the budget  deficit, while making it clear their allegiance to social programs to help the needy and level the playing field for all Vermonters.

That makes character, administrative approach and governance philosophy key factors in determining who would make the best governor of the five hopefuls.

Peter Shumlin has shown character, demonstrated decisive leadership, and is attuned to the grass-roots concerns of Vermonters. He has earned the privilege of representing the Democrats on the November ballot as the party’s choice for governor.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100815/OPINION01/8150305/Burlington-Free-Press-makes-its-endorsement-for-Democratic-gubernatorial-primary

Senator John Campbell (D-Windsor County)

By Daniel Barlow
Vermont Press Bureau – Published: July 20, 2010

MONTPELIER – More than 60 House members and 12 senators received perfect 100 percent rankings on the first legislative scorecard issued by the organization Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

The progressive business organization, which has more than 1200 members, ranked lawmakers on seven key legislative votes, such as Vermont Yankee’s relicensing, the establishment of same-sex marriage, health care reform and the fix for the state’s unemployment fund.

The scoring on those votes indicated strong support for the business group’s agenda at the Statehouse, with 62 House members receiving 100 percent rankings, meaning those lawmakers voted with VBSR on all the main issues the group identified.

Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, was one of the 12 senators to have a perfect record with VBSR. She said she doesn’t consider rankings such as these when casting her votes, but she appreciates the support afterwards.

“I’m proud to have 100 percent ranking,” Cummings said. “It’s always a bit of a surprise. I vote my conscience. But Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility have been a very positive and proactive organization at the Statehouse.”

Will Patten, the executive director of VBSR, said the organization will do these scorecards every two years now for each Legislative biennium. Starting the scorecard was in response to member businesses that wanted to see how local lawmakers were voting on business issues the company’s cared about, he said.

“I think there are a lot of couragous legislators who are pro-business, but don’t neccesarily get acknowledged for that,” he said. “It’s worth pointing out their longterm support for businesses in Vermont.”

VBSR’s ranking is a lot different than the scorecards put out by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the other major business group in the state.

That organizations 2009-2010 rankings have not yet been released, but in its 2007-2008 rankings, for example, the Chamber gave Cummings a 50 percent score. Lawmakers with high scorings for the Chamber tend to be Republican; high scores for VBSR tend to be Democrats or Progressives.

Rep. Pat McDonald, R-Berlin, had a VBSR scoring of 17 percent – one of the lowest in Washington County, where she lives.

McDonald, who is retiring from the Legislature this year, said votes at the Statehouse on key issues are not always as cut and dried as the scorecards make them out to be. For example, she said she voted against S.88 – the health care reform bill – after the House added in new provisions.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Vermont and the votes I took supported small businesses in the state,” she said.

The VBSR scorecard ranked several lawmakers seeking higher office this year.

Senate President Peter Shumlin of Windham County and Sen. Doug Racine of Chittenden County got 100 percent rankings and Sen. Susan Bartlett of Lamoille County got 83 percent. All three are Democratic candidates for governor in the Aug. 24 primary.

Sen. Ed Flanagan, D-Chittenden, a candidate for state auditor, scored 83 percent. Sen. Phil Scott, R-Washington, a candidate for lietenant governor, scored 33 percent. Rep. Steve Howard, D-Rutland, also a lieutenant governor candidate, scored 83 percent.

Rep. Chris Bray, D-New Haven, a candidate for secretary of state, had an 83 percent score.

Full Article: http://www.timesargus.com/article/20100720/NEWS02/707209909/1003/NEWS02

Daniel.Barlow@timesargus.com

“Peter has the leadership skills, business experience and vision to get our economy moving again and put Vermonters back to work,” said Senator John Campbell.  “Time and time again I have watched Peter take on tough issues and bring people together to win. Whether it is taking on the prescription drug companies to lower prices for Vermonters or challenging Entergy Louisiana to tell the truth about our aging nuclear power plant, Peter takes on the tough battles with tenacity.”

In addition to Senator Campbell, Representative Mark Mitchell and former legislators, Cheryl Rivers and Ann Seibert stood in support of Peter.

“Peter is a real leader,” said former Senator Cheryl Rivers.  “There is no one in politics that I would rather go into a difficult situation with than Peter.  In these times, we need a strong leader who is not afraid to take bold action and that is Peter Shumlin.”

“Yes, Peter Shumlin gets tough things done,” said Representative Mark Mitchell.  “But I am also supporting Peter because he has compassion, a quality that I believe is critical in a leader.”

The leaders all spoke of Peter’s ability to not only get Vermonters back to work but to be the candidate who can beat Brian Dubie in November.

“All of the candidates in the Democratic Primary for Governor are good people,” said former legislator Ann Seibert.  “But Peter Shumlin is the only one with the skills, experience and vision to win in November.”

The professionals spoke of how they see, firsthand, the dysfunction of our current health care system and   how desperately we need change.  The group of Doctors and Nurses stated clearly that Peter Shumlin is the candidate best suited to address the system’s problems.

“We are appalled at the excessive profits earned by the insurance companies and the drug makers, said Dr. Deb Richter.  “Peter Shumlin is the candidate for Governor who is best suited to address these problems.  He is the only candidate who has shown unwavering support for a publicly financed universal health care system in Vermont.”

“While other candidates have spoken of the need for change, Peter Shumlin has gone further,” said Dr. Marvin Malek.  “He has repeatedly pledged himself to the task of enacting a state single payer system.”

The health care professionals spoke of their support for Peter due to his record of getting tough things done.

“Peter Shumlin has proven that he is not afraid of taking political risks in the interests of furthering the public good,” said Dr. Sue Deppe.  “He is the person we need at the top of the executive branch if we are to enact meaningful health care reform.”

The following health care professionals endorsed Peter:

Deborah Richter, MD (family physician)

Jack Mayer, MD  (pediatrician)

Bill Eichner, MD (ophthalmologist)

Bruce Talmadge, MD (retired internist)

Peggy Carey, MD (family Physician)

Alice Silverman, MD (psychiatrist)

Marvin Malek, MD (internist)

Sue Deppe, MD (psychiatrist)

Adam Sorscher, MD (family physician)

Joseph Lasek, MD (psychiatrist)

Dorothy Malone Rising, NP

Patricia Towle, NP

Augusta Wilson, RN

Maggie Newton, MD  retired internist)

Paul Bertocci, MD (family physician)

Richard Norman, MD (family physician)

Laura Norris, MD  (family physician)

Jim Greenleaf, APRN

Ellen Chrisman, NP

Alma Mueller, NP

Suzie Lynn, LPN

John Gundy, MD  (Pediatrician)

Richard Kast, MD (psychiatrist)

“No candidate has done more to advance marriage equality than Peter Shumlin.  Without his efforts, same-sex couples would not be able to marry in Vermont today.”

The announcement, made in an email to VFMAC supporters, describes Peter’s vital role in bringing the bill to allow same-sex couples to legally marry to a vote in 2009, as well as his creation of a commission in 2007 to hold public hearings about the issue, as key factors in the bill’s ultimate passage.  Robinson noted that both of these actions required considerable political courage, and concluded  “Senator Shumlin stuck his neck out for us in a big way, and he’s earned our support.”

Peter made a promise to himself after watching families getting their rights taken away from them during the passage of proposition 8 that he would do everything in his power to do the right thing and deliver equal rights to all Vermont families.  It wasn’t easy but Peter has established a record of getting tough things done and this was no exception.  Working with thousands of Vermonters, Peter led the effort to make Vermont the first state in the nation to pass marriage equality without a court order.