PUTNEY — Are other Vermonters distressed about the early makeup of the 2022 Vermont election slates?
I have volunteered for every statewide campaign that Bernie Sanders has run, and I am a huge fan. However, the early and uncalled-for endorsement of Peter Welch for the Senate seat being vacated by Patrick Leahy is just wrong.
Peter Welch has had numerous terms to distinguish himself in the House, and while he votes the right way for the political views of Vermonters, he has basically been ineffective as far as speaking out, leading on issues, and holding town meetings or other gatherings, as Bernie did when he was our House rep - even pre-Covid.
We do not need another old white man in Washington, D.C. representing Vermont. It is way past time for our senatorial delegation to diversify.
Bernie's endorsement has created a cascade effect, forcing two progressive and exciting women, Becca Balint and Kesha Ram Hinsdale, to run for the same seat - the one that Peter Welch is vacating for his easy promotion.
In addition, we see the opportunistic Molly Gray - who clearly ran for lieutenant governor only so she could make a semi-credible run for the House seat, as she has not been in the Vermont Legislature - has not worked on issue politics in our state, and she has really nothing to recommend herself except great family connections.
And we have no credible candidate for governor to challenge Phil Scott.
Just a guess that most reading this will be feeling the way I do: This year is the year to elect fighters to send to D.C. We should be sending our strongest, smartest, most energetic fighters, as the Republicans have already vowed to create obstacle after obstacle to getting any of the Biden agenda through the Congress. It is time for us to send people who will challenge the status quo, who will speak up every day in every way possible.
So what do we do here?
Is there a chance of a credible primary against Peter Welch? Doubtful, as most Vermonters trust Bernie and are willing to follow his endorsement.
How about one progressive woman running for the House?
In 2020, Phil Scott won in a landslide. I worked tirelessly for David Zuckerman, who would have been a fantastic governor. I know this race may be similar, but do we just lie down and play dead here and let Phil Scott, who has not even been very good on Covid this past year, walk away with this race?
I wish I had answers and not only questions, but nothing is carved in stone. Vermonters: Let's try to put our heads together and see if we can do better than this.