Socialist Rep. Bernie Sanders Early Leader In 2006 Vermont U.S. Senate Race

The Boston Globe ^ | September 5, 2005 | Rick Klein

[Clintonfatigued]

"The man has proved to be an ineffective extremist," said Jim Barnett, chairman of the Vermont Republican Party. We're no longer talking about one out of 435. We're talking about a very powerful position, as one of 100 in the United States Senate."

[Clintonfatigued]

I think that too many conservatives are writing off this race. It's one thing to elect someone to the low-profile position of Congressman. But the Senate is a higher-profile, far more influential position. I'll bet that many Vermonters who supported Sanders in the past are having serious qualms about doing so this time.

[Pretty Boy Floyd]

Link doesn't work...

[DoraC]

I think that too many conservatives are writing off this race. It's one thing to elect someone to the low-profile position of Congressman. But the Senate is a higher-profile, far more influential position. I'll bet that many Vermonters who supported Sanders in the past are having serious qualms about doing so this time.

What Republican could win a statewide senatorial race in Vermont?

[Brilliant]

You'd think Vermonters would be embarrassed about having someone like Sanders represent them in the House, much less the Senate, but I guess not.

[My2Cents]

Such a waste. Vermont used to be solidly Republican. But, then again, the south used to be solidly Democrat, so things even out. Can we simply cut Vermont free and give it to Canada?

[goldstategop]

Vermont was once a New England GOP bastion but its demographics have changed forever. It voted for Gore and then for Kerry. Jim Jeffords was a RINO and that was about the best the GOP could hope for. His successor is going to be even further to the Left. So Sen. Patrick Leahy will have good company in 2007.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Gritty]

Bernie Sanders will fit right in with the nests of poseurs, jackanapes and effete nincompoops which populate the Senate.

Ole Bernie was somewhat out of his element in the House, where they still have some real men!

[Tallguy]

On one hand Sanders would go from being the ONLY congressman from Vermont to being 1 or 2 US senators from that State. OTOH, Sanders would have more power as a US senator to gum up the works.

[DM1]

"What Republican could win a statewide senatorial race in Vermont?
"
Their Governor is fairly popular guy named Douglass or something
he could probably make it a contest but i think he does not want to get into a race he may lose

[ken5050]

Give it to Massachissets..

[mak5]

According to Howard Dean, a month or two ago on Meet the Press, Sanders is not a Socialist, he's a liberal Democrat. That tells you more about Howard Dean and the Democrats than it does about Sanders.

[DoraC]

Such a waste. Vermont used to be solidly Republican.

Yep. I believe Vermont voted for the Republican candidate for president every time from the election of Abe Lincoln until Johnson's landslide in 1964.

[DoraC]

Their Governor is fairly popular guy named Douglass or something he could probably make it a contest but i think he does not want to get into a race he may lose

A few polls showed him losing by something like 20% to Sanders. People in blue states make fundamentally different choices for governor and senator. They're OK with a Republican governor, because they guard the state's budget and can always be overridden by a liberal legislature, but they have to have a liberal Demonrat for Senator.

[DM1]

yeah i noticed that (formerly a Mass Resident now a NH resident) but still sometimes they can surprise you

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I think that too many conservatives are writing off this race."

---

I agree 100%. This race is eminently winnable for us if we get a good candidate to run (such as Lt. Gov. Dubie) and if the Democrat candidate has halfway decent name ID (such as former Lt. Gov. Racine, who has hinted he will run). The only way in which Sanders can preempt a Democrat candidacy is if he joins the Democrat Party (and wins the Democrat primary), something Sanders has refused to do in the past. If Sanders and Racine both run in the general-election ballot, Dubie can win with 40%, which would be fairly easy for him to get.

[Bulldog96]

From what I understand, Dean has all but given this one to Sanders. The Dems will put up token opposition, at best.

[youthgonewild]

They're OK with a Republican governor, because they guard the state's budget and can always be overridden by a liberal legislature, but they have to have a liberal Demonrat for Senator.

Absolutely, that's why I can tell you as a Marylander that Michael Steele will not be our next Senator. Once the anti-Social Security and Uncle Tom insinuations come through full force, Steele will be yelling uncle.

[AmishDude]

Since the Dems will not challenge the "Independent" Sanders, we cannot win the 2-way race. If the Republican can poll better, maybe it'd be worth spending money, but at this point, write it off.