VT GOP Chair Calls On Dean to Open Record To Public

email from Vermont Republican Party | 7/31/2003 | Vermont Republican Party

[Vermonter]

Dean to America: Just Take My Word For It

Montpelier, VT - Vermont Republican Party Chairman Jim Barnett today called on former Governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean to open his gubernatorial record to public scrutiny. Dean has sealed his papers for a decade.

"If Howard Dean plans to run on his record in Vermont, he needs to share that record with the public" said Barnett. "The American people should not just have to take his word for it."

"By refusing to subject his record to public scrutiny, Howard Dean is telling the American people to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain," Barnett continued.

"If Howard Dean is serious about straight talk, he can start by being upfront with the American people about his tenure as Governor of Vermont. If he doesn't open his record, it obviously means there's something he wants to hide from us," said Barnett.

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Paid for by the Vermont Republican State Committee and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Vermont Republican Party, PO Box 70, Montpelier, VT 05601

[Vermonter]

For those of you who don't know, Dean signed the Civil Unions bill behind closed doors with no press watching.

[JeeperFreeper]

How can you seal public records?

[JohnGalt]

Why would a Republican be bringing this up now unless a D bigwig put him up to it?

[Vermonter]

The Vermont Republican party is taking advantage of Dean's recent far left positions to try and tie the rest of Vermont's Dems to the far left as well.

They think if they succeed at this, they can knock off some Dems in the next election for the VT House and Senate.

Just last night the mayor of Burlington (a Bernie Sanders wannabe) indicated he will seek the Dem nomination for governor next election and try to knock of the current Republican governor.

[JimVT]

Dean has sealed his papers for a decade

Unfortunately, sealing records seems to be the modus operandi for most politicians seeking higher office.

I think Dubya did the same thing.

I'm glad to see the VTGOP is starting to make some noise however it ought to bagging Leahy against McMullen.

Dean is wasting time and money.

It is not too early to start working to get rid of unholy trio of permanent politicians of VT.

[JohnGalt]

Thanks for the inside info from Occupied MA.

Typically, during primary season, you want the D's to be doing this kind of dirty work not the R's who can position themselves above it all.

But I trust there is a logic behind it.

[Vermonter]

Think of the republicans as innocent spectators at a bar fight. They're not taking part in the fight, but if someone (Dean) gets knocked into them, it's okay to take a free swing.

[Tacis]

I believe Governor Dean, at one point, approved the "reinstitution of the slavery of negroes" in the State of Vermont and imposed a tax of "one quarter the purchase price in cash or kind of any such negro" to be sent directly to the Governor's office. I may be wrong on this, but a simple search of the public record will either confirm or reject my understanding.

[TigersEye]

If he doesn't open his record, it obviously means there's something he wants to hide from us," said Barnett.

Let there be no doubt!

TigersEye - Montpelier,VT

[TigersEye]

I haven't sent him anything.

[RonF]

I don't understand. Aren't the bills he signed and the speeches he made public record?

[Vermonter]

I think the records he sealed were papers related to the Governor's office.

Much like his keeping his daily schedule 'secret' while he was Governor, he wants to keep his private correspondence, etc. secret.

I don't know how he is getting around Vermont's public records law. That law makes all government papers available to anyone who wants them.

[.cnI redruM]

Howard Dean is a dangerous crack-pot. He doesn't want any paperwork that would make this fact obvious to see the light of day. Plus, if he has no real record to run on and all the Dem Senators have to defend theirs, advatage Dean. THis has to be challenged via FOIA. THis is like listing a prior job on the top of your resume and then refusing to give a valid reference.

[Vermonter]

Looks like Drudge finally picked this one up. FR leads the pack again!