TimesArgus.com - We Are Vermont

Douglas will not seek re-election

11:39 a.m.



Governor James Douglas

Jeb Wallace-Brodeur/The Times Argus
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Staff Report - Published: August 27, 2009

Gov. James Douglas announced moments ago that he will not run for re-election.

The governor said that, with the recent birth of his first grandchild and given the decades he has spent in public life, it is time to “write a new chapter” in his life.

Douglas added that he will not step down as governor, but will complete the remaining 16 months of his term.

In addition to health care and environmental battles, Douglas said he was proud of his attempts to reduce government spending.

“Fiscal responsibility is at the core of the Vermont ethic,” he said. “I want to hold the line on taxes and spending.”

The governor, who seemed cheerful and upbeat, was also clearly aware of the risks that face a lame duck in office. He will not run in 2010 for any statewide office, or consider a run for president, Douglas said.

But “for the next 16 months I am running the state,” he said.

Douglas said his faith in the state has been renewed each time he crosses the Appalachian Gap on his way to work as he has since winning a seat in the Vermont House in 1973 and sees the panoramic view from the Connecticut River to Lake Champlain.







READER COMMENTS


A Name,

The only thing there is to fear is fear itself. The only thing to hate is hate. The only thing there is to be intolerant of is intolerance. But I will be intolerant of intolerance. Have you seen Inglorious Basterds yet? Those guys knew how to deal with intolerance...

Seriously though, I probably won't miss Gov. Douglas as much as some others, but I wish him well in his future endeavors, so long as they don't have to do with denying people their civil rights or keeping a decrepit nuclear plant going way past its safe lifespan. The $25 copay for mammograms- that was cool. The cal for a 20% increase in early childhood education spending- great. But the veto of the same sex marriage bill soured me pretty thoroughly. For every time he did something cool, like oppose the IP tire burn, he would do something ugly like shoot down wind energy. But for a Republican, not the worst guy out there. But then again, after 8 years of Bush/Cheney, my expectations were pretty darn low.

.
-- Posted by Bennett Shapiro on Sun, Aug 30, 2009, 5:52 am EST

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I do hope you understood the gist of the misspelling and grammar. LOL
-- Posted by carl None on Fri, Aug 28, 2009, 6:57 am EST

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Watercloset: Ya gots to share tthem drugs cause it all comes down to WHOS gonna Pay and whos gonna sit back and reap the benifits of those WORKING. Hope you got a job to support me.
-- Posted by carl None on Fri, Aug 28, 2009, 6:55 am EST

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"Vermont Soon to become the first socialist state in the union::::. It is So sad as we started as a republic. Where did we go wrong lol."

LOL..if vermont becomes the 1st socialist state in the nation it will be acting with that same spirit of its former self in the republic in bucking the national trend. Governor Douglas's decision not to run is fabulous news for Vermont. Now, at last, Vermont can begin to progress without the impediments he kept putting in the way -- laying off hundreds of state workers while putting his cronies in highly paid positions, the man that hated government while feeding off of it for much of his working life, all his benefits paid for by the taxpayers -- and when he finally went up against a legislature that knew how to fight back...thank god. Another GOP gone. We can only celebrate
-- Posted by Watercloset on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 11:37 pm EST

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Well, this poor Governor didnt have a prayer against these crazy spending liberals in our State House. He vetoed items, they over rode. He didi listen to the people, it this lib out of control legislature that was in with their own agenda and their Great Society outlook.
-- Posted by Are you Kidding? on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 9:06 pm EST

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I do not single out any one person and call them names. I stick to ideaology, topic, ideas, groups,,,,
The singling out and name calling, thats best left up to the libs that are losing their arguments and getting desperate.
-- Posted by Are you Kidding? on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 9:04 pm EST

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I am a resident of Grand Isle County and I assure you ,people of Vermont, our real property taxes in North Hero did not hold the line. The Governor;s comment not mine! Our real proprty taxes in this county during the down turn-in the Vermont economy increase 8.7 % .Our real time property values went down i.e. mionus 12.8% . When the Douglas tax director of Property taxes in Montpelier was asked by me how they ratioanlized this increase in real property tax during this downturn in Market vaule of property values his response was:" We took the sales values of comparable properties in the area for 2006,2007,& 2008 and average them and appled the factorial to your real property values. How is that approach a Market value approach? I guess you would call it Creative math? No! The governor did not hold to his often quoted tenet in holding taxes revenue neutral. Enough is Enough is Enough. Is anone in Montpelier listening? Revenue neutral-not this year. To much government !
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 8:54 pm EST

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Lets see A Name.. 3 posts below yours claiming liberals are the name callers AYK called liberals kooky and freaky.. do you even read the hogwash your friends on the right write on here?
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 8:46 pm EST

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Governor Douglas -- a very nice personable man. Great on camera. Never loses his temper on camera. The most charming politician on the planet. Turn off the cameras and look behind the curtain. He isn't very supportive of working people, the poor or the middle class. He has appointed some evil, disgusting people to high office. They do his dirty work. His job is to cut ribbons and shake hands. He is extremely intelligent and frankly could have and should have contributed more to society than government jobs his entire life. He hates government and state workers yet he is a life long state bureaucrat. I'm sure he has accepted an appointment with the Obama Administration as a token republican. This will allow Brian Dubie to get some time in the big chair as he will run for governor for sure. Dubie is even more popular than Douglas but nowhere near as bright.

.
-- Posted by Olde Man on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 8:45 pm EST

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Runaway spending? Nahhhh remember all the 8000 couples of rainbow chasers are coming to Vermont in Sept to get hitched...and all the money they were bringing to bail this state out. Maybe theres a tax on GM now, I dunno, I justr remember they brought a guy from UCLA that under sworn testimony said the State of Vt would financially benfit from the upcoming sideshows, we'll see
-- Posted by Are you Kidding? on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 8:29 pm EST

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I am very saddened to hear this news. I have known Governor Douglas for years and he is one of the most honorable, moral people I have ever known. He always put the needs of Vermonters first, in spite of the opposition from those who chose to turn Vermont into the pathetic, lawless, anything goes freak show it has become. Thank you, Governor, for your many, many years of devotion to the state that I used to be proud to live in. God help the future of Vermont.
-- Posted by Normal Person on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 8:04 pm EST

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I am very saddened to hear this news. I have known Governor Douglas for years and he is one of the most honorable, moral people I have ever known. He always put the needs of Vermonters first, in spite of the opposition from those who chose to turn Vermont into the pathetic, lawless, anything goes freak show it has become. Thank you, Governor, for your many, many years of devotion to the state that I used to be proud to live in. God help the future of Vermont.
-- Posted by Normal Person on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 7:52 pm EST

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I am very saddened to hear this news. I have known Governor Douglas for years and he is one of the most honorable, moral people I have ever known. He always put the needs of Vermonters first, in spite of the opposition from those who chose to turn Vermont into the pathetic, lawless, anything goes freak show it has become. Thank you, Governor, for your many, many years of devotion to the state that I used to be proud to live in. God help the future of Vermont.
-- Posted by Normal Person on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 7:43 pm EST

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Ski frog is jumping for joy!
-- Posted by Ski Frog on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 7:15 pm EST

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Finally Governor douglas has done something good for the state. There is a first for everything!

.
-- Posted by truth real on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 7:15 pm EST

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Can you say run away spending? Cause that's what is going to happen once Douglas is gone, the state is in deep, deep doo doo.
-- Posted by Darin on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 5:40 pm EST

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Thank you Govenor Douglas for your hard work. You will be missed.

As for those who call you Govenor Doesless, I want to thank you for that as well. Anytime the governor or legislature does something it costs me money.

Dubie in 2010!!!!
-- Posted by Brian Bent on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 5:10 pm EST

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News flash :::: Vermont Soon to become the first socialist state in the union::::. It is So sad as we started as a republic. Where did we go wrong lol
-- Posted by carl None on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 3:42 pm EST

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What a hoot!!!
-- Posted by AJ None on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 3:05 pm EST

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His departure can't come soon enough.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 2:58 pm EST

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Thanks AJ - you made my case and I've proven my point. Thank you so very much. No ranting and raving here and by the way I don't listen to Rush, Hannity or Ann Coulter.
-- Posted by A Name on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 2:52 pm EST

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--
The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists. -Martin Luther King, Jr

~Galatians 4:16
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
-- Posted by Are you Kidding? on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 2:52 pm EST

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A. Name:
Let us know when you are able to make your case in a rational manner. You right wingers have a tendency to take your cues from Rush and Hannity and Ann Coulter and then expect folks to take you seriously. The only people that want to listen to you are other folks who really just want to rant rather than make a serious point.
-- Posted by AJ None on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 2:16 pm EST

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Liberals preach tolerance yet they are only tolerant of those who agree with them. Notice the only people being slammed and name called are the people who don't agree with their views. I had a post on the editoral about Howard dean where I used the word freak and it was taken off.
-- Posted by A Name on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 1:44 pm EST

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AYK:
Its always entertaining to read your nonsensical rants. You continue to lighten our afternoons and are a much welcome bit of comic relief during a hard work day. One day we'll hear from a right winger who has an IQ larger than his or her hat size, but I doubt it will happen today.
-- Posted by AJ None on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 1:34 pm EST

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AYK calling others freak.. PRICELESS
-- Posted by Melissa B. on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 1:31 pm EST

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And dont forget, Congrats on Chair of the National Governors Assoc....Very impressive!
The rest of country recognizes what you have tried to do to help this state amid a groups of the freak leftists in this state and the need for the little lib groups to do outrageous things against mainstream America, they wil do anything for attention, like a bunch of little kids. They dont like conforming to society...or rules.

Keep up the good work, and remember most of us in Vermont are not liberal left wing nuts!
-- Posted by Are you Kidding? on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 12:07 pm EST

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Thank you Gov Douglas vor your valiant efforts to try to keep some civility and lsitening to the 'voice of the people of thie great State' . You were outnumbered by the kooky libs, not your fault, I admire you standing by your morals and standards regarding specific issues that the libs over-rode your veto on.
Dont fret, you may have the last laugh yet.
2010, many vow to vote out those who did not listen to OUR wants and needs, and chose to cahse legislation taht was not important to us and our economic times, and instead chose their special interest groups.
This legislative group was nothing more than a side show in a circus in an attempt to destroy this state financially and morally and socially.
They havent won yet, and all legislation can be repealed.
Remember in Nove,ber 2010...............We'll wait long enough for them to hang themselves, as they have already spent us into bankruptcy and despair.
-- Posted by Are you Kidding? on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 11:54 am EST

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Gov Douglas, you were always a very kind, gentle, approachable man. I wish you well in your next endeavor! Thank you !
-- Posted by ELAINE KIMBALL on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 11:42 am EST

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A prudent decision given the remainder of the ugly work that he is enacting that has to be followed through causing much more pain across VT to make this state sustainable.
I hope he has something usefull lined up so as to continue to be in public service.
The republicans need all the help they can get ,especially in Washington !
-- Posted by W V on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 11:33 am EST

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I guess I moved out before the democrats took over everything. You've done a great job protecting us from the socialists bankrupting America. Dubie may be able to protect the state for a few more years, if the average working person gets off their duff and votes to prevent that woman from running. (We all know who she is...she's been using state funds for years promoting herself!)
Good luck, Jim!
-- Posted by The Claw on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 11:16 am EST

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Thank you Governor. You did a lot for Vermont and will be missed. It's unfortunate that there are some that disliked you just because you had an R next to your name. It's also sad that they used hateful language and slogans to promote their negative propanganda (like done less and scissors hands).

I didn't always agree with you but think you did a good job. Thank you again.

Average Joe
-- Posted by Joe Friday on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 10:17 am EST

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This is the greatest thing to happen to Vermont since Governor Dean was elected - I couldn't be happier about this news - it's about time we got rid of him!
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 10:07 am EST

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HOORAY! This is good breaking news for all Vermonters! Thank you Douglas for the best decision you have ever made...you won't be missed.
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 10:05 am EST

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very very bad news for Vermont
-- Posted by A Name on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 9:24 am EST

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I'm hearing that the "big news" is that Gov. Do-less is NOT going to run for governor again .... GOOD NEWS for Vermont!
-- Posted by Lea Hatch on Thu, Aug 27, 2009, 9:11 am EST

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