Letter to the Editor:

Like our nation, Vermont needs leadership, and with Anthony Pollina a committed candidate, Vermont has the clear opportunity in November to vote in leadership for real change in our government, one that will put people ahead of Big Business and the corporate establishment.

There are two obstacles in the way: Gov. Douglas, and the Democratic Party’s felt compulsion to field a candidate strictly with their label to oppose him. In the March 26 Valley News, Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin, the top Democrat in the Vermont Senate, was quoted as saying Democrats will likely field a “good candidate” to challenge Gov. Douglas in November, but that in a three-way race Douglas will win.

History and many citizens, maybe most, would agree that in a three-way race the odds are Jim Douglas will win. But if the Democrats put their energy where they say their priorities are, in a combined effort supporting Pollina, Douglas will be defeated. As an independent and long-term Democratic Party voter I wish, I hope, along with many Vermont independents (and probably Democrats) that the Vermont Democratic Party will forego short-term pride and appearance. They should put Vermont’s environmental, economic and social health ahead of party and politics and get behind Anthony Pollina. He can stand up to Gov. Douglas’ rhetoric and has the savvy to not get swamped. He can be elected.

Could it possibly be that Gaye Symington and Anthony Pollina might put their heads together for a win-win-win strategy and run as a Pollina/Symington ticket? Would not that be a wonderful turn of events for Vermont?

DON FAULKNER
South Royalton

This Letter to the Editor was posted in the Tuesday, April 15, 2008 issue of The Burlington Free Press.

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