Sears, Hartwell officially kick off re-election bids

Sears has failed the parents of the state with his lax leadership in child predator laws and by being part of a system that displays depraved indifference towards children. He SHOULD NOT BE REELECTED.

it seems that no elected position is immune from smear attacks. It would make me want to vote for the victim of the smear, just to prove that smears don't work. I expected Vermont politics to be cleaner than most, but I see that the comment comes from out-of-state. We Iowans used to have a relatively clean political and governmental system. Democrats were lucky to get rid of a Des Moines city councilman in a recent scandal. Republicans were unlucky in that the right-wing has just taken over their party from the boring regulars. And silly legislative Democrats are having a few intra-party power struggles after the end of the legislature (a new Democratic Governor, Culver, didn't sign a couple of bills that some Democratic legislators had taken political risks to pass -- but they were questionable risks on questionable bills). Now the flood is bringing Iowans together, and the fall election will bring Democrats together since we are a swing state -- Iowa went for Gore in 2000 and Bush in 2008, and Democrats gave Obama a 38-30-29% lead over Edwards and Hillary in our caucuses. Half the Edwards people have already gone over to Obama, and the other half are still in love with John and Elizabeth (me too) although not in any way hostile to Obama. I respect your two US Senators, and your Congressman. I admired Madeline Kunin when she was Governor, from a distance, without knowing many details about your state politics. Dean has done a good job with red to blue at the DNC, I think, and I like him lots better than Rahm. Many years ago I admired a Congressman named Myers, I believe, from Vermont. Sort of a combination of populist and intellectual, with great integrity, if I recall him correctly. Best wishes from Iowa - I have been visitng Vermont recently via Dick Newhart re-runs!

Also, since I've already revealed my age, I remember your great Republican U. S. Senator Aiken - the one who said, about Vietnam, "declare victory and get out." He was a wise and gentle and unafraid man. One of the best Republicans ever, one of the best Senators ever. I also agreed with Stafford on a number of issues, and liked the fact that he was clearly a moderate and independent-thinking person. Wasn't Jeffords also one of yours - and one of that type? Too bad we can't clone those kinds of Republicans! But they are hated now, as RINO's, and probably get more hate mail than Democrats do. I pay attention to Nebraska politics, because of Hagel mostly, trying to figure out how someone could be so orthodox Republican in his votes on domestic issues (at least he's traditional GOP and not a right-wing type) and so completely free-minded, intelligent, thoughtful, informed, unintimidated, brave, far-sighted on foreign policy. I guess I need to read his book. I'd prefer him for Obama's VP over Hillary, but really think the right position for him would be as National Security Adviser, with entire focus on foreign policy. I would love to see Lee Hamilton for VP, but wonder whether anyone that nice should be in that high an office. He just introduced Obama for the foreign policy speech Tues. am., July l5. And Obama seemed very genuine and warm in his praise and respect. I have a rather long list of people I don't want to see as the VP nominee, starting with Hillary and Wesley Clark and Ted Strickland. Senator Reed of R.I. says he loves the Senate, and I believe him. One Senator you folks in Vermont should notice is Sheldon Whitehouse of R. I. He is on the Judiciary Committee with Leahy and is very capable, informed, astute in his questions and observations. I'm so glad Leahy is the Chairman of that Committee. I met him when he first came to Washington in the early 70's, and am proud to say I could tell he was going to be a very good Senator, even then.

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Regards,
Debbie Durrer
Executive Director