Swift Boat Veterans, Big Money Politics Invade Vermont

An infrequent political commodity-an open seat in the United States Senate-may transform Vermont's political traditions. Vermont, like the other small New England states, prides itself on small "d" democratic politics in which town meetings, neighborhood discussions, and personal knowledge, of the candidates, rather than big money politics, negative ads, and the politics of division, determines the outcome.

All that may change in Vermont's 2006 Senate race. Jim Jeffbrds, the Republican whose switch to Independent briefly cost the Republicans the Senate majority, is not seeking reelection. Republicans seem determined to win the seat back.

Two Republicans, Greg Parke and Richard Tarrant, are battling for the Republican nomination in a primary election that will be held in September. Parke is a retired military officer who recently gained the support of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth founder John O'Neill. Parke's web site highlights increasing defense spending, the war on terror and support for President Bush's immigration legislation. Tarrant cofounded IDX Systems, a computer business focused on the health care industry that made millions when he sold the company to GE. He seems determined to spend whatever it takes to win the election. Through mid-March 2006, Tarrant had spent $2.1 million. Parke's year end report for 2005 shows spending of almost $600,000. Tarrant's web site focuses on cutting government spending, reducing heath care costs, and a business like approach to government and the issues.

The race between Parke and Tarrant for the Republican nomination will be interesting in its own right. Parke is clearly running to the right and closely aligns himself with Bush, while Tarrant seems to be more distant from the President and positioning himself as more moderate. On health care, for example, Tarrant advocates making Medicare available to small businesses.

Representative Bernie Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist, has represented Vermont in the House of Representatives for eight terms and is running as an independent for the Senate seat. Sanders first caught the public eye when he was elected Mayor of Burlington. First elected to Congress in 1990, he organized the Progressive Caucus and served as its first Chair. On issues he emphasizes his opposition to the War in Iraq and the Patriot Act, and is a strong advocate of economic justice.

The Democratic Party is not mounting a serious challenge, although a candidate may occupy the Democratic line. A number of prominent Democrats, including Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, already have campaigned with Sanders.

The race really revolves around Sanders. A sixteen-year incumbent-the longest serving independent in the history of the House of Representatives-Sanders is very popular in Vermont, and, of course, as Vermont's only member of the House, he has already been elected state wide eight times. It is no wonder that polls and pundits rate Sanders the favorite.

At this point in the campaign, Sanders is expected to bein front, as his opponents are not well known and the official candidate is still to be determined. But Sanders has never had to face the kind of money that his opponents are likely to spend. Tarrant has enormous personal resources at his disposal and is spending money at a record clip. Swift Boat's O'Neill just sent out a national fundraising letter on Parke's behalf labeling Sanders "the most dangerous liberal in America." Sanders, who has never raised one million dollars for a House campaign, is seeking to raise $5 million for the Senate race.

If the Swift Boat Veterans repeat the kind of negative campaign they waged against John Kerry's presidential campaign, Vermont's Senate race could set a new record for political vitriol as well as for spending. That would add a touch of irony to the campaign, since in the House Sanders has managed to form coalitions on issues like trade with Republican members of the House more frequently than most Democrats seem to do.

The Vermont race has serious national implications. It is hard to see how the Democrats could take control of the Sen-, ate if the Republicans win the seat. That's one reason why the Democrats aren't mounting a real challenge.

Pundits aside, a race with national implications that features a never-in-the-closet socialist targeted by the right wing, big money, and deep pockets won't be decided until election night is over.

[Author Affiliation]

Frank Llewellyn is the National Director of DSA

Swift Boat Veterans, Big Money Politics Invade Vermont

An infrequent political commodity-an open seat in the United States Senate-may transform Vermont's political traditions. Vermont, like the other small New England states, prides itself on small "d" democratic politics in which town meetings, neighborhood discussions, and personal knowledge, of the candidates, rather than big money politics, negative ads, and the politics of division, determines the outcome.

All that may change in Vermont's 2006 Senate race. Jim Jeffbrds, the Republican whose switch to Independent briefly cost the Republicans the Senate majority, is not seeking reelection. Republicans seem determined to win the seat back.

Two Republicans, Greg Parke and Richard Tarrant, are battling for the Republican nomination in a primary election that will be held in September. Parke is a retired military officer who recently gained the support of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth founder John O'Neill. Parke's web site highlights increasing defense spending, the war on terror and support for President Bush's immigration legislation. Tarrant cofounded IDX Systems, a computer business focused on the health care industry that made millions when he sold the company to GE. He seems determined to spend whatever it takes to win the election. Through mid-March 2006, Tarrant had spent $2.1 million. Parke's year end report for 2005 shows spending of almost $600,000. Tarrant's web site focuses on cutting government spending, reducing heath care costs, and a business like approach to government and the issues.

The race between Parke and Tarrant for the Republican nomination will be interesting in its own right. Parke is clearly running to the right and closely aligns himself with Bush, while Tarrant seems to be more distant from the President and positioning himself as more moderate. On health care, for example, Tarrant advocates making Medicare available to small businesses.

Representative Bernie Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist, has represented Vermont in the House of Representatives for eight terms and is running as an independent for the Senate seat. Sanders first caught the public eye when he was elected Mayor of Burlington. First elected to Congress in 1990, he organized the Progressive Caucus and served as its first Chair. On issues he emphasizes his opposition to the War in Iraq and the Patriot Act, and is a strong advocate of economic justice.

The Democratic Party is not mounting a serious challenge, although a candidate may occupy the Democratic line. A number of prominent Democrats, including Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, already have campaigned with Sanders.

The race really revolves around Sanders. A sixteen-year incumbent-the longest serving independent in the history of the House of Representatives-Sanders is very popular in Vermont, and, of course, as Vermont's only member of the House, he has already been elected state wide eight times. It is no wonder that polls and pundits rate Sanders the favorite.

At this point in the campaign, Sanders is expected to bein front, as his opponents are not well known and the official candidate is still to be determined. But Sanders has never had to face the kind of money that his opponents are likely to spend. Tarrant has enormous personal resources at his disposal and is spending money at a record clip. Swift Boat's O'Neill just sent out a national fundraising letter on Parke's behalf labeling Sanders "the most dangerous liberal in America." Sanders, who has never raised one million dollars for a House campaign, is seeking to raise $5 million for the Senate race.

If the Swift Boat Veterans repeat the kind of negative campaign they waged against John Kerry's presidential campaign, Vermont's Senate race could set a new record for political vitriol as well as for spending. That would add a touch of irony to the campaign, since in the House Sanders has managed to form coalitions on issues like trade with Republican members of the House more frequently than most Democrats seem to do.

The Vermont race has serious national implications. It is hard to see how the Democrats could take control of the Sen-, ate if the Republicans win the seat. That's one reason why the Democrats aren't mounting a real challenge.

Pundits aside, a race with national implications that features a never-in-the-closet socialist targeted by the right wing, big money, and deep pockets won't be decided until election night is over.

[Author Affiliation]

Frank Llewellyn is the National Director of DSA