While Vermont’s current Lieutenant Governor, Brian Dubie, dithers to and fro about his re-election plans and other oft-mentioned possible candidates like Rep. David Zuckerman put out political feelers by asking questions about themselves in the third-person (i.e. “What should David Zuckerman do?”), Newbury’s Boots Wardinski is cutting to the chase: He’s in. Period.
But wait. There is one wrinkle.
In an exclusive phone call with Broadsides.org, Wardinski announced that he’d be seeking the office of Vermont’s number two job in the Progressive Party’s primary in September 2010.
“I know what I want. I know where I stand. And I know how to use first-person pronouns, as in: I’m running for lieutenant governor of Vermont in the Progressive Party’s primary because I firmly believe in alternative parties and my stand on the issues.”
When asked for specifics, Wardinski rattled off a list of political stands that included the immediate shutdown of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, universal health care coverage for all Vermonters in a publicly-funded system, a halt to public employee layoffs, and an immediate withdrawal of all Vermont service members currently fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and “who the hell knows where else.”
“See, being specific isn’t hard,” declared Wardinski. “I just wish my opponents would do the same by stopping their media games and starting a substantive debate on the issues. If Brian Dubie and David Zuckerman don’t know what to do, they should step aside and let those who believe in what they’re doing – and thinking – lead.”
Wardinski is a horse logger, landscaper, farmer, maple sugar maker, and political activist in Vermont, where he’s lived for nearly thirty years. He currently serves as the president of the Capital City Farmers’ Market in Montpelier, the founding co-director of Horse Loggers for Peace in an undisclosed location, and a member of Veterans for Peace.
Wardinski has been arrested on numerous occasions in acts of civil disobedience, including actions against continued funding of the Iraq War (before it was popular), against the use of genetic-modified organisms (GMO’s), and against military recruitment of Vermont’s citizens.
Political observers may wonder why Wardinski is entering the Progressive Party’s primary after being a key historical figure – along with Bernie Sanders — in Vermont’s Liberty Union Party. The answer, according to Wardinski, is simple:
“I truly believe in alternatives – many alternatives! – to the two-party duopoly that has a stranglehold on our state and national political system. And when I saw that the Progressive Party’s Zuckerman was beginning his game of footsie with the Democrats, I knew someone had to step up and demonstrate that those alternatives have to be celebrated, not co-opted. Unlike Zuckerman, I believe what I say about the two-party hegemony that has led to wars, a lack of health care, and the gross inequality between the rich and poor.”
Wardinski is referring, of course, to the reports being circulated by Zuckerman himself that he is considering a complete abandonment of his previously held positions regarding alternative parties by entering the lt. governor’s race as a Democrat.
“Zuckerman’s basically issuing one, big ‘nevermind’ to his constituents,” said Wardinski. “I guess that’s what it takes to be a Democrat or Republican. You know, just like Obama was going to ‘stop the wars.’ Nevermind, indeed.”
Broadsides attempted to contact uber-Vermont political commentators Eric Davis and Garrison Nelson for a comment on Wardinski’s announcement but we were informed that they “were napping.” [Editor’s note: Poor fellas, they must be tired from trying to make the bland seem so relevant for all these years.]
Wardinski promised to be making an announcement about his campaign staff in the very near future. Stay tuned.
You got my vote, Boots. That’s 1 so far. Michael–cross-post this you know where.
Excellent news. Excellent write up.
I thought I was the only one laughing (or crying?) when I read Zuckerman’s quote about posting a “What should Zuckerman do?” sign at his farmers’ market stand.
Good grief, David, get a mirror and leave us alone.
I will put my boots on the ground for Boots during the campaign, though I admit I still like Zuck (disappointed we couldn’t convince him to run Prog last year).
mr. colby did not mention that i support the legalizing all drugs and condom distribution in the schools, but not doty elementary. and if i am elected no governor should leave the state.
english:
“2″ alternatives
“many” choices
Bud
Why can’t you farmers just get along?
I missed it. What’s the wrinkle?
I hope you know how much anxiety you just created in the Prog camp.
I’m a Prog donor and I’ve already received two emails from them about “what this means.”
I guess it sucks when the “people” you’re trying to manipulate have thoughts and ideas of their own.
It’s been an interesting afternoon to say the least. it sure looks like the announcement got people’s attention, including certain candidates, their donors and — of course — the media.
For those inquiring from the Vermont media, please be advised that Boots is implementing what he’s calling his “presidential media plan.” He is, after all, president of the farmers’ market, you know? And, in contrast to Pollina, that means he’s actually been voted into an office.
The “plan” goes something like this: Hold out for Letterman and the Sunday network news shows before anyone else (well, after Broadsides, of course). So, if you’re — say — from Seven Days, you’ll just have to wait. But he”ll keep you in mind. Be patient. Besides, he knows that once he’s elected you’ll be rolling over and purring like cats in his presence.
But I will give readers one tidbit from my last conversation with Wardinski: He asked me where he could order a truckload of ACORNS. Hmm, what could he possibly be thinking?
Stay tuned for more fun announcements.
[For Betty: The wrinkle is that he's running as a Prog. Sorry that wasn't clear for you.]
Looks like another stunt to me. Dopes.
Maybe we can convince Pollina and Diamondstone to enter the same primary. Then we can have all the nuts (acorns?) in one race.
By the way, is this the Big News you alluded to when you posted your pic with Douglas–or do we have more to look forward to? And, seriously, is this a ‘party-switching’ goof? I realize, and don’t think the Dems do, that Salmon switched to Republican cause the Republicans are gonna win in 2010 and probably 2012 (if I’m right that Obama was ‘selected’ by the Corporate Reich to be a one-term feel good President Nice). So why doesn’t Boots run as a Republican? Why don’t we all become Republicans? They’ve got the Babes. And the Drugs.
Is this the “big news?” Hardly. This was kids play compared to what I’m sitting on. In fact, I’m so full of scoops that what I AM sitting on seems to be growing by the day.
Maybe I should get that checked. Or simply get back into the woods. Ah, tomorrow will solve that….