August 5, 2013; Terri Hallenbeck; Burlington Free Press
When members of the Vermont Progressive Party gather Saturday for their state meeting, they will openly discuss the burning issue of the day: Should they challenge Gov. Peter Shumlin in next year’s election?
Here’s the dilemma: Progressives kind of like Shumlin, at least some of the time. They just can’t believe some of the cuts he’s proposed to social programs. But they’re not so sure they’ve got the money or the candidate to mount their own viable campaign. And they think they’re doing pretty well affecting change by focusing on getting members elected to the Legislature.
“I have absolutely no idea where we’re going to end up,” said Party Chairwoman Martha Abbott of Underhill. “I want to hear what everybody’s thinking.”
“I really don’t know,” said longtime Progressive Anthony Pollina of Middlesex, when asked if the party should run a candidate for governor. “That’s why I think the conversation is important. I think there are a lot of differences of opinion.”
“His budget priorities were so far off the mark that the Democratic majority shut them down,” said Chris Pearson, a Burlington representative.