Dunne Sighting

At Uncommon Grounds on Burlington's Church Street Marketplace on Tuesday afternoon. There he was, the Democrat who gave Republican Brian Dubie a scare in Vermont's recent Lite-Gov race.

State Sen. Matt Dunne told yours truly he's "caught up on my sleep," and "made up significant childcare credits with my wife."

What's he got planned for the future?

"I'm exploring a variety of options," said Dunne.

Good answer, eh?

He did say he felt his "service politics" approach was a success and we may be seeing more of it down the line.

Cool.

Certainly Young Dunne, with one statewide race under his belt, will be in the mix in 2008, right?

Stay tuned.

As the Rutland Herald editorial page put it:

"The defeat of Matt Dunne for lieutenant governor was a disappointment to many Democrats who saw him as a bright young leader with an abundance of energy and new ideas. One hopes that Dunne finds another avenue to bring his enthusiasm and ideas to Vermonters."

Comments

[montpelier28]

Automobile, as my Gram used to call them, trivia. I know ex speaker drove T-birds thanks to Peter. During the election I saw Auditor Brock in his Jag and today I saw Gov light in his Jag. I don't begrudge the boys their toys but just goes to show how Mtp. is changing. Classic luxury cars for some, finding the dough to keep the junk on the road so you can keep going to work for others. I know the ex speaker Walter's name I just don't remember how to spell it.

[linguini]

Dunne might run for govenor...well if he announces a year early as Parker did let us hope he takes full advantage of it and gets his name out there, a mistake that Scudder made..Shummy will be in the race too...!!! but u wont see Shummy cutting a late nite deal with Douglas as the DEMS did and taking away the only legit. issue Scudder had which was health care..i wonder when and if Douglas will trade in his Dodge Neon, gotta admit Douglas is some frugal..of course the old Neon doesnt get much use now that Scissorhands is shuttled all over the state with State provided vehicle with State Police driver...that Neon has many years left in the Gov's hands...

[one_vermonter]

I voted for Dunne but I'm not looking forward to his next campaign.

There is something about this guy that is so "POLITICS AS USUAL" -- there is a lot of showmanship, a lot of glad handling, a lot of flash -- but at the end of the day, he's just another pol, playing the dumb games that insiders play.

The Democratic party needs more voices from outside of Montpelier.

[Heavenly Ryan]

Another Dunne sighting at the Stremlined Sales Tax meeting at Doubletree yesterday morning... glad to see some public officials taking an interest in the matter.

More info - www.streamlinedsalestax.org

[mr. ed]

Gotta agree with linguini. Dunne does have a lot of political ambition and flair, but I prefer substance. He would have run for Congress this year, but took lite-Guv option when Welch went for Congress. The appearance is he will run for anything to advance his own cause.

Also, remember the trouble Racine got in during his earlier years, when he said he wanted to be a U.S. Senator some day? In Vermont, its better to be a little more subdued about your ambition.

[homer]

So the only way to get anywhere in politics in VT is to pretend you don't want to get anywhere? It's variation on the old joke: I don't want to be a member of any club that would have *me* as a member.

Only this one goes: we don't want as our Governor anyone who wants to be our Governor.

Dunne is a very bright, creative and hard-working guy who also aspires to higher office. He has spent his entire life in a tradition of public service, learning from his parents the virtues of caring about the common good.

We should feel grateful he has turned his talents to the low-paying field of government and public service rather than pursuing his ambitions in the private sector and working hard only to get himself one of those aforementioned Jags.

Give the guy a break!