"I'm For Doug"

I’m for Doug! Senator Doug Racine has proven time and time again that he’ll fight for what’s best for Vermont and Vermonters. Whether the issue is children and families, helping people in poverty get the resources they need to be successful, healthcare or education, I trust Doug to get things done and get them done right. Even among a field of fine gubernatorial candidates, Doug stands out as the one who has the experience, the vision and the likeability to win this election. Go Doug!

While I agree with the political stances of all the Democrats running for Governor, I’m voting for Doug Racine because I believe his style is the best for the job. Doug is the quiet candidate. I believe he is the candidate who can best get things done without creating confrontation. His style is no-nonsense efficiency and I believe that is the best way to achieve consensus. Doug won’t grab the headlines, but he will get things done.

Doug Racine is a man of integrity. In the final minutes of the 2011 legislative session, Doug and a fellow legislator prevented mental health and developmental disabilities programs from taking a devastating cut! Services for people who either have no voice or their voices are not heard have had life altering cuts made to their services over the last several years. This year was to be no different. Doug not only listened, but he HEARD what our most vulnerable citizens had to say. He stood up for them and gave them a voice that others could not deny! You have my utmost gratitude and respect. YOU HAVE MY VOTE!!

Doug Racine has been a “reliable ally” for people with disabilities and their families for as long as I can remember–nearly three decades now. He not only listens, but he remembers and uses this information to shape policy decisions. We know that the difficult decisions will still have to be made as long as the economy is tight, but we trust the process that Doug will use in making those decisions. They will always be informed by the experience, concerns and ideas of real people in Vermont. I’ve been waiting forever for Doug to be Governor–this is the time!

I support Doug Racine because he is a strong leader who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Even during the tough economic times we have been facing, Doug has stood strong in support of the most vulnerable members of our community.

I watched the five democratic candidates answering questions about the issues last night in Rutland. While there were not a lot of differences in their positions on policy, Doug stood out in my mind. His passion for early education, his work on healthcare reform in Vermont and on behalf of all Vermonters, and his easy going, down to earth approach to answering questions reaffirmed for me that he is the best candidate among the five. I came to the forum undecided about who I would support and liking several of the candidates and I left feeling confident in my support of Doug.

I attended a recent forum of the five Democratic primary candidates for Governor in Rutland as an undecided voter and came away committed to voting for Doug Racine. His willingness to talk about using “rainy day funds” and possibly changing the tax structure to avoid further cuts to the State budget was impressive. He managed to be soft-spoken and strong-willed at the same time. He is going to be the next Governor of the State of Vermont!

After attending & listening to each gubernatorial candidate in various venues, I have concluded that Doug Racine is the single most progressive-minded of any candidate, and clearly expresses and is committed to the issues, concerns and priorities I care about. I am very pleased to offer my support for his candidacy as Governor of Vermont.

State-wide, Racine’s approach to achieving health care reform holds, I believe, the surest path to achieving health care for every Vermonter. I believe Doug Racine has clearly established health care reform as the single most pressing human need in the state of Vermont. Doug Racine embraces the concept that health care is a human right. With Racine as governor, Vermont can become the first state in the Union, to establish a health care system free from profiteering insurance corporations: everybody in, nobody out.

“Early in his Senate career Doug’s motto was “I’m going to Monpelier to work” and he has never wavered from that pragmatic, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to policy making in his role as state Senator and Lt. Governor. We’re privileged to have so many good Democracts in the race this year, but Doug has truly earned the governership by virtue of his accomplishments, his record of bi-partisan leadership, and his commitment to making government responsive to the needs of regular Vermonters. I especially appreciate his leadership on environmental protection and health care reform. While he may not be as flashy as other politicians, he’s unquestionably the most effective. Vermont would be lucky to have him as our next governor.”

“Doug’s leadership on civil rights for lesbian and gay Vermonters, especially marriage equality for same-sex partners, has been strong and longstanding. As a 16-year member of the House Judiciary Committee, and for many years the only “out” legislator, I know how important steadfast allies have been to the fight for our civil rights. From adoption rights to marriage equality, from employment non-discrimination protection to services for people with HIV/AIDS, Doug has always been with us. Doug’s longtime leadership and commitment to our rights, and to our LGBT community, have helped make Vermont the welcoming community that we all deserve.”