Schedule for February 2010

    The governor made the announcement at a press conference held at 11 a.m. in the governor’s ceremonial office at the State House. His staff was told of his decision an hour earlier.

    In a draft of the governor’s remarks, obtained by the Messenger this morning, Douglas said he has “held center stage long enough for any leader” and officially said he would not seek another term as governor of Vermont.

    Douglas, 58, said his service to Vermont does not end with the governorship, “but I am also ready to write a new chapter in my life.” Halting inevitable speculation about his political future, Douglas said he would not run for Congress or any other statewide office in 2010. He is also not running for president.

    “Dorothy has a divorce lawyer on speed dial if I ever utter that crazy idea,” Douglas joked, referring to his wife, with whom he has two sons and a grandson, Timothy James Douglas.

    “A new generation has a way of putting things into perspective,” the governor said.

    Douglas emphasized that for the next 16 months, he will run state government, despite any perception that he is now a lame duck.

    “Those who presume there will be an absentee landlord in the corner office will be mistaken,” he said.

    This morning’s news from Douglas – a consummate campaigner with a likable personality and extraordinary name recall – came as a surprise to Franklin County lawmakers and those with close ties to him, including Steve Bourgeois, a Swanton Republican who served as Douglas’ state campaign treasurer during each gubernatorial campaign.

    Bourgeois said he is unsure of Douglas’ plans and hopes the governor remains in Vermont. In recent dealings, Douglas never told Bourgeois about his future political plans. Bourgeois is glad that Douglas will complete this term.

    “We need somebody like Gov. Douglas to stay on through the helm through tough times,” Bourgeois said. “He’s a key element to our successful future.”

    Vermont Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin County, called Douglas’ departure “the end of an era.” Brock used words such as “competence, moderation and unflappability” when describing Douglas.

    Asked whom the GOP might put forth as a gubernatorial candidate next year, Bourgeois and Brock referred to Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie. Bourgeois said he would actively campaign for Dubie, if he runs, and if Dubie asks for Bourgeois’ help.

    “The bench is not, by any means, empty,” Brock said. “As to my own plans, I will advance them in due course,” noting, “I’m certainly going to be part of discussions the party is having to plan the way forward.”

    Rep. Carolyn Branagan, R-Georgia, said Douglas’ announcement would result in a significant change in the state’s political structure, as well as the 2010 legislative session. Branagan said Democrats that overrode two of Douglas’ vetoes during this past session – one regarding gay marriage, and the state’s first budget veto override – might see Douglas’ lame-duck status as an incentive to override more.

    “That strength being gone, that word of Jim Douglas, will have a huge impact,” Branagan said. “It’s going to be a wild ride now... Liberals will see no end.”

    Branagan said the expectation was that Douglas would remain in office until Democratic U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy stepped down from his seat. Leahy has already announced that he will seek re-election.

    Douglas’ departure could also have an impact on local legislative races across Vermont next year. Douglas’ charm and personality made it easy for Republicans to campaign with him.

    “People like Jim Douglas,” Branagan said.

    Euan Bear, the Franklin County Democratic Party chair from Bakersfield, had heard speculation that Douglas would not seek re-election. Douglas’ decision did not shock her, given the double override he faced last session.

    “I think that he looked at the handwriting on the wall,” Bear said. “He likely would have gone down.”

    Even with word that Douglas would or might seek re-election, Democrats have lined up to run against him. Even with the election more than a year away, there stands to be a chance of a three-way Democratic primary, with Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille; Secretary of State Deb Markowitz; and Sen. Doug Racine, D-Chittenden, as possibilities for that ballot.

    And now, with Douglas’ departure, there will be more speculation among Democrats. Could State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding change his mind and run for Douglas’ seat? Might State Auditor Tom Salmon, who made Brock a one-termer in that seat, follow in his father’s footsteps as governor?

    “I think we better get our heads together and get behind a candidate,” said Rep. Kathleen Keenan, St. Albans City, who was “flabbergasted” by Douglas’ news today.

    Vermont Democratic Congressman Peter Welch, who was himself a candidate for governor in 1990, said in a written statement this morning: “Governor Douglas is a dedicated public servant who has served Vermonters tirelessly for more than three decades. I have had the opportunity to work closely with him over the years – in Montpelier and now in Washington – on the issues most important to Vermonters. I have always appreciated his willingness to work with me to improve our state. I wish him the best,”

    Asked for his reaction, Douglas’ former secretary of administration, Mike Smith, commented on Douglas the man and the politician.

    “Gov. Douglas is one of the brightest people I have ever met,” said Smith. “He has almost an encyclopedia-like mind and is able to immediately grasp complex material in seconds as well as remember the names and faces of thousands of Vermonters for a lifetime. The history books are full of stories about leaders blessed with an intellectual gift but then, unfortunately, using that talent to demean or intimidate others. Not Jim Douglas.

    Calling Douglas a “gentleman,” Smith added, “Although he gets frustrated from time-to-time he never raises his voice and is always polite. His private persona is exactly the same as his public one — calm, cool, collected. There are too few politicians like Jim Douglas around anymore because the bulk of politicians take being polite and unassuming as a weakness.

    “The power of your argument or your ability to articulate it in a respectful manner -- as Jim Douglas can -- is not important to the new breed of politicians; rather how much you can inflame or demean is the new benchmark that politician now strive to achieve. And that's a shame.

    Smith speculated that Douglas’ brand of politics could be “from another era where reasonable people could disagree but still remain civil and in some cases friends. He is of the mold of Aiken, Stafford, and Jeffords and is as effective as Snelling and Dean.”

    Chris Graff, Vermont political commentator, author, and former Associated Press bureau chief in Montpelier, told the Messenger today, “In the nearly 40 years I have known Jim Douglas what stands out are his strong ethics, deep integrity, and his unwavering commitment to Republican principles. It is not easy to be a Republican in the most Democratic state in the nation, but Jim has stood by his beliefs, even in the face of strong opposition.

“At the same time his years as governor have been marked by a pragmatic streak that has allowed him to make progress on his political goals. And of course what everyone knows about Jim is that he is the nicest person, who takes the time to travel the state and keep in close contact with average Vermonters. He truly cares about all the people he meets - and his uncanny memory allows him to remember the people and the visits.”

    Smith agreed with that assessment, saying, “Jim Douglas is a tough political adversary because he listens to Vermonters, understands their concerns, and then fights for them. A Vermonter knows when he is talking to the governor he is listening with the intensity that seems like that individual's opinion is the only one that matters. Jim Douglas has set the bar high for the next Governor. It will be interesting to see who can try and reach it.”

    A Springfield, Mass. native, Douglas’ interest in politics first became evident at Middlebury College where as a student he was active in a college Republican group. He served Middlebury in the Vermont House from 1972 to 1979 when he became an aide to Republican Gov. Richard Snelling.

    Douglas soon afterward was elected secretary of state, a position he held until 1992. He launched an unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. that same year and was elected Vermont State Treasurer two years later.

    Douglas, who had been an aide for former Republican governor Richard Snelling, came to the governor’s office in 2002 having defeated Lt. Gov. Doug Racine, who was attempting to take the seat being vacated by then five-term Democrat Howard Dean. That race was so close – neither candidate holding a majority of votes -- that it had to be decided by the Vermont Legislature.

    Douglas handily won re-election in 2004 over Democrat Peter Clavelle of Burlington, in 2006 over Democrat Scudder Parker, and last year over Democrat Gaye Symington and Independent Anthony Pollina.

    A spokesman for Sen. Leahy said this morning that the senator would not be issuing a comment until sometime after the official announcement from Douglas.

    In making his announcement this morning, Douglas did not rule out a public role in the future.

    “My service to this state will not end with the governorship. Whether I’m in the corner office or my home office, I will always strive to do what I can to make better this great state,” he said

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Messenger publisher and editor Emerson Lynn, and staff writers Michelle Monroe, and Leon Thompson contributed to this report.

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