Editor’s note: The Vermont Republican Party did not allow Vtdigger.org take video footage of its state committee meeting yesterday.
MONTPELIER – A Lyndon State College student made an unsuccessful bid to win a seat on the executive board of the Vermont Republican Party at the state committee meeting held at the Montpelier Elks Lodge yesterday.
John Kleinhans, a 19-year-old media and political science major and chairman of the Vermont College Republicans, stepped forward to challenge outgoing chairman Rob Roper in a congenial two-way race for secretary of the state party. Roper won the seat.
Former state representative Steve Larrabee of Danville, who told News 7 last month that he wants to expand the GOP tent to include more independents and even Democrats, was elected the new chairman of the Vermont Republican Party. He beat out Dan Reilly of Bennington, a recent transplant from Long Island who declared he was prepared to play “full contact” politics.
Kleinhans said he was stepping forward to serve because he was inspired to provide “a shot in the arm to the Grand Old Party.”
About a dozen of the young pol’s college-age friends were on hand to support his bid for secretary. During his nomination acceptance speech, about 15 young Republicans stood to be recognized. According to the web site Caledonia County Political Buzz Examiner, Kleinhans has helped to attract 100 members to the Vermont College Republicans.
“When I started a year ago, we had five members; now we have five chapters,” Kleinhans said.
Gov. James Douglas set the tone for the meeting following the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.
“I hope the Democrats will understand that the income and property tax structure in Vermont make competition difficult for Vermont businesses,” Douglas said. “The majority under the dome does not understand the budget they passed over my veto is unsustainable.”
Douglas told the standing room only crowd, “We need more Republican legislators, legislators who understand how to make payroll.”
Susie Hudson, reporting on the Republican National Committee, said exit polls in New Jersey and Virginia, where Republican candidates recently unseated Democratic governors, is an indication that voters’ No. 1 concern is the economy.
Lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie said one of his goals is to “keep tax structures low.”
Dubie said the regulatory structure is stymieing entrepreneurs in Vermont. He said Republicans and businesspeople are telling him to get rid of “yellow light regulations.” He said they want clear rules that say “red or green.”
Dubie said that as governor he will create more jobs. “If we can get our incentives right, we can have a great future in Vermont.”
State Auditor Tom Salmon, who was elected as a Democrat and recently switched parties, acknowledged that he had been pulled over for driving under the influence by a Montpelier police officer on Friday night. The incident was widely reported in the blogosphere and in mainstream media yesterday.
Salmon didn’t elaborate on what happened except to say we all have good days and bad days before he moved on to a speech about the economy.
“We have fiscal realities to face,” Salmon said. “I’m glad to be in the Republican Party where I can say what I mean and mean what I say.
“People are starving for two things: Truth and leadership,” Salmon said. “They know we are on an unsustainable path.”
