Dunne: “Brian Dubie, where have you been?”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 13

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Dunne Campaign Responds to Dubie Campaign’s Mocking of Public Forums

Matt Dunne Asks, ‘Brian Dubie, Where Have you Been’?

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – Today the Matt Dunne campaign responded to the Brian Dubie campaign’s joking press release that the Democratic Forum in Bennington is “a game of ‘let’s pretend’.”

“Every two weeks Brian Dubie is being paid by the people of Vermont, yet he puts nothing on his public calendar and declines to show up at public forums to face voters,” Dunne said. “It is insulting to Vermonters that Dubie refuses to participate in the forums he is invited to, and then turns around and mocks the Democrats for having someone stand in for him.”

In a statement today from the Dubie campaign, campaign manger Cory Bliss said, “It’s no surprise Brian’s opponents would rather debate an empty chair than talk about their own agenda for higher taxes and dozens of new government programs.”

Matt Dunne charged back, saying, “Someone must stand in for him because Brian won’t stand up for himself. Instead of making jokes about not showing up to debates, Brian Dubie’s campaign should focus on explaining to Vermonters why their candidate is too afraid to have an open and honest discussion on the issues.”

The metaphor of an empty chair in the release is an appropriate symbol for Brian Dubie’s absence during this campaign and for his tenure as Lt. Governor.

Matt Dunne challenged Dubie to stop the jokes and talk about the issues.

“Brian Dubie, where have you been?” asked Dunne. “Where have you been when you declined every forum invitation you have received? Where have you been when you criticize other candidates’ jobs plans without putting out a plan of your own? Where have you been when you deride Vermont as a bad place to do business while the economy suffered and the number of new businesses dropped under your watch?

“Brian Dubie would rather make a joke than join a debate,” Dunne said. “But the state of our economy is not a joke and the number of out of work Vermonters is no laughing matter. Brian Dubie, let’s put an end to the games and talk about the real issues facing Vermonters.”