FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 21, 2010
CONTACT:
ALEXANDRA MACLEAN
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Dubie and Republican Allies Launch Negative, Personal Assault on Peter Shumlin
“We are committed 100 percent to running the most positive and strong campaign that this state has ever seen.” – Brian Dubie
Burlington, Vt., – Despite the fact that Brian Dubie pledged to run a positive campaign, he and his Republican allies in Washington D.C. have waged a negative, personal assault on Peter Shumlin. Brian Dubie launched his campaign, stating, “We are committed 100 percent to running the most positive and strong campaign that this state has ever seen.” Yet now in desperation to distract voters from his George W. Bush style tax giveaways and cold-hearted budgeting that puts the most vulnerable at risk, Brian Dubie has launched the most negative campaign that Vermont has ever seen.
“In a continued effort to avoid the issues that really matter to Vermonters, Brian Dubie and his Republican allies in D.C. have launched television ads that lie about Peter’s record and his plan to get Vermonters back to work,” said Alex MacLean, Shumlin campaign manager. “Brian Dubie and his Republican allies are desperate to distract voters from the fact that he intends to destroy the quality of our schools and harm our seniors in order to provide George W. Bush style tax giveaways to the wealthiest 1,400 Vermonters. In their attempt to distract voters, Brian Dubie and his Republican allies have stooped to a new low never before seen in Vermont – lying about Peter’s record and his plan, attacking his character and his integrity and scaring Vermonters. This Republican smear campaign is not the Vermont way.”
Dubie Ad:
Dubie Lie: Peter Shumlin’s promises add up to almost $1 billion in spending
Fact: This is completely false. Once again Dubie’s campaign fails to cite this “fact” as there is no basis for this statement. In fact, in the legislative study that Dubie’s campaign has referred to regarding single payer health care and “increasing taxes” the first paragraph states that with the implementation of a single payer system Vermont could cover ALL Vermonters for $50 million less than we are now spending in total.
Dubie Lie: Peter Shumlin will release 800 prisoners early
Fact: Peter Shumlin has repeatedly said that he will not let prisoners out early. Peter’s fiscally responsible plan is to put the services on the ground so that when non violent offenders have served their time they will receive the treatment they need and will be less likely to reoffend.
Dubie Lie: Peter Shumlin will cut $40 million from corrections
Fact: Peter Shumlin has never said that he will cut $40 million from the corrections budget. Peter’s fiscally responsible corrections plan aims to save $40 million from the budget over a four year period by stopping the cycle of non-violent offenders reoffending.
Dubie Lie: Act 60 Doubled Property Taxes
Fact: Act 60 reduced property taxes on Vermonters by $64 million in its first year alone.
Dubie Smear: Peter Shumlin voted for $20 million in job cutting taxes
Fact: Peter Shumlin asked the wealthiest to pay a little more during an economic crisis so that Vermont’s middle class families could receive tax cuts. Meanwhile, Brian Dubie supported a $100 million property tax increase on Vermont’s middle class.
Dubie Smear: Colleagues voted Shumlin the most ethically challenged politician in Vermont
Fact: The Seven Days survey referred to in Dubie’s ad is widely known to be an unscientific publicity stunt, with only 30 people, including lobbyists completing the survey and only 12 voting for Peter. In fact, in a recent survey, 85% of voters said that Brian Dubie was in fact the most ethically challenged. (http://www.vermontwatch.net/2010/10/poll-on-most-ethically-challenged-vt.html)
RGA ad:
RGA Smear: Peter Shumlin tried to use his senate status to avoid a speeding ticket
Fact: Peter Shumlin received a speeding ticket and paid it promptly. The Dubie Campaign has paid Republican lawyers in DC that defended unethical congressional leaders to continue this smear campaign.
RGA Lie: He testified that he’s influenced by campaign donations
Fact: Peter Shumlin never testified in any way to this outrageous claim. He has spoken passionately about the need to end special interest money in politics and led the fight for stricter campaign finance laws. Brian Dubie supported the governor’s veto of restricting corporate campaign contributions. Dubie has take thousands of dollars from state vendors and was even given gifts from disgraced Entergy lobbyists, while Dubie defended the leaking nuclear plant for Entergy shareholders.
RGA Lie: Peter Shumlin raised over $20 million in taxes
Fact: Brian Dubie’s plan would have raised property tax rated by $100 million if Peter Shumlin didn’t stop the proposal. Dubie cites the override of the governor’s budget as a tax increase. But the Burlington Free Press corrected the record stating: “The bill lowered taxes for all five income brackets in 2009 and for four brackets in 2010.”
RGA Smear: Peter Shumlin doesn’t live up to the oath of office
Fact: Brian Dubie also took an oath as a Vermonter vote. He pledged to “do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person.” Brian Dubie’s most recent advertisements show he has no conscience and is trying to make Vermonters afraid of Peter Shumlin with lies and smears.
