Editor’s note: This oped is by Morgan W. Brown who lives in Montpelier and runs the blog Vermont Watch.
Sometimes the best polling can take place simply by listening as well as through conversation, rather than asking questions in the more traditional approaches to polling people, even when the latter might be done in a somewhat neutral manner.
Last evening while I was running some errands and, before I went food shopping, I stopped for a bite to eat at the local McDonald’s on Route 302 in Berlin.
Whether one goes there morning, noon or night, there are often a set of regulars who stop in either for coffee or to dine sitting in their usual spots and chatting with each other with a good view of the huge wall-mounted flat screen television that is always tuned to the national Fox News network channel with its sound muted and close caption running across the bottom of the screen.
Many of these regulars are senior citizens, possibly taking advantage of the senior discount, value menu offerings as well as central meeting location.
When I was getting my drink and then attempting to locate an empty seat in an area I tend to sit, I could easily over hear the conversation taking place, one on politics going on between an older lifelong Vermonter seated at one small table next to an elderly married couple not quite within his age range yet sitting together at a neighboring table and it became obvious they knew each other well. For some reason the television was blank or not on at the time.
Before I had gotten myself seated I overheard them speaking in very cynical terms about politicians in general, which got my attention and peaked my interest of course.
Without having said a word, much to my surprise their conversation quickly turned to the 2010 Vermont gubernatorial race. Little did they know a political blogger was eavesdropping.
The clear favorite among each of them was Republican Brian Dubie, whom they spoke in glowing terms about and with none of the cynicism they hold for most other politicians.
When these three voters spoke about the Democratic primary candidates however, none of those five measured up, except for the lady who seemed to have respect Susan Bartlett for her common sense, as she seemed to put it. Yet, due to poor name recognition outside her county, Senator Bartlett was not deemed to have much of a chance at winning the primary compared to some of her more well known contenders.
Although I was listening of course, I had intended to focus on eating my supper and did not want to intrude. Yet, once a certain subject came up during which there was an opportunity to volunteer some information I was aware of from various sources, I did so.
It became evident that each of the three were engaged, educated and informed voters who kept up with politics, news and current events.
Eventually I found out that the older man sitting by himself is an Independent. When we were speaking about the primary election and what could happen depending on whom and how many vote either early or on Aug. 24, including how Independents could have a role in determining who wins the Democratic nomination, before I had a chance to mention it the older gentleman spoke about how Republicans could make some mischief by voting for the Democrat least likely to win against Brian Dubie in the general election and if enough did so, possibly shake up the race entirely.
Each of the three stated how they thought some areas of the state would certainly lean toward Doug Racine in the primary as well as during the general election as well, especially in Chittenden County, but also Rutland City, etc.
While they stated how they truly hoped Brian Dubie would win in November, it was also obvious they had serious concerns about whether he would win or not and that definitely bothered them.
That said, count those three persons as being solid, unwavering votes and providing loads of support for Brian Dubie. In addition, gauging from the other regulars they sometimes are seated with when there is more of a crowd, there could be even more such votes and support.
What seemed important was to listen and observe, even when being an active participant in the conversation.
If those running for political office truly took efforts to do so, including after being elected and not merely when running for election, maybe there would be less reason for voters to be cynical or rather highly skeptical; not to mention those among the non-voting public who opt out because either they believe their vote would not really count or they have been let down one too many times by the same old politics from the same old type of politicians year after year — even when their faces and names change.
Summarized tips to politicians (drawn from what I overheard):
Stop the tired old empty rhetoric, even when it is cleverly repackaged, it is not fooling anyone. Listen very carefully to the voting public as well as, most importantly, learn from what you hear and then be sure to heed it. Do not make promises you never intend to keep, no matter how much you might say otherwise. Be real as well as authentic, instead of just trying to pretend you are.
Just a thought:
Maybe, since some of the candidates as well as the public seems to be tiring of the same old debates or forums happening over and over again across the state with nothing really new or different being discussed or learned, there should be a reversal.
Instead of debates and forums where people listen to the candidates for hours, the candidates who choose to attend as a group listen to the public in a town meeting format not controlled by the candidates or their campaigns.
After the public has had their say at such events, then the candidates can have an opportunity to briefly respond and also have follow-up questions asked of them.
