Editor’s note: This op-ed is by state Sen. Joe Benning, who represents the Caledonia-Orange District in the Vermont Senate.
Nope, not by a long shot, and I’ve got reason to believe. I’m a Republican state senator who defeated an incumbent Democrat in 2010 and managed to hold onto his seat under a tidal wave of Vermonters voting for Democrats in 2012. I believe Vermont’s GOP will survive because it serves as a viable alternative to a Democratic machine taking a hard left turn. But if we are to grow and thrive as a party, permit me to suggest (in the words of Harry Potter’s Albus Dumbledore) “a change is in order.”
The concept of less government, low taxes and a free market economy remains the glue that binds Vermont Republicans, but we’re failing to articulate our historic brand. We used to be the standard bearer for individual freedom. We’ve also stood for balanced budgets (Dick Snelling and Jim Douglas), protecting the environment (Dean Davis and Jim Jeffords) and ensuring a quality education (Bob Stafford and Graham Newell). I believe our history and principles still resonate with most Vermonters, but many Vermonters see our image clouded by a national party now defined by the extreme right. To make our party more appealing, we need to regain our Vermont brand. Here are some suggestions:
• Advocate for individual freedom. Opportunity will come when government-run health care seeks to save money by imposing restrictions on what people do in the pursuit of happiness. Don’t seek government interference simply because an individual exercises their freedom in a way you disagree with.
• Religion and politics have never mixed well, especially here in Vermont. Ethan Allen himself pleaded with his contemporaries to not mix civil affairs with religion when he authored “Reason: the Only Oracle of Man.” There is nothing wrong with being religious, but an inclusive “big tent” will never be built with party planks of religious-based social issues.
• Those who don’t vote Republican are not evil. Accusing a fellow Republican of being a “RINO” only alienates that person. Vermont is a very small state with an extremely small population. We are all neighbors, if not friends or family. In politics we simply approach problem solving in different ways. We are supposed to be an inclusive political party, not an exclusive country club with a litmus test.
• Vermonters vote for candidates they need. They want to know what Republicans CAN do to solve problems, not just what the other side SHOULDN’T do.
• Advocate for your position, strenuously if you must, but never do so with animosity or by denigrating your opposition. Build trust. Vermonters are not fooled by endless hours of negative advertising with horror music and campaign spin.
Recognize that “traditional” ways of doing things may not always be the best approach when facing today’s problems. Simply rejecting an idea is not problem solving, it just takes us out of the discussion.
• Recognize that “traditional” ways of doing things may not always be the best approach when facing today’s problems. Simply rejecting an idea is not problem solving, it just takes us out of the discussion. We remain relevant by staying in the discussion, arguing for the principle that any legislation must pass constitutional muster and meet the state’s ability to afford it.
• We need to attract candidates who appeal to the masses. Good candidates are not people who simply complain the other side’s agenda will cause the sky to fall. Good candidates have a demonstrated track record of helping their neighbors through work in service clubs, municipal offices, church charities and the like. A really good candidate is somebody who is already well known in their district. To get them, we need to offer them a party that is not tainted with our national party’s image.
• We need to utilize the resources of willing donors to build a ground game, not clog mailboxes with junk mail by the pound. We need to spend money building local contacts, not on robo calls from out-of-state callers who don’t know how to pronounce Charlotte, Calais or Guildhall.
These are just a few of the thoughts that come to mind after the election of 2012. I don’t believe I am giving away any secrets to the Democrats. They’ve already figured these things out, which is why they now dominate the Legislature. The VTGOP needs to regain its Vermont brand; otherwise the Senate will get to be a very lonely place.
