Stern, a store owner from North Springfield, is Scott’s only Republican challenger in Vermont’s gubernatorial primary.
The 45-minute debate, held Wednesday in front of an intimate audience at the Channel 17 studio in Burlington’s liberal Old North End and moderated by VTDigger founder Anne Galloway, never got heated. The closest thing to a zinger came after Stern, who’s criticized Scott for not doing more to reduce taxes, suggested he could cut spending in some areas without the legislature’s approval.
“Actually, you can’t, Keith, because they appropriate [the] money,” Scott said. “You’re gonna have to work within the system. It’s three separate legs of government.”
“Oh I understand that. I don’t need a lesson,” Stern replied. “I’m just saying, if I say, ‘Here, I’ve cut $2 million, can we use it for paving roads, are they gonna say, ‘No, we’re not gonna pave roads’?”
“Yeah they will. They say that all the time,” Scott said, prompting laughter in the audience.
Stern criticized Scott for devoting resources to creating electric vehicle charging stations and said that as governor he’d do more to cut government waste. As evidence of waste, Stern cited an auction he recently attended, during which the state sold off pallets of used tires “that looked brand new” for “pennies on the dollar.”
Stern has garnered support among Vermonters who are furious with Scott for supporting gun control measures, but the political novice passed up an opportunity Wednesday to vigorously attack the governor for reneging on a 2016 campaign promise to never sign such legislation.
He criticized Scott only obliquely, stating that, “Taking away gun rights from legal gun owners, law-abiding citizens, is not a solution to anything.”
And Stern demurred when Galloway asked whether he’d consider any restrictions on gun ownership. “That’s a good question. I would consult the experts on it — the gun owners’ groups — because they’re a lot more informed on it than I am,” Stern said.
Scott sounded unconcerned when asked about results from a Morning Consult poll released Wednesday that showed his approval rating dropped 18 points to 47 percent and his disapproval rating doubled after he signed gun reform legislation in April. “Leadership and being governor isn’t about watching the polls and doing or taking action because of what the polls would be or what the political ramifications would be,” Scott responded. “I went into that with my eyes wide open.”
In response to another question, the governor conceded that he didn’t think the magazine ban was necessary and noted that it “wasn’t my idea.”
Both candidates avoided saying much, good or bad, about President Donald Trump, although Stern, inadvertently it seemed, borrowed Trump’s campaign slogan, saying in his closing statement that “We can make this state great again.”
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Keith Stern failed to take the fight to the incumbent Phil Scott ! Light taps to the abdomen won’t get the job done, to have any shot at “besting” Phil – Keith needed a knockout blow, but didn’t deliver this time !
In a time of polarized extremes, there is some comfort in having a moderate, knowledgeable and practical Governor who takes his responsibilities seriously. Vermont has an open primary where voters can vote in any party they chose. While one may not agree with all the Governor has done, those who appreciate his thoughtful, though sometimes unpopular leadership, might consider the value of his continuing in office for another two years and voting for him in the Republican primary.
If anyone knows about how to be a successful politician, it’s (H) Brooke Paige!
So the only way to run for any office in this state is to use jabs, name calling, loud voice, to exploit…but most of all lie !??? Let’s make promises and once get in office take it all back. Listen to the other states like NY idiot Gov Cuomo and the socialist mayor de Blasio and do what the liberal democrats transplants legislatures want !!!
IMO it’s time to remove these transplant liberals out from under the golden dome. I for one am getting sick and tired of them running/ ruining our lives. They come here and want to change our state into the crappy state they left. I respect Keith Stern, he’s honest, he’s caring, he’s another Calvin”Silent Cal” Coolidge a man of few words but a man of action. If you are tired of the way the liberal democrats are taking over then vote for Keith Stern and more Republicans that we can count on. Get the 3 bald fools out, as they aren’t acting like officials for Vt, especially when they take bribes, which everyone knows they do, also the legislators…
“In a time of polarized extremes, there is some comfort in having a moderate, knowledgeable and practical Governor.”
Yeah that’d be super awesome. I look forward to that day.