When Burlington residents head to the polls on March 6 to pick their next mayor, they’ll also be voting in another election: the presidential primary.
At a public forum Thursday night in the city’s Old North End, one resident asked the three mayoral candidates whom they would support for president — but two of them didn’t want to divulge their preferences.
“I think that’s kind of an invasion of privacy. I mean, we don’t go kiss and tell in any other circumstance,” said independent candidate Wanda Hines, drawing hoots of approval. “You know, I’m not going to tell you who I’m going in the booth to vote for city council or board commissioner or anything else. So I will pass on that, thank you. It’s my right.”
Miro Weinberger, the Democratic candidate, was more forthcoming.
“I’m happy to say I’m a proud supporter of Barack Obama and will be happily voting for him again,” he said.
Republican Kurt Wright, whose party may still be debating their presidential pick when Vermont’s primary rolls around, appeared unenthused by his options.
“I’m going to actually take Wanda’s stance in that,” he said. “I’m going to focus on Burlington issues, and I really am not supporting anybody right now and don’t know who I’m going to support. I’m not certainly happy with what I’m hearing out of the Republican primary now. I think it’s an embarrassment. But I’m going to stick to Burlington issues. I think that we need to focus on Burlington.”
This article appears in The Love & Marriage Issue 2012.
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The embarrassment is that this is what the reporter took away from the Forum. Are the candidates really saying nothing of interest?
I think it is a relevant question as it tells a lot about where ones ideals stand. I am dissappointed two candidates chose not to answer. Yes it is there right, however as a candidate for public office one should realize that there are questions that are relevant that are not in a private citizens life. Kudos to Miro for at least standing by his opinion albiet the wrong one.
Props to Miro for answering the question directly. While in the rights of others not to respond – nobody questions that – the cost of not providing voters with a clear enough picture of their principles and how they will govern, makes it difficult for people to trust them. Their preferred presidential candidate provides many insights. I appreciate how direct and Miro continues to be. It helps us to see – with great optimism – how he will clean up this financial mess, and then lead the city forward with transparency…. not “selective” transparency only when its politically convenient.
Lets stick to the questions pertinent to Burlington. Which candidate has the best plan to get my 50 million in BT contributions back. It will either be Miro, Wanda, or Kurt, or a last minute write in.
Obama, Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul, or a write in candidate will not do that.
Stick to Burlington while questioning the candidates.
“Which candidate has the best plan to get my 50 million in BT contributions back.”
Oh that’s one easy, the tooth fairy will bring it in the middle of the night. At least that was Kiss’ plan. The reality is that money is gone, gone, gone and likely even more after the courts award all the money BT has brought in since BTV defaulted.