Marriage Still Matters to GOP Vermont: US Senate Race 2022

 Marriage still matters to the Republican base, even in liberal Vermont

‘Ahead-scratcher’: Vermont’s GOP voters nominate a surprising slate of candidates

Even those who won Vermont’s Republican primary elections on Tuesday say they’re baffled by the results.

In the race for U.S. Senate, GOP voters rejected former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, a moderate and institutional favorite, for Gerald Malloy, a Trump-aligned conservative. 

Christina Nolan was an out-lesbian, and she was endorsed by Mitch McConnell. She had two clear strikes against her as far as the Republican base is concerned.

Perhaps the biggest upset of the night was Malloy’s defeat of Nolan, though a July poll by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed him with a slight lead. Malloy, a West Point graduate and 22-year Army veteran who moved to Vermont just two years ago, won close to 40% of the vote. Nolan, who picked up the endorsements of Gov. Phil Scott and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., garnered just 35%.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott is one of the most liberal Republicans in the GOP Governor's Association, probably more liberal than Massachusetts' own Charlie Baker.

Reached Thursday, Malloy struck a unifying tone, saying that moderates like Scott belong in his GOP.

“I see us as one party, and I see us as rallying together for this general election,” Malloy told VTDigger.

But his association with the party’s conservative wing suggests he is not quite a Phil Scott Republican. Which legislators does he admire? Malloy pointed to Rep. Art Peterson, R-Clarendon, and Rep. Vicki Strong, R-Albany, whose endorsement he earned.

“Just great Vermonters, great Americans, just doing the best for Vermont,” Malloy said. (He also cited President Abraham Lincoln, “the first Republican President,” as a favorite.)

The two representatives Malloy mentioned inhabit the outer edge of the GOP. Peterson made the rounds at Thayer’s anti-Critical Race Theory rallies and, in a House committee meeting, questioned whether systemic racism exists. Strong, meanwhile, is among the Legislature’s most outspoken opponents of abortion rights and has said she would not comply with mask and vaccine mandates.

I am surprised that there are Republicans in Vermont who still fight against abortion. I am certainly glad that members of the state legislature oppose Critical Racist Theory, too.

“I certainly seek to emulate how they perform for the state,” Malloy said.

That emulation might explain his success. Malloy cited his experience in business and in the military as key to his victory, but others suggested it was Nolan’s lack of conservative bonafides.

That lack of conservative credentials is the bigger deal. No question about it

“She refused to answer the question of who she voted for (for president),” said H. Brooke Paige, a regular on the Republican ballot who picked up nominations for attorney general, auditor, secretary of state and treasurer on Tuesday. “She started to blow off the debates and forums or whatever we were having.”

For once, an establishment candidate got crushed for ducking debates. That's the kind of thing we hope to see more of in future elections.

Paige said Nolan was notably absent at four events he attended. In the week leading up to the primary, Nolan’s failure to show up to a Vermont Republican Party economic forum in St. Albans drew the ire of fellow Senate candidate Myers Mermel, who picked up 17% of Tuesday’s vote and had throughout the race gone on the offensive against Nolan. His attacks against Nolan left Malloy safe above the fray.

“I was somewhat surprised to see Gerald Malloy beat out Christina Nolan. I attributed a lot of that to the third candidate, Myers Mermel, spending a lot of money and time bashing Christina,” said Benning, the Caledonia County senator who won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. “I think Gerald Malloy took advantage of staying out of that.”

Asked about his decision to target Nolan, Mermel said it was a service to voters. “I believed it was the right thing for me to do to make sure that people knew the truth about the establishment candidate,” he told VTDigger.

But rather than his attacks, Mermel suggested, it was Nolan’s endorsements from McConnell and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, that cost her with Vermonters, as did her outspoken willingness to disagree with her potential Republican colleagues in the U.S. Senate. “I had heard repeatedly from the people I spoke to that they didn't want to see a Republican like that get elected,” Mermel said.

(The Nolan campaign did not respond to an interview request on Thursday.)

While Malloy took hardline anti-abortion and anti-gun-reform stances, Nolan said she supported Roe v. Wade and red flag laws. She is also lesbian and has spoken in favor of marriage equality. On a night in which women dominated the Democratic ticket, not a single woman won statewide for the Republicans.

And here's the issue I want to focus on: "She ... has spoken in favor of marriage equality." That's a big dud with Republican voters still. In spite of the GOP political establishment's drive to run away from cultural issues, the GOP base wants the party leaders to support the natural family, stand up for natural marriage, and push back on the encroaching, destructive LGBT agenda.

Vermont Republican Party Slams VT Federal Delegation Over #SchumerShutdown

It's nothing short of a miracle. Deep Blue Vermont has a state Republican Party that is actually fighting back!

The entire Vermont delegation rejected the HR 195 spending bill to end the #SchumerShutdown.

Unbelievable, but true.

The Democratic Party has lost all sense and sensibility, divorced from the concerns of everyday Americans, even in Vermont.

Will the left-wing, progressive movement which has ruined Vermont for the last ten years finallly meet its end in 2018?

Shameful Representation in Washington   Arthur, I don't know about you, but I am disappointed in our federal delegation. Yesterday, both houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly to end the three-day government shutdown. In the Senate, where the shutdown originated, a bipartisan funding agreement won very strong majorities of both Republicans and Democrats. Our federal lawmakers, however, were unable to put aside partisan politics, yet again choosing obstruction over leadership.     Where is Vermont's leadership?. The bipartisan funding bill that Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Representative Welch tried unsuccessfully to block provides urgently needed funding for the nation's military and defense, vital government services, and an impressive six-year extension for CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program It’s a shame that Vermont's representatives couldn’t see their way clear to be responsible, mainstream legislators and do the right thing for Vermonters and all Americans   Vermont deserves better … Contribute Any Amount Today! Sincerely, Deb Billado Chairwoman, VTGOP HELP US SEND A MESSAGE TO SANDERS, LEAHY & WELCH IN 2018 $20.18 MONTHLY DONATION >>

One can only hope that the Vermont Republican Party can capitalize on the epic failures of the Democratic Party nationally. Can Vermont Republicans win enough seats to ensure long-term passage of meaningful fiscal reforms at the state and local level?

Vermont GOP: Democrats Ignore Emigration Data

Democratic House Speaker Cites "Moving Company" Data to Ignore Vermont's Demographic Trends  Speaker Johnson Ignores Data from US BLS, US Census, and VT DO Berlin, VT – In an effort to assure Vermonters that all is well with our demographic and economic trends, Vermont House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-Milton) tweeted United Van Lines’ survey of their own customers on inbound and outbound migration, which suggests Vermont had a high percent of inbound migration in 2017. However, in doing so, Johnson ignores thoroughly researched data from federal and state government that suggests otherwise. This data includes: The U.S. Census, which points to a 2,084 population decrease in Vermont since 2010—in addition to a net outward migration of 1,910 persons in 2014-2015, and a net migration rate of negative 3.1 in 2015-2016 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows Vermont’s labor force fell by 15,000 (or about 4.1 percent) between 2010 and 2016 The Vermont Department of Labor, suggesting Vermont’s labor force declined by 15,550 from April of 2009 to November of 2017 The truth of the population, labor force, and net migration statistics speak clear: Vermont’s economic trends are real and unsustainable. But Speaker Johnson would rather Vermonters ignore these demographic realities and focus on one “study” from a moving company’s own customers. Why? Because it’s the Democrats’ misguided, tax and spend economic policies that have created an unaffordable economic environment, forcing people out of Vermont. Contrary to the rosy picture painted by Johnson, Vermonters’ are crippled by the burden of high cost of living, exacerbated by high taxes. The Democrats in Montpelier would rather you forget all about the economic challenges they’ve worsened. Thankfully, Vermont Republicans and Governor Scott are committed to grow our economy, make Vermont more affordable, and protect the most vulnerable. You can help them by making a donation today. DONATE TODAY! 1. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/VT 2. http://www.governing.com/gov-data/census/state-migration-rates-annual-net-migration-by-state.html 3. https://www.bls.gov/lau/ex14tables.htm 4. http://www.vtlmi.info/Labforce.cfm?qperiodyear=2017&qareatype=01&qadjusted=Y

Vermont GOP Governor Delivers 2018 State of the State Address (Tax Cuts, Spending Cuts!)

Share Tweet Forward to a Friend Greetings, Earlier today Governor Scott delivered his 2018 State of the State address highlighting the progress of the past year and strengthening his commitment to growing the economy and making Vermont more affordable, while protecting the most vulnerable.   MAKING PROGRESS   Last session, Governor Scott presented, fought for and signed a budget that did not raise a single tax or fee for the first time in memory. He drew a line in the sand and said the state budget would not grow faster than wages, which means state government actually helped Vermonters keep more of what they earn. In addition, over the last 12 months, Governor Scott and his administration closed a budget gap of nearly $60 million.  He also reduced education costs by $13 million in order to keep statewide property tax rates level for the first time in more than a decade.   His housing package (the most substantial investment in new housing in state history)will deliver 600 additional units of housing that working families can afford; employ 1,000 Vermonters; help attract new workers to the state, and generate $10 million in wages.   A few other key highlights from the past year include: the expansion of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to help communities encourage private investment; the expansion of downtown tax credits; additional funding for the Vermont Small Business Development Center; investments in tourism and marketing; tax exemptions on forestry products; and alterations to the telecommunications permitting process...among others. These pro-growth investments are an important step toward a stronger economy and more opportunity to all four corners of Vermont.   The Governor provided leadership on the opiate crisis, by supporting the expansion of the “hub and spoke” treatment model that has substantially reduced, and in some areas eliminated, waiting lists for treatment. Also, over the course of the past year, the Governor’s PIVOT program worked to rethink and reform processes in state government to make them more efficient and effective. Just one example, one team streamlined construction permit applications, improving average turnaround time by 30%. There are currently 44 more of these projects underway.   And Governor Scott is just getting started!   SETTING THE AGENDA   In his State of the State, Governor Scott also asked the Legislature to work with him to restore the economic foundation of our state. He said he will continue to fight for affordability, expanding the workforce, and investing in pro-growth areas.   The Governor was crystal clear: He will not accept a budget with any new taxes or fees--including an increase in the property tax--again this year.   He outlined a workforce expansion plan and an innovative, data-driven campaign, focused on training Vermonters for existing jobs, creating the best cradle-to-career education system in the nation, and deploying innovative tools to recruit new working age people to our state.   The Governor underscored the importance of economic development to securing a prosperous future. He stated his intention to introduce new legislation to support rural economic development, affordable housing, help working families and young professionals, and revitalize our downtowns. Specific proposals will be outlined in his Budget Address on January, 23.   Finally, the Governor announced his plan to introduce a comprehensive Veterans package, which will support those who have bravely served our country, state, and communities. This includes tuition free higher education for Guard members, improving licensing and scholarship opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, eliminating Vermont’s tax on military pensions.   SETTING THE TONE   But in order to accomplish these goals, the Governor stressed that we must pull together. He said:   “The solutions we were elected to find are achievable, but we must not let our work be clouded by politics. We must resist the instinct to retreat to ideological corners.Progress requires a willingness to compromise, to listen, to find consensus and to be honest and respectful brokers on behalf of all Vermonters.   “We must do everything we can, to pull our nation out of darkness and restore civility and respect to our public process... “We have an opportunity to set an example with our actions, we can commit to meaningful dialogue and be guided by our shared principles, we can work together towards consensus whenever possible, and compromise when its required… “If we do these things we will make a difference in the lives of Vermonters, we will live up to the promise of our history, and in the decades to come the record will show, in our nation's hour of need, Vermonters, once again, led the way.”   To view the Governor’s complete State of the State address, click [here]. DONATE TODAY! JOIN THE TEAM!

Phil Scott for Vermont, Glen Wright, Treasurer, P.O. Box 988, Montpelier, VT, 05602

Vermont GOP: Governor's Commitment to Vermont Taxpayers

STATEMENT ON TAXES & FEES FROM THE GOVERNOR:
My top three priorities are growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable. Last year I insisted on a budget that did not raise a single tax or fee – for the first time in many years. Today, as understandable concerns around property taxes continue to grow, I wanted to confirm for Vermonters that ***my Administration is absolutely committed to preventing taxes and fees from increasing again this year, so families can keep more of what they earn***. This includes property taxes. Reports suggesting otherwise are incorrect. My Administration will not support putting more of a burden on already over-taxed Vermonters because we know that is not how to make Vermont more affordable for families and businesses.

The cost of state government, and the per pupil cost of education, should not grow faster than wages and underlying economic growth. That’s how we can ensure we’re helping families be more economically secure, move up the economic ladder and save for the future. If the costs of state government are rising faster than wages and economic growth Montpelier is, in effect, pushing people down the economic ladder. That is not acceptable to me, or to an overwhelming majority of Vermonters. That’s why, to be clear, my Administration is committed to preventing taxes and fees from increasing again this year, including property taxes.
- Phil

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Vermont GOP: Fighting the Carbon Tax

At least there are Republican parties in other states who are fighting--actually fighting--the carbon tax proposed by the Democratic Party.

Most voters have already forgotten, but within 3 months of his first administration, President Obama pushed through Cap and Trade, which passed the House, but by the narrowest of margins. 8 Republicans did cross over to vote for the outrageous, climate alarmist program.

But it was dead on arrival in the United States Senate.

This tax on everything human and alive has not died in some statehouses, however.

California not only established the program in 2006, with the help of the "Republican" Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but 8 Republicans in the state legislature voted to extend the program for another ten years!

Republicans in California actually did this! Do they not have any shame? Do they not have any dignity or integrity left?

What's really sad about this? The Vermont Republican Party, with Governor Phil Scott in the Governor's masnion, is actually fighting the whole carbon tax scheme!

Arthur Christopher -- You've probably seen the news. Here we go again... Vermont Democrats and their radical friends at VPIRG are renewing their push for a state Carbon Tax! This time, they are having their activists show up at public meetings attempting to convince Governor Scott to support this disastrous policy. Governor Scott recently reiterated his opposition to the Carbon Tax by stating: “Imposing a carbon tax on our workforce would be detrimental for Vermonters and our state’s economy.  As I’ve said many times before, I will veto a carbon tax if it comes to my desk because we cannot make Vermont more affordable by making it less affordable." If passed, the Carbon Tax will be a dollar per gallon tax on gasoline and home heating fuels. Last year, Vermonters overwhelmingly rejected the carbon tax with the election of Governor Scott. Please stand with us and Governor Phil Scott again! Sign our petition in opposition to the carbon tax by clicking the photo below. (Or click here) After signing the petition, will you please forward this e-mail to your friends and family and encourage them to sign the petition too? Together, we can put an end to this ridiculous tax on hardworking Vermont families. Jeff Bartley Executive Director Vermont Republican Party http://www.vtgop.org/

Vermont's Republican Governor Blocks All Tax Increases in Budget--First on Record

Now this is really amazing.

For the first time on record--in recent memory--the state of Vermont passed a budget which did not have a tax increase.

The legislation also negotiated for better management of the teachers' health insurance plans and placed in command more efficiencies.

This is what Republicans do, and this is what conservative governance looks like:

Greetings,

First and foremost, I’d like to thank you for your help and generosity throughout the last campaign. It’s because of your support that I’m writing to you now as Vermont’s 82nd Governor. It’s a role I’m proud and honored to serve in, and one that gives all of us tremendous opportunities to make Vermont stronger. While I’ve only been in office eight months, many of those opportunities are starting to come to fruition. As promised throughout the campaign, my administration is concentrated on growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable. Those three principles guide us in everything we do. To make good on that promise, I’m proud to have presented, fought for and signed a historic budget that does not raise a single tax or fee. This is the first time this has been done that we can find on record! But it didn’t come easy. Initially, the majority in the legislature  passed a budget that would have raised property taxes AND ignored my proposal to save millions of dollars by changing the way teachers’ health care benefits are handled. I vetoed that budget bill because I knew we could do better for all Vermonters. And we did! The final budget I signed on June 28 ensures property tax rates do not increase for the first time in recent memory, saves $13 million over the next two years by restructuring teachers’ health care benefit plans, and provides a path to achieve greater efficiency, and more savings, in the future. We are working to restore fiscal responsibility in Montpelier, and helping families get ahead, by insisting state spending doesn’t grow faster than the economy or wages. And I will continue to fight to make Vermont more affordable and run a state government which lives within its means. Governor Phil Scott (R-Vermont) In addition to a historic budget that doesn’t raise taxes or fees, we are also prioritizing investments in pro-growth areas like job training and secured a $35 million dollar housing package that will employ hundreds of workers and generate $50 million in wages in the construction of more than 500 housing units -- and help make homes more affordable for middle income households. My budget also invested in early care and learning, and higher education -- an important step toward a cradle-to-career continuum of learning that will attract more jobs and more working families who want to raise their children in the nation’s safest and healthiest state. We are also changing the culture in State Government by listening to those on the front lines, and we’re making some exciting headway in terms of innovating state government to make it more efficient, productive and valuable to you. During my first week in office, I issued three Executive Orders. The first created an Agency of Digital Services, a single entity to better manage state IT projects. The second combined the Lottery Commission and the Department of Liquor Control (the legislature slowed this merger, but I’m confident we’ll get this in 2018). The third order would have unified the Agency of Commerce and Community Development with the Department of Labor -- literally putting the people who help create jobs next to the people who help Vermonters find jobs. Unfortunately, this too was blocked by the legislature, but it’s an idea that continues to be discussed in the State House. Over the next several months, I will remain laser-focused on making state government work better for you. Every Tuesday morning when I convene my cabinet, I always remind them we’re public servants, we’re here to serve and follow through on our commitment to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable  and protect the most vulnerable. And we’ll continue to think this way, because it’s what Vermonters deserve and expect from their state government. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish just 8 months into the job, but there is much more work to do. Everything I’ve proposed cannot happen overnight, which is why I need your help to ensure I have another term to get this work done. Can I count on you to donate $100, $250, $500, $1000 or any amount you are comfortable with up to $4,000? I can’t thank you enough for the support and encouragement you’ve shown me over the years. Please don’t hesitate to reach out; I’m always willing to listen. Sincerely, Phil Scott Governor Final Reflection Blue state Republicans can make a difference if they focus on basic issues. As long as they keep their promises to make key states affordable, to lower the costs of living and allow the voters to keep more of their money, then they have nothing to worry about!

Vermont Governor Phil Scott: Balanced Budgets, No Tax Increases

There's good news, even in uber-liberal Vermont with a center-left Republican Governor.

Let's hope that he rejects any notion of moving left on any other issue, all while standing his ground against liberal spending habits and wasteful governement expansionism.

Check out his latest press release:

A Foundation for Growth
by Governor Phil Scott

On my first day in office, I issued an executive order defining the top goals of my Administration: Growing the economy, making Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable. We are laser-focused on these priorities and they guide us in everything we do.

That’s why we’ve concentrated on government modernization and efficiency, rethinking and revitalizing our approach to economic development, transitioning to a cradle-to-career education system that is the best in the nation, strengthening our response to the opioid epidemic, and making sure state spending isn’t growing faster than wages or the economy.

With this approach, and the help of the legislature in the session that recently ended, we succeeded in investing more in economic growth, including marketing Vermont as a place to do business, expanding small business development centers, and establishing tax credits that will support our growing aerospace sector and the forest products economy as well as the creation of new co-working and “maker” spaces that nurture small, innovative startup businesses.

To begin addressing the need for housing that working families can afford, we passed a $35 million housing bond that will create hundreds of new homes throughout the state, employ 1,000 workers, generate $50 million in wages in the construction phase and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional economic value over the next 20 years. We also made commonsense changes to support housing developments and downtown growth by simplifying permitting and increasing tax incentives for development – proven tools for expanding infrastructure and spurring growth.

I believe our education system can be one of our strongest tools for attracting more working families who want to raise their children in the nation’s safest and healthiest state. That’s why I proposed significantly increasing access to childcare, pre-school programs and higher education by redeploying ongoing savings in a K-12 system that sees declining student enrollment year-after-year. It’s also why I fought so hard to save up to $26 million each year from the transition to new health insurance plans for teachers, without asking them to pay more or reducing services to our children. 

Ultimately, we increased funding for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program by $2.5 million, and the Vermont State College system by $3 million to help stabilize tuition, and established a full-time focus on career and technical education at the Agency of Education.

To strengthen our response to the opioid epidemic, I created the Opioid Coordination Council, appointed a director of drug policy and prevention, and convened Vermont’s first statewide convention focused on growing the workforce to support opioid and substance misuse treatment.
We also took important steps toward modernizing state government with the creation of the Agency of Digital Services, which merges dozens of IT management functions that were previously spread across state government, and making government more efficient through our Program to Improve Vermont Outcomes Together (PIVOT) initiative, which has asked frontline state employees for ways to make our systems more efficient and easier to use.

Acting quickly and decisively, we upheld long-standing values with the passage of S.79, An act relating to freedom from compulsory collection of personal information. This legislation proactively protects our Constitutional rights, and defends the state against federal overreach by clearly prohibiting state agencies from sharing personal information for the purposes of creating a federal registry based on personal characteristics.

Perhaps most importantly, we achieved all of this without asking you to pay more.

For the first time in many years, state spending isn’t growing faster than our ability to pay for it. And, not a single piece of legislation that I signed created or raised taxes or fees. That means state government is doing its part to help families keep more of what they earn, and we did this while protecting essential services and the frontline workers who deliver them.

The path was sometimes challenging. For example, it took a veto to ensure that – for the first time in recent memory – the state budget didn’t raise any taxes or fees, including property taxes rates. We could have taken the easy path, but I believe Vermonters elected me to improve state government and the state’s economic trajectory. And we’re getting there, but there’s much more work to do.

Overall, this legislative session resulted in real progress and an important shift in our thinking – we have built a foundation for stronger growth. When I think about the opportunities ahead of us, I’m more committed than ever to rolling up my sleeves and building a stronger, more affordable and more prosperous Vermont. 

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What the New England GOP is Doing (and what California Should and Should Not Do ...)

Foxes and Hounds offers some telling intel, and sound analysis on politics in California and in reference to events across the country.

Their take on what California Republicans can do to ensure a Republican governor gets elected in 2018 should give us some pause. Yes, anything is possible. In spite of this abortive Prop 14 which has shut down Republican chances in otherwise competitive seats.

Repeal Prop 14--that is a must.

Model for CA GOP Gov. May Be Found in New England

The California gubernatorial election is 22 months away but already the media is filled with stories about the coming campaign. Given the superiority in Democratic voter registration in this state it is assumed that a Democrat will succeed Jerry Brown in the corner office. Yet, for Republicans there may be hope when witnessing the success of GOP governors in another blue section of the country, New England.

For the record, I was chomping at the bit over the 2016 US Senate race as early as January 2015, and even a little sooner than that. After all, Barbara Boxer wasn't raising lots of money in 2014, and her campaign accounts were really low for a re-election bid in the most populous state in the union with expensive media markets.

I reached out to staffers in the CA GOP to see if Condoleeza Rice would run (she didn't; she didn't want to), and then a whole slew of candidates jumped into the race. One candidate connected with me two months before the primary, as well. I could not believe how disorganized the whole process had become. Democrats can put force competing candidates into a run and dwindle the numbers down to one.

Why can't Republicans do the same?

Of the six New England states, Republicans head four, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. By voter registration, four New England states are ranked in the top ten as the most Democratic states in the Union as of early last year with Massachusetts number one and Vermont number five. California was number six on the list.

There is hope. New England has been notoriously hostile to Republican politics for the last ten to twenty years. Yet today, four states have Republican governors. New Hampshire is a GOP trifecta right now, in fact, even though the state has a Democratic tinge in its federal representation.

Connecticut's state senate is split 50-50, and Maine's state senate is under GOP control, too.

The GOP model needs more attention than just who is sitting in the governor's mansion. Charlie Baker is a complete disappoint, a RINO who is more interested in placating rather than confronting liberal Democrats. The Massachusetts variety are particularly vicious and destructive to life and liberty on every level.

In a Washington Post column last month, James Hohmann attempted to discover how Republican governors captured these Democratic strongholds.

The Washington Post is not friendly to conservatives, and whether Republicans in the Northeast or California or any other Democratic stronghold like it or not, the Republican Party is the pro-life, pro-liberty, and pro-family party. Pro-individual success, too.

I am a little loath to follow any WaPo journalist's take on what would make the Republican Party successful anywhere in the country. Notice how savagely Hohmann denigrated Paul LePage, the Governor of Maine:

-- Paul LePage, the Republican governor of Maine, is in a league of his own. He was catapulted into office amidst the tea party wave of 2010 and got reelected in 2014 with a plurality because an independent siphoned away Democratic votes. He’s polarizing and profoundly ideological. He’s also term limited and will be gone in two years.

The writer neglects to mention his respect for the Second Amendment, the expansion of concealed carry, comprehensive welfare reforms which have gotten tens of thousands off of welfare and back to work. His policies have given a reddish hue to an otherwise blue state. For the first time in two decades, a Republican has been elected to Congress for two terms.

LePage has shaped the culture to be more conservative, and his model should be the guiding light for Republicans in blue states. Of course, it is worth noting that LePage become governor in a five-way race in an off-year election.

Still, his win has been Maine's win, and will pave the way for future conservative victories in the Pine Tree State.

The Post’s Editorial Board, calling on him to resign and “seek help” this fall, outlined some of the more memorable illustrations of his “unhinged racism” and “wild-eyed ramblings.” Among other things, LePage declared in October that a Trump presidency is necessary because he will exercise “authoritarian power” to pull us back from “slipping into anarchy.”

The Washington Post editorial board is an elitist fraud. Once again, we should take WaPo Hate with a grain of salt.

Still, what can we learn from the four New England Republican governors ascent for California Republican interests?

Are there lessons for California?

Phil Scott

Vermont elected Phil Scott who told Hohmann he got involved in politics because the state was an unfriendly place to do business. That’s a theme that could resonate in California. Scott is a fiscal conservative. “But not unlike most Republicans in the Northeast, I’m probably more on the left of center from a social standpoint.”

Like Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (another success story which the Washington Post chose to ignore), Republicans in blue states need to focus on the basic issues which resonate with everyone. Most working people ... are not working right now. That has to stop. This perversion of statewide economies must be overturned, and only a Republican will take steps to do that in California.

Hopefully.

California Republicans have been battling internally for years on where to draw the line on social issues.

Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker enjoys a 70-percent-approval rating. Hohmann writes: “He’s viewed as a pragmatist and admired for his effective managerial abilities, even though many of his priorities have been blocked by liberals in the legislature.”

Charlie Baker, Republican Faker

Baker has gone along with much of the Democratic program, including transgenderism as a civil right instead of a mental disorder (which it is.) This legislation is anti-free market, too, since it invites more lawsuits, regulations, and fees.

The argument about fiscal v. social is a dead on arrival distraction from the regressive left. Why do we care how they view the world anyway?

Besides ...

With Democrats overwhelmingly controlling the Massachusetts State House, Baker is seen as a check on overreach. Baker said, “The fiscal discipline issue is for real, and so is the ability to be part of the constructive friction that people like to see.” Politics benefits from competition the same way everything else does. Most people think competition is a good thing and creates an urgency and a tension that works for the so-called consumer, which in this case is the taxpayer or the person who relies on government.”

Massachusetts and Vermont have overwhelming Democratic legislatures. Instead of accommodating the culture, though, Republicans need to shape the culture and make it more in line with constitutional principles and sound governance.

The last thing that California needs is another governor who will continue the leftward lurching of the state of California. We need someone who will stop this madness and  make California great again. 

There has been talk that San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer fits the mold associated with the successful GOP governors in heavily Democratic states. Whether he runs or not is a question.

Kevin Faulconer has gotten mixed reviews from partisans. I am not sure that he will command the open respect from all segments of the state which a candidate for Govenror will need. Can he resonate with the Central Valley as well as with Los Angeles and Orange Counties? Will he be the team player that we need?

Reflection

There are some things that California Republicans can learn from the four New England governors.

1. Message that appeals to all voters in the state.
2. Focus on ethics and quality of life issues
3. Make school choice, privacy, fiscal discipline key platforms in the campaign

It's also important to look at the legislatures which will be facing these four governors.

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has the best chances to reshape the culture in his state. Let's hope that the legislature takes a lead on many issues, particularly right-to-work and other economy an liberty enhancing issues.

Whoever throws the hat into the ring for Governor, they would best following the Larry Hogan model, with a staunch fiscal, pro-economic growth message, without touching on divisive cultural issues, but also without alienating the Republican base.