The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Former Governors Hoff and Dean, speak in support of Mayor Clavelle

At noontime on Monday, October 18th Mayor Peter Clavelle, former Governor Howard Dean and former Governor Phil Hoff spoke in front of the University of Vermont’s Bailey/Howe Library to build support student support for Clavelle’s gubernatorial bid. Dean and Clavelle walked from the UVM Bookstore to the library and into the Cyber Cafe, meeting and greeting students as they passed. As the crowd gathered the three men took their positions to speak in front of large yellow Clavelle campaign signs on the library steps. SGA President Bryant Jones introduced the speakers to a crowd of students, faculty and Burlington residents. Governor Hoff was the first Democrat to be elected governor in the state of Vermont in 1962, as well as the first governor in the US to openly condemn the Vietnam War. Cheers greeted Governor Dean as he stepped up to the microphone. Clad in a Bill Cosby-esque sweater, he continued on the theme of individual states speaking out against national policy that is detrimental to the individual states. In support of Clavelle, Dean said. “I want an independent thinker in the governor’s office. One who will stand up for ordinary working people, who will create jobs, and who will stand up for health insurance. Most importantly, I want one who will stand up to the president of the United States when the president takes us in the wrong direction.” Behind in the polls, Clavelle is now taking focus on Douglas’ support of President George W. Bush. Garrison Nelson, UVM Political Science professor, told the Burlington Free Press: “It’s not the sign of a healthy campaign. Even if people make the link, it’s not going to work in Peter’s favor. Voters are well aware of what governors can and can’t do.” In his speech, Clavelle stressed that the Iraq War is costing the people of Vermont both lives and money. When adjusted to scale for state population, Vermont has lost more lives in the conflict than any other state, and is projected to spend $233 million on the total war and reconstruction efforts. Clavelle conceded that the governor of a state with just over half a million people will not have a direct impact on US foreign policy. Nevertheless, he believes Vermont should have a voice to speak out against what, in his eyes, most Vermonters do not support. He said, “How could this issue of this war in Iraq, this war of deception, not be relevant to the people of the state of Vermont? I want to have a voice for all Vermonters, including those who are being asked to serve in this faraway place, in a place over oil.” Throughout his speech Clavelle emphasized that Vermont is a small but very strong state saying, “Vermont should be a beacon of hope for other states in this nation.” He continued to say the Vermont has been a national leader in social and environmental policy for the past 40 years, but that under Douglas this leading role has been lost. Clavelle made the bold claim that, “As governor I will break Vermont’s addiction to fossil fuels, and lead the nation in alternative energy policy.” His plan to do this, includes creating more energy efficient communities, and by utilizing sustainable forms of energy such as wind and solar.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Former Governors Hoff and Dean speak in support of Mayor Clavelle

At noontime on Monday, October 18th Mayor Peter Clavelle, former Governor Howard Dean and former Governor Phil Hoff spoke in front of the University of Vermont’s Bailey/Howe Library to build support student support for Clavelle’s gubernatorial bid. Dean and Clavelle walked from the UVM Bookstore to the library and into the Cyber Cafe, meeting and greeting students as they passed.

As the crowd gathered the three men took their positions to speak in front of large yellow Clavelle campaign signs on the library steps. SGA President Bryant Jones introduced the speakers to a crowd of students, faculty and Burlington residents. Governor Hoff was the first Democrat to be elected governor in the state of Vermont in 1962, as well as the first governor in the US to openly condemn the Vietnam War.

Cheers greeted Governor Dean as he stepped up to the microphone. Clad in a Bill Cosby-esque sweater, he continued on the theme of individual states speaking out against national policy that is detrimental to the individual states. In support of Clavelle, Dean said. “I want an independent thinker in the governor’s office. One who will stand up for ordinary working people, who will create jobs, and who will stand up for health insurance. Most importantly, I want one who will stand up to the president of the United States when the president takes us in the wrong direction.”

Behind in the polls, Clavelle is now taking focus on Douglas’ support of President George W. Bush. Garrison Nelson, UVM Political Science professor, told the Burlington Free Press: “It’s not the sign of a healthy campaign. Even if people make the link, it’s not going to work in Peter’s favor. Voters are well aware of what governors can and can’t do.”

In his speech, Clavelle stressed that the Iraq War is costing the people of Vermont both lives and money. When adjusted to scale for state population, Vermont has lost more lives in the conflict than any other state, and is projected to spend $233 million on the total war and reconstruction efforts. Clavelle conceded that the governor of a state with just over half a million people will not have a direct impact on US foreign policy. Nevertheless, he believes Vermont should have a voice to speak out against what, in his eyes, most Vermonters do not support. He said, “How could this issue of this war in Iraq, this war of deception, not be relevant to the people of the state of Vermont? I want to have a voice for all Vermonters, including those who are being asked to serve in this faraway place, in a place over oil.”

Throughout his speech Clavelle emphasized that Vermont is a small but very strong state saying, “Vermont should be a beacon of hope for other states in this nation.” He continued to say the Vermont has been a national leader in social and environmental policy for the past 40 years, but that under Douglas this leading role has been lost.

Clavelle made the bold claim that, “As governor I will break Vermont’s addiction to fossil fuels, and lead the nation in alternative energy policy.” His plan to do this, includes creating more energy efficient communities, and by utilizing sustainable forms of energy such as wind and solar.

More to Discover
Activate Search
Former Governors Hoff and Dean, speak in support of Mayor Clavelle