Rob Roper

The 2008 presidential cycle is breaking new ground: the most successful female and minority candidates, huge leaps in voter turnout, and a reinvigorated excitement about politics.

But the excitement generated from the candidates topping the party ticket is not just confined to the presidential race: Vermont officials and political observers are feeling the enthusiasm too. Many have dubbed the phenomena of heightened interest, activism and turnout the "Obama Factor."

State Auditor Tom SalmonVermont Republican Party Chairman Rob Roper's remarks regarding the military deployment of State Auditor Tom Salmon to the Middle East have sparked wide controversy among politicians across the state.

An Associated Press article cited the state GOP leader as saying that "the voters in Vermont should have the option of having someone in the office who will be on the job on day one. Salmon won't even be here when the Legislature gets back."

It looks as Tayt Brooks is to become the new executive director of the Vermont Republican Party. Tayt, a long-time activist and lobbyist, will replace Alden Guptil.

Guptil has joined his former boss Jim Barnett on the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). We will watch what responsibilities Tayt will carry.

With her candidacy just hours old, Vermont Republicans have already begun attacks on Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former House Speaker Gaye Symington.

Officially entering the gubernatorial race this morning, Symington touted "twelve years of a legislative record of which I am proud." By this afternoon, Vermont Republicans had released a statement labeling Symington's record of supporting higher taxes as "way outside the mainstream."

Jill Krowinski, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party doesn't see the legislature-approved National Popular Vote bill going very far.

"I'm going to be realistic," Krowinski said, "The governor is going to veto it."
While Gov. Jim Douglas has not "come straight out about [a veto], it's been pretty clear," Krowinski said.

Meanwhile, Rob Roper, the state Republican Party Chairman, said the plan was “bad for Vermont", but is less certain about a Douglas veto. "I know [Douglas] doesn't like the bill," said Roper, "but I haven't heard him utter the word".

Until a U.S. Supreme Court case two years ago struck down a state law as violating free speech, Vermont had the lowest cap on financial donations to politicians.

But advocates for campaign finance reform are back in the state House and Senate –where Democrats hold a strong majority. The House passed a less restrictive bill last month that is now sitting in a Senate committee.  read more »

Vermont GOP chair Rob Roper is out this afternoon with a letter of congratulations to Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

“I want to congratulate Senator John McCain on his victory in the Vermont Republican Primary election and for securing the Republican nomination for president,” Roper writes.  read more »