The man famous for losing to Fred Tuttle in the ’98 Republican Primary was still dogged by being a flatlander from Massachusetts. It is now the first question a statewide candidate must know is “How many teats a Holstein got?” because of McMullen’s ’98 meltdown. Nothing changed in ’04. He put together a team that one political insider call “the Star Wars Bar” staff of odd creatures and characters. McMullen himself matched his lackluster staff with his desire to run the campaign, instead of being the candidate. Everyone we talked to is sure that is because he was a really bad candidate. This one was easy… McMullen ’04 is the worst Vermont campaign of the millennium.

Kerin is one of the true characters in Vermont politics. The transgender Republican and treasure of Gun Owners of Vermont is a contradiction in terms. Kerin is the thorn in the side for the Governor and his team. Unable to get qualified candidates to run for the office of AG because Kerin will always jump into a primary, resulting in her working the party faith vigorously and slowing any potential of the Governor to get one of his people in the office. And Kerin is un-electable in Vermont equal parts being trans-gendered and for being Republican.

After running a top-10 campaign in ’04, Brock failed to see the national tidal wave that sweeping the country. The anti-bush feeling affected the entire Republican ticket in ’06. Brock assumed, as an incumbent and a state office holder, he would be immune to these national trends. He was wrong. Salmon was vulnerable on his level of experience and Brock should have been as aggressive pursuing Salmon as he was in straightening out the state’s books. Losing by 102 votes and not telling voters about Salmon’s weak resume earns Brock a place in the top 5 worst campaigns of the millennium.

Rainville, a very polished speaker with all the right stuff to appeal to the majority of Vermonters, campaign failed her. Rainville a political new comer, never seemed to warm to the campaign trail. Her team was made up of former National Guard insiders, who seemed to take orders rather than give her campaign real direction. Similar to Brock, Rainville failed to engage. She wanted to take the high road… Well, as even Barrack Obama has come to realize you can’t catch the leader without taking off the gloves. Rainville sat at 40%. Welch never signed her pledge and would take glancing blows regularly. Rainville an all-star of potential took a top-tier open seat for congress of the table by failing to realize the realities of campaigning.

It only got worse. Democrats where on message and better funded picked up seats and will drive the agenda in Montpelier. And the go-along-get-along Governor will now more than ever be at the mercy of Gayle Symington.