Off Message

The Fact Checker: Did Wilton Turn Rutland's Deficit Into a Surplus?

by 7D Staff Posted on September 19, 2012 at 8:30AM

With the 2012 campaign season in full swing, Seven Days has teamed up with VTDigger.org to create a fact-checker feature to test the "truthiness" of claims made by the candidates who want your vote this November. This week's Fact Checker was written by Paul Heintz.

Howard Dean Livetweets Traffic Troubles in Connecticut

by Tyler Machado Posted on September 18, 2012 at 6:28PM

Updated 9/19/12 When we last checked in with former governor Howard Dean's Twitter adventures, he was rocking out to the String Cheese Incident and Jack Johnson. Last night Dean went on another tweetin' spree, this time updating the internet on the traffic situation in Connecticut.

UVM Staff Weigh in on Choice to Join Union

by Kathryn Flagg Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:59PM

Nearly 800 University of Vermont staff members are slated to vote today and tomorrow. At issue?

Shumlin Reelection Campaign Tops $1 Million in Fundraising

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 17, 2012 at 7:33PM

It looks like Shumdog's campaign is a millionaire. Extending his fundraising streak for yet another month, incumbent Gov. Peter Shumlin on Monday reported raising more than a million dollars total for his reelection campaign — $1,000,467.02, to be precise.

Conservative Super PAC Bankrolled by Burlington's Lenore Broughton

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 17, 2012 at 3:46PM

Since the emergence of a Vermont-based, conservative Super PAC was first reported a week and a half ago, political observers have been wondering who's bankrolling it. The answer came Monday when the group, Vermonters First, filed its first fundraising report with the Secretary of State's office.

The Week Ahead: September 17-23, 2012

by Tyler Machado Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:17AM

This week in news and events in the Green Mountain State's political sphere: an "interesting" Obama fundraiser, a Vermont appearance by former Obama adviser Van Jones, and some newsworthy readings at the Burlington Book Festival. Monday, September 17 Today's the deadline for monthly campaign finance reports.

Morning Read: Dubie Campaign Manager Resurfaces in Connecticut

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:06AM

Remember Corry Bliss? That guy who went all nasty-pants on Vermont politics while managing Brian Dubie's 2010 gubernatorial campaign?

Shumlin on Fundraising Trip to Los Angeles

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 14, 2012 at 5:46PM

Updated below with comment from Randy Brock "The Tunbridge World's Fair is in full swing through the weekend," Gov. Peter Shumlin's staff tweeted Friday, helpfully including a link to a photo of the gov at last year's fair (see right). But don't think that means Shummy's at this afternoon's antique tractor pull.

Silly Season Report: Vermont GOP Fundraises Off Vandalized Yard Sign

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 14, 2012 at 3:45PM

It's only September, and already the sign-whining has begun. In an email sent to supporters Friday, the Vermont Republican Party used a vandalized Randy Brock lawn sign to solicit donations to the party.

The Scoreboard: This Week's Winners and Losers

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 14, 2012 at 2:15PM

Every Friday here at Off Message headquarters, we bring you the week's winners and losers in Vermont politics and news. After scouring the state for conventional wisdom, we run it through our sophisticated, proprietary algorithm, shake it up and add a few ounces of Heady Topper.