What Happened in Vermont?

Thousands of Americans were shocked on November 7 when Vermont, the rock-ribbed stronghold of conservative Republicanism, elected a Democrat governor. Of all the states expected to maintain and even enlarge the ideals of the GOP, and assuredly to continue a 100-year record of Republican governors along with unfailing adherence to Republican principles, the Green Mountain State was the one. In over a century of Republican political leadership, there had not been a single case, at any level, of malfeasance in office.

A noble record and one of which Vermonters could boast. But today there is no boasting. Freemen of this mountain state are hanging their heads in shame, not because a personable young Democrat named Hoff was elected by Democrats, but because he was elected by Republicans who deserted their party and pulled a political trick on the electorate.

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Vrest Orton

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Alexis de Tocqueville

Thousands of Americans were shocked on November 7 when Vermont, the rock-ribbed stronghold of conservative Republicanism, elected a Democrat governor. Of all the states expected to maintain and even enlarge the ideals of the GOP, and assuredly to continue a 100-year record of Republican governors along with unfailing adherence to Republican principles, the Green Mountain State was the one. In over a century of Republican political leadership, there had not been a single case, at any level, of malfeasance in office.

A noble record and one of which Vermonters could boast. But today there is no boasting. Freemen of this mountain state are hanging their heads in shame, not because a personable young Democrat named Hoff was elected by Democrats, but because he was elected by Republicans who deserted their party and pulled a political trick on the electorate.