Note to Dubie: Lawn Signs Don’t Win Elections

Welcome to the Renewable Energy Vermont Conference

I was at the Renewable Energy Vermont Conference last week. The great event culminated with a debate between the gubenatorial candidates, Peter Shumlin (D) and Brian Dubie (R). In the debate Shumlin showed himself to be much more passionate about his desire to lead our state. He also showed himself to be a better public speaker, as Dubie often fumbled for words and seemed “stiff.”  Shumlin spoke from his heart and I don’t even think he had any notes or cue cards. Dubie was often looking down, reading from notes, and he stumbled in his closing remarks when he couldn’t remember the name of the host of the event. I have some video I’ll be posting later.

But one of the interesting and almost funny things I want to share now is that Dubie brought an entourage of supporters with him to the event, wearing their “Dubie Co-pilot” t-shirts and carrying stacks of lawn signs to give away.  This part didn’t go too well for them.

Signs (especially hypocritically placed ones) don't win elections.

I had to run to my car before the debate began and I was struck by the sea of lawn signs they put up in front of the convention center.  One was even bigger than the “Renewable Energy Vermont Conference” sign letting people know what was going on there. A passer-by would think it was a Dubie convention, not a REV conference.   This was ironic and strange considering that the current administration for which Brian Dubie has served for several years, has not been a good proponent of renewable energy policy.  Why then, would they put up all these signs  in front of the conference entrance?  Do they think we are so shallow to believe that a lawn sign or two (or a few dozen) must mean he supports renewable energy policy? Does he think we’ve all been hiding in a cave the last 6 years?  I had to speak my mind to the people holding the signs and (politely) let them know I thought it was ironic.  One huge sign took several people to hold and I told them, “signs don’t win elections, you know.”

Any takers? C'mon, they're free! They have many uses! When the election is over you can use it as a placemat! This big one won't fit in the garbage can; I guess we can just leave it here.

At the end of the debate, the “co-pilots” (who I’ve been told are actually PAID to stand there like that) stood again at the door and tried to hand out the signs to Dubie supporters.  This didn’t go over too well either.  I watched for several minutes and not a single person took a sign.  One person grabbed a sign, walked a few steps, and dropped it on the ground in the parking lot.  I realize littering is bad, but I have to say it was kind of funny.

Evidently someone changed their mind about taking one of these signs home. I know littering is bad, but I had to chuckle...

I wanted to share a few photos of this interlude.  I’ll have the video of the debate and more from the conference soon.