Dean's Corruption in the Green Mountain State

[genius]

http://www.pressaction.com/pablog/archives/001035.html#001035

Dean's Corruption in the Green Mountain State
By Josh Frank

William Sorrell met Howard Dean 25 years ago, when Sorrell's mother introduced the two during a neighborhood gathering. Grandma Sorrell was a Democratic Party loyalist, and an activist to boot. At the time, her son William was a rookie state attorney, and Howard a young doctor with political aspirations. They connected immediately. Both had hopes of climbing among Vermont's elite, where they could flaunt their power freely.

In 1983, shortly after the two met, Dean was voted into the Vermont House of Representatives, where he served for three consecutive years. By 1986 he became the state's Lieutenant Governor, and in 1991 took over Vermont's top job when acting Gov. Richard Snelling died unexpectedly.


It wasn’t long before Sorrell started benefiting from Dean’s unexpected job promotion. A year after stumbling into the governor's mansion, Dean made Sorrell Vermont's Secretary of Administration. Three years later Dean was back at it, selling his man again, this time for the Chief Justice position of Vermont's Supreme Court.

Unfortunately for Dean, his strategy backfired, and Sorrell's name was scratched from consideration due to his lack of judicial experience. But that didn't stop the governor from appointing Sorrell to be Vermont's Attorney General, which happened in 1997 when Dean bumped his buddy into the uncontested slot.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[joeybee12]

1. Give me a friggin' break

Next time, post something with a fact or two.

[killbotfactory]

3. "Facts?"

"We don't need no stinking facts!" - The stop-Dean Posse

[huckleberry]

2. and next time observe du's copyright rules!

you were just sooo happy finding something on dean that you forgot that du has rules?????

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dajabr]

5. Dean bash not working?

Lather, rinse, repeat...

Didn't we get our fill the last 6 times this was posted? I expect more originallity out of the Dean haters...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

57. I don't know why you'd expect that.

"Dean is evil! Dean is evil! Dean is evil!"

[PATRICK]

6. didn't need more than a paragraph

to show this was all characterization(consistently a smear) and no facts
or substance that even raise an inkling of "scandal". This guy should be Mother Teresa's devil's Advocate. He would polish her off with one colorful presentation of a harmless facts digest.

I am surprised he restrained himself from implying Dean personally killed Gov. Snelling rather than label him merely as an avid power hungry opportunist.

Don't these guys ever choke on their own bile?

No harm for Dean here except the Secret service had better watch out when righteous Josh Frank storms by.

This is much in keeping with the madly absurd cover of the National Review that had a beautiful autumn Vermont scene labeled "HELL". Laughable and grumpy on its face. Who needed to read the article?

[BayCityProgressive]

7. I am not even a Dean supporter but this is ridiculous

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. You only read the first paragraph?

Condi Rice couldn't be bothered to finish reading the intelligence estimate on Iraq before invading either. I guess she suspected there were uncomfortable facts in there she didn't want to be exposed to.

Justice for Woody will hold a rally downtown this afternoon, where activists will continue demands for Gov. Howard Dean to appoint independent investigators to review Robert Woodward's death.

But Dean is not likely to re-open the case, according to his spokeswoman, Sue Allen.
http://justiceforwoody.org/media/articles/html/hundley8.htm

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. I see you googled too

just out of curiosity I did too. I'm glad there are others willing to ask questions.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. As someone who has experienced police corruption and abuse first-hand

it is a sensitive topic for me.


If there is no scandal, why did Dean refuse to have an independent investigation. Bush doesn't want an independent investigation of the CIA leak. Why?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. "Justice for Woody"- Dean turns his head- disgusting

Turn your heads Dean fans. Nothing to recommend the compassionate neo-liberal centrist messiah here:

Dean not likely to re-open the case

http://justiceforwoody.org/government/letters/form_dean3.txt

http://www.justiceforwoody.org/

Sorry but the charge that Dean is covering for the incompetence of his AG holds water with me. I hope Rove doesn't get a hold of this.

Love for Dean has blinded his followers.

[ProfessorPlum]

12. Hate for Dean has blinded just as many

you can't say Dean doesn't get people impassioned!

[democratreformed]

33. Unfortunately...

We all have recent experience with the results of the passion of hate.

[Rowdyboy]

13. I'm not a Dean supporter but

this reeks...Sure, it could be twisted but so what. Whoever we nominate is going to get twisted to hell and back anyway.

[LuminousX]

14. Dear Lord... I've been supporting a MONSTER!!!

If this is the best you can do ...

Have you checked into which criminals Dean pardoned while Gov? Maybe one of them raped someone after being pardoned. That would be scandalous.

[Padraig18]

15. No facts! Cheap shot! Bullshit! Flame bait!

:grr:

How many times are we gonna have to see this crapola posted? Isn't this about Round 67?

Your candidate must be desperate, if this is the best you've got.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. Facts here:

"Marlboro College writing teacher T. Hunter Wilson, whose mother witnessed the shooting, released a study in December 2002, that blasted Sorrell's report for failing to "reach the conclusion that is best supported by the evidence" and for giving more weight to "interested parties" -- the officers at the shooting -- than "disinterested" parties: members of the church congregation who witnessed the shooting and said Woodward was not a threat to anyone's safety.

Seems that pleas to Gov. Dean to assist in the matter and ensure justice fell on deaf ears.

http://www.justiceforwoody.org/media/articles/html/williams2p.htm

[dsc]

17. Gee your computer editted this out

Saturday, April 12, 2003 -
BRATTLEBORO -- Almost nine months after directing the FBI to investigate the Dec. 2, 2001, police shooting of a knife-wielding man in a West Brattleboro church, the U.S. Justice Department said Friday it will not press charges in the case.

"The federal government's independent decision to close the investigation was based on an analysis of the evidence that followed after the thoughtful investigation already conducted of the matter by Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell," said U.S. Attorney Peter Hall of Burlington in a statement.

The decision means the two Brattleboro police officers who shot and killed Robert Woodward will face no legal repercussions.



While I don't find the US Dept of Justice dispositive I do think they merit mentioning don't you?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. The only fact that matters is this

Dean can appoint incompetent (and perhaps corrupt) AG's right up there with the best of them.
And his lack of compassion in this case is disturbing.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

19. Yeah, let's trust Ashcroft to fight police corruption and abuse

:eyes:

[dsc]

20. Not every JD employee is Ashcroft

one of the worst assumptions of the Clinton era was that the JD was somehow corrupt and incapable of doing any thing honorable. There are plenty of career employees there, just like in any law enforcement agency, who do their jobs and do them right. I have no idea which kind of employee is the one who found no wrong doing here and unless you are holding back a link (which is not your style) neither do you. It was career justice dept people who helped bring down Nixon and they deserve respect until it is otherwise shown.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

21. It was the Washington Post that brought down Nixon.

And Sam Earvin.

[dsc]

22. The info they used

came from career JD people. First they worked at the JD and then they worked for the Independent council (actually special council appointed by Nixon). Without those courageous employees there would have been no case.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

23. You are seriously giving John Mitchell's Justice Dept the credit

for bringing down Nixon?

[dsc]

25. they sure helped

Just who do you think worked for Cox? Hint they were JD employees. This wasn't like Starr who got a huge pot of money and retired agents. Cox used career people for his investigation. And it was his investigation which started the ball rolling.

[Sinistrous]

24. Let's see if I follow the logic of this piece:

Mr. Sorrell was deemed not to qualify as Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court "due to his lack of judicial experience." And so, his lack of experience on the bench made him a poor choice to be the state's chief prosecutor, even though his experience in the State Attorney's office went back at least 25 years.

I keep reading this as a glaring non sequitur.

[MrPeepers]

26. Let's focus on the issues.

I really don't care if Dean's done that, God knows it's just politics. You look out for your friends. If you want to attack Dean, do it on the issues.

Peepers

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. I would not want Dean or Sorrell as a 'friend'

they clearly had no interest in justice in this matter. Read any of the letters from witnesses in this list. It makes me want to puke that Sorrell and Dean chose to stand behind the police officers who clearly were in the wrong. It makes me want to puke that any true progressive would ignore the implications here.

http://justiceforwoody.org/media/letters/index.html

[MrPeepers]

28. I know, I know.

But is this thread really going to change anyone's opinions on Dean? I don't think so. If he's got to be attacked, do it on the issues. Thats what we ought to be doing!

Peepers

[NewYorkerfromMass]

30. the issue is he picked a 'friend' to be AG instead of

someone who had principles and could actually do the job.

[Sinistrous]

47. Aaahh, yes. Mr. Sorrell is *obviously* incapable of being State AG:

http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:S_PAeDmM77cJ:biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030701/dctu024_1.html+William+Sorrell&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet (cached version)

National Association of Attorneys General Names General William Sorrell As President-Elect
Tuesday July 1, 11:09 am ET
General Sorrell Also Named Recipient of NAAG's Kelley-Wyman Award

WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honorable William H. Sorrell, Attorney General of the State of Vermont and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the American Legacy Foundation®, has been named president-elect of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) for its 2003-2004 term. Sorrell was also selected as the recipient of the association's prestigious Kelley-Wyman Award, NAAG's most coveted honor given to the Attorney General who has done the most to achieve NAAG's objectives.

"The foundation's Board and staff applaud General Sorrell for his remarkable achievements," said Dr. Cheryl Healton, the foundation's president and CEO. "He has been one of the leading voices in today's tobacco control movement and a remarkable leader, both in his home state of Vermont and nationwide. We're thrilled that he has been singled out by his colleagues for his tireless commitment," she said.

In 2002, General Sorrell was appointed by NAAG to serve on the 11-member American Legacy Foundation Board and was named Treasurer of the foundation's Board earlier this year. General Sorrell also serves as Chair of NAAG's Tobacco Committee.

A native of Burlington, Vermont, General Sorrell graduated from the University of Notre Dame magna cum laude in 1970 and from Cornell Law School in 1974. He served as Chittenden County Deputy State's Attorney from 1975- 1977; Chittenden County State's Attorney from 1977-1978 and 1989-1992; was engaged in private law practice at McNeil, Murray & Sorrell from 1978-1989; and prior to his tenure as Attorney General, he served as Vermont's Secretary of Administration from 1992-1997.



Not Summa Cum Laude? Yes, obviously incompetent.

And Mr. Dean appointed a person he actually knew to astate office. Gracious! Who ever heard of such a thing. I'm sure no other politician has ever before appointed a friend to an office. What an utterly damning indictment!

[JaneQPublic]

48. Excellent research

Congrats!

[LuminousX]

31. As ProfessorPlum pointed out

The actual criminal charges against Arnie did nothing to stop him from being elected. If you want to stop Dean, you need to attack Dean's currently stated positions. He need to attack his ability to accomplish what he is claiming he wants to accomplish. AND you need to demonstrate how another candidate is better able to solve the problems Dean is saying he'll solve.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

32. I'm saying the man is incapable of making appointments

in any unbiased and principled manner. You think I want this friend of Dean's Sorrell to replace Ashcroft? No Fucking WAY.

[LuminousX]

34. so you have looked at every appointment Dean has made

to draw this conclusion or just this one appointment and this one case to draw your conclusion?

[killbotfactory]

35. The standards of Counterpunch writers are impeccable.

It would be foolish not to believe every word of the article.

[MrPeepers]

36. Don't forget

that you're basing your criticism of Kerry on that single quote in your sig. How many times has Kerry outspokenly opposed the war? There's a plethora of examples. One somewhat vague statement and suddenly he's been supporting the invasion all along. The same principle applies here. Dean makes one sneaky appointment, does that mean all of his appointments can be expected to be similar in nature?

Peepers

[killbotfactory]

39. I've heard Kerry say many times it's the wrong approach

Never heard him say the war was wrong.

[salin]

37. lol

funny post.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

38. It would be foolish

to ignore and discount outright anything that contradicts your preconceived ideas.

[killbotfactory]

40. That's why I read the weekly world news.

Batboy killed Saddam, you know.

Try and disprove it!

[killbotfactory]

29. I don't get it

Some paranoid and obviously unstable man runs into a church, holds people hostage with threats to kill himself while weilding a knife, refuses to cooperate, and the police are supposed to do what, exactly?

[Sinistrous]

44. Now look here, my man...

I have a very short fuse when it comes to blaming the cops for just about every use of force, but I read the witness accounts published on the cited website, and I have to agree with you that the police in this case were justified inshooting this poor man.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

56. So go apply for a job with the Brattleboro Police

if you in fact did read the witnesses' accounts, because they were clearly wrong.

[killbotfactory]

58. I read them

The witnesses said they didn't think he was a threat to anyone but himself.

All the people who fled the Church probably thought otherwise.

And the police, not being mindreaders, only saw a knife weilding man who was acting strangely and spouting paranoid nonsense while holding 18 people hostage.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

59. and shot him with intent to kill within one minute

and it was a freaking pocket knife to boot.

"...three Brattleboro police officers, dressed in body armor and carrying pepper spray and semiautomatic 40 caliber pistols, entered the room and advanced on Woody. When Woody saw the policemen he jumped up and again took out the knife and pointed it at his face....
Within a very short time of the policemen entering, perhaps much less than one minute, two of the three policemen shot several rounds in rapid succession..."

[killbotfactory]

61. The guy was acting crazy

I'm sorry the guy flipped out, he seemed nice, but he was holding 18 people hostage in a church. The cops didn't know what he was planning on doing.

[Sinistrous]

71. More clear thinking from the NYfM.

Can't tell if NYfM means the innacurate reports of the witnesses were accurately reported, or if the accurate reports of the witnesses were inaccurately reported.

And whatever getting a job with the Brattleboro police department has to do with anything is known only to NYfM.

Sorry, pal, this story doesn't have legs: This poor, freaked out Woody person was making spastic moves -- with a kinfe -- within a few feet of an armed police officer, and had refused repeated orders to drop the weapon. People who do that get shot.

And I'm a guy who disbelieves almost everything police say or write, but the witnesses back up the police on the essentials: he had a knife, he was told to drop it and did not, he was acting erratically within a few feet of the officers.

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KaraokeKarlton]

41. What Vermont governor's mansion?

It's pretty clear that your "article" is a crock of shit when the author refers to a governor's mansion that doesn't even exist. Vermont does NOT even have one.

[genius]

42. The writer said he had been getting a lot of hate mail.

A bit of advice. Attacking the messengers won't make them stop writing articles about Dean. And this approach won't work with the average newspaper or TV station. This guy went easy on Dean compared to what most of the Republican media will do if he gets the nomination. Whoever wins the nomination needs to be able to deal with bad publicity in a logical rational fashion.

[killbotfactory]

43. I hope he has his tinfoil beanie ready

President Dean's going to try and assassinate him with his mind bullets.

[dsc]

45. LIke the other two who said this

I want some examples. Yea I do expect you to back up what you are saying, fancy that.

[w4rma]

49. Genius is posting an unsubstantiated lie (n/t)

[JaneQPublic]

46. John Kerry's corruption according to the RNC

This is what the world will hear of John Kerry if he becomes the Dem nominee:

Who Is John Kerry? A Massachusetts Liberal Out Of Touch With America.
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/Research012303.htm

KERRY AT ODDS WITH AARP ON SOCIAL SECURITY?
Losing Steam, Considers Tax Hikes & Means Testing
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research081403-1.htm

KERRY’S “GORE PROBLEM”
Will He Say Anything To Get Elected?
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research061203.htm

KERRY'S hypocritical call for more renewable energy:
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/Releases/June03/Kerry061803.htm

TALK ABOUT A CREDIBILITY GAP . . .
Kerry’s Proposals To Slash Intel Funding And His Naïve Statements Are At Odds With Campaign Rhetoric About Making America Safer
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research071603.htm

SENATOR KERRY CALLS CANDIDATE KERRY “IRRESPONSIBLE” ON WMD
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research061903.htm

KERRY SAID HE VOTED AGAINST PRESCRIPTION DRUG BILL
BUT HE DIDN’T. HE MISSED ALL 35 VOTES
Kerry Missed All 35 Votes On The Medicare Prescription Drug Bill. (S.1, CQ Vote #262: Prescription Drug Benefit - Passage, Passed 76-21: R 40-10; D 35-11; I 1-0, 6/27/03; S.1, CQ Vote #261: Prescription Drug Benefit - Means Test, Rejected 38-59: R 3-47; D 35-11; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #260: Prescription Drug Benefit - Alternative Plan, Rejected 21-75: R 20-29; D 1-45; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #259: Prescription Drug Benefit - Retiree Fallback Plan, Rejected 42-54: R 0-49; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #258: Prescription Drug Benefit - Medigap Policies, Rejected 43-55: R 1-50; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #257: Prescription Drug Benefit - Medicaid Coverage, Rejected 47-51: R 5-46; D 42-4; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #256: Prescription Drug Benefit - Immigrant Coverage, Rejected 33-65: R 32-19; D 1-45; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #255: Prescription Drug Benefit - Experimental Drug Coverage, Adopted 71-26: R 50-0; D 20-26; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #254: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Reduction, Rejected 39-59: R 0-51; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #253: Prescription Drug Benefit - Additional Disease Treatment, Agreed To 57-41: R 51-0; D 5-41; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #252: Prescription Drug Benefit - Alzheimer's Subsidy, Adopted 98-0: R 51-0; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; CQ Vote #251: Prescription Drug Benefit - Asset Test, Adopted 69-29: R 22-29; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #250: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cancer Patient Coverage, Agreed To 54-44: R 51-0; D 3-43; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #249: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cancer Care, Adopted 97-1: R 50-1; D 46-0; I 1-0, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #248: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Advertisements, Rejected 39-59: R 0-51; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #247: Prescription Drug Benefit - Disability Services, Agreed To 50-48: R 48-3; D 2-44; I 0-1, 6/26/03; S.1, CQ Vote #246: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cost-Effectiveness Studies, Rejected 43-52: R 0-48; D 43-3; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #245: Prescription Drug Benefit - Durbin Substitute, Rejected 39-56: R 0-48; D 39-7; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #244: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Reduction, Rejected 39-56: R 0-49; D 39-6; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #243: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Advertisements, Rejected 26-69: R 0-49; D 26-19; I 0-1, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #242: Prescription Drug Benefit - Health Centers, Adopted 94-1: R 48-1; D 45-0; I 1-0, 6/25/03; S.1, CQ Vote #241: Prescription Drug Benefit - Employer Compensation, Rejected 41-55: R 0-50; D 41-4; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #240: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Cost Coverage, Rejected 41-54: R 0-49; D 41-4; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #239: Prescription Drug Benefit - Benefit Availability, Rejected 41-54: R 1-48; D 40-5; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #238: Prescription Drug Benefit - Two-Year Fallback Plan, Agreed To 51-45: R 48-2; D 2-43; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #237: Prescription Drug Benefit - Congressional Coverage, Adopted 93-3: R 50-0; D 42-3; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #236: Prescription Drug Benefit - Cost Sharing Extension, Agreed To 54-42: R 50-0; D 3-42; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #235: Prescription Drug Benefit - Canadian Price Equity, Agreed To 66-31: R 51-0; D 14-31; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #234: Prescription Drug Benefit - Open Enrollment Period, Agreed To 55-42: R 51-0; D 3-42; I 1-0, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #233: Prescription Drug Benefit - Third-Party Coverage, Agreed To 52-43: R 49-0; D 3-42; I 0-1, 6/24/03; S.1, CQ Vote #232: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Importation, Adopted 62-28: R 21-25; D 40-3; I 1-06/20/03; S.1, CQ Vote #230: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Patents, Adopted 94-1: R 50-1; D 43-0; I 1-0, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #229: Prescription Drug Benefit - Premium Cap, Rejected 39-56: R 0-51; D 39-4; I 0-1, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #228: Prescription Drug Benefit - Drug Cost Disclosure, Adopted 95-0: R 51-0; D 43-0; I 1-0, 6/19/03; S.1, CQ Vote #227: Prescription Drug Benefit - Benefit Within Medicare, Rejected 37-58: R 0-51; D 37-6; I 0-1, 6/18/03)
http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/research081403-3.htm

[dsc]

50. The RNC is a woeful source

Please don't site them even if they say the sky is blue.

[JaneQPublic]

52. Where do you think the Dean-bashers get their info?

Hell, some of them make it obvious -- posting the unfavorable Dean pix appearing on the Anti-Dean RNC pages, borrowing info verbatim.

At least I'm upfront and identify the source as RNC.

I began dealing with the Pro-Kerry Dean-Bashers on this forum by saying I was here to defend Dean but didn't want to go tit-for-tat with them against Kerry. But they said to bring it on -- after all, we won't be revealing anything here that the RNC doesn't already know. Fine. That's what I'm doing.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

53. rutlandherald.com timesargus.com msnbc.com etc.

[dsc]

54. that is a very incomplete list

You have personally quoted from counterpunch and the weekly standard to name two pretty dubious sources.

Here is you citing from Counterpunch.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=108&topic_id=38692&mesg_id=38692

[Feanorcurufinwe]

60. And?

Despite the hysterical protestations of some, counterpunch is not the RNC

[dsc]

66. No they merely

and I am sure utterly coincidently, repeated all of the GOP's lies about Gore. BTW they aren't too keen on Kerry either you should know.

[JaneQPublic]

55. The RNC cites those sources, too.

[stickdog]

51. Whoa!

Just what are we supposed to be getting our dander up about here?

[genius]

62. Look at the reaction to an article about Dean

Attack. Attack. Attack. I would expect people who weren't pre-programmed to support someone to want to check out the facts rather than attack. Attack. Attack.

You don't see the suporters of other candidates reacting to articles this way.

[killbotfactory]

63. FACT:

There is no Vermont governers mansion.

FACT:
Judicial experience is not a requirement for Attorney Generals

[NewYorkerfromMass]

65. Judicial experience is not a requirement for Attorney Generals. correct

but it is a requirement for Chief Justice of Vermont which is what he was nominated for, and he was therefore not qualified.

[killbotfactory]

67. And so he became attorney general

And the author of the article is saying there is something wrong with that.

[dsc]

68. I don't know about Vermont (Now I do)

but judicial experience is not required to be on the US Supreme Court. To name two examples Chief Justice Marshall and Justice Jackson had never been judges. So you may wish to look that one up it may well be that it isn't required. BTW as recently as the 1990's Mario Cuomo who has never worn a judical robe was considered a likely Democratic nominee for the Supreme Court seat that Bryer has now and Orrin Hatch is considered very likely to be a Bush nominee despite his never being a judge.

On edit you don't need to be a judge to get on the VT Supreme Court either.

http://www.vermontjudiciary.org/courts/supreme/jbiog.htm#Skoglund

Honorable Denise Johnson, Associate Justice
Denise R. Johnson of Shrewsbury, Rutland County, was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on July 13, 1947. She was educated in elementary schools in Wyandotte; Roosevelt High School, Wyandotte, Michigan; Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan (A.B., 1969); University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D., 1974). She taught at the Vermont Law School, 1978-79; served as an Assistant Attorney General, Chief, Public Protection Division, 1980-88; served as chair, Vermont Human Rights Commission, 1988-1990. Appointed Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, December 3, 1990.

[dsc]

70. It just keeps getting better

Honorable Jeffrey Amestoy, Chief Justice
Jeffrey Lee Amestoy of Waterbury, Washington County, was born in Rutland, Vermont on July 24, 1946. He was educated in elementary schools in Rutland Vermont; Staples High School, Westport, Connecticut; Hobart College, Geneva, New York (B.A., 1968); Hastings Law School, University of California, San Francisco (J.D., 1972); John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (M.P.A., 1982). He has served the State of Vermont as Counsel to the Governor's Commission on the Administration of Justice, 1974-76; Assistant Attorney General, 1977-78; chief prosecutor, Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Division, 1978-81; Commissioner of Labor and Industry, 1982-84, and has served as Attorney General for the State of Vermont from 1985-1997. He served in the United States Army Reserve, 1968-74. Appointed Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, January 31, 1997. (His swearing in ceremony speech may be viewed here.)

From the link in my first response. You will note that no previous judicial experience is on this resume either. It is the current Chief Justice's.

[ProfessorPlum]

64. IOW: Kick!

Gee, what an innocent observer you are.

[LuminousX]

69. Yep

Would you rather we rolled over and died? Oh, right, you would. Sorry to disappoint.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

72. No. We would rather you uncement your minds

or whatever it is you used to decide to support Dean in the first place.

[dsc]

74. Am I ever going to get an answer to either post 68 or 70

where I show that contrary to both your asserion and the author of this article's assertion, judicial experience isn't required to be Chief Justice of Vermont's Supreme Court?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

75. Not relevant. The real Q: Why wasn't Sorrell accepted?

My concern is that Dean places personal networking and cronyism ahead of principle.

[dsc]

76. I have no idea why he wasn't accepted

but you stated a bald faced inaccuracy as did the authors of the article. BTW if you can't get that right, and they are wrong on the existence of a governor's mansion in VT, and if no one can find the quote Dean allegedly made, and no one can find the VT News Bureau, then why should we believe any of what you or the author have to say.