AP: Nelson's pot bust becomes issue in Vermont race for U.S. Senate

[Eugene]

Nelson's pot bust becomes issue in Vermont race for U.S. Senate

By John Curran, Associated Press Writer | September 18, 2006

MONTPELIER, Vt. --It didn't take long Monday for word of Willie Nelson's pot bust
to make its way to the campaign trail.

The country singer, who appears in television commercials on behalf of U.S. Rep.
Bernard Sanders' campaign for the U.S. Senate, was arrested along with four other
people in Lafayette, La.

-snip-

Nelson, 73, attended an Aug. 8 rally in which he endorsed Sanders' campaign against
Richard Tarrant for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. James Jeffords.

Within hours of the arrest, Tarrant's campaign sent out a news release titled "Sanders
Spokesperson Busted for Drug Possession."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2006/09/18/nelsons_pot_bust_becomes_issue_in_vermont_race_for_us_senate

[Webster Green]

1. It wasn't drugs.....it was pot and mushrooms...

Yummy!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. every person arrested for this bust was over 50 years old...

and none of them was the driver. I'd vote for Bernie just because of this if I could.

FREE WILLIE!!

[Erika]

3. Willie can smoke anything he wants at 73

The government certainly isn't paying for it. This stupid cop busts a van carrying men in their 70's? The cop should be fired for stupidity and lack of respect for their elders.

Or is Bauer, Falwell, Robertson, et al on watch? You know if it's a question between freedom of rights, or Christian theocracy, the theocrats seem to be winning out.

[MadMaddie]

4. If this is all the Repugs have then they are in deep shit aren't they?

[Erika]

5. Comical, isn't it?

Willie Nelson, 73, busted for pot? Like I said, the cop should be demoted for not respecting his elders.

[Ignacio Upton]

6. If Vermont has as many stereotypical hippies as the

rest of the country is led to believe, then how will this hurt Sanders? This isn't exactly a Jack Abramoff or Mitchell Wade type of story. He got busted for SMOKING POT!

[Erika]

11. which he paid for himself

The cop should be demoted for disrespect of their elderly.

[MadMaddie]

8. Agreed......

It's pathetic really...

[skipos]

7. Sanders led by @ 20% before this, his lead will probably go down

to %19.9999 after this.

[FogerRox]

10. 19.9999% ROFL LOL lol

[fuzzyball]

9. Willie is doing drugs? Who woulda thought!!! n/t

[az chela]

12. Give me an f-------ing break!!!!

They arrest WILLIE who gave us farm aide,had the irs take everything away from him and came back everytime he was knocked down.
He is too much of a man for these fools and that threatens them.
Leave him alone!!!!!

[Rowdyboy]

13. As Olberman said, "After the arrest, the bus continued to its destination

1973"

[Vinca]

14. Note to Tarrant:

You're running in Vermont, not Arkansas. This might actually help Bernie by calling more attention to his campaign. Vermonters aren't terribly concerned over pot.

[wicket]

15. Attacking Willie Nelson in Vermont is NOT going to go over well

This is a pretty desperate swipe by Tarrant. I grew up in Vermont, and most of my family is still there- dairy farmers who appreciate everything Willie has done for them. A pretty pathetic move by Tarrant!

[cali]

16. I hope you're right

Everywhere I go- the grocery store, riding in the car, tuning in to the WCAX evening news, I hear Tarrant's despicable negative ads, and boy, are they negative. I'd like to think that Vermonters would reject this loathsome creep and his vile ads, but a new poll suggests that Tarrent is making some inroads. He started 35 points behind Bernie, but is now 15 points behind. Yes, Bernie will win, but it really saddens me to see Tarrent inching up in the polls. BTW, the ad Willie made for Bernie, is a lovely, gentle little spot.

[wicket]

17. My mom mentioned the ads

My mom mentioned the ads, and was getting nervous that Bernie was behind or something. She's planning on driving my grandparents to vote on election day, Bernie helped my grandfather get his pension back from the VA last year. He's always looked out for Vermonters. I wish I still could vote in VT so I could vote for him again!

[donsu]

18. being Vermont this will probably help Sanders lol love them Vt.ers

nt

[Auntie Bush]

19. Love you too.