by Mike Smith At least one person in every campaign must have the responsibility of providing the candidate with an unvarnished assessment of his or her strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it’s the campaign manager. In some situations it is a spouse. But often this responsibility falls to a longtime friend the candidate trusts.
The job requires someone who can objectively evaluate data, perhaps from polls, is a good listener and observer, and has keen political instincts. Most importantly, this person must be able to dispassionately synthesize all information in order to convey accurate and candid feedback to the candidate in a way that is taken seriously enough to solicit a change or create action, if that is what is required. If this adviser does the job right, the candidate — who often may not like what he or she hears — will value the advice and more easily navigate the path to victory.
Here are some samples of candid feedback good advisers might offer Vermont’s candidates for governor.
What Matt Dunne perceives as an asset — his job with Google — could also be a significant liability. According to a 2011 USA Today/Gallup poll on Facebook and Google users, “Google attracts a significantly larger share of college graduates, postgraduates, and those making at least $90,000 per year.” Dunne may be attracting young, successful, white-collar professionals, but they make up a small portion of Vermont’s electorate. Instead of touting his Google background he should tout what he’s done to help Vermonters.
Bruce Lisman has the most difficult road to becoming governor because he has to overcome not only a popular and experienced opponent in a primary, but perhaps an even greater nemesis: his Wall Street executive moniker and the fact he made his money in a system that many Vermonters believe is rigged to benefit the rich. Overcoming his close Wall Street connection will be very difficult in a year when the excesses of Wall Street and the cold, impersonal calculations of corporations are a focal point of the presidential election. Lisman’s closest adviser should have suggested that he sit this race out. Since he did not, his adviser will have to find ways to connect Lisman to Vermonters experiencing the everyday challenges of living in this state.
Sue Minter is running on her experience in the aftermath of Irene, and leveraging the fact that Vermont hasn’t elected a women governor since Madeleine Kunin. It may be a plus to be a woman candidate in a year where the Democratic presidential nominee will, in all likelihood, be a woman, too. But it’s risky trying to take credit for leading the Irene recovery when, for many months, there was a more prominent and well-known Irene recovery officer who got the recovery going and set the wheels of recovery in motion. In fact, there were many involved in crafting the recovery effort prior to Minter’s appointment as recovery officer. Eight months as secretary of transportation as well as a few years as deputy secretary of transportation in the Shumlin administration are good experience for sure. But she’s at risk of inflating her management credentials and taking credit for work that may be well beyond what is credible. Her closest adviser should help her define her leadership experience and avoid any potential embellishments.
Lt. Gov. Phil Scott probably never realized being a small business owner would be a liability. But now he is under attack from Democrats for the state contracts his small construction company bid on and received. Although these contracts are governed by strict policies and oversight, Democrats are clearly trying to tarnish his reputation. He needs to take this seriously and counter it effectively. His closest adviser should focus Scott on this need.
Although Sue Minter was actually in the Shumlin administration, it is Speaker Shap Smith who is most closely associated with the governor. Speaker Smith needs to distinguish himself from Shumlin. He occasionally mentions the earned income tax credit as an example of his independence, but that isn’t good enough. He needs to show more and greater differences, or he will be accused of offering a fourth Shumlin term.
In addition, Smith has a tough exterior and is not known as a strong retail politician. His closest adviser should encourage him to get out among the people to learn what their priorities are. Also, he needs to lose the goatee. It makes him look sinister on television.
There is another potential Democratic candidate for governor who hasn’t yet announced. Peter Galbraith, the former state senator from Windham County, is said to be eyeing a run for governor. He has a name that is somewhat recognizable — his father was a famous economist — and he has held positions in the Obama administration. Galbraith has a reputation as an arrogant lawmaker who had a difficult time playing nicely with others — including members of his own party. That reputation could hurt his chances should he enter the gubernatorial contest. If he were to allow an adviser to advise him, he’d need to focus him on collaboration.
Of course, I am not an adviser to any of these candidates. For their own sake, and for the benefit of Vermont, we should all hope they’re getting good, unfiltered, and perhaps even tough advice from a trusted confidant, especially in the heat of the campaign. Winning candidates will have the good sense to take it.
Mike Smith was secretary of administration and secretary of human services under former Governor Jim Douglas. He is the host of the radio program, “Open Mike with Mike Smith,” on WDEV. He is also a political analyst for WCAX-TV and WVMT radio and is a regular contributor to the Times Argus, Rutland Herald and Vermont Business Magazine.