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Shepard adjusts focus of raceBennington Banner StoryShepard adjusts focus of race http://www.benningtonbanner.com/headlines/ci_3907991 The conference, which lasted about 10 minutes, took place in front of the former Specialty Filaments factory in Burlington, a prop used by Shepard to draw attention to "a perfect example of a business that has left Vermont." Shepard said jobs leaving the state is one of the issues being ignored in the race. The Bennington County Republican told the assembled reporters the race was focusing on issues being driven by leaders in Washington, leaving issues important to Vermonters on the sidelines. "One of the things I said was that (Sen. Peter) Welch and (Martha) Rainville seemed to be caught up in whether or not (Secretary of Defense Donald) Rumsfeld has a job tomorrow. In traveling around the state, I've found that Vermonters are more interested in whether or not they have a job tomorrow," he said in an interview following the press conference. Welch is the Democratic candidate in the U.S. House race and Rainville is considered the front-runner for the GOP nomination. Tax reform The focus of the campaign should be on the economy and creating jobs in Vermont, said Shepard. To that end, Shepard advocated a consumption tax, better known as a national sales tax, as well as a "flat tax," in remarks made after his press conference. "The tax policy is something that I think we need to do. The flat tax is simple; you just take a percentage of what you make. I think it's fair. The consumption tax should be considered, too. You're taxing on consumption instead of production. It will help us be more competitive," he said. Welch campaign spokesman Andrew Savage said Welch agreed that there are flaws in the current tax code, but sees a different solution to the problem. "Sen. Shepard is right that there are fundamental problems with our current tax policy; however, Sen. Welch believes the first step is repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and creating an economic policy that provides opportunity for every American," he said. Shepard accused Welch, who represents Windsor County in the state Senate, and Rainville, a former adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, of being used by their respective parties. "You've all heard the news stories about how Washington Democrats and Washington Republicans see this Vermont open seat as critical to gaining or keeping power for themselves," he said. "This is the problem with what's going on with this race. Washington special interests don't care at all about Vermonters, but they are using Peter Welch and Martha Rainville as pawns in this inside-the-beltway power game." In recent weeks, Welch and Rainville have participated in high-profile events involving their national parties. In May, Rainville held a fund-raiser with first lady Laura Bush where supporters could attend a private reception for $5,000. Last Saturday, Welch was asked by House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to address the nation and deliver the Democrats' response to President Bush's weekly radio address. On Tuesday, Shepard said he would not accept out-of-state political action committee donations, even though he hasn't been formally offered any, because he is trying to squelch outside influence in the race. Both Rainville and Welch have received thousands of dollars in contributions from PAC groups, including Rainville's acceptance of money from groups tied to Rep. Tom Delay, R-Texas, who is resigning his office this week amid allegations of corruption. "(Washington) D.C. has something the other candidates think they need to get elected - big out-of-state PAC money. Someone has to take the lead and say no to the sort of control D.C. is trying to exert on Vermont," said Shepard during his press conference. "I made a commitment not to take PAC money. There are some that have taken an interest in me, but at the same time I have not engaged in those conversations," he added in an interview. Rainville's campaign handed out a statement as soon as Shepard was done speaking in Burlington seizing on his past acceptance of PAC funds. "In 2004 when Mark ran for re-election, he took over $10,000 from the state GOP," Rainville spokesman Brendan McKenna said, offering a campaign finance database to support his contention. "This represented more than half of the total money he raised." McKenna also said that Rainville had been traveling the state meeting with Vermonters to discuss issues directly with voters. Savage said Shepard's comments characterizing Welch as being a tool of the Democratic Party were not accurate, pointing out his strong support within the state. "With over 2,500 financial contributors and over 600 grassroots volunteers, Peter Welch is running a Vermont-based campaign fueled by Vermonters who want to see a change of direction in Washington," he said. Shepard said Tuesday that he was the candidate who can best represent Vermont in Washington. "I am giving Vermonters a choice for the U.S. Congress race - a candidate for Vermont issues and priorities. With money come strings, and I want my strings attached to the people," he said. "This race is being controlled too much by D.C. We will be one of 435 members. None of us are going to shake things up. So what can we do for Vermont?" he said. Savage said Peter Welch knows exactly what he can do. "The single most important thing we can do for Vermont is change the leadership controlling Congress which has done so much damage to this state. Only with new leadership can we begin to focus on the important issues facing Vermonters, like a forward thinking energy policy, affordable health care and fiscal responsibility," said Savage. Rainville could not be reached for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
"... many politicians talk the talk about doing something tangible about new jobs and it doesn't go much further. Sen. Shepard walked the walk." Bennington Banner State Senator Endorsement Editorial, October 29, 2004
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