Choice for Democrats

Vermont’s Democratic presidential primary, which will be held on Town Meeting day, will place many Vermonters in a quandary.

Many Vermonters—Democrats and Republicans alike—have been swept up with the fresh approach and vision of the young Sen. Barak Obama, who has now won 11 straight primaries or caucuses.

But Vermont Democrats also have old and firm ties with the Clinton family. They consider Bill Clinton, despite his problematic personal life, to have been an excellent president, and they see Hillary Clinton as woman who has built a remarkable political career of her own, while benefiting also from seeing the inside workings of Washington during the time her husband was in the White House.

The choice for Vermont women is particularly tough. Vermont has been proud of the high rank that women have held in this state, including former National Committeewoman Consuela Northrup Bailey and Gov. Madeleine Kunin and the current speaker of the House, Gaye Symington. Both Kunin and Symington are actively supporting Hillary Clinton, seeing her as a the national culmination of the progress they have contributed to, and believing that a woman in the presidency would make a significant difference, both in policy and in symbolism.

Then there’s Kathy Hoyt of Norwich. Hoyt has probably had as great an impact as any woman on the nuts and bolts of Vermont politics and policy in recent decades. She served as chief of staff both to Gov. Kunin and Gov. Howard Dean and was respected as a person who could push the right buttons to make things happen, while staying on good terms with everyone.

Hoyt is part of the Vermont Women for Barack Obama Leadership Committee.

"I get excited because I really see hope that we can bring together people in a way that has not been done, in my memory, since 1960," she explained to Associated Press reporter Wilson Ring.

"I must tell you," she said, "I was excited then (when Kennedy ran) and I am excited now. My kids are excited about supporting Obama in a way that I could never get them interested before."

As to her differences with her former boss, Madeleine Kunin, she acknowledged that they have spoken together and that "We have agreed to disagree on this one.

"A lot of the reasons I gave her were I wanted a new politics," she said. "I didn’t want to go back."

Kathy Hoyt’s reasons are right on target. The Herald, too, would like to see Barack Obama as the next president. He points towards a future we would like to be part of.