I’ve written ad nauseam about Gov. Phil Scott’s complete withdrawal from the Vermont Republican Party and how it’s inhibited his ability to govern. Absent his influence the VTGOP has drifted far to the right, it’s so bereft of resources it hasn’t had a single paid staffer in years, its recruitment efforts are laughably poor, and its candidates largely consist of unelectable Trumpers. The result: Substantial supermajorities in the House and Senate, and a flood tide of veto overrides.

But really, I can’t say I blame him. It would be a Herculean task to clean out the VTGOP, and both party leadership and the rank-and-file would not be receptive to his approach. It would be a hell of a lot of work, and would be very likely to fail.

However. There is something the governor could do. It wouldn’t involve dirtying his hands in party affairs. Hell, he could even farm out the real work to people in his inner circle. It’s so obvious that (1) I’m surprised it didn’t occur to me sooner and (2) I’d be afraid to suggest it except that there’s no way Team Scott would ever listen to me.

It’s this: Start a political action committee focused on electing centrists and fiscally conservative but socially moderate Republicans. Let’s call it, for the sake of argument, the Phil Scott Leadership PAC. Or if he’s feeling shy, the Common Sense Leadership PAC.

Could he do it? Why the hell not? Why couldn’t he amass, say, $250,000 for a PAC when he’s raised much more than that for gubernatorial races without even trying?

That would give his hypothetical PAC enough money to make crucial investments in winnable races. Let’s say $5,000 each for House hopefuls and $15,000 for Senate candidates. A quarter million would be enough to fund 20 campaigns in the House and 10 in the Senate, more than enough to threaten the Dem/Prog supermajorities. That’s $250,000 right there. The ceiling for the PSLPAC is much higher than that. I mean, he entered this two-year cycle with $332,359 in the bank — more than enough money to fend off a challenge from the unknown and under-resourced Esther Charlestin. Phil Scott doesn’t need to raise a damn dime between now and Election Day. He could tell his donors to shift their dollars to the PSLPAC if they really want to help.

If he was ever going to get serious about recruiting like-minded candidates (and you know my views on that subject), what better enticement than enough cash to jumpstart an effective campaign?

If the governor or his people could be bothered to raise just another $50,000, they could organize a cut-rate version of Emerge Vermont in which current and former officeholders could share tips, tactics and information so first-time candidates wouldn’t be left to their own devices.

This very model is at work on a much smaller scale with Rutland GOPAC, which has raised about $20,000 from the kind of business types who would probably line up to give to a Phil Scott PAC. Rutland GOPAC (listed treasurer: the widely respected former representative Peter Fagan) has given between $500 and $750 to several Republican House candidates in Rutland County. A statewide PAC with the full backing of the governor could accomplish a lot more.

Meanwhile, the guy who’d be a natural to head up my imaginary PAC is basically sitting on his thumbs. The listed treasurer for a PAC called Politically Active Contractors is one Richard Wobby, Jr. I assume this is Dick Wobby, close friend and political advisor to the governor (with whom I once conducted an interview that lasted approximately 15 seconds). This PAC has raised a measly $1,850 for this entire two-year political cycle. Perhaps Wobby is satisfied with that meager level of engagement, but if so, there must be others in Scott’s orbit who could helm a more dynamic political action committee.

And we have seen that there are plenty of well-heeled business types desperate for places to invest their political dollars. They’re backing the Senate candidacies of Rep. Scott Beck and former TV anchor Stewart Ledbetter plus a handful of candidates mounting primary challenges to incumbent House Democrats. Their giving lacks direction and coordination, and much of their money is likely to be wasted. Ledbetter will be hard pressed to spend all the cash he’s raised, and it’s almost impossible to defeat legislative incumbents. These business dollars be much more effective if coordinated through the auspices of a PAC headed by the Vermont Republicans’ only proven statewide winner — Phil Scott. It wouldn’t take much convincing, if any, to get them on board an effort that promises far more bang for their political buck.

The Phil Sco — sorry, Common Sense Leadership PAC — is a can’t miss idea. It would solve the governor’s biggest problem: His inability to stand up to the Legislature. Good thing he’ll never listen to me.