Monthly Archives: October 2026

Announcing: The Stupidest Debate Schedule Ever

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Yesterday, the Phil Scott campaign issued a press release proudly announcing a series of three debates with Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo. Good on him, I guess, for showing up three times — although he turned down at least two others, including the traditional opener at the Tunbridge Fair.

But the debates will be crammed into a single week, and the first won’t happen until October 21 — less than two weeks before Election Day.

By then, early voting will have been in progress for more than a month. And more than two months will have passed since Primary Day. Why such a long delay?

Here’s the lineup, including the ludicrous scheduling of debates on consecutive days:

  • Wednesday, October 21, broadcast on radio and television by Vermont Public
  • Thursday, October 22, broadcast on WPTZ-TV
  • Wednesday, October 28, broadcast on WCAX-TV

It’s a gross disservice to the voters, especially to those most likely to vote early: people with demanding work schedules and/or families with children, people with disabilities or suppressed immune systems, the elderly, and people of color who might fear the threat of ICE enforcement at polling places. Many of them will cast their votes without the opportunity of seeing the two major candidates exchanging views in open debate.

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Janoo Catches Up with Scott in the Money Race

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The latest round of campaign finance reports reveal that the race for governor is very real and very competitive. It’s more evidence to support those recent opinion polls showing Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo are in a tight race.

What’s truly remarkable is that Janoo is now in a virtual tie with Scott in cash on hand. Reminder that she began September at a huge disadvantage: Scott $307,000, Janoo $59,000. Now Scott is reduced to a statistically meaningless edge: $296,000 to $280,000.

Janoo outraised Scott in September, $291,000 to $223,000. She also spent far less, $70,000 to Scott’s $234,000. (As previously reported in this space, Scott spent heavily on TV and digital ads in September, with five ad buys totaling more than $150,000.)

Those figures are pocket change by normal gubernatorial standards. But they mean that Scott can’t simply spend Janoo into oblivion. Even if he turns on the fundraising afterburners, time’s running short to spend effectively — and early voting is already underway.

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