Wednesday, May 7
House Speaker Gaye Symington is close to a decision on whether to challenge Gov. James Douglas in the November election, and her pending retirement from the Vermont House has to be considered a strong indicator that she will enter the race.

But, once again, the Democrats will have to work around Progressive Anthony Pollina, who is full-bore into yet another race for the governorship. In fact, all of the potential Democratic candidates have been so slow to act this year, they will find a steep hill to climb to get within range of the three-term governor's poll numbers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pollina, a longtime community organizer and veteran progressive candidate, is already traversing the state on a "Building a Better Vermont" tour that will make more than a dozen stops.

Pollina for Governor ads also are running on the radio. And his Web site is chuck full of campaign information.

The Speaker says she will listen to what Vermonters have to say before deciding whether to enter the race. We hope she does run, or that another Democrat does, because, although we agree with some of Mr. Pollina's positions, we doubt he will have a realistic chance to defeat a popular sitting

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governor.

He has run for the governorship twice before and once ran for Congress and is unlikely to poll much higher than his core progressive, anti-establishment base of support.

Speaker Symington likely is less well known around the state than Mr. Pollina, but as a Democrat, she would have the party behind her and be able to raise sufficient money.

Democrat Peter Galbraith of Townshend also is considering running for governor.

The bottom line is that the Democrats should not write off the 2008 race for the governorship. The voters deserve a creditable choice.