Burlington, Vt. - Political rhetoric has taken a negative turn this campaign season in Vermont.
On Sunday, the Green Mountain Daily reported that a racist statement was posted on the Rutland County Republican Committee's Facebook page. Here is what it said:
"Just wanted to let you know -- today I received my 2012 Social Security Stimulus Package. It contained two tomato seeds, cornbread mix, a prayer rug, a machine to blow smoke up my butt, 2 discount coupons to KFC, an "Obama Hope & Change" bumper sticker, and a "Blame it on Bush" poster for the front yard. The directions were in Spanish. Watch for yours soon."
The Chairman of the committee says the post itself did not come from his party. But, other posts that followed did. He apologized and now the Facebook page is no where to be found.
"Clearly intended to direct prejudice at Spanish speaking Muslims, on an African American diet," Political Science Professor Garrison Nelson said.
A satirical answer to the post, Nelson calls, simply stupid. But, Nelson says it is also an indication of a bigger problem in Vermont politics.
Nelson says negative politics have become more common in the Green Mountain State, starting during the 2010 election cycle.
In June, for example, the Vermont Democratic Party jumped on Republican candidate for Governor, Randy Brock, for inviting Virginia Governor, Bob McDonnell and Maine Governor, Paul LePage to some of his events. Brock called the tactic nasty.
Nelson says negative politics is also alienating moderate voters in the Green Mountain State.
"The loss of the middle, the loss of the people who have really got to make the decisions, and the polarization where there is no compromise," Nelson said.
