VT-Sen: Auditor Tom Salmon (R) Says He’s Forming Exploratory Committee

This is going to be one hell of a task for state Auditor Tom Salmon:

“I do need to take the next step, and that step will be to, beginning tonight, I’m declaring that I’m entering an exploratory phase for U.S. Senate,” the Republican told WCAX-TV in Vermont on Wednesday. He had already announced that he would not seek re-election as state auditor, a statewide elected position he has won three times.

Unseating Sanders is a “daunting task,” Salmon said.

“I think at this point, there are probably three people who think I can win, and the good news is I’m one of them. … The idea here is to make a smart decision before fully declaring myself as a full-time committed candidate for U.S. Senate,” he said.

In 2008, Vermont was the second-bluest state in the nation, giving Obama a 37-point victory. Only Hawaii, the president’s birthplace, saw a bigger margin. Salmon, who was a Democrat until 2009, is probably as good a get as the GOP can hope for, but Sen. Bernie Sanders is no slouch. In his first senate campaign in 2006, he raised an impressive $5.5 million – a huge sum for a tiny state – and crushed his wealthy Republican opponent Rich Tarrant 65-33, despite Tarrant spending over $7 million of his own money on the race.

Anyhow, Salmon, who once told Dave Catanese that he’s “65% in” but now seems less certain, sounds like a cross between Charlie Sheen and L. Ron Hubbard here:

“I am not attached to the 2012 outcome, my odds, or my political career. I don’t need to be senator, or governor, or stay put as state auditor – I need to be an authentic self-utilizing power along the lines of excellence,” he said. “I am deeply concerned that we address risks of economic, political and spiritual significance through a new brand of leaders that communicate effectively from the sincere center.”

Tom Salmon will destroy you in the air. Right after he’s done purging his body thetans.

UPDATE: We’ve been leaked an advance preview of Tom Salmon’s first campaign poster!

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96 thoughts on “VT-Sen: Auditor Tom Salmon (R) Says He’s Forming Exploratory Committee”

  2. Choose Bernie fricking Sanders over Peter Welch. Sanders isn’t going to lose to anyone baring a major scandal, particularly not in a year where Obama will be dominating Vermont with probably close to 70% is the Republicans nominate someone other than Mitt Romney. He’ll be doing great if he cracks 40%.

  4. That is, until polling suggests otherwise. I think Salmon can definitely score in the low-40s here, but beyond that, sure, it’ll be very difficult. I don’t think Sanders is sitting atop a 60% approval rating, though. Someone oughta poll this.

  5. from the blue state of (insert name) is probably safe.  He won by a solid margin in 2006 and senator (insert name here) is hard working and a good fundraiser.  He should be safe in 2012.

    I have seen any recent polling on this state but I have no reason to think he will lose.  It is odd that a big name GOP guy would pick this year and this senator to run.  So maybe he knows something?  

  7. Bit Salmon will, probably, be able to get slightly over 40%, and famous name must help. I wonder why no one mentions as possible statewide candidate long-term (but still not old) state Senator Illuzzi – rather moderate, with good reputation, and good relations with unions (rare thing among modern day Republicans)?…

  12. I mean, for God’s sake, look at that word salad in the post. He probably couldn’t effectively communicate what he wants for breakfast, much less why people should vote for him for the Senate.

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