CRITIC

Gov.: GOP Field ‘So Depressing’

Says Vermont’s Peter Shumlin.

“These Republicans that are running for president, they’re so depressing. Cheer up!” Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont said Saturday night as Republicans and Democrats alike gathered in Washington for the National Governors Association, an annual four-day conference of top state executives. To be fair, Shumlin wasn’t talking about the quality of the candidates, but that they ought to be giddy about President Obama’s chances at winning a second term, which seemed to be the feeling among Democratic governors. “We've got some good news: a great president creating jobsand governors who are seeing revenues rebound.” On the other hand, Republican governors said they are concerned that the prolonged primary race has exposed deep divisions within their party, alienated independent voters, and badly damaged the eventual nominee.