Republican Gov. Jim Douglas’ mismanagement of the Vermont State Hospital is going to cost taxpayers $14 million. Can Vermonters afford two more years of this kind of leadership?

His administration promised lawmakers earlier this year that a painful cut in the state hospital budget was justified because the hospital was on track to regain federal certification by January. Douglas failed to deliver on that promise and he failed to get a federal waiver for the state’s health care program, which led to higher premiums for Vermonters.

Isn’t it surprising that George Bush’s number one Vermont supporter and fan hasn’t secured more federal funding from for critical programs to help the people of Vermont?