As in Matt Dunne.

You remember Matt Dunne, right?

Native Vermonter. The up-and-comer from Hartland?

A young, brilliant, bright and shining Vermont Democratic state representative – four terms. Elected at the age of 22. Remember 22?

Left in the late 1990s for the Washington, DC-scene as the director of AmeriCorps*Vista. Came back and played state senator for two terms, then ran for Lite-Gov in 2006.

Good “marketing” skills.

Very good.

Not good enough, however, to get him elected lieutenant-governor, but just fine for landing a said-to-be very lucrative marketing gig with Google.

Yes, that Google.

Matt Dunne emailed supporters Wednesday afternoon and Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Ian Carleton put out a press release.

Dunne told his fans that:

“…for reasons that will become clear in the near future, I have decided not to run for office in 2008.

“In this year away from the golden dome, I have enjoyed reentering the private sector as a consultant, spending time with my family and helping others who are passionate about the need for change in our state and country.”

Sounds like a guy with a title waiting in President Barack Obama‘s Administration, doesn’t he?

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Peter Freyne, 1949-2009, wrote the weekly political column "Inside Track," which originated in the Vanguard Press in the mid 1980s; he brought it to Seven Days in 1995. He retired it shortly before his death in January, 2009. We all miss him.