Topic: Libertarianism
Six Candidates and one on the verge The Libertarian Party held its Heartland Conference in Kansas City this weekend. Six candidates debated, but the media concentrated on the keynoter.by rtbohan
(Libertarian)
Monday, April 7, 2008
Six candidates for the Presidential nomination of the Libertarfian traveled to Kansas City for the Party's Heartland Conference. They came, they debated, and they may or may not have picked up a competitor for the nomination.
The main stream media took notice, barely, of the Libertarian Party's Heartland Conference this weekend. They barely mentioned the Party, made fun of the Conference's venue and the relatively small attendants. It did not even mention the debate, or the names of any of the six candidates participating in the debate. Their focus was on the keynote speaker and his plans. The rumor had been in the news that former Congressman Bob Barr would use the conference to announce his candidacy for the Libertarian Party nomination. He almost did, and was rewarded with some notice in the press.(www.ajc.com)
Mr. Barr's keynote address began with an uplifting message about the Party and it mission, and its place in the American political spectrum. It then vered into a discussion about his role in the party, the fact that he had been at all the party caucuses and state conventions (primarily as a keynote speaker). He then annnounced that he was considering offering himself as the candidate of the Libertarian Party and was forming a committee to explore the viability of his candidacy. But he did not announce that he was actually a candidate, and did not participate in the debate among the announced candidates. He did close his address with a plea for the people attending the conference to contribute to his exploratory committee.
An exloratory committee is a device used by all of the candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties. The only difference, for them, between announcing their candidacy and announcing they are exploring a candidacy is that they get media coverage of the announcement twice instead of once. Most of the candidates for the two major parties announced their exploratory committees in late 2006 or early 2007. Why Mr. Barr took this step with the Libertarian Convention coming up next month is unclear. At least it relieved him of the necessity of debating with his rivals for the nomination.
After the keynote address, the six previously announced candidates conducted a debate over two hours. Each candidate made an opening statement, outlining their beliefs, their services to the libertarian movement and their ability to run a credible campaign for president. The candidates present were George Phillies, Wayne Allyn Root, Christine Smith, Michael Jingozian, Mary J. Ruwart and Senator Mike Gravel. Most of these candidates, like Mr. Barr, had expressed their support for the Ron Paul movement but were running for the nomination if Ron Paul should not be running in November. Libertarians, including Ron Paul supporters, should check out these candidates. The keynote address and the two hour debates are available on video at (http.//lpmo.org/heartland/2008)
I am a supporter of Ron Paul and of the Ron Paul movement. I am a libertaria and feel the campaign this year has been important in beginng the return to liberty. But I am looking at other candidates because I believe that Ron Paul will not be the nominee of the Republican Party and will not be on the ballot on any state in November. If I am wrong about that, other candidates are irrelevant.
But I believe that libertarians, who are struggling to defend and win back our freedom should not give up any of their rights. That includes the right to cast a meaningful vote. If Ron Paul is not nominated by the Republicans, the media will announce that the freedom movement is dead. They will be wrong, of course, but it will make the work of the movement harder. It is tempting to write in Ron Paul's name as a statement of personal loyalty to his principles, but the vote will be known only to you. Psychological satisfaction is not enough in my belief, although I know that it is important. I do not think we should give up our right to a meaningful vote in Novembers, and I urge all libertarians to look at all seven of the possible libertarian candidates before rejecting the idea of voting if you cannot vote for Ron Paul. Because effectively you cannot vote for Ron Paul in November unless the Republicans nominate him.
I think all seven of the Libertarian candidates mght be worthy of a libertarian vote if Ron Paul's name is not available. The only objections I could raise are to George Phillies, based on his reported opposition to Representative Paul, and Bob Barr because I think his approach to candidacy has smacked a little of a Clintonesque feeling of entitlement which--without in any way belittling his service in defense of liberty--I find annoying.
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2008 rtbohan, all rights reserved.
Published: Monday, April 7, 2008
Last modified: Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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I'm a Ron Paul Republican who can't vote for McCain, and will be looking at the Libertarian candidate if RP is not on the ballot as well. That I will be happy to work to put RP on the ballots whether or not he declares a candidacy is neither here nor there....(would he refuse the votes, do you think, if we got him on?) If he absolutely is not running, I would support the right Libertarian candidate, and am at least looking at them. Some suit me more than others, just as Ron Paul suits some Libertarians more than others. However, it isn't just what he says but his consistency over the years in saying it that draws me to Ron Paul. That is one area where Bob Barr doesn't seem as strong as some of the other candidates, although I haven't made up my mind about him one way or the other.
What I do know is that McCain hasn't a hope in hell of winning my support, not that he really seems to be trying for it....
if it is true that a Ron Paul write-in is only considered a spoiled ballot and not counted, I too will be voting for the Libertarian candidate. I don't whether or not Bob Barr feels "entitled" to the Libertarian nomination. I would be mistaken to think I understand anyone else's mental processes, but his behavior in the coming weeks will tell.
I do think it is helpful to run a well-known candidate that has established credibility: it's harder to attach the tin-foil hat to such a person, though I'm not saying it won't be done anyway....
While I can accept that he wasn't at the meeting, it is worth noting that Steve Kubby is also running for the LP presidential nomination. Since he has been running a relatively visible campaign, he should at least be mentioned.
As for George Phillies, any objection he might have to Ron Paul is certainly defensible -- Ron Paul would be far better than any of the other Democratic or Republican candidates, but is a libertarian-leaning conservative -- not fundamentally a libertarian -- at heart. One need only look at his claim of being a constitutionalist while studiously avoiding the ramifications of the ninth amendment, to see this.
I was surprised that Kubby wasn't there. I have been looking at him as well, but I was sure that some of those who had begun a campaign had dropped out, so I concentrated on the six plus one at the conference. Sorry.
Posted By: Jacob Pawelski
Date: 2008-04-07 17:04:33
Don't forget to look at the constitutionalist party as well. Although they are not entirely the same as the libertarian party, they do have many simularities. These two parties, I feel, will bring forward the best candidate besides Ron Paul this November. Of course, if Ron somehow wins, or goes third party despite his consistent rejection of it, vote for him!
Liked the article except the comment about Bob Barr feeling entitled to the LP nomination. I see no evidence of it. I'm sure he knows that with so many in the LP demanding philosophical purity from their nominee, nothing is certain.
I am glad to see the R3VOLution is not over for many. As Paul himself has said, the campaign ends in November but the revolution lives on. Have fun. To those who are going on to their GOP conventions to vote pro-Pauliticians have fun. To those standing on a street corner waving signs, making and posting signs have fun. To those running for office in any capacity with or without a chance of winning have fun. Because if you are not having fun you are doing the R3VOLution wrong. Have fun.
The economy is going to hell. The war will never end. Soon your civil liberites won't include being able to read this web site. So have fun. The battle lines are clearly marked. Your enemy is well motivated but exposed. Shove the biggest truth in their face that you can while there is still a little love left in the R3VOLution. Have fun.
Thanks for the comment. I don't think the Revoltion will be over in November. I don't expect a victory this year, but we will have made an advance and the Revolution will go forward.
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2008 rtbohan, all rights reserved.