Libertarians! 08 candidates
 

The candidates:
John Finan
Barry Hess
Dave Hollist
Alden Link
Daniel Imperato
Christine Smith
George Phillies
Robert Milnes
Michael P Jingozian
Bob Jackson
Wayne A. Root
Steve Kubby

Who do you, the many, many self proclaimed Libertarians of TFP, support? Currently, Wayne Root is in the lead so far as fund raising, trailed by Michael P Jingozian in second and Imperato in third. Each has a virtually identical platform that's basically the same platform that Badnarik ran on in 2004.

I found out today when I got my sample ballot that my switch to the Green Party was lost in the mail or something, so I'm still officially registered Libertarian (which is strange for a socialist, but w/e). I'm having trouble deciding who to pick, so I hope that I get good info from our Tilted Libertarians.

Eh, it doesn't matter. Once Ron Paul doesn't get the Republican nomination, they're going to try very hard to convince him to run as a Libertarian. I don't know how likely that is (though he was their candidate in 1988), but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he decided to do that.

Huh. So none of em, eh? I mean it's my duty to help choose one of these guys to represent the Libertarian party. If Paul was on the list, I'd probably vote for him but he's not.

I'm surprised that the Libertarian party doesn't come right out and say to consider voting for Ron Paul.

http://www.christinesmith.us/

Oh, wait one of the candidates does. Just don't search for her name at work with Yahoo. A picture from when she (ok, not her, but another Christine Smth) was Miss December 2005 for Plaboy.
NSFW - http://www.playboyzone.net/2005/2005...ine_Smith.html - NSFW

Can't you write in his name, even on your pre-registered party ballot?

Looks like someone liberated her from her clothes.

Yes, yes... that lame tribal tat means she's a flake and will flip-flop on the issues to prevent you from uncovering her loaf-of-white-bread IQ.

I'd be shocked if he didn't.

If he does, the Republican National Committee will likely take away his credentials to run for reelection for Congress as a Republican at the same time.

If he runs for Congress as a Libertarian and keeps his Congressional seat, which would be likely, perhaps he could then caucus with the Democrats ..the party that opposes the current Iraq war policy, the Patriot Act and warrantless wiretaps :)

Which is exactly why I'm not convinced he'd do it, but also not convinced he won't.

So none of our Libertarians are even considering any of these people? Is it all talk?

None of the (2) Libertarians I know are paying any attention to the Libertarian primaries.

Ron Paul is already running on the Libertarian platform. I don't see the point of the Libertarians running anyone against him when he has showed he can get 7-10% in caucus/primary setting. He's almost obligated to run as a 3rd party or Libertarian should he not get the election. He's still got the money and the support.

I have listened to Paul say in no uncertain terms in more than one interview that he is not going to run as an independent or Libertarian this season. Not that it is worth a hill of beans if he changes his mind, but he was reasonably emphatic about it. The fact he has a relatively safe Republican seat in the House that would be put in jeopardy if he left the party might be why.

The only candidate of theirs I can support is Imperato. I looked at everyone else a few weeks ago and their immigration policies range from xenophobic to outright racist. Interestingly enough, he also has a sort of universal health care plan.

I am a registered Libertarian, but I'm fairly centrist on economic issues and consider myself a "compassionate capitalist" if someone needs to label me.

willravel, someone can be a libertarian and still think that Libertarians tend to be cranks. (Note: my capitalization was not random in that sentence.) "Someone" includes me.

You're not the only one. I can be a moderate libertarian Libertarian and still think that most Libertarians are cranks.

So you don't vote in the primaries?

I am a libertarian but I am still registered as a republican.

As such I try to vote in the republican primaries in order to influence who I think will actually win, and then vote libertarian in the election to support the libertarian party.

I hate to say it, but if enough votes walk away from the mainstream parties (even if it causes the greater of two evils to be elected) then Repubs. and Dems will have to adopt their platforms due to the exodus of libertarians away from their parties.

Hey, I'm a Libertarian =)
 

Libertarians and Republicans are allies on some issues, but they are not interchangeable. Rubs me the wrong way to think that a fully-accepted Republican would turn around and run as a Libertarian, just because they didn't get the votes in the primary to make it as the Republican candidate. Seems hypocritical. Though upon further reflection, I realize it's just a very excellent and backhanded way to get republican money to publicize a libertarian, get his views out there...

It really depends on the perspective and intention of the person running.

In this case, I'd support Ron Paul.

There are right-libertarians and left-libertarians. And there are Republicans of a a libertarian bent and Repubs of a hierarchical bent - just as there are civil libertarian Dems and authoritarian Dem types.

Interesting that current Libertarian candidates would be xenophobic, from my understanding a 'true' Libertarian policy would be open borders, only without state assistance.

I hadn’t really paid attention while I had my false hopes for Paul so high. It really is discouraging, its not like they will let this person debate in the finals. Which has had me wondering , was Perot allowed up there because he had money. The whole process would seem so much more credable to allow more than two podiums on stage. As a side not while is was extremely boring I watch the Iowa caucus in CSPN. It was refreshing watching people hand count the votes. Why cant that happen with the presidential vote? Sure it would take longer. . . so televise the count under guard 24/7 until the end. While I will speculate because it just sounds to unreal to be true is anyone certain how and who handles the vote count?


As far as teh candidates while I affiliate myself with the Party it has come down to the individual whoever they are or which party they represent- hopfully we will have strong independents.

I need to start listening to what they have to say, even if I like it it seems a wasted vote anyway. Just like my vote for Badnarik was last time.

I know what some view his reputation as, but for personal reasons I wish Colin Powell would run.

Voted Imperato.

Seriously, this wasn't intended to be a "maybe Ron Paul will blah blah" thread. It wasn't meant to be a "what I think of the Libertarian party" thread, either. I was hoping people would have something to say about the names in the OP. I was honestly looking to find out who you guys thought stood out and why, so I could make an informed decision today. MSD in #14 seems the only person who even looked at them.

Jeez. Might as well close the thread.

Imperato tried to run as a Green and Reform party candidate in the past and worked to elect Republicans to Congress several years ago as honorary chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee Business Council (the billionaires club).

I know.

I would characterize him as a Ross Perot without the mental instability.

I would if I could.
True Libertarians are as hard to find as anyone who believes in another pure ideology. The majority of LP members I've seen are either stoners who don't know anything beyond the drug policy stance, rich people who just want their taxes low, and mostly right-wingers who don't want to be associated with the religious right or are religious and believe strongly in separation of church and state.
I agree with much of his platform regardless of his past affiliations.

i haven't followed any of the libertarian talk and no nothing of the candidates. but i've decided to not vote republican or democrat so by default i might have to vote for whoever it ends up being.

I really hope Badnarik runs again if not in 08 then 2012. A very strict constitutionalist like Ron Paul but a litter yonger and more presidential in my opinion.