Libertarians: Bush's Nader?

[mot78]

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/election/0504nation/27libertarians.html#


Libertarians: Bush's Nader?
Party hopes to have impact on fall election

By MATTHEW C. QUINN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/26/04


Georgians may never hear much about Allen Buckley, even though he's a candidate for one of the state's top offices.

Buckley, 43, a Smyrna attorney, freely acknowledges that his campaign as the Libertarian Party's candidate for U.S. Senate is a long shot.

"The problem is that a lot of people think Libertarians are off-the-wall," he says.

But as more than 800 delegates gather in downtown Atlanta today for a five-day national convention that will nominate Libertarian presidential and vice presidential candidates, there's talk that the 33-year-old party may be coming into its own.

<<President Bush should be worried, says Lawrence R. Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute and perhaps the nation's top expert on minor parties.

With the deficit ballooning and support for U.S. involvement in Iraq declining, some wavering supporters of the president could find the Libertarians' fiscal conservatism and opposition to foreign entanglements appealing. If there are enough defectors, Jacobs says, the effect on Bush could be similar to what many believe happened in 2000: that Green Party candidate Ralph Nadar siphoned enough votes from Democrat Al Gore to swing the election to Bush.>>

<<Jacobs says that despite the long odds, Buckley and other Libertarians may be onto something by emphasizing smaller government. Many conservatives who backed Ronald Reagan in the 1980s now view Bush as a big government advocate of No Child Left Behind regulations, the Patriot Act, a new prescription drug benefit for senior citizens and an ever-expanding budget deficit, he says.>>

[delhurgo]

1. There would have to be a good candidate for the LP to

have much impact, somebody charismatic - and having alot of his own money would help too. As it is, I don't see the effect of the LP on this election being that great. The two lead candidates, Nolan and Russo, are not very credible.

If they did get their act together and nominate somebody that seems credible I agree then that they would make a major impact. The effect would be greatest on the Rep party, possibly even a disaster, but their would be an effect on the Dems as well. You may be surprised by how many libertarian-minded people vote Dem because they disagree with the 'big govt' goals of the religious right. Those voters would be lost to the democratic party as well.

[mot78]

2. I know

But out of those two, Russo is probably the most credible. He can raise money from people in Hollywood (especially those "Librul, unpatriotic" celebs) since he has connections there. BTW, his website gets more visitors than Nader's.

[delhurgo]

6. I think they blew it.

I watched the end of their convention on cspan and they ended up nominating some guy named Badnarik. He seemed likable enough, but not very exciting - and he got emotional too which looked kinda weird.

Russo gave an off-the-cuff concession speech, and imo was much more impressive. He was eloquent and seemed confident, even in defeat. I can see why he was the favorite; he has real stage presence. He may have actually made an impact - especially like you said because of his money and Hollywood connections.

It seems to me that they clearly made the wrong choice; I think their gonna be kickin themselves in the morning.

[Kinkistyle]

4. Between Zell Miller/Joe Lieberman and Libertarian I would be tempted too.

If it were a choice between a DINO like Zell Miller or Joe Lieberman vs. a Libertarian candidate I do believe I would lean towards the Libertarian.

[delhurgo]

7. Yeah, Miller really has gone off the deep end.

And Lieberman does test my patience, although I don't think he's as bad as many make him out to be.

But I could see myself voting for a Libertarian as well, but not just if the party went too far right - but if it went too far left also.

[JayS]

5. They picked a Texan today.

From: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2600384

May 30, 2004, 3:16PM

Texan is Libertarians' presidential candidate
Associated Press
ATLANTA -- Michael Badnarik, a computer programmer from Texas, won the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination today.

Badnarik, 49, of Austin, defeated former Hollywood movie producer Aaron Russo on the convention's third ballot, after former radio host Gary Nolan, who was eliminated on the second ballot, endorsed Badnarik.

*SNIP*

[Cicero]

3. This isn't the first time I've heard this idea...

Later,