Libertarian candidate on the ballot in 48 states!! Woo-hoo!

[Groty]

http://badnarik.org/

http://www.campaign.politicalcrossfire.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=87

I have high hopes! A third party that is growing! Locally, the Libertarian candidate for mayor lost, but had 44% of the votes last year.

I wonder. If the Libertarian party continues growing, will the Dem's and Republicans eventually merge? They are basically the same party now, barring disagreements on only 5-10 issues. We can call them the Federalists!

[file cabinet]

I heard Badnarik on NPR so I figured I would vote for him...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4127549
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4118051

If he isn't on the ballot, would you have to write him in? (this is my first election I'll be voting in)

[Groty]

Looks like he is on the ballot in Minnesota.

http://www.lpmn.org/

If not, write-in. Make sure you spell his name correctly though.

[crule81]

I thought about actively supporting libertarians. I support many of their positions on government and legalization of drugs. But then I read the Michigan Libertarian Party's platform:

http://www.lpmich.org/issues/platform.html

Their proposals on elections (referendums) and trial by jury in every civil case are impractical and silly. Likewise, the voluntary jury proposal is absurd. However, I do like the idea of viable alternates to the two-party oligopoly.

[indczn]

how many of the republicrats positions are just silly? No party can be perfect, vote libertarian.

[booyalab]

I don't know why it's so important for people that the alternative parties gain recognition and votes. The natural result of a third party reaching the success level of either of the standard parties would involve that party using more 'competitive' tactics in campaigning and an increasingly corrupt influence of the interest groups or companies that support them. They'll just turn into a variation on the parties we have now. Granted, one that may be different enough so people construe it as progression. I think the dynamic of the republican and democratic parties is a good thing. The parties keep each other relatively accountable (if you don't believe me just imagine what it would be like if there was only one party), and having a third serious option will just increase the need for accountability.

[libertarianjim]

I'm not sure the LP will continue to grow indefinitely. At some point, one of the two major parties will notice that there's votes to be mined by co-opting some of our positions. Not to mention other barriers to a third major party (tradition, ballot access, two-party control of machinery, Libertarian opposition to the use of patronage, etc).

And I say this as a Libertarian candidate for State House in 2002:
http://www.datekcc.com/elections/Cambria/Nov2002/Race0078.htm

[booyalab]

At some point, one of the two major parties will notice that there's votes to be mined by co-opting some of our positions.


This has already begun to happen....at least with the Independent and Green parties.

[Hypnos]

Badnarik just got 0wn3d.

Perhaps libertarians should continue to focus on the grass roots, and build up to national credibility.