The Libertarian Party Convention Close To Wrapping Up

[grand0ldparty]

If you are a conservative you should vote GOP. I respect the views of Libertarians and Constitutionalists, but we have to unite under the leadership of the GOP nominee because we all know thats better than having a liberal.

[Spazman173]

It's infuriating how they always refer to 3rd party candidates as "spoilers" as if their supporters would've automatically all gone to the Democrat or Republican had they not ran, or as if all voters are by default Republican or Democrat. A lot of voters out there wouldn't vote for a Democrat or Republican regardless.

[freedomstates]

LP has ballot access in 48(?) states.

It isn't dead. Barr may be driving it for a minute but it isn't dead.

Ideas are bulletproof - start educating yourself about Libertarian thought.

[Nillok]

PLEASE, PLEASEEEE, what is up with you party purist. You should only be a libertarian if you have always been a libertarian, and yet you want to expand the party. Somehow he will destroy the party rather than make the LP a viable party. fallacy fallacy fallacy.

[VoteYourConsience]

Libertarian Party is dead

Barr is a fraud

[Nillok]

oh em gee wtf.

[ForOrAgainstUs]

Wow. Mary Snow sucks. At least when other people make up bullshit, they can make it seem like they know what their talking about.*

*See political election coverage for examples.

[peterscottfrost]

Does anyone have any footage of Christine Smith's criticisms of Bob Barr?

[kevkev7002]

WHY in Libertarian Party Bob Barr a neo-conservative won!!!?? and not Mary Ruwart, a real Libertarian, who was pro-Ron Paul and she became second!!??

[peterscottfrost]

kevkev7002 -- I'm not exactly sure how it happened. I was supporting Mary Ruwart. I wanted a Mary Ruwart and Steve Kubby ticket. I am afraid that the Libertarian Party may become the Libertarian In Name Only Party. Very sad.

I agree with you that Mary Ruwart's platform was MUCH closer to Ron Paul's platform than Bob Barr's.

I'm a bit sad right now.

[heywoodjablohme]

Then learn to do simple math, and maybe next time, you won't be sad. The LP is full of people like me who are PISSED OFF that the LP has 4 years every election to campaign, and every time, a lazy loser comes in last-minute with no money, ability, media access, or resources, wins at the Con, and then runs a do-nothing campaign. If you always sacrifice electability to perfection in philosophy, you will always lose to those who demand victories on the battle field. Neophytes, get "Common Sense"!

[peterscottfrost]

If you lose your principles getting elected is meaningless.

[heywoodjablohme]

She declared really late, (after the Ron Paul money explosion) where Root had been campaigning for a year+. She campaigned poorly, and espoused wacko non-mainstream electorate views that promised to marginalize the LP. Even many longtime LP women were not voting for her, stating that she was running on "being a woman to oppose Hillary". Barr stacked the Convention, the way Root should have, being a pro politician. It was either Barr/Root or Mary. The LP did the painful right thing, for 2012

[peterscottfrost]

Some Libertarians temporarily left the LP to caucus for Ron Paul. In the meantime, John McCain caused disgusted conservatives to leave the Republican Party and enter the Libertarian Party. Consequently, the Libertarian Party now has nominated a conservative, rather than a libertarian for president. I do not think this is a good thing for the Libertarian Party. Americans will now be confused about what it means to be a libertarian. The VP nominee is Wayne Allyn Root, another conservative.

[ForOrAgainstUs]

That's a funny and interesting analysis, PSF.

[gusb232]

I agree a Ruwart/Kubby Ticket would have Been Ideal.

But Root is NOT a Social Conservative.

[peterscottfrost]

I didn't get the impression that Root is a social conservative, but he has had a neoconservative-leaning approach to foreign policy. I am not convinced that he's changed as much as he makes it sound like he has. The change was too fast and too convenient. Also, did you see Root when he realized that he was not going to get the presidential nomination? There was a lot of anger there. It made me very uncomfortable. I also do not like how Root insists that he WILL be the nominee in 2012.

[heywoodjablohme]

Well, hmm. Let's see, Root campaigned for over a year getting the LP more press than they had ever previously gotten, all before the convention. He's a solid libertarian, and proponent of jury nullification of law (a FIJA amendment, that claririfes "common law" in the 6th amendment, returning the citizen juror to being a higher power than any judge, legislator or president) He gets it. Then he loses to Barr, and rather than flake out, he takes it like a man, and works to build the LP. Great guy.

[peterscottfrost]

Barr and Root are not solid libertarians. They do not understand the philosophy. If they did, they would not be advocating the absurdly named "Fair Tax." That's just a kinder, gentler way of taking our money. That's like advocating a kinder, gentler slavery when one should be advocating abolition. Advocating new ways for the state to take what is rightfully ours is for the Republicans and Democrats. Barr's platform is utterly uninspiring and more Republican than Libertarian.

[jeepndesert]

Bob Barr (L) 2008! Great to see the CNN coverage!

[SaveOurSovereignty2]

Bob Barr just won the nomination

[slim9428]

Ron Paul is the only hope!

[bbburton]

Damn straight Ron Paul is still in it. RON PAUL for PRESIDENT!