KenH
Well-Known Member
The 2008 Libertarian Party Platform as passed by the delegates at the national convention in Denver:
http://libertarianmajority.net/2008-lp-platform
http://libertarianmajority.net/2008-lp-platform
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Libertarian Party - The Thread
- Thread starter KenH
- Start date
KenH
Well-Known Member
A very interesting first ballot in presidential nomination voting in Denver. The top four vote getters were:
Bob Barr 153 votes
Mary Ruwart 152 votes
Wayne Root 123 votes
Mike Gravel 71 votes
It should be interesting to see which candidate(s) throw their support to one of the other candidates to try to reach a majority(including those candidates who received only a few votes, such as George Phillies, Steve Kubby, and Christine Smith). Perhaps Gravel throwing his support to Barr? The key may be what happens to Root's supporters.
We'll see what happens on the second ballot. I think this will go at least four ballots. This is fun.
Bob Barr 153 votes
Mary Ruwart 152 votes
Wayne Root 123 votes
Mike Gravel 71 votes
It should be interesting to see which candidate(s) throw their support to one of the other candidates to try to reach a majority(including those candidates who received only a few votes, such as George Phillies, Steve Kubby, and Christine Smith). Perhaps Gravel throwing his support to Barr? The key may be what happens to Root's supporters.
We'll see what happens on the second ballot. I think this will go at least four ballots. This is fun.
KenH
Well-Known Member
2nd ballot:
Bob Barr 188 votes
Mary Ruwart 162 votes
Wayne Root 138 votes
Mike Gravel 73 votes
The person receiving the lowest number of votes and anyone receiving less than 5% of the votes is dropped from the next ballot. So far 3 candidates have been eliminated. That leaves 5, the other one being George Phillies. He should be eliminated after the next ballot.
316 votes are needed to win the nomination.
On to the third ballot! I think this will be over after the 6th ballot. There should be only two candidates left by then.
Bob Barr 188 votes
Mary Ruwart 162 votes
Wayne Root 138 votes
Mike Gravel 73 votes
The person receiving the lowest number of votes and anyone receiving less than 5% of the votes is dropped from the next ballot. So far 3 candidates have been eliminated. That leaves 5, the other one being George Phillies. He should be eliminated after the next ballot.
316 votes are needed to win the nomination.
On to the third ballot! I think this will be over after the 6th ballot. There should be only two candidates left by then.
Last edited:
Good news for the Libertarian Party
Bad news for McCain and the Republicans
Dr Bob Green of Syracuse, NY said that Bob Barr may take a few votes away from McCain and Nader may take a few votes away from the Dems.
I hope he is wrong.
PS
Note Dr Bob Green is a professor of political science at Cazenovia College, a weekly commentator on WSYR AM radio
Bad news for McCain and the Republicans
Dr Bob Green of Syracuse, NY said that Bob Barr may take a few votes away from McCain and Nader may take a few votes away from the Dems.
I hope he is wrong.
PS
Note Dr Bob Green is a professor of political science at Cazenovia College, a weekly commentator on WSYR AM radio
KenH
Well-Known Member
"And that is the significance of the 2008 Libertarian Party Convention. A person with a fringe mentality didn't win either of the top two spots. So now the question to be answered in the years ahead is this: is 2008 a watershed year in which the Libertarians finally realize the futility of championing fringe people and causes and move toward their natural place in the center of the political spectrum, or was 2008 nothing more than a temporary aberration to be "corrected" in 2012?
The Democrat Party owns the Left. The Republican Party owns the Right. The only room for a major third party is the Center, and that makes sense for the Libertarian Party since it draws from both sides. The ideal role would be as watchdog over the other two parties, alerting the voters when they both step too far away from the Constitution or responsible governance. It sounds strange today: the Libertarian Party as a voice of reason!
The Barr/Root ticket is a step toward this ultimate political goal of achieving relevance and its natural place in American politics, if the Libertarians of the future want it."
- http://blog.stephenleary.com/2008/05/libertarian-party-bids-for-relevance.html
The Democrat Party owns the Left. The Republican Party owns the Right. The only room for a major third party is the Center, and that makes sense for the Libertarian Party since it draws from both sides. The ideal role would be as watchdog over the other two parties, alerting the voters when they both step too far away from the Constitution or responsible governance. It sounds strange today: the Libertarian Party as a voice of reason!
The Barr/Root ticket is a step toward this ultimate political goal of achieving relevance and its natural place in American politics, if the Libertarians of the future want it."
- http://blog.stephenleary.com/2008/05/libertarian-party-bids-for-relevance.html
Magnetic Poles
New Member
I twice voted for Harry Browne, and I hold many Libertarian principles in high regard. However, I cannot support the lack of social conscience that is the ultimate result of total government detachment from social welfare. Libertarianism in the extreme, is anarchy.
I won't dispute the remainder of your post, but as for me this statement is utter nonsense.
The Rs may have been assured of my vote in the past, but the last couple of elections have they have created an ever-widning chasm between my princples and theirs; and the future ain't looking any better!!
I believe third parties make the mistake of shooting for the Presidency only to get beat like a mangy dog. They should spend more time building an actual constituency on local levels permeating all levels of state government first. Simply hoping to pull people away from one of the two main parties during a general election is a failed strategy.
KenH
Well-Known Member
Revmitchell said:
I agree and that it what the Libertarian Party has been doing. :thumbs:
"Around the nation there are Libertarian mayors, county executives, county council members and even a Libertarian sheriff! Libertarians also serve on school boards and in hundreds of local offices. In 2006 alone, over 13.4 million votes were cast for Libertarian candidates around the nation.
While we are most successful at the local level for now, we run candidates at all levels of government, even President of the United States."
- www.lp.org/article_85.shtml
KenH said:
I dont think they are ready for a national election yet. They dont have the consituency. I know of no libers in this area or even in central Florida. There may be some but if there are they are quite insignificant.
KenH
Well-Known Member
There is no harm done in running a candidate for president. It brings visibility to the party, especially with all of the media attention that Bob Barr will get. Also, it helps to increase vote totals for Libertarians running for local offices.
And even a 5-6% showing in the presidential race can bring permanent ballot status in many states so that petitioning does not have to be done every two years to run for local offices. If the LP can obtain ballot status as a party after this year's election I might even run for some office myself in 2010 as a Libertarian.
And even a 5-6% showing in the presidential race can bring permanent ballot status in many states so that petitioning does not have to be done every two years to run for local offices. If the LP can obtain ballot status as a party after this year's election I might even run for some office myself in 2010 as a Libertarian.
KenH said:There is no harm done in running a candidate for president. It brings visibility to the party, especially with all of the media attention that Bob Barr will get. Also, it helps to increase vote totals for Libertarians running for local offices.
And even a 5-6% showing in the presidential race can bring permanent ballot status in many states so that petitioning does not have to be done every two years to run for local offices. If the LP can obtain ballot status as a party after this year's election I might even run for some office myself in 2010 as a Libertarian.
Such a strategy could also give the perception that you are insignificant reducing credibility by losing all the time.
KenH
Well-Known Member
"But Congressman Barr is not into self-sabotage like so many libertarians have been for so long. He wants libertarians to win elections, and he knows you do not have to compromise principles to win, but simply be intelligent about how you campaign. He has won elections in the past, he knows how to run a winning campaign, and he believes himself to be a winner.
Finally, Bob Barr is a well-know name among Goldwater conservatives who are thoroughly disgusted with the Bush-McCain Republican Party, who do not feel like holding their noses and voting, as John McCain's mother suggested, and who have no place to go except to a newly welcoming Libertarian Party."
- http://spirituallibertarian.blogspot.com/2008/05/has-libertarian-party-decided-to-get.html
Finally, Bob Barr is a well-know name among Goldwater conservatives who are thoroughly disgusted with the Bush-McCain Republican Party, who do not feel like holding their noses and voting, as John McCain's mother suggested, and who have no place to go except to a newly welcoming Libertarian Party."
- http://spirituallibertarian.blogspot.com/2008/05/has-libertarian-party-decided-to-get.html