Comments on: Libertarian National Committee Invites Ron Paul To Run As A Libertarian

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:51:20 +0000

I would think continuing to raise money for Congressional re-election just means he is playing it safe and is not ready to abandon his district on a whim.

Speaking as a Libertarian, I can confirm that the LP and its members have perpetrated some legendary acts of self-sabotage, but the party is certainly not completely insane. The nomination is Dr. Paul’s, if he wants it.

I think the only way he considers it is if he reaches the necessary threshold to be included in the Presidential debates next year. That might require an outright win in the New Hamsphire primary. If that actually happens, one wonders if he would even have a choice NOT to run 3rd party. After all, his supporters are not voting for anyone else.

By: uhm

uhm — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:32:30 +0000

I think fusion voting would be nice. It could break off the duopoly of big government politicians.

By: Norm Nelson

Norm Nelson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:25:59 +0000

The biggest impediment to 3rd parties is the wasted vote syndrome. The middle having little substance is swayed to fear. That fear leads to voting against someone rather than voting for some one especially if they are a 3rd party.

Only a ranked ballot of some kind that eliminates the wasted vote syndrome will enable 3rd parties to compete. Until then we are locked into insanity, doing the same thing but expecting a different result.

By: TanGeng

TanGeng — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:56:42 +0000

Doug,

As powerless as the LP has been, the libertarian intellectual body has improved over the years. However, I’m not sure the LP’s current group of members is willing to open up the party to a more mainstream audience. This move, I guess, is a sign of reaching into the mainstream. I’ll have to see how it turns out.

The powerlessness of the LP has a lot more to do with ballot access, two party system, and gerrymandering. It does feel a bit hopeless.