Libertarians lose, but celebrate anyway. And happy birthday to Bob Barr!

[Jesda]

http://www.reason.com/news/show/129921.html

Quote »ATLANTA—"I just want to say," says Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Allen Buckley, "I'm a little disappointed right now. I think I was vastly superior to both of my opponents."[/quote]This is what its like to be consistent and principled. You never have an election year where you get to jump up and cheer about victory. Yeah, once in a while we'll elect people to city councils in large cities, mayors of small towns, and some state legislatures, but nothing huge.

Libertarians did come MUCH closer to winning the governorship of Massachusetts years ago, and pushed for ballot measures across the country.

I remember watching local TV on election night when I ran for statewide office, and seeing my name come up for "2% - Gulati, Jesda (L)". I mostly just nodded while friends said "Hey, that's you! Sorry you didn't win." I raised thousands, ran advertisements, and attended and [intellectually] won every forum and debate I possibly could. I gave some seriously amazing speeches. That was good enough for me. I did what I set out to do.

Getting Bob Barr to switch parties and nominating him as a presidential candidate resulted in far more media exposure, as Barr was interviewed and discussed more than any recent LP candidate. Ron Paul's record-setting fundraising and cult-like popularity meant that FINALLY, we were able to articulate and explain ideas of small government, peace, free enterprise, and civil liberty on a national stage. The candidates didn't win, but arguments were won

I always joke that my own birthday and election day (and apparently Bob Barr's birthday as well) all occur during the same week, and that every two years I get big government as an awful gift. But this was a good year with lots of exposure. We have a bailout-hungry socialistic Democrat in the white house (instead of a bailout-hungry socialistic Republican), but I'm still optimistic about the future.

[OriginalWheelman]

To be blatantly honest, I have no idea what Libertarians stand for. Could you please enlighten me?

Furthermore, Congrats on running for office. I never knew that. The more I learn about you the more I like.

[HashiriyaS14]

TThe more I learn about you the more I like.

He also likes long walks on the beach, bubble baths, and smooth jazz. Hes just dreamy!

Anyway, hopefully Paul himself makes a Presidential bid as a Libertarian someday, as I think that would be the best chance the party has to obtain 5% of the popular vote.

If Paul really wants to leave a lasting legacy in regards to getting small government taken seriously, getting matching federal funding for the Libertarian party would be the best way for him to do that. It would seriously change the American political landscape.

Elections are about dollars, the Libertarians need to get the dollars to be able to win elections, make smart policy, and entrench themselves in the minds of Americans as the party that makes plain sense.

[Jesda]

He also likes long walks on the beach, bubble baths, and smooth jazz. Hes just dreamy!

Stay off my Myspace page!