Campaign Evaluation: Mark Bircher (U.S. House, FL-13) - campaign ended

[Bryan]

This thread is intended to be a collection point of the strong pros and cons of any potential liberty candidate / campaign that is being discussed / promoted on the forum. You are welcome to post both positive and not-so-positive attributes about the candidate as they related to their position on supporting liberty as well as issues relating to their campaign. The most important information may be aggregated in this top post for easy reference.

Candidate Name: Mark Bircher
Office Sought: U.S. House, Florida 13th Congressional District
Website: http://www.bircherforcongress.com/
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/markbircherfl
https://twitter.com/MarkBircherFL
http://vimeo.com/80936692


Candidate Profile: On the Issues
Civil Liberties: [Rating TBD]
Constitutional Issues: [Rating TBD]
Economic Issues: [Rating TBD]
Foreign Policy: [Rating TBD]
Social Issues: [Rating TBD]
Overall Issues Rating: [Rating TBD]

Race Profile: Competition & Demographics
State: Florida
District: 13th Congressional District
Incumbent:
Other Primary Candidates:
Non-Incumbent Candidates from Other Parties:
Relevant poll numbers: None.
Overall Race Profile Rating: [Rating TBD]

Miscellaneous Pros/Cons
Key strong points:

Unknown points for further research:

Possible weak points:

Possible deal breakers:

Overall Rating:

 

[neverseen]

Candidate Name: Mark Bircher
Office Sought: U.S. House, Florida 13th Congressional District
Website: http://www.bircherforcongress.com/
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/markbircherfl
https://twitter.com/MarkBircherFL
http://vimeo.com/80936692


Candidate Profile: On the Issues
Civil Liberties: [Rating TBD]
Constitutional Issues: [Rating TBD]
Economic Issues: [Rating TBD]
Foreign Policy: [Rating TBD]
Social Issues: [Rating TBD]
Overall Issues Rating: [Rating TBD]

Race Profile: Competition & Demographics
State: Florida
District: 13th Congressional District
Incumbent: None. Special election due to the passing of Congressman Young.
Other Primary Candidates: Lobbyist David Jolly and State Rep Kathleen Peters
Non-Incumbent Candidates from Other Parties: After primary in general is Dem Alex Sink and LP Lucas Overby
Relevant poll numbers: Jolly pulled 28%, Peters 27%, and Mark Bircher 17 percent. http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybu...8-kathleen-peters-27-david-bircher-17/2155458
Overall Race Profile Rating: [Rating TBD] FYI, this is one of the highest profile seats in congress.

Miscellaneous Pros/Cons
Key strong points:
He's a liberty guy. Will provide questionaire detailing positions but trust me, he's a Ron Paul guy.
He has a STRONG military background. General, Marine, Blue Angel Piolet, Iraq vet, etc.

Unknown points for further research:
No records come up for donations, etc. This seems to be his first race.

Possible weak points:
He's unknown

Possible deal breakers:
1 month until election.
Overall Rating:

 

[TaftFan]

+1 for the last name!

edit: Damn, he is a Brigadier General.

Let's hope he is a Ron Paul guy. We need credibility in the foreign policy area. Zoller, although he won't run for the special election, instead the main election, seems conflicted over whether he is a libertarian or a NorthEast liberal.

 

[neverseen]

Multiple local grassroots groups are actively supporting him now. Starting to see people donate now as well. It's picking up steam fast. Had the pres of the YR club contact me for his contact info so he could speak at their meeting on Tues. Good stuff!

 

[TaftFan]

Multiple local grassroots groups are actively supporting him now. Starting to see people donate now as well. It's picking up steam fast. Had the pres of the YR club contact me for his contact info so he could speak at their meeting on Tues. Good stuff!

Hoe do you know him?

 

[CG1976]

So, as a military guy and a liberty guy, how does he feel about things like NDAA?

 

[Brian4Liberty]

He's a liberty guy. Will provide questionaire detailing positions but trust me, he's a Ron Paul guy.

We'll need some confirmation on that. His website doesn't have anything other than he's ex-Military.

And this is the same District that Zoller is running in.

 

[CG1976]

I worry when it's a military guy with the whole defense over rights thing, but I do believe this guy may be the best in the special. Still think Zoller is better in general, and really think young, liberty candidates can help the liberty movement. My two cents, and would like to know about the defense vs. rights issue

 

[neverseen]

He is NOT in the same race as Nick Zoller. This is the Jan primary for the March special election. Zoller is in the regular election at the end of 2014. I do feel he is a FAR stronger candidate than Zoller on both issues and... "electability."

Hoe do you know him?

After the Ron Paul stuff, I co founded the RLC of Tampa Bay and I'm Vice Chair. Was also on the board for YR's and am a REC member. Not to sound cocky, but I know just about everyone at this point. Politics are local, right?

Questionnaire will come out on the 16th from the RLC, I tried to get an early release, but the board wants everyone to be able to respond. 16th is the last day.

So, as a military guy and a liberty guy, how does he feel about things like NDAA?

NDAA... in a long winded response, repeal. You won't believe the amount of amazing in his response to the question about it.
Drones... violation of Constitution unless congress declares war.
War... only Marines allowed to enter a nation per clause 13 (president and/or congress) with out a war declaration but only congress for Army (cited multiple sources in law). Only congress can declare war. Okay to evacuate embassies but not attack in countries like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc with no declaration. Cites Washington’s farewell address.
Suspend all foreign aid at least until budget crisis is over.

Want more? This is me paraphrasing. This is just a gloss over of some issues. The survey will be published and press released and posted on the 4 corners of the web starting the 16th. This is my interpretation of what I read to help ease your minds. He is WELL written and cites many places in the constitution, and other law in his responses.

Drones in the US: Domestic surveillance by warrant only.
War on drugs: Fed’s out, let states worry about it.
States rights, Nullify: cites 9th and 10th amendment. Fed gov works for the states, not the other way around.
What departments to eliminate? DoE, HUD, H&S, etc…. anything outside of the enumerated powers. Details about stripping out things that are allowed but are too big.
ACA: Outside of enumerated powers… repeal.
Healthcare: Agrees with Dr. Carson.
Marriage: State right issue. No fed involvement.
Abortion: State right issue.
Federal Reserve: “See Ron Paul’s comments for my position.”
Taxes: Short term: Balance budget. Long term: Repeal 16th.

 

[CG1976]

Thanks for all the info. Good luck to your candidate.

 

[neverseen]

Hopefully you'll be out there with me helping and voting for him too since he's not running against Zoller but is running against a lobbyist and a liberal...

 

[CG1976]

I've heard bircher is more tea party. I don't support tea partiers. I'll probably vote jolly in the special, even if he's a slick ass. I think Bircher is most likely to pull conservatives from jolly and give us Latvala's little girl.

 

[neverseen]

I've heard bircher is more tea party. I don't support tea partiers. I'll probably vote jolly in the special, even if he's a slick ass. I think Bircher is most likely to pull conservatives from jolly and give us Latvala's little girl.

Yah, you are far, far, far off base. Makes me wonder if you actually are Zoller. Sad that you would pick a lobbyist over a Ron Paul guy, and admit it on a Ron Paul website... but hey, at least now we know!

 

[TaftFan]

I've heard bircher is more tea party. I don't support tea partiers. I'll probably vote jolly in the special, even if he's a slick ass. I think Bircher is most likely to pull conservatives from jolly and give us Latvala's little girl.

Ron Paul is a Tea Partier.

 

[CG1976]

Where does Bircher stand on social issues? That's where I have issues with many tea party guys is social issues no need to insult me I was merely expressing my thoughts just as you have. Guess I get attacked for that though?

 

[neverseen]

Where does Bircher stand on social issues? That's where I have issues with many tea party guys is social issues no need to insult me I was merely expressing my thoughts just as you have. Guess I get attacked for that though?

Attacked for even considering to support Jolly over Bircher.

Social issues.... he's against federal regulation of state issues. Abortion, Marriage, etc are all state issues that the federal gov should not have a hand in. This is covered in the Dec 16th annoucement.

PS. I just shot him $100. He sent out mailers today, and TV ad's are going on. He's in this to win. He's right behind the two leaders and his media coverage is just starting out.

Mailer, it's a facebook link, let me know if you can't see it.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

He is NOT in the same race as Nick Zoller. This is the Jan primary for the March special election. Zoller is in the regular election at the end of 2014. I do feel he is a FAR stronger candidate than Zoller on both issues and... "electability."

So, if Bircher won this special election, he wouldn't run against Zoller next year in the regular Primary election?

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I've heard bircher is more tea party.

Sounds like Bircher is the one to support.

 

[neverseen]

Is there a change that zoller and bircher end up in a primary in late 2014 for the regular election? Yes... one would hope that one of the two would bow out and support the other. If bircher is elected, I would hope that zoller supported him. Otherwise an establishment canidate put out by King Latvala will win.

Zoller is a decent candidate on the issues, but I have my doubts that a 24 year old will win in a county of 60 year olds. May not be the right way to feel... but at least I'm honest about it...

 

[neverseen]

BTW, getting donation matches on facebook