Did the Libertarian candidate spoil it in AZ CD9?

[klamath]

Lucky for AZ, they had California to tell them how that worked out! There are certainly better options than the top-two Primary.

That top two vote getters of all parties in the primary was something the independent and third party voters have been bitching for for years. They got it and I think it is going to be just the opposite of what they hoped. For fear of spliting the vote and allowing the less split party to control the races in november party officials and main party voters will pressure the hell out of preceived weaker candidates to drop out and the main party voters won't give the best principaled candidate a vote, only high name recognition established candidates. I think it has very bad unintended consequences.

 

[Galileo Galilei]

http://www.nationaljournal.com/blog...en-sinema-winner-in-arizona-s-9th-district-12

Vernon Parker, the firebrand african-american conservative and so-called "tea party" candidate lost his bid for congress to Kyrsten Sinema (D) by 3 percent (45% to 48% respectively). The Libertarian candidate, Powell, managed to get 6% of the vote.

Now people in AZ are REALLY pissed at the Libertarian party, claiming they cost a conservative the election.

I know it's been discussed ad nauseum on these forums, but it is my belief that Parker would have been EXPONENTIALLY better for the country and Arizona than the self described "Prada Socialist" Sinema (Who also stated "stay at home moms were leeches" who should go back to work https://www.nrcc.org/video/leeches-az-09-kyrsten-sinema/).

Did the L Party shoot themselves in the foot? We now have a TERRIBLE massive spending-communist elected in CD 9 as opposed to admittedly not perfect, but palatable Vernon Parker. (I think having more black conservatives is a plus.)

Sinema is also the first openly bi-sexual Congresswoman elected... which I actually think is kinda cool, but she still sucks.

I voted for Powell (L) but am now stuck with Sinema and I am wondering if I made the right choice.

The presidential election was easy for me... I sure as F**K didn't vote for Obama or Romney, but this is close to home and would REALLY prefer not to have Sinema as my rep to congress.

THoughts?

no, because Libertarian Party candidates draw many independents to the pro-liberty position, but most end up voting GOP.

 

[UWDude]

Libertarians are libertarians. They are not Democrats, and they are not Republicans. And they often have single issues that they vote on. But one thing is certain, if someone votes third party, they did so because they wanted to vote third party. It takes a lot of will power to ignore the "lesser of two evils" argument, and vote the way you feel is best. Hell, there are people on these boards who voted D or R because they felt one was "slightly better".

no, because Libertarian Party candidates draw many independents to the pro-liberty position, but most end up voting GOP.

Is there any statistical evidence to support this?
I was vice-chairman of my county Libertarian Party for two years. I think you people have some misconceptions about Libertarians.