GOP Delegate or Libertarian Candidate?

[libertarian4321]

As the end of the year rolls around, some of us big "L" libertarian types have a hard decision to make.

Do we run for office as a Libertarian, or go Republican and become a delegate for Ron Paul? The cut off date (at least here in TX) to make the decision is January 2nd, which is the cut off date for filing to run for office.

Unfortunately, those crazy election laws won't let us run for office as Libertarians and be Republican delegates for Ron Paul at the same time

It was a hard decision, but I have personally decided against running for office as a Libertarian this year to support Ron Paul as a Republican delegate, as I did in 2008.

I would encourage other Libertarians to consider doing the same, as I think this time Dr. Paul has a real chance to get the nomination and win the Presidency, and every vote/delegate may be crucial.

 

[hueylong]

Running for office as a Libertarian is usually a waste of time and money. Working for Dr. Paul is a real opportunity to turn things around.

 

[FrankRep]

Ron Paul is leading in the GOP primary. Big "L" Libertarians, we can really use your help to win this. Help Ron Paul.



Ron Paul 24%, Romney 20%, Gingrich 13%

PPP: Ron Paul maintains his Iowa lead

December 27, 2011

 

[tremendoustie]

As the end of the year rolls around, some of us big "L" libertarian types have a hard decision to make.

Do we run for office as a Libertarian, or go Republican and become a delegate for Ron Paul? The cut off date (at least here in TX) to make the decision is January 2nd, which is the cut off date for filing to run for office.

Unfortunately, those crazy election laws won't let us run for office as Libertarians and be Republican delegates for Ron Paul at the same time

It was a hard decision, but I have personally decided against running for office as a Libertarian this year to support Ron Paul as a Republican delegate, as I did in 2008.

I would encourage other Libertarians to consider doing the same, as I think this time Dr. Paul has a real chance to get the nomination and win the Presidency, and every vote/delegate may be crucial.

Of course! To me, it's a no-brainer. The pro-liberty movement in the republican party is where it's at ... running big L seems like a foolish decision, to me.

 

[BKom]

Good decision. I've done the libertarian candidate thing. Much better to do what you decided to do.

 

[brandon]

I don't know how it would be a hard decision. Clearly there is everything to gain by being in the Republican party and nothing but a circlejerk in the Libertarian party.

Whatever you do, just don't vote for Obama again.

 

[erowe1]

What possible reason is there to run for anything as a Libertarian?

I look at all the human resources here in Indiana that are of little use to the Ron Paul campaign because they're in the LP, and it doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[libertarian4321]

What possible reason is there to run for anything as a Libertarian?

The biggest reason for running as a Libertarian is to give the voter's a CHOICE. That's why I first ran for Congress back in the late '90s.

In too many districts around the country, voting for U.S. Representative, State Senate, or State Legislature is like voting in the old Soviet Union- you may as well not bother because there is only one candidate on the ballot.

It's shocking the number of districts where the major party Gerrymandered out of power doesn't even bother to run a candidate.

If the Libertarian Party doesn't run a candidate, you have a choice of voting for ONLY the incumbent. When a Libertarian runs, the voters at least have some alternative to the incumbent.

There are a number of other advantages to running as a Libertarian, including using free air time provided to candidates to get the word out. At least here in Texas, when debates or candidate forums are held, the Libertarian Party candidate is invited. You also frequently get free access to newspapers, web sites, voter's guides, etc.

Finally, by running a full slate of candidates increases the chances that the Libertarian Party will maintain major party status (a status which it has held here for many years). I think it's important that voters have some alternative to the major parties.

On the other hand, it's possible that Ron Paul will be out of the race by early March (when the GOP primary is held here in Texas). At that point, my decision to go Republican and vote/become a delegate will be essentially pointless.

So it's not an easy decision to make.

 

[notanks52]

The biggest reason for running as a Libertarian is to give the voter's a CHOICE. That's why I first ran for Congress back in the late '90s.

In too many districts around the country, voting for U.S. Representative, State Senate, or State Legislature is like voting in the old Soviet Union- you may as well not bother because there is only one candidate on the ballot.

It's shocking the number of districts where the major party Gerrymandered out of power doesn't even bother to run a candidate.

If the Libertarian Party doesn't run a candidate, you have a choice of voting for ONLY the incumbent. When a Libertarian runs, the voters at least have some alternative to the incumbent.

There are a number of other advantages to running as a Libertarian, including using free air time provided to candidates to get the word out. At least here in Texas, when debates or candidate forums are held, the Libertarian Party candidate is invited. You also frequently get free access to newspapers, web sites, voter's guides, etc.

Finally, by running a full slate of candidates increases the chances that the Libertarian Party will maintain major party status (a status which it has held here for many years). I think it's important that voters have some alternative to the major parties.

On the other hand, it's possible that Ron Paul will be out of the race by early March (when the GOP primary is held here in Texas). At that point, my decision to go Republican and vote/become a delegate will be essentially pointless.

So it's not an easy decision to make.

Are you running to win? Or are you running to get the message out?
If A then run - If B there are alternative ways to get the message out

Whatever you decide, make sure you can live with your decision and you won't come to regret it later.

 

[sailingaway]

Way cool. There will be other years. And Ron is the best chance these ideas have had in a long time. It's his last run, too.

 

[libertarian4321]

Are you running to win? Or are you running to get the message out?
If A then run - If B there are alternative ways to get the message out

Whatever you decide, make sure you can live with your decision and you won't come to regret it later.

I've already decided not to run for office as a Libertarian.

I just wanted to let all those folks who think that "there is no reason to run as a Libertarian" know that there are good reasons to run for office as a Libertarian.

 

[Austin]

Without a doubt, the correct choice is to absolutely run as a GOP delegate.

 

[DealzOnWheelz]

We must coalesce behind Ron Paul......If the Libertarian party would absorb into the Republican party on a National Level....Specifically the members; not changing their policies to Repubs....Ron Paul would win in a landslide!!! WITHOUT QUESTION!!!

 

[libertarian4321]

We must coalesce behind Ron Paul......If the Libertarian party would absorb into the Republican party on a National Level....Specifically the members; not changing their policies to Repubs....Ron Paul would win in a landslide!!! WITHOUT QUESTION!!!

I think, for all practical purposes, that has already happened. Most Libertarians are already supporting Ron Paul on some level, so I don't think it would make a huge difference if the remaining hold outs (that small number who think Dr. Paul isn't a "pure" enough libertarian) came over.