Libertarian surging in Indiana (causing headache for GOP?)

[FriedChicken]

We want Mourdock to lose? Mourdock will probably be an ally to auditing the fed once he gets in and I think he stands a better chance than others at a rational perspective on foreign aid.

The Tea Party in Indiana I think is moving forward and I think Mourdock will move forward with them. Indiana hasn't had a senator that will actually listen to the people in a very long time ... I think Mourdock stands a chance at being a good senator. Horning would be a great senator ... why the heck doesn't he run in a race he can win? It makes me a little upset that he is content to lose.

 

[supermario21]

Yeah, I'd like to see Horning join the Republican party and maybe get involved in a primary in the next Senate or Gubernatorial election.

 

[angelatc]

And he has been a very capable speaker and debater since a very young age. He's definitely not some guy that just showed up recently. He's been there, doing that, for quite some time. This is the first I've heard of him in awhile, but he's no "johnny come lately."

I've kept in touch with him over the years. He dropped out of politics for business reasons (plus burn out, I suspect) for a few years. He's one of the Libertarian Party's best candidates IMHO.

 

[BSU kid]

We want Mourdock to lose? Mourdock will probably be an ally to auditing the fed once he gets in and I think he stands a better chance than others at a rational perspective on foreign aid.

The Tea Party in Indiana I think is moving forward and I think Mourdock will move forward with them. Indiana hasn't had a senator that will actually listen to the people in a very long time ... I think Mourdock stands a chance at being a good senator. Horning would be a great senator ... why the heck doesn't he run in a race he can win? It makes me a little upset that he is content to lose.

Disagree on Mourdock, clearly he has many "liberty" traits about him he is a solid "B" candidate, but he also has neocon tendencies; I especially don't trust his foreign policy, and I suspect he will flip flop for votes (there was already an article yesterday about him pandering to the center) and in general I don't trust him. Horning shares most of my beliefs and I trust him more, hence I will vote for him.

 

[Melissa]

Well that is for each person to decide, but when I asked him why he supports the Patriot act he got all defensive and told me that maybe I should vote for someone else..and I thought maybe he is right and this is before Andy who is way better decided to run.. I think the Tea Party in Indiana still has a way to go at our convention they still voted to keep us from actually nominating from the floor for delegates....they stood right up with the establishment and gave their own power away...and also some of the Tea Party groups are back to blindly supporting Republicans and telling us we have to vote for Romney...

We want Mourdock to lose? Mourdock will probably be an ally to auditing the fed once he gets in and I think he stands a better chance than others at a rational perspective on foreign aid.

The Tea Party in Indiana I think is moving forward and I think Mourdock will move forward with them. Indiana hasn't had a senator that will actually listen to the people in a very long time ... I think Mourdock stands a chance at being a good senator. Horning would be a great senator ... why the heck doesn't he run in a race he can win? It makes me a little upset that he is content to lose.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

On one hand, it would be a shame to lose another better than average republican in the Senate since that would allow one more vote for Obama's bs. Yet, it may send a signal to the tea party and their ilk that they can't win w/o liberty-minded folk. I remember Horning from my old LP days and always thought he was tip top when it came to liberty candidates. Assuming he knocks off the R and the dem gets in, it would be nice if he goes republican and primaries in the next election. Tho, I'm sure standard libertarian party members would outcast him for that.

You'd think that they'd also poll the Lib for prez if they're polling middle digits for Gov and Sen.

 

[erowe1]

Yeah, I'd like to see Horning join the Republican party and maybe get involved in a primary in the next Senate or Gubernatorial election.

He's done that before at the congressional level I think, and the way the party treated him drove him out apparently for good. But I agree with you, that would be a much better route.

I haven't decided how I'll vote on that race yet. I like Horning. He's clearly the best candidate. But I kind of want to give Mourdock a chance and see what he does. If he's a Demint type, then I'd rather see him in the Senate than another Democrat.

On the other hand, whatever happens in November, to me the big victory was beating Lugar in the primary. As long as that was accomplished, the results of the general election are less important.

 

[deadfish]

I read an article about people selling packs of that stuff for like 200-300 dollars on ebay.
Apparently people like buying old sodas

Ha! So my Strategic RC Cola Reserve will eventually pay off.

 

[oyarde]

Donnelly must not win.

 

[bnvalerie]

horning on nullification

Does anyone know where Horning stands on 10th amendment and Jury nullification?

 

[supermario21]

I think rather than be wishy washy on a guy like Mourdock (and other tea party prospects like Cruz) we need to get behind these guys fully. I think the tea partiers are a bit novice in their political skills and they seem to be bullied by the media and/or the establishment. Mourdock talked about being ideologically pure and against compromising with Democrats (which won him the primary over the hack Lugar) and now that he feels pressure that he needs to win over the center he might make errant comments like the one person earlier posted about working with the center. Indiana is a red state, he doesn't need to run a Scott Brown campaign here. If libertarian republicans were to fully support him, I would think he'd realize he got elected once with us, and he should stick to his guns. Donnely is like Dick Lugar 2.0 tilted even more to the left.

In fact, I just researched Donnelly a bit more, and he is officially Dick Lugar who doesn't want to repeal Obamacare. That's literally the only difference. If Mourdock came out for auditing the fed (which he might support), and a more non-interventionist foreign policy he could probably win over the anti-war crowd.



Second Edit: This is from Mourdock's site on defense:

Supporting a Strong National Defense and our Military Veterans

Richard supports our men and women in uniform and believes that a strong national defense is the best strategy to deter aggression. Richard believes that military force should be used only when a vital national interest is at stake and that any U.S. mission should come with clearly defined goals and objectives. Richard supports our Veterans and Wounded Warriors and will work to ensure that our Nation makes good on its commitment to those who have risked everything in the service of their Country.


We really should throw our support behind him and try to get him to come out against NDAA/drones/Patriot Act and I think we have ourselves another Rand. The rest of his issues talk about eliminating the IRS and returning to sound money. He's talked a good game, and now we have to get him to play a good game by showing that we support him. Don't let the establishment etch him as a moderate.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

This is one of those situations where a run-off would be a very good thing. Do any States do that for US Senate General Elections?

 

[supermario21]

This is one of those situations where a run-off would be a very good thing. Do any States do that for US Senate General Elections?

Pretty sure Georgia does. Would be good to put a liberty candidate up just to show how much the Republican party has come under influence of the liberty wing.

 

[erowe1]

Maybe Mourdock should call Horning and ask him, "What do I need to do to get you to drop out and endorse me?"

I would love to hear Horning's answer to that and Mourdock's response.

 

[Keith and stuff]

We want Mourdock to lose? Mourdock will probably be an ally to auditing the fed once he gets in and I think he stands a better chance than others at a rational perspective on foreign aid.

The Tea Party in Indiana I think is moving forward and I think Mourdock will move forward with them. Indiana hasn't had a senator that will actually listen to the people in a very long time ... I think Mourdock stands a chance at being a good senator. Horning would be a great senator ... why the heck doesn't he run in a race he can win? It makes me a little upset that he is content to lose.

Horning doesn't want to get elected to a legislative position. He is just trying to spread a message/grow a party... same old, same old. That is an important thing to do and IN has had 1 of the stronger state LPs for a while now.

Mourdock is likely much better than the Democrat in the race and of course, Horning isn't trying to win the race. My guess is that Mourdock wins because he picks up support from Romney voters and some of the LP voters turn towards him near the end.

 

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

Horning isn't trying to win the race.

What makes you say that?

 

[Keith and stuff]

What makes you say that?

He is running as an LP candidate for US Senate. If he was serious about winning, he would be running for something winnable like city council, county council and the like. LP candidate for state house almost never win, of course he isn't going to win a US Senate seat in a competitive race. The idea of him winning is laughable and he knows it.

 

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

I don't think having a low probability of success indicates that someone isn't trying (your first statement) or someone isn't serious (your second statement). If he is in the senate debates (and I think he will be if they have them), he is easily in their league.

Maybe this is a set up for another race he'll run later, but he will give 100% trying. I would knock doors for that guy. (and have)

 

[Keith and stuff]

I don't think having a low probability of success indicates that someone isn't trying (your first statement) or someone isn't serious (your second statement). If he is in the senate debates (and I think he will be if they have them), he is easily in their league.

Maybe this is a set up for another race he'll run later, but he will give 100% trying. I would knock doors for that guy. (and have)

Low probability of success? Even if the other 2 guys die, if either the GOP or the Democratic Party is able to nominate another candidate, he will still lose. We are talking close to zero. He might be a serious candidate but he isn't serious about winning.

Some people think it is good to have pro-liberty people run for higher office to spread a message. Some people think it is good to have pro-liberty people win lower offices and improve the laws. I have and will continue to support both approaches.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[TCE]

I don't think having a low probability of success indicates that someone isn't trying (your first statement) or someone isn't serious (your second statement). If he is in the senate debates (and I think he will be if they have them), he is easily in their league.

Maybe this is a set up for another race he'll run later, but he will give 100% trying. I would knock doors for that guy. (and have)

In all likelihood, Horning knows he has no shot. One doesn't run so many times and lose and then magically expect to win. To your point, it is impossible for us to know personally, but the evidence points to Horning knows he will lose.

To Keith and/or everyone else: Is there any reason strong state Libertarian Parties don't target local seats or pour all of their money and resources into State House seats that are winnable?