Libertarians defecting for Paul and seek return to roots

[Naraku]

Sparks lawyer Matt Goodman has been a Libertarian since at least the fourth grade.

He was the kid who raised his hand to remind the teacher that Republican George H.W. Bush and Democrat Michael Dukakis weren't the only two people running for president in 1988.

Unlike other children's parents, his were voting for Libertarian candidate Ron Paul.

But last week, Goodman decided to part -- at least temporarily -- with the minor party cause. He changed his registration to Republican.

The reason: He wants to see a Libertarian elected president, even if that Libertarian is now a Republican.

"The fact Ron Paul has been able to get himself into the Republican Party enough that he has a chance of winning, is very exciting for everyone in the libertarian movement," Goodman said.

In Nevada, Paul has managed to attract some of the staunchest Libertarian Party members to register as Republicans.

He is the second Republican candidate to hire Nevada staff and is the first to start advertising on the radio.

Mitch Lau, a Reno business owner who recently switched to Republican, said he plans to stay with the GOP. His goal is to push the party to adopt more libertarian, small-government ideals.

"We are going to continue on, even if we can't get Ron Paul through," he said. "No matter what. There are a lot of us, and we are going to stay with the party. We have to fix it from the inside."

Smith said a return-to-the-roots message of small government will resound with many disaffected Republicans. And she hopes to work the Paul converts into the fold.

"I want to keep their enthusiasm," Smith said. "If I can harness that and few hundred more volunteers, I'll have it made."

Source: Reno Gazette Journal

 

[dsentell]

It is so inspiring to read such news!

Thanx for the info!

 

[andreww]

As a Libertarian (with a capital "L"), and past member of my state's Libertarian Executive Committee - this is not a surprise. When I go to meet-ups, they seem to be 30-40% people I recognize from Libertarian Party Events.

Speaking exclusively for myself: Paul's POV's tend to be more accurate when compared to my own than the actual Libertarian Party's. However, the two platforms are very similar.

One of Dr. Paul's secrets is that there is a near complete infrastructure of people already assembled to help his grassroots campaign. This asset is well versed on getting publicity for the underdog, getting a message out when blacked-out by the MSM, unafraid of knocking on doors, and fighting for ballot access. Libertarians are very used to the very hardships that Dr. Paul has with getting on TV, getting into debates, and getting on ballot's

 

[Adamsa]

If only the Libertarian Party was bigger...

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

If only the Libertarian Party was bigger...

Some say its' not moderate enough for the mainstream.

 

[Matt Collins]

Did anyone else read this thread title as " Libertarians defecating for Paul"

 

[0zzy]

I didn't like it. I sent an email.

 

[DrNoZone]

I used to be a member of the LP, but then I changed my views on a few important issues. For one, abortion; I'm now pro-life (though I have some quibbles with the whole idea that life begins at conception) whereas the LP is very much pro-choice, to a fault in my opinion. I couldn't support the LP as it currently exists.

 

[JosephTheLibertarian]

I used to be a member of the LP, but then I changed my views on a few important issues. For one, abortion; I'm now pro-life (though I have some quibbles with the whole idea that life begins at conception) whereas the LP is very much pro-choice, to a fault in my opinion. I couldn't support the LP as it currently exists.

There are ways of changing the platform. Ever thought about that? LP is not pro-choice, at least not the national branch, they simply believe that abortion is a non-government issue, so the LP currently rejects the label of "pro-choice."

 

[Johncjackson]

There are Libertarians 4 Life. IMHO, the LP ( meaning the actual individual members) is not overwhelmingly Pro-Choice. It's one of those issues a lot of people disagree. Just as there are a lot of Pro-Choice RP supporters or Open Border RP supporters.

LP isn't really "big tent" but it's big enough that people who disagree on that issue are welcome, especially if viewing the issue in the context of federalism.

I never defected from the LP, but I have not donated since dues became voluntary.

 

[Adamsa]

Being pro-life or pro-choice isn't whether you're a LIbertarian or not, it's usually believing that the foetus is alive at certain stages. In this respect it divides anyone.