Thoughts on Michael Badnarik; the Libertarian candidate for President of U.S.

[Free Enterprise]

What do you think of Michael Badnarik? He is the Libertarian candidate running for the presidency of the United States in the upcoming election. I know some here on this site intend to vote for him and I find this candidate intriguing.

I find a some of his platform a seemingly plausible and reasonably effective though I cannot claim to agree with all of his plans (such as retaining legalized abortion).

Do you think the Libertarian Party is effective, ineffective, or something else? What do you think of the platform of this candidate and the party? How does this ticket compare to the Bush/Cheney and Kerry/Edwards duos? Is it a viable option (not necessarily in terms of winning rather in terms of is most of the platform a possible policy option)? What parts do you or do you not like?

Note: Option #2 can be voted for reasons ranging that there is a slight chance you will vote for Badnarik (maybe you do not prefer any other candidate) or there is almost no chance you will yet you like at least 25 percent and up to about 60 or so percent or so of his policies. It is a middle ground option.

Links affiliated to discussion:

Libertarian Party's home page
Information regarding Michael Badnarik on Wikipedia
The candidate for Vice President running on this ticket: Richard Campagna.

 

[Perfection]

If kerry has a considerable margin in Minnesota it is likely I will vote Badnarik

 

[naervod]

I actually like him quite a bit, a refreshing break from the Democrats and Republicans. If I was old enough to vote for him, I would, we might hold a mock election in my AP History class, so I'd vote for him there. California is probably a Kerry victory, so I'd only vote for Kerry instead if there were razor-thin margins.

 

[newfangle]

He is a-ok by me except for his defense and foreign policy. Not nearly aggressive enough.

 

[Perfection]

He's a bit to radical for me, but he's a lot better then Kerry or Bush

 

[Yom]

No way would I vote for him if I could vote in the first place. I like my taxes high as long as I am able to live comfortably. I wouldn't really mind paying high taxes if I made 200,000+ USD.

 

[Neomega]

After a gun control debate, more solid than ever. Badnarik, Nader. Whichever, anyone but Bush or Kerry.

 

[PHSikes]

Will i vote for who?....Never heard of him.

 

[Ovulator]

I'll be voting for him.

 

[amadeus]

Go ahead, throw your vote away! I'm voting for Bush...up here, in Minnesota.

I take back what I said

 

[IglooDame]

I'll be voting for him, although I really wish he hadn't gone on about blowing up the UN personally. Yes, I know, the campaign commercials of Harry Browne (Libertarian candidate in 2000) featured the demolition of the IRS headquarters. Libertarian candidates (like any 3rd party candidate) already have to fight the fringe wackadoo stereotype, why reinforce it instead?

 

[Stapel]

I have explained more than once I dislike tax and government influences in economy, but also am very liberal on social issues. I simply like FREEDOM!

Would I have been a Yank, I would most certainly vote for him. His radicalism is simply part of finding a proper spot in the political field.

I don't think he has any chance though.

Any chance he or one of his fellows gain a seat in Congress?

Howmany non reps non dems are there anyway in Congress, and where are they from?

 

[AVN]

I would never vote for him.
I would opt for Nader, although I know he has no chance in the elections.

 

[IglooDame]

I have explained more than once I dislike tax and government influences in economy, but also am very liberal on social issues. I simply like FREEDOM!

Would I have been a Yank, I would most certainly vote for him. His radicalism is simply part of finding a proper spot in the political field.

I don't think he has any chance though.

Any chance he or one of his fellows gain a seat in Congress?

Howmany non reps non dems are there anyway in Congress, and where are they from?

For your first question - at this point, not much chance. There are many subtle hurdles for a 3rd Party candidate that don't exist for Reps/Dems, witness Ralph Nader struggling to get on most state ballots. It is an exceptional achievement that the Libertarian Party has gotten Badnarik on all 50 state ballots and it is an issue every four years. The Federal Election Commission is essentially composed of Republican and Democratic reps. They may not like each other, but Rep and Dem party operatives tend to close ranks to fend off third-party challenges except in rare cases such as Ted Kennedy's last election, where the Reps didn't field anyone and instead supported Libertarian candidate Carla Howell.

For your last question - Bernie Sanders, Independent and Vermont's lone Representative. What most would call either "Progressive" or "Socialist".

 

[Stapel]

For your last question - Bernie Sanders, Independent and Vermont's lone Representative. What most would call either "Progressive" or "Socialist".

Well, I never realised Vermont had so few residents (619,107), that they only have one representative.

I am bit surprised that this is such an exception. there must be some regions where people are fed up with both dems and reps?????

 

[IglooDame]

Well, I never realised Vermont had so few residents (619,107), that they only have one representative.

I am bit surprised that this is such an exception. there must be some regions where people are fed up with both dems and reps?????

Come to think of it, Vermont also has an Independent Senator as well, who bailed out of the Republican Party in (I think) 2000.

I'm sure there's a majority of people in many places that hate politics as usual, but apparently they still vote for the lesser of two evils.

 

[Zamphyr]

Well, I never realised Vermont had so few residents (619,107), that they only have one representative.

I am bit surprised that this is such an exception. there must be some regions where people are fed up with both dems and reps?????

No!! People love Democrats and Republicans. Its rare that an independent candidate gets even 5% of the vote, at just about any level. "Fed up" people don't vote.

 

[Double Barrel]

Go ahead, throw your vote away!

You're only throwing it away if you don't use it!

If you must vote for the "winning" side, then you should become a New York Yankees fan, too.

I, of course, will vote straight ticket Libertarian, because Dems/Reps are just two heads of one corporate party.

To all SHEOPLE: vote Kerry or Bush!

To all FREE THINKERS: vote Badnarik!
unfortunately, we can't win because we need a majority

 

[The Yankee]

then you should become a New York Yankees fan, too.

Hey...

To all SHEOPLE: vote Kerry or Bush!

To all FREE THINKERS: vote Badnarik!
unfortunately, we can't win because we need a majority

I can't be a free-thinker and vote Democrat? Even if my views would be closer to theirs than the Libertarian platform? Sure, I have some views that might be closer to a libertarian (small L) point of view, but after having looked at where people stand, I'm voting how I feel like it.

Oh yeah, and it's "sheeple," thanks to glorious Curt introducing the word to Off-Topic.

 

[luiz]

This guy is a terrible politician, even if he has some good ideas.

I doubt he is the best Libertarian to run for president.