Posted on 08/24/2005 7:39:17 PM PDT by DuckFan4ever
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Libertarian Tom Cox, who has been cited as a spoiler in at least two previous election cycles, has joined the Republican Party.
Cox has been tagged with spoiling three elections for Republicans, including the 2002 gubernatorial race between Republican Kevin Mannix and Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski. In that instance, Cox received more votes than the margin of victory.
In a prepared statement, Cox said: "I want to contribute more to reforming Oregon and fixing its problems, and I feel I can best do that in the context of a major political party."
Mannix, who is preparing to challenge Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski in next year's gubernatorial race, welcomed his former opponent to the party.
"We've reached out to attract Independents, Democrats, and now Libertarian, Tom Cox. Tom is a welcome addition to the GOP," said Mannix.
Cox hinted that he may even support his former opponent in the 2006 race for governor, saying that while he has not made up his mind he intends to actively support the Republican nominee in the general election.
"Luckily, the Oregon GOP has a very big tent indeed — it takes a big tent to include Kevin and me," said Cox. "My core values are 100 percent compatible with Republican core values: individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government. We may differ on the margins and well have vigorous debate on how to move forward, but I know I'll be comfortable with the Republicans."
Cox ran for attorney general in 2000, a race that Mannix ultimately lost to Democrat Hardy Myers.
Oregon Ping
Most Libertarians are disappointed Republicans (at least, I was), but the LP's stand on the WOT has brought the hawkish ones back to the GOP.
Good for him.
I haven't noted much advancement being made through third parties. IMO, the way to go is from within but also in primaries. That is where the real power lies to force change.
Yes, the REAL power is in the primaries.
Not that many people vote in the primaries, compared to the general election, so our votes REALLY count.
But, but....if we let these people with limited government beliefs into the Republican party, we won't be able to run RINOs anymore.
The primaries become more important as more and more moderates defect to the GOP.
Now this boob gets it.
That's the point. If the people take out established Washington elites that take pride in looking down on their constituents wants and needs in the primaries, that will lace a cord of fear before committing action against us. Self preservation is a powerful motivator, more powerful then the siren of the D.C. establishment and MSM IF they fear their careers are on the line.
Conservatives MUST start focusing more on primaries and NOT be so "forgiving" of the DeWine's and the Grahams. That would do more to fuse a conservative majority in Congress then any numbers game.
Not to say we should be foolish about it and toss people out for sport, but certainly just voting only in the general and only for the sponsered Rep candidate in the primary doesn't make a lot of sense if we want to advance an ideology.
Anyone who can spoil the goals of that sawed-off little thug Kevin Mannix is OK with me.
Thanks for the ping!
Oregon Ping
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Hopefully, some of his fiscal conservatism will rub off on the RINOs in Salem.
Ouch. Good point.
Maybe he will run for Gov against Mannix. Mannix has a lot of RINO tendencies. I probably like the Lib guys positions better. Mannix has never stated his principles as clearly as Cox did in his statement.
Or maybe Republicans will "see the light" and stop spending more than Democrats. You know, there is that "smaller, less intrusive government" plank that you have. I bet that would win you a lot of libertarian votes if you actually delivered on it.
Good for Cox ~ Bump!
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