Libertarians Emerge as a Force (Losertarians deep-six the GOP)

The Economist ^ | November 8, 2006 | Unattributed

[quidnunc]

New York – Glum Republicans might turn their attention to the Libertarian Party to vent their anger. Libertarians are a generally Republican-leaning constituency, but over the last few years, their discontent has grown plain. It isn't just the war, which some libertarians supported, but the corruption and insider dealing, and particularly the massive expansion of spending. Mr Bush's much-vaunted prescription drug benefit for seniors, they fume, has opened up another gaping hole in America's fiscal situation, while the only issue that really seemed to energise congress was passing special laws to keep a brain-damaged woman on life support.

In two of the seats where control looks likely to switch, Missouri and Montana, the Libertarian party pulled more votes than the Democratic margin of victory. Considerably more, in Montana. If the Libertarian party hadn't been on the ballot, and the three percent of voters who pulled the "Libertarian" lever had broken only moderately Republican, Mr Burns would now be in office.

Does this mean that the libertarians are becoming a force in national elections, much as Ralph Nader managed to cost Al Gore a victory in 2000? Hope springs eternal among third-party afficionadoes, but the nature of the American electoral system, which directly elects representatives in a first-past-the-post system, makes it nearly impossible for third parties to gain traction. The last time it happened was in the 1850's, when the Whig party dissolved over internal disputes about slavery, opening the way for the emerging Republican party to put Abraham Lincoln in office. And acting as a spoiler is dubiously effective at achieving one's goals. In theory, it could pull the Repubicans towards the Libertarians, but in practice, it may just elect Democrats, pushing the nation's economic policy leftwards.

[rottweiller_inc]

they don't get it yet

[CWOJackson]

LOL! And her I thought it was an X-ray of your head but tried to be kind.

[Tamzee]

At long last, I feel like my debt to the Republican Party for not supporting it in 1992

Not mine. I joined you in 1992 and we caused immense damage to our country that is still causing America to suffer.

My reason for voting 3rd party in 1992 was a pathetic political ignorance due to youth. If I had a site like FR around back then, though, there would be no excuses.

The libertarians here have none.

[Publius Valerius]

You want us to go away, but yet you blame us for "costing" the GOP the election. Which is it--do you want our votes or not?

[rottweiller_inc]

what's the point of espousing principals if you are willing to give them away in negotiations?

[CWOJackson]

LOL! It is impossible for the GOP to drive away anyone who electively disenfranchised them-self from the political process...that is their own choice.

[eleni121]

What part of shoo go away didn't you understand?

The positions on social issues of most Libertarians are revolting.

You will be far more content among the loonies in the democrat umbrella of liars, thieves, and crooks.

[rottweiller_inc]

i watched several people negotiate themselves out of lucrative deals because their own suspicions stopped them

[CWOJackson]

Cut off the nose to spit the face...very effective.

[rottweiller_inc]

and yet many do and deny they are doing it

[Incitatus]

- You will be far more content among the loonies in the democrat umbrella of liars, thieves, and crooks. -

Hey, you should be thanking the Dems. No doubt it was one of their bejillion welfare programmes that helped you learn how to use that damn computer.

If libertarians felt strongly compelled to vote for liars, thieves and crooks, this thread would never have got started.

[TEEHEE]

Mike Medved had a segment today ripping Libertarians for "costing Republicans the Senate." He was operating under the popular and false premise that Libertarians owe their votes to Republicans or no one. He mocked the L's, the Constitution Party, and deceased L candidate Harry Browne ("Harry CLOWN"). Nothing like a preference for personal accountability and smaller government to expose Medved for the petty little snot that he is.

[rottweiller_inc]

my council is caution

[CWOJackson]

My council is remember the ones who were on the battle lines with you yesterday...those who weren't aren't your friends.

[rottweiller_inc]

lets take andrew jackson then..reckless but ruthless so far you've only shown the first

[JCEccles]

Libertarians should sod off and die.

And I mean that in the kindest way.

[CWOJackson]

Which is far better then how the LP'ers have shown their arse.

[samm1148]

"For the record, I voted Republican, but it is rediculous to blame libertarians for Republican losses. That blame goes to nobody else but the Republicans themselves. Between the Patriot Act, the Iraq War, exploding deficits, runaway spending, the Federal Marriage Amendment, etc., how could they really expect that many libertarians to vote for them? The only reason I can think of (my reason for voting GOP) is that the Democrats would probably be worse. That's hardly enough to justify expecting big-time support from a part of your base you've completely neglected."

That was pretty much my story too although I'm a Constitution Party guy. You'll see a lot on here who won't be able to come to terms with the fact that the only people who shot the republicans in the foot were the republicans. This election should have been the republicans to win. Yet they spent the entire summer alienating their base (those damn pesky Christian conservatives can go to hell, let's let Moslems manage our ports and the all time winner: Let's PAY illegals to live here).


I left the republican party after George Bush signed unconstitutional campaign finance into law. On principal I've not regretted that decision. I've always supported republicans in the main races and hoped against hope that they would clean their houses in the primaries. Well, the house is cleaned now.

[rottweiller_inc]

don't worry us libertarians are only waiting until your fire goes out to make our move..keep it going is my advice

[rottweiller_inc]

and how have you non libertarians shown yourselves? certinly not as front runners