Posted on 10/25/2013 1:55:57 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Thursday urged Virginia Republicans supporting Robert C. Sarvis, the Libertarian candidate for governor, to come home to the GOP and vote for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the party’s nominee.
“I consider myself to be a libertarian conservative, a libertarian Republican,” Paul said in a phone interview Thursday. “A lot of things (Cuccinelli) talks about are free-market, limited-government, leave-me-alone government. I think there is a lot to like there.
“What I’m excited about in Ken Cuccinelli is that he is smart, he is articulate, and he has a keen sense of justice,” Paul said. Cuccinelli’s attempt to challenge the Affordable Care Act in court was “one of the things that catapulted a nationwide debate over the constitutionality of the health care law,” he said.
Paul, a potential Republican presidential contender for 2016, will campaign with Cuccinelli in Fairfax County and Virginia Beach next week. His visit to the state comes as the attorney general faces headwinds from members of his own party who have defected to Sarvis.
In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, Cuccinelli had the support of 81 percent of Republicans, but 11 percent back Sarvis — votes that Cuccinelli likely will need Nov. 5 as he trails Democrat Terry McAuliffe in several polls.
Paul said he understands the struggle of third-party politics, but he asked Sarvis sympathizers to consider the consequences of their vote because libertarians are unlikely to change the course of politics.
“I know that they want what they want. But in the end, if you back a third party, you might help out the Democrats, and barring some dramatic transformation in our country, we’re probably still going to have two dominant parties and smaller third parties,” Paul said.
“My advice is, look at how you really can best transform things in this country, and the best way to shape politics in this country. I really think it is through the two-party system, for better or worse,” he said.
Once voters realize that Sarvis isn’t going to win, they should decide if Cuccinelli is more to their liking than McAuliffe and vote for the Republican, Paul said.
“They could help get Ken Cuccinelli across the finish line,” he said.
Good for Rand Paul!
His daddy just made the same plea last week.
WOO-HOO!
Good to see Rand supporting Ken and telling all those Libertarians that they are doing nothing but hurting a solid Social Values conservative.
3rd party fails again.
Why did it take him so long? It’s very late to change people’s minds.
BTTT!
Sarvis is really out there in Ted Kennedy/Obama land on many issues.
GOOD On Rand Paul!
He finally came around!!!
Scheduling, maybe.
Rand and Ron endorsed Cuchinelli on line or in a press release at least two weeks back, but it takes a while to get through the scheduling commitments that have already been made so that they can arrange public appearance with the candidate or before audiences in the state.
Possibly, though, this was rushed together after George Will all but endorsed the third party candidate. I couldn't say.
Virginia Gov: Ron Paul Endorses Ken Cuccinelli (take THAT Libertarian Third-Party spoiler)
perfect timing, not too late will swing a bunch.
As much as we need a 3rd party - it just isn’t a smart option - it only ensures the Democrats get elected. I wish people would wise up to this fact.
Its not a thrid party so much that irritates me. Its the Libertarian Party. They are useless liberals.
Now I would vote for a conservative Tea Party candidate. Even if it meant splitting the vote between them and the RINO causing the Democrat to win.
But I will vote my conscience. If the only options are a RINO or a democrat - I’ll stay home.
Good statement. Let’s hope it has more clout than his dad’s.
I don’t understand how this will help anything. Since libertarians are liberals, won’t they all vote for McAuliffe? How does the Libertarian Party hurt the GOP? Seems like it takes votes away from the Democrats, since libertarians are just liberals with a couple of added syllables.
Um, no, libertarians are not liberals.
Hit post too soon. The so-called Libertarian party (with the big L) is mostly liberal or liberal leaning. People who are libertarian (little l) are another matter entirely.
I know, I’m just throwing out some bait.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.