The non-interventionist, free-marketing Libertarian Party is spoiling for a fight.

WASHINGTON — The non-interventionist, free-marketing Libertarian Party is spoiling for a fight.

The Libertarian Party is planning to challenge several incumbents in November in a so-called national "spoiler" strategy that could put vulnerable Republicans on more shaky ground and help stir the suspense over whether the GOP can hold a House majority and wrest back the Senate from Democratic control.

"We recognize there is a window of opportunity that did not exist up to this point," said Ron Crickenberger, political director for the Libertarian Party, which has about 30,000 members and contributors in the United States.

Crickenberger doesn't like to use the term "spoiler", but said the Libertarians see an opportunity to siphon off votes in critical districts as part of a national strategy to turn over the House and change domestic policy. All but one of the five districts targeted are Republican-run, and the incumbents are all on the hit list because of their heavy-handed support for the war on drugs and against the legalization of marijuana, a key issue for the Libertarians, whose bedrock beliefs are less government and personal freedoms.

"In this country, what we’ve looked at is how out of touch the drug policy is with the public polling," Crickenberger said, noting that so far eight states have passed medical marijuana laws despite a federal ban. A Pew Research Center/Gallup poll conducted in March showed 73 percent of voters support the medical use of marijuana with a doctor's prescription.

Among the candidates targeted for defeat are Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga., Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Tex., and Rep. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark.

Also on the list is Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., who is locked in a tight primary race with Rep. John Linder. Whoever wins the primary is a surefire winner in this heavily Republican conservative 7th District, though Crickenberger would like to see both of them go.

"If we can take out, or help to take out a few of the drug war leaders in the course of the general election, we feel we will have a big impact on the issue in Congress," he said.

In a recent statement, Barr said he didn’t have the time to worry about the Libertarians, with whom he doesn’t agree on many issues.

"The centerpieces of the Libertarian agenda include legalizing drugs, gambling, prostitution and pornography, as well as halting all restrictions on immigration," he said.

"These issues do not represent 7th District values, and I ask that all our candidates clearly and publicly distance themselves from these issues, and demand an end to involvement in our primary by the Libertarian Party."

Cleland, although taking "every candidate seriously," according to press secretary Jamal Simmons, is undeterred by his Libertarian opponent. He is in a tough re-election fight with whoever wins the much-anticipated Republican primary between Rep. C. Saxby Chambliss and State Rep. Robert Irvin.

"Max Cleland is ready to campaign against any candidate from any party in the fall," said Simmons. "He’s ready to take his 20-year record in national and state office and take it to the voters and win."

Libertarian candidates, who serve in 301 elected offices throughout the country, have acted as spoilers before. In 2000, Libertarian candidate Jeff Jared collected 64,000 votes in the Washington state Senate race that led to a recount and a 3,000-vote upset win by Democrat Maria Cantwell over Republican incumbent Sen. Slade Gorton.

And since the 2000 presidential election that saw Green Party candidate Ralph Nader strake off enough votes for former Vice President Al Gore to lose Florida, and thus the election, the impact of third parties is apparent.

"It isn’t a focused strategy of ours to target incumbents for defeat," said Green Party political director Dean Myerson. "But when you run strong, people lose"

Analysts say they doubt that the Libertarians will be able to pull off the spoiler strategy based on the drug issue alone.

"If I were a candidate I wouldn’t exactly shudder, but if I were the Libertarians I would give it a go," said Thomas Mann, co-editor of The Permanent Campaign and Its Future, who added that while the third party might not topple the incumbent, it might rattle some cages.

"You should be running to educate the people," said Stephen Hess, a political analyst with the Brookings Institution, who called the spoiler strategy "despicable and beneath the Libertarians.

"If everybody tried this trick it would be a country of multi parties in the worst sense," he said.

But Crickenberger said the founding fathers envisioned a "rotating process" that allowed for fresh ideas and new faces in Congress, and Myerson agreed, saying without a full multi-party process, smaller groups will continue to play the spoilers.

"It doesn’t have to be the this way, but as long as it does were going to run candidates," Myerson said.

In post 112 you stated backyard distilleries ended when Prohibition ended. NOT! Guess I shouldn't have brought up the Lee Petty thing, as you wouldn't understand it since you believe illegal production ended when Prohibition did.

If you think rampant alcoholism ended. Dream on. Been to Sallys lately?

How is telling you that you have an explanation for everything "name-calling?" "Theory" is name calling? A bit thinned skinned I'd say. But then, most are when losing an arguement.

But hey, don't take it personal. Maybe your way will work. Why not try it in YOUR state/county?

Immigrants? They will come here, en masse, whether or not the welfare magnet is turned on or off. Have been for years. What difference the reason? They will still come here.

I have supported my position with experience. You? book-learnin', hearsay, and untried ideas. Apparently your message has fallen on deaf ears. If in fact it is the message of the LP. One percent after 31 years? Progress...

Free sex sure worked in SF. Free medical care sure works at the VA. Free drugs? Let's try it-in your AO.

In elections held on March 5, 1933 the Nazis fell short of 50 percent of the vote. Even with the help of the Nationalist Party, they had only a slim majority. The Nazis got 44% of the vote. The Nationalists got 8%. Combined they had a slim majority. Source:Gun Control Gateway to Tyranny by Jay Simkin and Aaron Zelman 1993.

As a member of the NRA, are you not aware Bob Barr is a DIRECTOR of the NRA? Are you unwilling to support one of your own for such a nebulous concept as "free or legalized drugs?" Ain't gonna happen. Not in your life time, nor mine.

Perhaps time to reassess your position as well as your facts?

...you stated backyard distilleries ended when Prohibition ended.

Ok, fair enough. Not all backyard distilleries disappeared after prohibition ended. Most did. Afterall, why would somebody continue to operate a backyard distillery, or brew Bathtub Gin, if it was no longer a crime to purchase it at the store?

...you believe illegal production ended when Prohibition did.

Illegal production did end.

If you think rampant alcoholism ended. Dream on...

For the sake of argument, suppose that it didn't end. Suppose that it got worse. So what? That is no justification to crack down on people, and force everyone to pay the cost of prohibition because a handful of people are irresponsible. There is rampant obesity in society today. Is that justification to crack down on junk food?

Gun control is wrong because it punishes people for owning and using guns. Hardly a crime. It is the misuse of guns that is a crime. The same goes for drugs or anything else.

How is telling you that you have an explanation for everything "name-calling?"

Was it meant as a compliment?

"Theory" is name calling? A bit thinned skinned I'd say. But then, most are when losing an arguement. But hey, don't take it personal. Maybe your way will work. Why not try it in YOUR state/county?

None of this is an argument. It's just more smear.

Immigrants? They will come here, en masse, whether or not the welfare magnet is turned on or off. Have been for years. What difference the reason? They will still come here.

So what? Surely immigration itself isn't the problem. Tell me what is.

I have supported my position with experience.

Then let your position stand on it's own and let others decide for themselves.

You? book-learnin', hearsay, and untried ideas. Apparently your message has fallen on deaf ears. If in fact it is the message of the LP. One percent after 31 years? Progress...

Again, more smear. No refutation of the facts. No argument. The presidential poll results are not the only poll results that matter.

Free sex sure worked in SF. Free medical care sure works at the VA. Free drugs? Let's try it-in your AO.

Huh? If something is subsidized by government then it isn't free.

The "free" medical care at VA hospitals maybe subsidized by government, but it is free to those eligible. No one of intelligence believes that drug addicts living in dumpsters are going to be able to afford their own dope. It will be given to them "free." i.e. subsidized by gov.

Your contention that a "handfull of people are irresponsible" (as a result of drug abuse)is so far out of reality I just cannot believe it! A handfull? Been to the inner city lately? Meth production/use is skyrocketing in rural areas, as previously stated. A "handfull?" Even the poverty pimps and those on the left are aware of the skyrocketing problem.

Let's warp it up Alan. If your statements (well, maybe 70%) aren't THEORY, then please inform this old hillbilly precisely where they have been implimented? What state, county, municipality?

Disclaimer:Please note, I am NOT using the word THEORY to demean you. Webster defines THEORY as "...conjecture, a mere hypothosis,or guess." How you could possibly misconstrue my use of that word to be a personal attack on you is beyond my comprehension. It wasn't/isn't meant to be such.

The "free" medical care at VA hospitals maybe subsidized by government, but it is free to those eligible.

The TV's, stereos, VCR's, furniture, jewelry, liquor, and clothes that people stole during the LA riots was "free" to them as well.

No one...believes that drug addicts...are going to be able to afford their own dope. It will be given to them "free."...by gov.

Not in a Libertarian society.

If your statements...aren't THEORY...precisely where they have been implimented? What state, county, municipality?

The United States, prior to enactment and enforcement of the War on Drugs.

In elections held on March 5, 1933...

Didn't refer to any specific election, just mocking the failed logic of statist, authoritarian, anti-liberty type people equating popular vote with right and wrong. I'll pick a better example next time, seeing as how it confused you so much.

As a member of the NRA, are you not aware Bob Barr is a DIRECTOR of the NRA? Are you unwilling to support one of your own for such a nebulous concept as "free or legalized drugs?"

I am aware he's on the board... don't care. I'm a member of the NRA because it supports my 2nd Amendment rights. Disagree with them on a lot of issues. Ain't trying to get barr off the NRA board, just want his anti-freedom self out of congress.

Not being a politician, I have the freedom to be uncompromising in my support of individual liberty, and because of that support, I must wish political ill for the bobbarrs of the world. As is often the case, the republican barr is probably more of a threat to my liberty than the average dem, because he thinks his personal beliefs are in line with the Constitution, and they ain't. Dems know they're socialists and marxists and they're pretty content with just stealing 50% of my paycheck... 'pubbies take that 50%, tell you they'll get that down to 49.5% if you vote for 'em, & then want to tell you how to live!

Ain't gonna happen. Not in your life time, nor mine.

Sure sign of a narrow, closed mind... I don't agree with it, so it can never happen... you have found a good home in the republicrat party!

Perhaps time to reassess your position as well as your facts?

I'm ALWAYS reassessing my position. Started adulthood a dem, supported 'pubs until I realized they were just another wing of a single party (who's more conservative... Sam Nunn(D) or Elizabeth Dole(R)?), and have been very happy with the Libertarians since I found out about 'em (and joined 'em) in '96.

Lastly, how about waiting for me to post some facts before you critisize my post's lack thereof.

Always pleased to hear from a fellow NRA member. Especially one so versed in history. You did in fact refer to a specific election. In post # 118 you state "...the fact that der Furher got 90% of the votes..." Are you unaware he only stood for election ONCE? What other election but the one of 1933 could you possibly be referring to?

Don't believe me? Perhaps I should have continued with the next paragraph from the afore cited text. "Hitler-afraid the public might oust him-did not plan to hold more elections. He wanted to prevent any other challenges. On 23 March 1933, parliament voted to give him emergency powers under the Constitution. There were no more elections in Germany until after World War 2."

If someone is taking 50% from your paycheck, perhaps you are having garnishments taken out? Better check with your paymaster.

Guess you know more about Bob Barr than does the NRA/GOA/ACU (Barr is rated 98%) as well as the GA. Militia. Gee, me thinks your talents are being wasted!

You cite Liddy Dole as a sign of Republican weakness, and she is. I'll cite Redpath of VA as a sign of Libertarian weakness.

As to your your demeaning remarks? Always enjoy conversing with someone with a sense of humor. Perhaps someday I'll be able to?

So in other words Veterans are akin to looters? We enjoy such great FREE health care. Are you likening those coming home from Afghanistan as akin to street rioters/thugs? Want some FREE health care? Next time I go to VA you come with me. Heard about the nurse just arrested for murdering up to FORTY veterans at Columbia,MO VAH? Heard about the maggots found in the dead patient at KC VAH? Heard about the maggots found in a LIVING patient at Columbia VAH? Check in time is 8AM. Be there...

Again, to compare present day America to days gone by may be interesting, but not practical. To compare drugs of the past to today's drugs is to demonstrate zero knowledge of same. We are talking current day here. And I did say "implemented." Please re-read my statement. Prior to WOD the statutes re:drugs were virtually non-existant. I asked where your statements, if not THEORY, were IMPLEMENTED?

In a previous post you essentially asked why someone would continue to make hootch when they could buy it in a store? Why? For the same reason I make home made wine when I could buy wine in a store. It's BETTER!!!!!!

___________

In an area related to this, but not part of discussion, just added for your info-during WW2 many farmers in this area put "corn squeezins" in their tractors. Roughly 10-20% mix to gas. Why? Gas rationing. Sort of the precursor of gasahol/ethanol,etc. Different refining methods of course. HOPEFULLY!

Ever tried EVERCLEAR? Probably closest thing on legal market to "shine," "moonshine," "hootch," etc.

...Veterans are akin to looters?

Veterans who sustain injury while defending this country should have access to medical care (as a condition of their enlistment) in private hostpitals which have won government contracts through the competitive bidding process. The costs should come out of the defense budget.

Heard about the nurse just arrested for murdering up to FORTY veterans at Columbia,MO VAH? Heard about the maggots found in the dead patient at KC VAH? Heard about the maggots found in a LIVING patient at Columbia VAH?

What, you actually expect a government run hostpital to function properly? Since when has any government program delivered on its promises? Where is the accountability? Who is responsible? Who is held to answer for the failures? Where is the incentive to improve product and service or lose business to a competitor?

...to compare present day America to days gone by may be interesting, but not practical. To compare drugs of the past to today's drugs is to demonstrate zero knowledge of same. We are talking current day here...

Ok, let's talk about the present. When did cocaine, crack, and Extacy begin to appear on the market in massive quantities? Was it before or after the WOD?

And I did say "implemented." Please re-read my statement. Prior to WOD the statutes re:drugs were virtually non-existant. I asked where your statements, if not THEORY, were IMPLEMENTED?

That's like asking me to identify where free-market capitalism was implemented to prove to you that it works. How does one implement free-market capitalism? You can repeal laws which stifle it. But, that isn't implementing it. So, I did answer your question. Prior to the WOD there was no gang warfare over drug turf, no drive-by shootings, no drug pushers on playgrounds, no massive government surveillance, no midnight raids by SWAT teams, no asset forfeiture, no overcrowded prisons, and no epidemic of drug abuse.

...you...asked why someone would...make hootch when they could buy it in a store?...the same reason I make home made wine when I could buy wine in a store. It's BETTER!!!

That's great. How is that a crime?

Ever tried EVERCLEAR? Probably closest thing on legal market to "shine," "moonshine," "hootch," etc.

I don't consume anything alcoholic because it causes lethargy.

As I said, didn't refer to a specific election (hitler ran for president twice in 1932...National elections of March 13, 1932 and runoff against Hindenburg, April 10, 1932. He lost both elections, which shows that I wasn't refering to a specific election... perhaps you've confused the year he was appointed chancellor (1933) with the election year (1932).

Don't believe me?

Nope

If someone is taking 50% from your paycheck, perhaps you are having garnishments taken out? Better check with your paymaster.

No garnishments, thanks for asking... refering to total amount of my pay extorted by gov't. Income, sales, property taxes etc, cost of compliance and regulation... probably good bit higher than 50%.

Guess you know more about Bob Barr than does the NRA/GOA/ACU (Barr is rated 98%)...

Didn't say that... don't know his shoe size, favorite food, etc. Don't care, either. Know enough about him to know he's an enemy of individual liberty.

I'll cite Redpath of VA as a sign of Libertarian weakness.

Not familiar with him and you have no credibility with me, so I'll pass on this one.

As to your your demeaning remarks? Always enjoy conversing with someone with a sense of humor. Perhaps someday I'll be able to?

I hurt your little feelings with the truth, you and millions like you are turning the place I live in into a fascist, marxist police state (everything not forbidden is mandatory). Who hurts who worse?

If I have confused it, apparently so has JPFO, as that was the source I cited. Unlike you, which cited NO source. And we were talking elections-not appointments. Give Zelman a call. He has written books on the subject. If he is wrong, then I am wrong.

Your a Libertarian, yet you have never heard of Redpath? And I have no credibility?

Where did I say anything about you hurting my feelings? You are incapable ot that.

Me a Marxist? How absurd.

If you don't like the country? MOVE!

Where/when did I say making wine was a crime?

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? You claim drug problems arose as a result of WOD? Why would there have been a WOD declared if the problem was non-existant? Are you saying it is WOD and not the actual drugs that are causing the problem?

Again, you are skirting my Q. Are you and attorney? Very evasive. I asked where YOUR statements/theory were implemented.Not talking free-market capitalism. Asking about your statements/theory on drugs.

I'll accept your revision/refinement of your original remarks re:Veterans. No problem. Actually, we are pretty close together on it. My medical care in Army Hospital? Excellant. VAH? I'd rather withhold comment...of course I have had a couple of bad experiences in civilian hospitals, but one has redress there.

Alcohol causes lethary but drugs don't?

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.