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Libertarians Take 'Spoiler' Role in Close Races
CNSNEWS.com ^ | 6/20/02 | Jason Pierce

Posted on 06/20/2002 10:37:03 PM PDT by kattracks

(CNSNews.com) - The Libertarian Party is determined to unseat five politicians - three Republicans and two Democrats - described as "hopelessly addicted to the war on drugs."

The five incumbents targeted for defeat include Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.); Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Tex.); Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.); Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.); and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.).

In a statement released Thursday, the Libertarian Party said those five lawmakers will find a Libertarian candidate running against them. The idea is to siphon enough votes in a close election to guarantee the incumbents' defeat.

According to the Libertarian Party, the five lawmakers named above were selected because of the number of "pro-drug war" bills they have sponsored.

According to Libertarian Party Political Director Ron Crickenberger, "Especially in the wake of September 11, most Americans oppose using police resources to arrest marijuana smokers."

Many conservatives, however, support the war on drugs. According to White House drug czar John Walters, "The links between the illegal drug trade and acts of terror have been thoroughly documented."

Walters is among the conservatives who believe that new efforts to secure America's borders will reduce the flow of illegal drugs into this country, and also reduce the violence and addiction that come from illegal drugs.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: libertarian; libertarians

1 posted on 06/20/2002 10:37:06 PM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks
Bob Barr must be reelected! Freepers in that area hope you will do all you can to help with his campaign!
2 posted on 06/20/2002 10:39:33 PM PDT by ladyinred
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To: ladyinred
On the other hand, the War On (some) Drugs must end!
3 posted on 06/20/2002 10:42:10 PM PDT by coloradan
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Who you will really hurt in these "spoiler" campaigns is remarkably unpredictable.
4 posted on 06/20/2002 10:42:17 PM PDT by Restorer
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To: *libertarians
.
5 posted on 06/20/2002 10:43:21 PM PDT by Libertarianize the GOP
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To: kattracks
So the Libertarians show their true Gramscian colors. Shocked, I am shocked (that they would be so honest!).
6 posted on 06/20/2002 10:55:41 PM PDT by FormerLib
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To: Restorer
Who you will really hurt in these "spoiler" campaigns is remarkably unpredictable.

Neither is who they will help. But we're all so surprised, aren't we. ;-)

7 posted on 06/20/2002 10:57:03 PM PDT by FormerLib
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To: kattracks
Keeping the country safe for drugs.

Way to go, you profiles in courage!!!

8 posted on 06/20/2002 11:01:59 PM PDT by Deb
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To: kattracks
It's really amazing the lengths drug addicts will go to insure their supply lines aren't interfered with.

9 posted on 06/20/2002 11:07:50 PM PDT by Rightwing Conspiratr1
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To: Restorer
Who you will really hurt in these "spoiler" campaigns is remarkably unpredictable.

Yeah, but you would think that most of the dazed crack-heads, pot-heads, acid freaks, meth addicts, pill-poppers, glue huffers, and other assorted junkies who comprise the base constituency of the Libertarian Party would tend to vote Democrat if they didn't have Libertarian candidates to vote for.

10 posted on 06/20/2002 11:24:17 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard
Yeah, but you would think that most of the dazed crack-heads, pot-heads, acid freaks, meth addicts, pill-poppers, glue huffers, and other assorted junkies who comprise the base constituency of the Libertarian Party would tend to vote Democrat if they didn't have Libertarian candidates to vote for.

Silly comment.

11 posted on 06/21/2002 3:56:51 AM PDT by RJCogburn
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To: RJCogburn
Silly comment.

I know. Just goofin' around. Sorry.

12 posted on 06/21/2002 6:36:36 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: ladyinred
Bob Barr must be reelected! Freepers in that area hope you will do all you can to help with his campaign

Nope, no politician must be reelected. They all need to feel the heat, and if the libertarians can put the screws to them - more power to them. This is what Nader did to the Democrats, and his comment when asked what he though of handing the presidency to a Republican, his comment was "Well now maybe the conservative wing of the Democratic party will pay more attention to the progressive wing." Do you think Nader advanced or hurt his cause? I think he advanced it.

Likewise, if the true conservatives can make examples of some moderates do you think that this will hurt of advance conservatism? When politicians are in danger of losing their sinecure is the only time they pay attention to the people who elected them anyway.

13 posted on 06/21/2002 6:46:39 AM PDT by from occupied ga
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To: kattracks
According to White House drug czar John Walters, "The links between the illegal drug trade and acts of terror have been thoroughly documented."

This guy should be a comedian. Tell me again, John, how is the domestic marijuana trade linked to terrorists? How is the cocaine from South America linked to terrorists? Do you find it odd, John, that Europe is the largest importer of Middle Eastern heroine, the only drug produced by terrorist groups? How is again that Americans who "use drugs" support terrorists when heroine is not one of the top five most widely used drugs in America?

This guy is as much a pathaloigical liars as Klinton was.

14 posted on 06/21/2002 6:51:36 AM PDT by FreeTally
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To: ladyinred
Bob Barr must be reelected! Freepers in that area hope you will do all you can to help with his campaign!

The Libertarian Party has shown that drugs are more important to them than 2nd Amendment rights by targetting Barr.

15 posted on 06/21/2002 6:56:06 AM PDT by Hacksaw
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To: FormerLib
That's the second time in a month that I've read someone comparing libertarians to Gramsci. (or calling them gramscian)

There are some valid criticisms of the Libertarian party. Inferring that libertarians are communists of the gramscian ilk is not a valid criticism however.

16 posted on 06/21/2002 7:08:23 AM PDT by Durus
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To: Hacksaw
The Libertarian Party has shown that drugs are more important to them than 2nd Amendment rights by targetting Barr.

The WOD is one of the biggest threats to 2nd Amendment rights, as it has been used as part of the justification for most recent gun laws and bans. But you knew that. Don't let the facts get in the way of your libertarian bashing.

Bob Barr may be one of the biggest supporters of the 2nd Amendment, but when he says that someone who smokes pot should have their gun taken from them and be imprisoned, he can go to hell.

17 posted on 06/21/2002 7:31:16 AM PDT by FreeTally
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To: Durus
There are some valid criticisms of the Libertarian party. Inferring that libertarians are communists of the gramscian ilk is not a valid criticism however.

The libertarian bashers know that. A simple read of the Libertarian platform(which all points are not agree upon by libertarians or Libertarians) would reveal to even the most ignorant person that libertarian philosophy is at different ends of the political spectrum than socialism and comunism. The libertarian bashers are just like the gun grabbers - make up lies, keep telling them and hope people believe them.

18 posted on 06/21/2002 7:35:05 AM PDT by FreeTally
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To: Durus
Inferring that libertarians are communists of the gramscian ilk is not a valid criticism however.

Libertarians clearly have rejected Gramsci's economic views (their failure in the real world is proof enough to any reasonably intelligent sort). However, they have completely embraced the moral outlook of Gramsci.

19 posted on 06/21/2002 10:26:52 AM PDT by FormerLib
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