Libertarian blog comes out against "Top Two" voting

A Libertarian Party blog post came out against a "Top-Two" primary ballot initiative in Florida.

The plan would move the top two vote-getters in what is effectively an open primary to the general election.  No matter what party the top two candidates belong to, they will advance to the general election and would be the only two candidates on the General Election ballot.

The blog post says the practice, "severely damages the chances for alternative parties and independents to participate in the general election, except where seats are uncontested."

Currently, California and Washington have "Top Two" elections. 

Source:http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/florida-ballot-initiative-for-two-only-general-elections-begins-to-circulate

Mississippi Libertarian to run for Lt. Governor

The Mississippi Libertarian Party will have one statewide candidate in the 2015 Mississippi General Election.  Ron Williams will be running for Lieutenant Governor.

The party will have three candidates running for the legislature, two candidates for Senate and one candidate for House.  The Mississippi Libertarians will also have five local level candidates.

In a news release state party chair Mario Barnes said, "We are running 8 candidates this year for various positions... This is more than double our previous high mark.  It is commensurate with the growth the MSLP is seeing in membership, participation and influence." 

Source:http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/mississippi-lp-running-eight-candidates-this-november

Bob Barr backs Gitmo move…

2008 Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr is backing the move of Guantanamo Bay prisoners to a prison in Illinois. Jordan Fabian writes on TheHill.com that Barr signed on to a letter with American Conservative Union founder David Keene and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist saying the move makes sense.

The letter includes, “The scaremongering about (an increased terror threat) should stop… It makes sense for the community, which will benefit from the related employment and has absolutely no reason to fear that prisoners will escape or be released into their communities… But most of all it makes sense for America because it is a critical link in the process of closing Guantanamo and getting this country back to using its tried and true, constitutionally sound institutions.”

SOURCE:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/67913-three-conservative-leaders-back-gitmo-prisoner-transfer-plan

Colorado Congressional candidate to announce candidacy on Twitter…

Colorado Congressional candidate Rob McNealy will announce his candidacy on Twitter. McNealy will run for the 6th Congressional District in Colorado on the Libertarian Party ticket. Representative Mike Coffman was first elected to the seat in 2008. This is the seat vacated by former Representative Tom Tancredo as he ran for President.

A news release from the Colorado Libertarians says, “Aurora community activist, entrepreneur, and social media expert Rob McNealy, will announce his candidacy for Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, live on the social media platform Twitter, during a launch ceremony that will be held at the South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on December 3rd at 6:30 PM.”

McNealy has more than 140,000 followers on Twitter and that is why the announcement will be made on Twitter. McNealy was quoted saying, “I have a great community on Twitter, and I thought they should be the first to know.”

SOURCE:

http://lpcolorado.blogs.com/lpcolorado/2009/11/rob-mcnealy-announces-candidacy-for-us-congressional-district-6-via-twitter.html

Lou Dobbs for President?

Lou Dobbs for President? The CNN commentator left the cable broadcast network “to pursue new opportunities”. The Thirds wonders is that new “opportunity” a run for President as a Third Party candidate.

In saying goodbye to television the Dobbs message sure sounded like a speech that many people make when getting into a political race. He spoke of his accomplishments, “I'm the last of the original anchors here on CNN, and I'm proud to have had the privilege of helping to build the world's first news network.”

But then he talks of something bigger than himself, “Over the past six months, it's become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and affecting all of us.”

Then he follows by saying what he will do is not a personal call, but a call from others. Dobbs said, “…some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving, as well as to contribute positively to a better understanding of the great issues of our day.”

He then sets-up the important issues of this time in American history and his possible campaign, “I truly believe that the major issues of our time include the growth of our middle class, the creation of more jobs, health care, immigration policy, the environment, climate change, and our military involvement, of course, in Afghanistan and Iraq…. our now weakened capitalist economy… the lack of true representation in Washington, D.C.”

He says what is wrong in Washington and why the issues previously mentioned need to be fixed, “these issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion.”

So what is he going to do next? Dobbs told the audience, “I'll be working diligently… the important work of restoring inspiration to our great free society and our market economy, I will strive as well to be a leader in that national conversation.”

Of course we are not making any ground breaking statements by saying that Dobbs could be a presidential contender. There are two websites “loudobbs4president.com” and “loudobbsforpresident.org” that have been encouraging a Dobbs run for President.

With the political landscape skewed to the Democrats and Republicans it might take three years to get ballot access in a number of states to make a Third Party presidential run truly viable. This ballot access issues has been mentioned a number of time by possible Third Party candidates such as Jesse Ventura. Dobbs can also start his run for President with a solid base from the websites asking him to run, plus many Tea Party members would support a fiscally conservative third party option.

Would Dobbs be interested to run on the Constitution Party or Libertarian Party party-line to get a jump start on ballot access or would he look to be more independent than that? We’ll have to wait and see.

Now to de-bunk the theory completely there has been some talk that Dobbs could bolt to Fox Business Channel. But, a spokesman for Fox Business says there has been no talks between Dobbs and Fox Business.

SOURCE:

http://www.loudobbsforpresident.org/

http://loudobbs4president.com/

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/11/lou.dobbs.statement/

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/11/lou.dobbs.leaving/index.html

Libertarian Executive Director asking for “Friends of Liberty” to run for office…

Libertarian National Committee Executive Director Wes Benedict wrote and open letter address to “Dear Friend of Liberty.” The letter started with Benedict asking for people to, “run for office”.

Benedict said he is getting many e-mails asking how to run for office. So, he’s sending an open letter explaining how to run. Simply Benedict is asking people to head to this website, http://www.lp.org/run-for-office , contact the state party, and then file with the state.

Benedict say in the letter, “If there's a race you can win, run for that office.”

Here is Benedict’s general plan. He is asking for people to run for office in small jurisdictions, “where it takes less than 1,000 votes to win”. He continues to say if people live in major cities where there are not very many small vote races he is encouraging people to run for Congress.

The Congressional races can generate publicity for the Libertarian Party. He also ads, “(a Congressional run puts candidates) in place in case a major backlash erupts against the Republicans and Democrats.”

SOURCE:

http://www.lp.org/blogs/staff/lp-monday-message-heres-how-to-run-for-office

Libertarian to make official announcement for Iowa Governor…

Libertarian to make official announcement for Iowa Governor on Wednesday, November 11. A news release from the Eric Cooper for Governor campaign says Eric Cooper of Ames and Nick Weltha of Des Moines have filed papers to form an exploratory committee for Governor and Lt. Governor of Iowa.

Cooper, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Iowa State University, said in the release, “We think that our candidacy will provide an alternative to the major parties for Iowa citizens who want a smaller government.”

But a win is not their real goal. Cooper said, “Our goal in this election is to get at least 2% of the vote which would give the Libertarian Party major party status under Iowa law. We also hope to draw enough support away from the major parties to encourage them to poach our issues in order to steal our voters.”

The issues are: the legalization of marijuana in Iowa, greater school choice, and repealing the Iowa fireworks ban.

SOURCE:

http://www.coopersmallergovernment.com/nov-3-press-release

The attack on cigarettes begins…

The attack on cigarettes begins according to 2008 Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr. Barr writes on his blog for the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the The Food and Drug Administration is trying to ban clove cigarettes.

Barr writes, “…if someone enjoys the taste of burning cloves and wants to smoke a cigarette containing the substance, what the heck — it’s fine with me. Well, it’s apparently not fine with the freedom-loving folks at the FDA, and they recently banned clove cigarettes.”

Barr wraps-up saying other tobacco better watch out their favorite product may be gone, “This clearly is an agency flexing its regulatory muscles, and is on the prowl for new and bigger game to bag.”

SOURCE:

http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2009/11/06/fda-begins-its-move-against-cigarettes/?cxntfid=blogs_bob_barr_blog

Libertarian Congressional candidate shot multiple times by police…

Libertarian Congressional candidate shot multiple times by police in Nevada. Antonio Planas writes on LVJR.com, “The man who was shot multiple times this week while fleeing from a Las Vegas police officer in the northwest valley is Raymond J. Duensing.”

The report says Duensing was shot several times in the arm and torso and tased as well. The shooting happened after what police called “a routine traffic stop”.

Planas said it appears Duensing is the same man that ran for Congress in 2008 versus Democratic Representative Shelley Berkley. Duensing won 4,511 votes or 2% of the votes cast in the race. Representative Berkley easily cruised to re-election in 2008 with 68% of the vote.

Duensing was listed in critical condition, but is expected to survive.

SOURCE:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/identity-of-man-shot-by-lv-police-revealed-67906552.html

Libertarian for Iowa Governor launches website…

Libertarian for Iowa Governor launches website at coopersmallergovernment.com. Eric Cooper and Nick Weltha are running for Iowa Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Their website touches on a number of issues including: Education, Smoking Ban, Gay Marriage, Cigarette Tax, Fireworks Ban, Drugs, and Attracting People to Iowa.

SOURCE:

http://www.coopersmallergovernment.com/

What are the top ten political party logos?

What are the top ten political party logos? LogoDesignWorks.com figured it out.

The results:

1. Democratic Party Logo Design

2. Republican Party Logo Design

3. Libertarian Party Logo Design

4. Green Party Logo Design

5. Constitution Party Logo Design

6. Socialist Party USA Logo Design

7. Social Democrats USA Logo Design

8. Modern Whig Party Logo Design

9. America First Party Logo Design

10. The Independence Party of America Logo Design

SOURCE:

http://www.logodesignworks.com/blog/top-10-usa-political-party-logos

Ballot access battle could go to NC Supreme court…

An associated press article posted on WBTV.com says North Carolina’s strict ballot access rules may be challenged in the state’s supreme court.

Lawyers for the Libertarian and Green parties lost the appeal. But the article reads, “A lawsuit challenging requirements for third parties to get on North Carolina ballots likely will be heard again after a split decision by the state Court of Appeals… The 2-1 decision means the state Supreme Court would take the case if attorneys for the Libertarian and Green parties asked them to do so.”

The parties in North Carolina have to collect nearly 70,000 signatures to get on the ballot. If a candidate failed to receive 2% of the vote, the petition process starts over again.

SOURCE:

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11345243

Professor to run for Iowa Governor…

A professor to run for Iowa Governor according AmesNewsOnline.com. An article written by Mike Malloy says, “Eric Cooper, an Iowa State University associate professor in psychology and neuroscience, will run for governor next fall as a Libertarian.”

Maybe we can call Malloy an honest politician, in the second paragraph of the article Malloy says, “I’m not going to win.”

Malloy says his goal is to finish third and receiving at least two percent of the vote. If Malloy can accomplish that, the Libertarian Party would not have to petition or get signatures to be on the ballot in future elections.

Being idealist Cooper said, “If a third party can on a regular basis get a fairly substantial percentage of the vote, it tempts the major parties to start poaching their issues to get their voters. That’s what I hope happens with us.”

Cooper has run for office before, and has lost every time. Last year he received 20.5% of the vote against Democratic state representative Lisa Heddens. In that race there was no Republican candidate. In three-way Cooper has not topped the 4% mark.

Iowa’s last gubernatorial election, the Libertarian candidate received less than one percent of the vote and finish in fourth place.

SOURCE:

http://amesnewsonline.com/category/news/isu/iowa-state-professor-run-governor

Connecticut newspaper gives a lot of time to independents & third parties…

Connecticut newspaper gives a lot of time to independents & third parties. The Greenwich Time gave writer Frank Juilano a lot column inches to breakdown the independents and third parties in Connecticut.

The article at least once (many in the last paragraph) mentioned every registered third party in Connecticut.

SOURCE:

http://www.greenwichtime.com/ci_13428868

Libertarian gets notice in Massachusetts Senate race…

Libertarian gets notice in Massachusetts Senate race, mostly because of his name. An article posted on BostonHearld.com gives six paragraphs to Independent Senate Candidate Joe Kennedy.

Kennedy, who is not related to the late-Senator, is getting attention because of his name.

The article describes Kennedy as, “…the choice for voters fed up with wealthy Democrats and Republicans fighting with each other, while ignoring the common folk who put them in power.”

SOURCE:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20090928new_hopeful_for_ted_kennedys_seat_has_right_name_for_job/

Palin For President, as a Libertarian?

Palin For President, as a Libertarian? It is the topic of a column by Phil Manger on NolanChart.com.

The last part of first paragraph sums-up the article, “we libertarians — at long last — may have found in former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin a Presidential candidate who is both acceptable and electable.”

Manger’s arguments of Palin include: She resonates with Middle Americans, She is libertarian on the issues that matter most, People pay attention to what she says, Palin is a true "Teflon candidate", Ron Paul is not available.

He sees a few faults in Palin including: She's a little too close to the neocons, I'm not sure of her views on civil liberties, Palin may not want to be President.

Manger wraps-up saying Sarah Palin’s husband Todd being a member a former member of the Alaskan Independence Party could be favorable for a Libertarian run.

SOURCE:

http://www.nolanchart.com/article6905.html

A Kennedy running to replace Ted Kennedy…

A Kennedy running to replace Ted Kennedy, Joe Kennedy is running. No, he’s not that Joe Kennedy.

Candidate Kennedy writes on his website, “I claim no relation to the family or relatives of President John F. Kennedy.” He continues, “Only with Joseph P Kennedy's validation that he is not going to run would I even consider my own candidacy for office.”

So, is this Kennedy a liberal? No. He said, “you will find that my views are closely aligned with the Libertarian party.” Kennedy is running for the office as an Independent candidate.

SOURCE:

http://joekennedyforsenate.com/

“Dr. Abolish” for Senate…

“Dr. Abolish” for Senate… is the call of Michael Beitler. He’s running for Senate in 2010 from North Carolina, seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination.

In a news release Beitler said, “The time has come to abolish entire Federal programs and agencies.” Because of his stand on abolishing programs and agencies, he wants to be known as “Dr. Abolish” in the Senate.

SOURCE:

http://www.carolinapoliticsonline.com/?p=7990

Libertarians get a new Executive Director …

Libertarians get a new Executive Director … in Wes Benedict.

Libertarian Director of Communications Donny Ferguson, blogged about Benedict on July 8th, 2008. Ferguson wrote, “(Wes) Benedict begins his service July 17 at the LNC's quarterly meeting in St. Louis, Missouri and will then move directly to the Party's Washington, D.C. headquarters.”

Benedict was the Libertarian Party of Texas Executive Director from 2004 to 2008. He is also a former member of the Libertarian National Committee.

The Thirds last wrote about Benedict when he volunteered to help get more Libertarians on the West Virginia ballot.

SORUCE:

http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/wes-benedict-named-executive-director

http://the-thirds.blogspot.com/2009/06/west-virginia-getting-help-from-texas.html

Third Party Independence Day messages…

ALASKA INDEPENDENCE PARTY: No message published on their website.

THE AMERICA FIRST PARTY: No message published on their website.

AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE PARTY: No message published on their website.

AMERICAN PATRIOT PARTY: No message published on their website.

THE BOSTON TEA PARTY: A short note on their website give a few stances on committee resolutions including, “supporting self-determination for Puerto Rico… (endorsements of) John Wayne Smith for Governor of Florida, 2010…. Adam Kokesh for Congress, New Mexico's 3rd district…” The note continues, “Membership on this site has grown to 1,423...”

CENTERIST PARTY: No message published on their website.

CONSTITUTION PARTY: A message from Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party 2008 Presidential Candidate, on the Party’s website says, “…it behooves us to recall the principles of America’s founding… If the United States is going to maintain its independence and freedom much beyond the year 2010, it will only be because millions of freedom-loving Americans (and the governments of the States in which they reside) are willing to fight for it…. There is no freedom without independence, and there is no independence without eternal vigilance.”

COMMUNIST PARTY USA: No message published on their website.

GREEN PARTY: No message published on their website.

INDEPENDENCE PARTY OF AMERICA: No message published on their website.

INDEPENDENT AMERICAN PARTY: Has a link to Ron Paul’s message on the Fourth of July. The page also has a ‘Prayer Alert’ reading, “Please read and ponder on the truths contained in the Declaration… This president has worn out his welcome exceptionally fast and Congress is beginning to balk at what he wants done… let us make it a matter of prayer that the forces of Freedom will be strengthened nationally and that the enemies of Freedom will be stymied…”

JEFFERSON REPUBLICAN PARTY: No message published on their blog.

LIBERTARIAN PARTY: No specific Independence Day message. There was a post regarding July 4th Tea Parties. On July 3rd, Libertarian Party Director of Communications, Donny Ferguson, blogged about a Washington Time editorial on the July 4th tea party movement. The editorial says in part, “The tea party movement has become more than a one-time tax protest.”

INDEPENDCENCE PARTY OF MINNESOTA: No message published on their website.

MODERN WHIG PARTY: A July 3rd message on their blog reads, “…the Modern Whig Party has so far attracted about 27,000 members… there are a number of projects and endeavors underway as we continue to build this movement…. we wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.”

NEW UNION PARTY: No message published on their website.

PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION: No message published on their website.

PERSONAL CHOICE PARTY: No message published on their website.

PROHIBITION PARTY: No message published on their website.

REFORM PARTY: No message published on their website.

SOCIALIST PARTY USA: No message published on their website.

VERMONT PROGESSIVE PARTY: No message published on their website.

WORLD SOCIALIST PARTY: No message published on their website.

WORKERS PARTY: No message published on their website.

WORKERS WORLD PARTY: No message published on their website.

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY: No message published on their website.

SOURCES:

http://www.constitutionparty.com/news.php?aid=993

http://modernwhigparty.blogspot.com/2009/07/independence-day-message.html

http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/washington-times-despite-obamas-wishes-tea-party-movement-not-going-away

http://www.usiap.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eibxKQULwWc

http://www.bostontea.us/node/545