The Libertarian Party has just nominated successful, two-term governors with reputations as being fiscally conservative, socially liberal, to be its presidential and vice-presidential candidates. With former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico at the head of the ticket, and former Gov. William Weld of Massachusetts in the vice presidential slot, the LP is in a position where it could, perhaps, become a force to be reckoned with.
Many disaffected Republicans can’t stomach the idea of voting for Trump, and a few Bernie supporters can’t stomach the idea of voting for Hillary (and some of them, especially the college kids, were never actually socialists but liked Sanders’ views on pot and could similarly be attracted to Johnson’s long-standing opposition to the drug war).
The Johnson-Weld ticket supports marriage equality. And, in a recent Facebook post, Johnson takes the position that under anti-discrimination laws a private business can’t discriminate against who it will serve, but “anti-discrimination laws do not, and cannot, abridge fundamental First Amendment rights.” I agree with that.
Many had hoped that the GOP would nominate a socially moderate former governor willing to put the party’s anti-LGBT culture-war past aside and move on, while stressing a commitment to fiscal responsibility and to limiting government over-reach. That, obviously, didn’t happen. So this year, in particular, the LP represents an alternative that’s worth considering.
While you can’t expect to get everything you want from candidates running for the highest offices in the land, the Johnson-Weld ticket comes pretty darn close.
14 Comments for “A Libertarian Moment”
posted by Tom Scharbach on
I guess I’ll wait, watch, and see if Republican-aligned “libertarians”, who have heretofore cuddled up to the anti-equality, fiscally irresponsible, authoritarian, anti-immigrant, pro-interventionist party, vote Libertarian this election cycle. It should have happened years ago. The Republican Party has been intellectually bankrupt for a long time.
posted by Houndentenor on
If libertarians are ever going to get any national traction, this is the ticket and this is the year. We’ll see what happens.
posted by Lori Heine on
It will, indeed, be interesting. I sometimes think that the LP should run an infomercial, somewhat akin to a segment of Sesame Street.
“You can count to two, can’t you? One…two. One banana…two bananas. One pretty red ball…two pretty red balls. Well, now let’s see if you can count to three. THREE! Three bananas…three pretty red balls…you can do it! We know you can!”
Libertarianism is a third thing. That can’t be too hard. It’s neither right nor left. It’s neither Republican nor Democrat. If we got the Count, or Cookie Monster, or Bert and Ernie, perhaps they could sing a catchy little song to help the voters understand.
I am watching to see how this election plays out. I will make popcorn. I’ll also sock in a good supply of Pepto-Bismol.
posted by TJ on
The UK Green party did run a TV ad with fueding kids – reprwesenting the parties
posted by Tom Scharbach on
The Johnson-Weld ticket supports marriage equality. And, in a recent Facebook post, Johnson takes the position that under anti-discrimination laws a private business can’t discriminate against who it will serve, but “anti-discrimination laws do not, and cannot, abridge fundamental First Amendment rights.” I agree with that.
You may agree with that, Stephen, but you are careful not to express it except in the case of “fundamental First Amendment rights” for conservative Christians opposing same-sex marriage.
Now that you are considering moving over to the Libertarian Party, perhaps you can broaden your views a bit, and express support for “fundamental First Amendment rights” for citizens opposing inter-racial marriage, inter-denominational marriage, inter-religious marriage, remarriage after divorce, and so on. And then, if you can cross that threshold, you might find yourself open to broadening your horizons beyond anti-discrimination laws, and express your support for religious objection to all laws (e.g. the Sherbert/Yoder test). And if you can find your way to that point, maybe you will find it in yourself to consider supporting conscientious objection that is not religion-based.
If you can get to that point, you’ll be where I am, and where lots of other Americans who take freedom of conscience seriously line up.
I am not a libertarian, and I am not affiliated with the Libertarian Party. But I have a good friend who is, and he is concerned about the effects that an influx of “disaffected Republicans” coming over to the party this election cycle, inflicting variants of the Republican disease on the libertarians and the Libertarian Party. His views are echoed by this op-ed in the Washington Post, written a few days ago by a staffer at CATO.
So a caution to you: Do not assume that the Libertarian Party is a convenient, watered-down variant of the Republican Party, a haven for those of you who are Republicans at heart but find it convenient to label yourselves “libertarian”, and do not try to make remake the Libertarian Party in the Republican image. The last thing that this country needs is another Republican Party under different branding.
The Libertarian Party is a choice, not an echo. And should remain so.
posted by Tom Jefferson III on
The Libertarian party has, at least, nominated people who have won major, elected office.
It will be interesting to see; their campaign strategy/funding, how many States will let them on the ballot and how they impact the two major candidates .
posted by Tom Scharbach on
It will be interesting to see …, how many States will let them on the ballot …
The Libertarian Party is on the ballot in all 50 states.
posted by Craig Howell on
And the District of Columbia.
posted by Kosh III on
No they are not.
Here in TN they can only be listed as “Independent” and not as Libertarian.
According to the Party website they are on the ballot in 32 states and hoping to increase that by Nov.
Here they need 35,000 signatures on a petition to get on the ballot. This is double the votes the LP got in 2012. Ain’t gonna happen.
posted by Tom Scharbach on
Kosh, I should have been more precise, I guess.
In the 2012 general election, Libertarian Party presidential and vice presidential candidates were on the ballot in all 50 states. That was also true in the 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Don’t jump to conclusions about Tennessee. I’m not a betting man, but I’d be surprised if Gary Johnson and William Weld weren’t on the ballot.
posted by TJ on
really. several states have very tough rules?
posted by Lori Heine on
The LP national convention was funny. The human comedy was wondrous to behold. Social conservative Tea Party types have their undies all in a bunch because of the presence of people like Starchild and Vermin Supreme.
They don’t understand satire. They don’t recognize that this was sort of a middle finger to social conservatives who think they can invade the liberty movement and hijack it for their own purposes.
The convention was crazy. Probably even more so than usual. I have friends who attended, and they report that it’s been great fun. The pretenders are clutching their pearls and fainting all over the place. That’s even more fun.
posted by Tom Jefferson III on
Bernie Sanders is appealing to capitalist minded youth for many reasons. Not just pot and kettle. He has a long record talking about issues that often get sidelined or reduced to sound bytes.
If Ralph Nader (not a socialist) had run in the Democratic primary in 2000 or 2004, he prob have had a similar impact.
posted by Kosh III on
“A few Bernie supporters…especially the college kids…could similarly be attracted to Johnson”
Not to worry. In most GOP states the Legislature has acted to keep college students from voting. E.g. here an ID with face picture issued by a STATE college is NOT a valid ID for voting. But an non-face picture gun permit is valid ID for voting. SMH