Libertarian Party growing?

[adam]

I have noticed that their candidates are appearing in many Gubernatorial and Congressional races, as well as gaining more media attention. They have candidates all over the country that are polling unusually well for being on a third party line, it seems as though they have really started growing since their platform reform. Any thoughts?

[Alcon]

Third parties all poll better than they perform.  Look at Rasmussen's 2004 polling for the LP.

[Gabu]

Wake me when they actually win a race.  That, fundamentally, is the ultimate hurdle that any third party must overcome, and the Libertarian Party has yet to accomplish it (or even to come close to accomplishing it in most cases).

[Alcon]

Wake me when they actually win a race.  That, fundamentally, is the ultimate hurdle that any third party must overcome, and the Libertarian Party has yet to accomplish it (or even to come close to accomplishing it in most cases).

COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA UTILITY DISTRICT #7 POSITION #2 IS A DIGNIFIED OFFICE

[Sam Spade]

Third parties all poll better than they perform.  Look at Rasmussen's 2004 polling for the LP.

The fact that the Libertarians were paying for those polls certainly helped their poll performance.

[RJ]

*IF* Libertarians actually follow the Libertarian agenda, they'd have my vote. I'll admit I'd have to do more research on Libertarian candidates to know for sure.

One problem I have is many people claim to be Libertarian and have absolutely no idea what it means. I've heard Bush supporters who claim they're Libertarians. That's like being a socialist Republican. To show what a farce Neil Bortz is, he claims he's Libertarian.

[Dr. Cynic]

Well, I think that had the moderate Pro-Clark faction stayed in power, then the party would do better than it does.

[MaC]

I have noticed that their candidates are appearing in many Gubernatorial and Congressional races, as well as gaining more media attention. They have candidates all over the country that are polling unusually well for being on a third party line, it seems as though they have really started growing since their platform reform. Any thoughts?

don't give me any false hopes unless you can provide data to back it up, plz.

[John Dibble]

I think we're polling well mainly due to dissatisfaction with the other parties and the few polls that include third party candidates will usually include us more than other third parties. I'm hoping that the dissatisfaction will result in a higher number of votes than usual this year, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm just hoping that next time we have a convention that we'll complete our moderation of the LP platform - so if you're a moderate libertarian I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

[NewFederalist]

I don't know the answer... perhaps we'll know better after this election cycle is over. One thing is for sure, they are at least doing the kinds of things real political parties do to attempt to win this year. That is a step forward. Too bad the GOP and Bob Smither could not have worked out some accommodation in DeLay's old district. That could have been interesting.

[MasterJedi]

I think we're polling well mainly due to dissatisfaction with the other parties and the few polls that include third party candidates will usually include us more than other third parties.

Correct, I agree with Dibble here.

[David S]

Wake me when they actually win a race.  That, fundamentally, is the ultimate hurdle that any third party must overcome, and the Libertarian Party has yet to accomplish it (or even to come close to accomplishing it in most cases).

You mean 1% isn't close enough? 

BTW Nice to see you back again.

[MaC]

I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

ah, the moderate "socialized medicine" libertarians.

[John Dibble]

I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

ah, the moderate "socialized medicine" libertarians.

Do you even know what you're talking about? As far as I know the LRC does not advocate socialized medicine.

[MODU]

I wish they were.  Even though I don't agree with some of their key platforms, anything that breaks up the two-party dominated system is a good start.

[MaC]

I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

ah, the moderate "socialized medicine" libertarians.

Do you even know what you're talking about? As far as I know the LRC does not advocate socialized medicine.

I can't find the proposal on the site (mainly because it only has 'recent porposals') but I clearly remember the site with a commentator complining why we don't have socialized medicine-you and A18 had an argument about it.

[Colin]

I'm just hoping that next time we have a convention that we'll complete our moderation of the LP platform - so if you're a moderate libertarian I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

Does that mean I have to give them money? Because I really don't like giving people money.

Anyway this is probably due to dissaffecton from both of the main parties along with Libertarian candidates being the most frequently included third party candidates in polls.

I personally think the best thing the LP could do is completely moderate their platform and become more acceptable to the American people. Second nominate sane, moderate, and experienced candidates for offices like State House and State Senate and try to win elections there first. Build up a pool of candidates through lower offices then focus on national races.

[John Dibble]

I'm just hoping that next time we have a convention that we'll complete our moderation of the LP platform - so if you're a moderate libertarian I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

Does that mean I have to give them money? Because I really don't like giving people money.

You could, but you wouldn't have to. Participation is good enough - write and review platform plank proposals and whatnot. I think they also would like to get members to be delegates for their local/state parties at the convention as that would give them more voting power and influence.

[Colin]

I'm just hoping that next time we have a convention that we'll complete our moderation of the LP platform - so if you're a moderate libertarian I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

Does that mean I have to give them money? Because I really don't like giving people money.

You could, but you wouldn't have to. Participation is good enough - write and review platform plank proposals and whatnot. I think they also would like to get members to be delegates for their local/state parties at the convention as that would give them more voting power and influence.

Well I'm not a member of the Libertarian Party so would that be a problem?

[John Dibble]

I'm just hoping that next time we have a convention that we'll complete our moderation of the LP platform - so if you're a moderate libertarian I ask you to support the Libertarian Reform Caucus.

Does that mean I have to give them money? Because I really don't like giving people money.

You could, but you wouldn't have to. Participation is good enough - write and review platform plank proposals and whatnot. I think they also would like to get members to be delegates for their local/state parties at the convention as that would give them more voting power and influence.

Well I'm not a member of the Libertarian Party so would that be a problem?

I doubt it.

[Alcon]

John, I just want to say that you're everything right with the LP.  You're a pretty steadfast small-l libertarian, which only makes your support for a more moderate LP ever the more promising.

I don't think the LP will probably ever be able to win anything, but I do think they can become a bargaining force and a spoiler, a very important place in politics.