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Poll: Should we be helping LP and CP candidates get ballot access?
Posted May 12th, 2008 by dCarr
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Questions:
1. If a candidate is basically in agreement with Ron Paul, but in the LP or CP should we help them get ballot access?
2. What if they are running for president (assuming that they would step out if Ron Paul got the Republican nomination)
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What you need to do is ask
What you need to do is ask yourself a simple question:
Are you loyal to your political party or are you loyal to your country?
In my opinion, I'd say go with principle and integrity.
The LP people in Indiana dissed Ron Paul until...
they ran their losing races for this and that then they wanted to be part of the RP meetups to get votes and money. LP and CP waste of time.
I always challenge blind
I always challenge blind believers in the status-quo with the question: "Why is competition supposed to good everywhere EXCEPT in politics? Why can we choose from 200 different breakfast cereals, but only 2 political parties?"
Watch the sheep blink and furrow their brows in response.
When I've posted about Chuck Baldwin,
I get booed. I heard Ron Paul say he hoped someone stepped up to run as a third party candidate under the same principles, but his supporters want a write-in campaign.
Ron Paul has promised not to run 3rd party.
So far I've only seen Ron
So far I've only seen Ron Paul mention that he "has no intention" of running 3rd party, or that he's not planning for that. I've never heard him promise not to do so.
Regarding Chuck Baldwin, he was on the front lines campaigning for and speaking on behalf of Ron Paul. This guy is a BIG Ron Paul supporter who just so happens to also be a Presidential candidate. I believe it is quite likely that Baldwin will be endorsed by Ron Paul if RP steps out of the race.
Yes to both
Both major parties control almost all political offices currently so they can get away with the status quo. If any other party gets into to an office and does good then they will need to step it up to compete. I thought for years it was a wasted vote but now I'm thinking it is a win every time. IMHO I think it is a good idea that is very easy to do. I know a Ron Paul guy here who is going for the Register of Probate spot, it took just 4 days to get the signatures needed to be on the ballot.
Focus on the principle...
Do we want third parties to have easier access to ballots and voters? If so, we should be working to change the things that hinder that, regardless of specific candidates or even philosophies.
I personally DO want third parties to be able to compete -- even though I'm a Republican. And in order to be consistent, I need to fight as hard for the Green party and Communist party as I would for the Libertarian Party. Otherwise I'm just playing favorites.
By "get ballot access" I mean
gathering the required # of signatures. In PA, it's 25,000 for statewide offices- but we can bundle Pres, Senate, gov, treasurer, auditor, etc.
Of Course
It will give you more clout to change what's wrong with your party (R or D) if you can selectively support Libertarians in certain races.
For example, the Libertarians in the north west (WA or OR) called up state legislators and said that if they raised taxes, they would run a candidate to the left of the D or to the right of the R (depending on who they spoke to), "stealing" enough votes to cost them re-election. The tax bill was defeated.
You can do the same within your party by getting a group together and telling the powers-that-be that if they nominate the wrong person, your votes will go to the Libertarian. In close races, this works.
Besides, Ron Paul built the pillars of this revolution on his race for president in 1988. I first heard of him at the California LP convention a few years back. He's the best representative Libertarians have in federal government. Freedom brings us together.
IMissLiberty
what about my question # 2?
I think those of us in states where the delegates are already chosen should help get Chuck Baldwin on the ballot.
Speaking as a Libertarian
We can use all the help we can get. Ditto the CP, GP, or whomever. Equal ballot access should be a goal of every party, not just the third parties.
As for the LP, while we don't choose our nominee for two weeks, I believe that ballot access petitions are already in full force.
So, definitely, yes, and on behalf of all third parties and their candidates, we appreciate it!