Timothy Lutts is a well-known name in the world of investment advisory services. His newsletters have a combined subscription of approximately 150,000 around the world. He has this commentary on the web page Iconoclast-Investor about the weakened condition of the Republican Party, and the possibility that the Libertarian Party could grow in coming years.
The article when ignoring the Green Party fails to take into account the split vote created by Nader, who once ran with the Greens, and the GP presidential candidates both running.
This is particularly true when looking at the 08 election. Nader outraised Barr and got more votes. Yet he would generally be closer to the Green Party than Dems, Repubs, Libertarians, or Constitution Party.
It is believed Nader won’t run in 2012. In that case, it is interesting to see what effect that will have on the Green Party.
I don’t think we can really tell what will happen though with the third parties until after the mid-term elections in 2010.
Not a bad piece, but it badly ignores the political reality of ballot access and voter mindsets, and seems to be oblivious to the internal situation of the LP.
I have to agree with poster #2. As long as people in charge are more concerned with philosophical purity than making a real impact in politics the LP will continue to under perform.
Only problem for the Libertarian Party, is that the Republican Party is more libertarian than ever before. A Libertarian is now Chairman of the RNC: Michael Steele. A 100% Libertarian was just elected as a Republican to Congress from California – Tom McClintock. The Governor of the 2nd largest State in the Nation, a Republican, is totally Libertarian – Rick Perry.
While back in the 1980s, libertarians were a pariah within the GOP and barely tolerated, today the libertarian wing virtually runs the whole Party. Look at the stunning success of the Republican Liberty Caucus.
The LP still serves a very useful purpose, being like the Conservative Party of NY. But today the Republican Party has essentially become the Libertarian Party.
“Eric Dondero Says:
July 8th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Only problem for the Libertarian Party, is that the Republican Party is more libertarian than ever before.”
LOL!!!
The Democratic Party is more libertarian than the Republican Party on gays in the military, marijuana, same-sex marriage, and abortion law. The Republican Party is more libertarian than the Democratic Party on taxes, guns, education, and campaign finance law.
Libs will continue to drive potential activists away. Great philosophy, crummy personalities ………
Donald Raymond Lake, moving mightily to work with these anarchists and constant trouble makers……….
#4: Gov. Rick Perry wanted to have the state force teenage girls to be given a certain vaccine.
That’s certainly not libertarian.
“…the Libertarians would need to moderate some of its positions; I can’t for example, envision the income tax or Medicare disappearing anytime soon. But intelligent compromise on its most abrasive positions could pay big dividends.”
Dumb down and win? Seems self-defeating to me. May as well make the LP slogan: The former party of principle.
Does any other party assert the right of secession? Maybe that could be amended to right to frown privately.
Eric what are you smoking?
I was in the GOP for 25 years and “ran” from it. They still speak of laws against Gay marriage– government has no business in the marriage business. The GOP talks the talk but once in charge, well look at that national debt during King George 43 ! Frankly, maybe the GOP sticks better to its fiscal-values when NOT in power. I remember the “contract with America” in 1994. By 2000, they had completely forgot about it.
Fool me once, but not twice GOP. I’m too old now to go back to the GOP– found a home in the LP and feel really good about it. Especially, since we are growing in Ohio.
I thought Mr. Ronald Reagan, ran on libertarian principles in 1980. And he wasn’t that bad of a president, compared to some of the other knuckleheads we have seen. His fiscal policies did run up massive debt by end of his 8 years.
Just think, the USA was only 1 trillion in debt in early 1981 and during the GOP whitehouses, we added how much? I know the President does not pass laws, but he sure can veto some. The GOP had WhiteHouse control 20 of 28 years from 1981 to the present.
The Republican Party does seem to be fracturing rapidly. Praise The LORD! It’s wings are broken and it can no longer fly. It’s membership appears to be scattering. Some are becoming Democrats (these are the RINOs), some LP members, others CP members, and in Alaska, many are becoming AIP members. In any event, the apparent demise/reduction of the Republicans is potentially beneficial in so many ways. We all just need to be sensitive to the ensuing PRSD (Post Republican Stress Disorder). It’s a debilitating political condition affecting most former Republicans. It is characterized by intense fear of the unknown, identity confusion and a strong and persistent desire to return to the abuser (the RP). Group therapy coupled with consistent deprogramming is the best remedy for this insidious malady. A great deal of patience, encouragement and tough love is required when helping such victims to reclaim their true political identities…and to prevent relapse!
GOP malfeasance ????? The true finally outs, too bad the Dems are almost as bad! Obama, my Yokohoma Momma, and ‘Change you can believe it’? Yeah, like the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny and Jesus being born on December 25th, the Roman Year Zero!
Dondero speaks, and the carbon footprint increases from the manure pile increase…
Libertarians have had the opportunity for many years to run for and win local office and they repeatedly pass up these opportunities. They also pass up non-contest appointed positions.
I personally know of several situations where Libertarian Party members were offered an appointment to a city planning commission and the LP members turned it down.
As many Libertarian activists find out, Libertarians are leakers.
Unless you’re talking about a socially conservative Communist, how libertarian (and use a lower case “l” when talking about the ideology, not that hard) a candidate is is an opinion. People need to stop acting like their opinion is the only one that counts, or at least stop pretending that no other opinion is based on logic (although some aren’t).
It has long since been impossible to take Mr. Dondero seriously. He has described both G. W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger as “libertarian”, and once told me he wanted the United States to “bomb the entire Middle East”.
Those who would like a bona fide libertarian as Texas Governor should check out my website, http://www.JeffDaiell.com.
People tend to toss around labels to suit their own agenda.
If you dislike liberals, you call them ‘Communists’ or ‘Socialists’. If you dislike conservatives, you call them, ‘fascists’.
If it will help get you money or votes, you may call yourself a libertarian…