Libertarian Defense Caucus re-organizes at LP National Convention

From Eric Dondero:

In the 1970s, and well into the 1980s, the Libertarian Defense Caucus was an active group within the Libertarian Party seeking to move the LP towards a more Pro-Defense/Pro-Military stance. There have been one or two attempts since, to re-organize the group. Ryan Christiano of New Jersey started a blog for the LDC. However, he soon got disenchanted with the stridency of the antiwar activists within the Party. Christiano abandoned the LP altogether and joined the Republican Party.

The LDC has been dormant ever since.

This weekend the Libertarian Party held its bi-annual national convention in St. Louis. Longtime Libertarian Party of Washington State member Kevin Bjornson (US Coast Guard Veteran) and an original LDC member from the 1970s was in attendance. Bjornson, myself (US Navy Vet) and Alaska Libertarian Party delegate, and candidate for US Senate David Haase (US Army Vet) met at the Salon on the 2nd floor of the Marriot Renassiance Hotel near the convention floor. We were joined by Libertarian Party of Maine State Chairman Shawn Levasseur (photo - right). Towards the end of the meeting Libertarian Party of New Hampshire Chairman and Seabrook Town Selectman Brandon Kelley (US Army Vet) came over to lend his support. After the meeting Texas candidate for Congress, a Libertarian who is also seeking Republican support Jim Prindle (Disabled US Army Vet, Photo - Far Right) joined the group.

Members in attendance immeditely voted Bjornson Chairman. His tenure will last til the next convention in 2 years. Haase was elected Vice-Chairman. I offered to serve as Secretary/Webmaster, and was voted in for that capacity.

Earlier, Bjornson had spoken with Sam Sloan of the New York LP. And although he had to catch a flight and was unable to attend, Sloan confirmed he wished to be a member of the group, and was enthusiastic that finally a Pro-Defense caucus was being formed in the LP.

Haase expressed to the others in attendance that although he was staunchly pro-military:

"We have a lot of antiwar people and I don't want to alienate them. They have a number of good ideas. Like Korea. We don't have to occupy them."

Haase continued:

"I'm glad to see some opposition to the make love not war crowd. That's my biggest problem with the Libertarian Party. We wouldn't have liberty without war."

Bjornson took an even harder stance:

"We need to have a military that's profitible..."

He went on to explain his views that we need to gain profits from our ventures overseas, including oil.

Bjornson has a unique perspective on foreign policy; one surely to ruffle some feathers among the non-interventionist crowd. He believes that since America liberated Iraq and Afghanistan, American companies like Haliburton and Exxon, should be given ownership of oil reserves and other natural resources in those Nations. He sees this as the only "true libertarian stance."

Haase, Kelly, Levasseur and others did not necessarily agree with this view.

Bjornson resolved, and other members agreed, that support for the War in Afghanistan would be a top priority for the LDC in the near future.

The official website of the Libertarian Defense Caucus:

DefendLiberty.net

DavidforAlaska.com

JimPrindleforCongress.com

Libertarians offered South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford to join Party

LR EXCLUSIVE

From Eric Dondero:

Michael Roy Carmany, 2nd term State Chairman for the Libertarian Party of South Carolina has revealed to Libertarian Republican, that in October of 2009, the SCLP made an overture to Governor Mark Sanford that they would fully welcome him to join the Party. The offer was made during the height of the impeachment talk, in which many Republicans in the legislature participated.

The offer was made in a formal letter on SCLP stationary. Chairman Carmany made the offer at the time of his personal troubles, because he wanted the Governor to know that Libertarians have no problem with him on social issues. Carmany told Libertarian Republican, "it's a personal issue... what you do with your personal life is nobody's business."

Governor Sanford's formal reply to the SCLP was that he was "going to remain a Republican," [because he] "believes in the Republican platform."

Additionally, that he intended to remain a Republican til the remainder of his term.

Carmany also told LR that the Libertarian Party of SC continues to support his fiscal policies, and that the offer still remains on the table.

Carmany added that if Sanford were to consider running for President on the Libertarian ticket in 2012, "we would welcome it."

Rand Paul new poll post Civil Rights comments, comfortably ahead

From Eric Dondero:

Rand Paul's civil rights comments from last week, after his election victory, and an appearance on the MSNBC Rachel Maddow show, appear not to have caused any long-term damage, at least in Kentucky.

From Survey USA (via Rightosphere):

SurveyUSA Kentucky Senatorial Survey

•Rand Paul (R) 51%
•Jack Conway (D) 45%
•Undecided 4%

It's Time To Get Behind Peter Schiff

SPECIAL GUEST EDITORIAL

by Josiah Schmidt

Those of you following Connecticut's Republican Senate race are aware that, last week, one of the two establishment candidates bowed out, leaving only the establishment-endorsed Linda McMahon and the Tea Party-endorsed Peter Schiff.

As libertarian Republicans, we ought to be aware of some of the distinctions between Schiff and McMahon:

Peter Schiff opposes all bailouts. Linda McMahon does not oppose all bailouts. Peter Schiff is against TARP. Linda McMahon "supported TARP in its original form."

Peter Schiff is against cap-and-trade. Linda McMahon claims to oppose cap-and-trade, but only "in its current form," meaning she would be open to compromising on it and supporting
it.

Peter Schiff wants Roe V Wade overturned. Linda McMahon supports Roe V Wade.

Peter Schiff will devote all his time in the US Senate to forcing an immediate end to deficit spending, by leading a filibuster of the raising of the national debt ceiling and fighting every big spending bill that comes across the Senate floor. Linda McMahon does not want to go to Washington to really make a difference. She has said she would have voted to go along with raising the national debt ceiling by $3 trillion.

Peter Schiff is a millionaire with wide and deep support, who energizes the grassroots. Linda McMahon is just a millionaire.

Peter Schiff has been endorsed by all the Tea Party organizations in CT, as well as the 9 largest CT-based conservative grassroots organizations. Linda McMahon was endorsed by the establishment. Peter Schiff is a committed Republican.

Linda McMahon has donated to many Democratic politicans (including Rahm Emanuel) and was speaking at Democratic events for quite some time before deciding to run in the Republican primary. In fact, the organization who has received the most money from McMahon is the DCCC.

Peter Schiff is incredibly intelligent, is an expert on the biggest issue of the day (the economy) who predicted the 2008 recession in great detail, and can make Richard Blumenthal look like a fool in the debates. Linda McMahon has little-to-no detailed knowledge of any issues and will not be able to hold her own in an indepth debate with Blumenthal.

But I'm not touting Peter Schiff only because he is more in line with our issue positions than Linda McMahon is. I'm touting Peter Schiff, because I have come to the sincere conclusion that he is the only one with the knowledge, the credibility, the persuasiveness, the forcefulness, the courage, and the convictions necessary to get our country back on the right track.

There are very few politicians who I actually believe, when they say that they want to "bring change to government," or "shake up Washington." Even Ron and Rand Paul, who I have nothing but respect for, do not seem to me to be the type of politician that wants to be a powerful force for revolutionizing the way things are done in government. Most free marketeer politicians want to "set an example," or "encourage debate" regarding lofty, esoteric, philosophical issues. Peter Schiff, on the other hand, wants to use every tool at his disposal, to actively bring the big government machine in Washington to a grinding, screeching halt. While I have no doubt that a Senator Schiff would spark some very healthy debates over public policy and leave behind a sterling voting record, Schiff really wants to do battle with the federal government. For instance, one of his main goals is to lead a filibuster of the raising of the national debt ceiling. In the past, when Republicans have threatened to do so, the Democrats cry that such a thing would cause the federal government to have to be shut down. Peter's response? "Let them shut it down, because if we don't shut the government down, the government is going to shut the country down." Peter understands that only if we cut off the funding to the beast, will the beast be forced to start living within its means and making meaningful cuts.

Why do we need a free market warrior in Congress right now, more than we need a free market philospher? Because if policies continue on their current trajectory, this country is headed for a disaster of unprecedented magnitude. Mountains of malinvestments have amassed within our economy as a result of the ongoing attempts to keep bad businesses afloat with an unending stream of ridiculously cheap credit. When these malinvestments meet the fiery reality of consumer demand, this will result in massive bankruptcies, job losses, and credit restrictions (yes, even more). The Federal Reserve is spewing new money with reckless abandon, and when the dam of Chinese/Japanese/Saudi lending bursts, demand for the dollar crashes, and the value of our money plummets, prices will skyrocket and economic pandemonium will break loose. Somebody needs to be in the US Senate, not merely to sit back and make well-intentioned speeches, warning the government not to do the wrong thing in response to this disaster, but to stand up and use every legislative tactic and tool to force the government not to do the wrong thing in response to this disaster. And not only that, but somebody needs to be in the US Senate with the relentless persuasiveness and credibility needed to convince other Congressmen and Senators to do the right thing as well.

With all due respect to Linda McMahon, who would be nowhere near as bad a Senator as Richard Blumenthal, I don't see how anyone can believe, by any stretch of the imagination, that a Senator Linda who would fight tooth and nail to stop the raising of the national debt ceiling (which she has already said she would have voted to raise), or the next wave of bailouts (when she already said she would have supported the first wave of bailouts), or the horrible government policies that threaten to make our situation so much worse (when her
website is littered with promises to make all the same mistakes that got us into this mess in the first place). Even if Linda McMahon had the loyalty to free market principles that Peter Schiff has, I simply couldn't see her going from door to door down the corridor of Senator offices, and hammering each of them with raw logic over and over until they agree do the right thing.

Perhaps some years ago, before the size and severity of the coming crisis had been made clear, I wouldn't have fought so fervently against nominating someone like Linda McMahon. But the nature of our problem is now so grave, that we must take a chance at trying to
nominate the one person who will truly fight, day and night, for us in Washington--Peter Schiff. Schiff is aware that the average Senator spends 40% of her time trying to get re-elected (and in a blue state like Connecticut, a Republican Senator would have to spend a lot more than just 40% of their time securing re-election), which is why Schiff has pledged only one term. That means all of his time will be devoted to working for us. The fact that McMahon wants a healthy twelve years in the Senate means that she won't have the time to do the fighting Peter Schiff can do, and it shows that she doesn't understand the fact that this country's economy, as we know it, likely doesn't have more than six years left.

Peter Schiff can win the nomination, if we put all our efforts behind him, and he can make Dick Blumenthal look like a dunce on the biggest and most pressing issues of the day. But this election is about more than just denying a lowlife like Blumy a Senate seat. This election is our key to mitigating an enormous amount of the damage that the government will undoubtedly try to do, when the economy implodes and the Dollar collapses. It's time to get behind Peter Schiff.

Mark Hinkle wins National Chairman for Libertarian Party

BREAKING NEWS!!

From Eric Dondero:

Meet the new National Chairman for the Libertarian Party. Mark Hinkle is from California. He's a very longtime LPC member, and has served in numerous capacities including running for statewide office on the Libertarian ticket.

Hinkle won on a third ballot beating Wayne Root 268 to 228.

In a brief interview with Libertarian Republican Hinkle said:

I think the delegates have spoken quite clearly that they want to unify the LP. They want the internal battles to cease. They want to go forward from this convention united in the cause of Liberty. I very much want to work with all liberty-minded groups, special groups that we share a common interest in.

In the last year I have gone to 5 or 6 Tea Party events, particularly in Silicon Valley. They are eschewing any political labels. They want to work with all groups who are concerned that government is too big, taxes are too high.

Root was very gracious to Hinkle with his victory, and pledged his full support.

Alabama Republican Video Contest

From the Editor:

We are nearly on the eve of the Alabama Republican Primaries scheduled for Tuesday. For whatever reason, Alabama Republicans have been particularly rambunctious this election cycle. At least three candidates for major offices in the State have produced wild, in-your-face style YouTube videos. All three have received an enormous amount of attention and hits nationwide.

We thought it would be fun to see which one of the three comes out on top among Republicans nationwide.

After you've viewed the three following videos, go to our sidebar and cast your vote. And tell other Republicans you know to come on over to LibertarianRepublican.net to do the same.

VIDEO I



VIDEO II



VIDEO III



Alabama, show America you mean business. All three of these guys deserve to be elected, just on the basis of their videography skills alone. -- Eric - The Management

Rand Paul from the Laura Ingalls "Little House on the Prairie" wing of libertarians - with the other Rand he only shares a name

Traditionalist Pioneer Spirit

by Clifford F. Thies

Commentators are taking notice that Rand Paul, who recently won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate from Kentucky, not only shares his last name with his father, the libertarian Republican Congressman from Texas, but has a first name that connects with Ayn Rand, the author of the once-again best-selling book Atlas Shrugged. Unfortunately for the name-callers, Rand Paul’s name is actually Randal, and Rand is only a nickname. And, what would it matter anyway? What if his middle name were Hussein? Would that matter?

Yes, Rand Paul is from the suddenly vibrant libertarian wing of the Republican Party. But, he is not from the Ayn Rand wing of libertarianism. If I can surmise from my long association with his father, Rand Paul is from the Laura Ingalls wing of libertarianism, a home-grown, All-American version of libertarianism.

In the mid 20th century, in 1942, two books were published that provide a convenient way to differentiate between libertarians: Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead (eventually made into a pretty good movie starring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal) and The Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane, the daughter of Laura Ingalls (photo). Most of us know Laura Ingalls through her series of children’s books, The Little House on the Prairie, continued first by her daughter and later by Roger MacBride, and by the television series co-produced by MacBride and Michael Landon.

Ayn Rand's atheistic libertarianism; Rose Wilder Lane's traditionalism

In The Fountainhead, a visionary architect resists the tendencies of the corporate world to suppress the individual, to force us all to conform, and to repress free expression. Years later, when the U.S. Postal Service honored Ayn Rand with a postage stamp, an imposing skyscraper provided the background for her image. At a time when just about every intellectual in the world was some kind of socialist, Rand boldly proclaimed the virtue of selfishness: that each of us has one life, and, for each of us, the choices of values we make gives sanctity to those values.

As it turns out, the heroes of Rand’s later works were men and women of enormous accomplishment. They were able, from sheer inner will, to triumph over the freedom-repressing establishment. This communicates a certain elitism to Rand’s version of libertarianism. But, I will point out that her earlier works were much more sweet, much more human. In her quasi-biographical novel, We the Living, her female hero is a young woman who finds herself in an impossible situation, who feels betrayed by the social institutions of her day. I am sorry if I am giving away the plot, but, in the end, this young woman chooses to reject those social institutions and to rely only on herself.

If Ayn Rand’s immortal soul was lost to atheism, whose fault was it? Hers, for choosing to be strong, or the church’s, that had accommodated itself to “semi-socialism,” and had replaced reason with ritual and mysticism. I thank God that I was inoculated against the faults of the church by my Italian grandfather. He told me, “I believe in the church, not in the priests.” I have never expected much of the church with regard to the issue of socialism versus freedom, and I have not been disappointed.

Some Background from the Editor - Dr. Thies was a close friend and political ally of 1976 Libertarian Party Presidential candidate Roger Lea MacBride. They served together for the first 5 years on the National Committee of the Republican Liberty Caucus. MacBride was Chairman, Thies was Vice-Chairman. Upon MacBride's untimely death in 1995, Thies assumed the Chairmanship.

MacBride was the adopted grandson of Rose Wilder Lane, and heir to the Little House on the Prairie fortune. Before his death MacBride authored 4 more books in the Little House series.

Ayn Randian challenges extremist liberal Russ Feingold Wisconsin Senate

Who is Ron Johnson?

George Will's latest column highlights the candidacy of Ron Johnson, leading Republican challenger to incumbent ultra-liberal Democrat Sen. Russ Feingold in Wisconsin. Tommy Thompson opted out of a run for the seat. Johnson has since emerged.

Excerpts from Will, "Running Not Shrugging" at RCP:

MILWAUKEE -- Before what he calls "the jaw-dropping" events of the last 19 months -- TARP, the stimulus, Government Motors, the mistreatment of Chrysler's creditors, Obamacare, etc. -- the idea of running for office never crossed Ron Johnson's mind. He was, however, dry tinder -- he calls Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" his "foundational book" -- and now is ablaze, in an understated, upper-Midwestern way. This 55-year-old manufacturer of plastic products from Oshkosh is what the tea party looks like.

He is trim, gray-haired and suddenly gray-suited. For years he has worn jeans and running shoes to his office, but now, under spousal duress, he is trying to look senatorial -- "My wife upgraded me to brown shoes." He has been endorsed by the state party and will almost certainly win the September primary for the Republican nomination to run against Russ Feingold, who is seeking a fourth term in a year in which incumbency is considered a character flaw.

Later in the piece:

The theme of his campaign, the genesis of which was an invitation to address a tea party rally, is: "First of all, freedom."

"The most basic right," Johnson says, "is the right to keep your property." Remembering the golden age when, thanks to Ronald Reagan, the top income tax rate was 28 percent, Johnson says: "For a brief moment we were 72 percent free."

Finally:

What Samuel Johnson said of Milton's "Paradise Lost" -- "None ever wished it longer than it is" -- some readers have said of "Atlas Shrugged." Not Johnson, who thinks it is "too short" at 1,088 pages. Noting that Massachusetts "is requiring insurance companies to write polices at a loss," he says, "We're living it," referring to the novel's dystopian world in which society's producers are weighed down by parasitic non-producers.

From 2000 through 2008, sales of "Atlas Shrugged," which was published in 1957, averaged a remarkable 166,000 a year. Since Barack Obama took office, more than 600,000 copies have been sold. The novel's famous opening words -- "Who is John Galt?" -- refer to a creative capitalist, Rand's symbol of society's self-sufficient people who, weary of carrying on their shoulders the burden of dependent people, shrug. Ron Johnson would rather run.

The latest poll numbers from Rasmussen (via Rightosphere):

Rasmussen Wisconsin Senatorial Survey

•Russ Feingold (D) 46%
•Ron Johnson (R) 44%

Editor's note - Graph of painting depiction of John Galt not Ron Johnson. Any resemblence is purely coincidental.

Saturday Night Special: Classic Barry - as good today, as it was in '64

Central Planning out of DC - a disaster

H/t Tim Daniel, Left Coast Rebel

Emmett Tyrrell Editor of American Spectator, Former Ohio Sec. of State Ken Blackwell, guests on "Libertarian Politics Live"

Blackwell agrees with Rand Paul: I would have voted for 9 out of 10 provisions of the '64 Civil Rights Act

"Libertarian Politics Live" the official blog talk radio show for Libertarian Republican had two impressive guests on Thursday night's show.

Andre Traversa together with Co-Host "Right Guy" Jim Lagnese at the Switchboard hosted "Bob" Emmett Tyrrell, decades-long Editor & Publisher of the distinguished American Spectator magazine. Right off the bat, Tyrell made a bit of news by referring to himself as a fellow "libertarian."

"Make no mistake about it. Libertarian-Conservatism is winning..." -- Tyrrell (12:30 minutes in)

Tyrell went on to talk about his new book "After the Hangover," a 40-year history of the conservative movement. He also took David Frum to task for his NeoConservatism and recent criticisms of Rush Limbaugh.

Tyrell: Canadian Prime Minister Harper a "libertarian"

Tyrrell made a bit of news of a more international flavor, at one point talking of his longstandin friendship with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He called him a solid "conservative," and then went on to say he's a "libertarian." (11 minutes in.)

The second guest for a 15-minute segment was former Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. The Secretary was on to defend Rand Paul from his uniquely conservative African-American perspective. He said that he knew Ron Paul personally and called the younger Paul a "stand up guy."

Blackwell stated categorically that if he would have been a congressman in 1964 he would have voted for the Civil Rights Act, but would have worked to repeal the one provision impeding on the rights of business owners to decide for themselves.

"The Bus owners weren't the problem; the government was the problem"

To hear the entire show please click on Radio button above.

Libertarian Republican briefs - Nikki Haley comes through, Rand Paul new poll numbers solid

LR FOLLOW-UP

From Eric Dondero:

Updates on two very important news stories we've been following feverishly here at Libertarian Republican:

Firstly, looks like it's all crashing down around SC political trouble-maker Will Folks. RedState has the goods. Seems he was on someone's payroll after all. This last-minute attack on libertarian-leaning Republican and frontrunner for SC Gov. Nikki Haley has failed.

From Erick Erickson, RedState:

The consultant who last year was telling people about Will Folks’ story worked or works for Andre Bauer. Bauer himself admitted this week he has known about the rumor for a year... another blogger notes this: “Bauer seems to have cut some kind of deal with blogger Bill Folks.”

Three days before the Palin endorsement, Folks is singing the Bauer campaign’s praises.

Sadly, Lt. Gov. Bauer is a libertarian-leaning Republican, and one whose candidacy had been looked upon positively by Libertarian Republican.

As if there's not enough irony in this whole sordid tale, it now appears that there's a strong likelyhood that both libertarian-leaning Republicans Nikki Haley and Andre Bauer will face each other in the run-off. From Josh Painter at Texans for Palin:

South Carolina voters don't appear to be buying claims made by blogger and political operative Will Folks that he had an affair with state Rep. Nikki Haley. A new InsiderAdvantage/Statehouse Report poll shows Haley, who has the endorsement of Sarah Palin, with a 10.6 percent lead over Andre Bauer, in the GOP primary race for governor. Just before Folks' made his allegations earlier this week, a poll showed that Haley had jumped into the lead by nearly 10 points, so, despite the negative press coverage, her lead has actually grown.

Results of the poll show Haley ahead with 31.3 percent, followed by Bauer in second place at 20.7 percent. Gresham Barrett had 14.1 percent, and Henry McMaster 13.8 percent.

Secondly, some poll numbers have been released since the Rand Paul civil rights law flap hit last week. Seems Paul is holding steady in the Kentucky Senate race with a 3% lead over Democrat Ken Conway.

The poll was conducted by far leftwing Daily Kos. So, a 3% lead, can be viewed as decent considering all that has gone on this past week.

Amazingly, others on the far left are trying to conjure up another "Rand Paul scandal." Seems he made some comments on a foreign television interview a while back, and said he believes children born to illegal immigrants should not be given automatic citizenship status; that they should earn it. Presumably that could mean a stint in the military, or passing a citizenship/history test, or maybe paying a small fine.

But the bombastic headline at CNN reads: TRENDING: Paul says No citizenship for Children of Illegal Immigrants.

Libertarian Party to hold its National Convention in high style at St. Louis over Memorial Day Weekend

From Eric Dondero:

Leftists may shreik. But Libertarians, un-ashamed capitalists to the core, will be holding their Bi-Annual National Convention in St. Louis this weekend, at the luxorious downtown Renassiance Grand Hotel. Part of the Marriot chain, the hotel is described as both "distinctive and stylish."

About 600 to 800 delegates are expected to attend. Platform planks will be decided upon. Party administration business will be taken care of.

At main issue is the race for all-important Party Chair. Among the candidates include: author of "Republican Millionaire," Sports Oddsmaker and frequent Fox News guest Wayne Allyn Root of Las Vegas, longtime California Libertarian and former candidate for statewide office Mark Hinkle, and former Libertarian Party of Massachusetts Chairman George Phillies.

Speakers confirmed include former Republican Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia, and 2004 Liberarian Presidential candidate Michael Badnarik.

For more information visit the official convention website: GatewaytoLiberty.com, hosted of course, by the Libertarian Party of Missouri.

Note - the LP of Missouri is regarded as one of the most successful Libertarian affiliates in the Nation. Over 20 Libertarian Party members currently hold public office in the State, including one small town Mayor, and two members of the Springfield (pop. 80,000) City Council.

Special post on LibertarianRepublican.net for Sunday's blog

Readers:

We've got a little something special planned for Sunday; something a bit out of the ordinary, and out-of-format.

It will be fun. It will be up later Sunday afternoon or evening.

We request your full participation. And absolutely alert your friends and political associates. We need them to participate, as well.

Hint: a certain southern state for whatever reason, has been all over YouTube recently, of a political nature. Seems every Republican running for office is trying to outdo the other.

You'll get to decide who is the best of the lot.

Eric - The Management

For those who've been waiting for the official Libertarian stance on BP Oil Spill

John Stossel on Fox Business News

Let the private sector handle the clean-up; Not! the government. BP will do it better than government.

(Brief commercial at beginning)

New Poll: Libertarian candidate leads ethics-plagued Democrat Kendrick Meek in Florida Senate race

Likely Voters familiar w/candidates - Libt. Snitker 12%, Democrat Meek 4.5%

From Eric Dondero:

Have Democrats sunk so far as to obtain "Minor Party" status in Florida?

New polling data released by Telsel, Inc. out of St. Augustine suggests that Libertarian candidate for US Senate Alex Snitker could actually come out ahead of Democrat Kendrick Meek in the four-way race. Snitker has been running a suprisingly agressive "Ron Paul style" insurgency campaign.

The polling data also suggest libertarian/Tea Party Republican Marco Rubio in a tight race with moderate Republican-turned-Independent Gov. Charlie Crist.

From Telsel, Inc. (via Snitker site):

The question asked was, “If the election were held today, which Senate candidate would you vote for?” The survey listed the candidates in the order in which they will appear on the ballot. The results were rounded to nearest half percentage point.

Candidate All Respondents, Likely Voters
Marco Rubio (R) 32.0%, 33.5%
Kendrick Meek (D) 9.0%, 9.5%
Alexander Snitker (L) 2.5%, 2.5%
Charlie Crist (NPA) 40.0%, 40.0%
Undecided 16.5%, 14.5%

Respondents were asked if they were familiar with each of the above candidates. Among respondents who said that they were familiar with Snitker, the results changed dramatically:

Candidate All Respondents, Likely Voters
Marco Rubio (R) 30.0%, 31.0%
Kendrick Meek (D) 4.0%, 4.5%
Alexander Snitker (L) 11.0%, 12.0%
Charlie Crist (NPA) 38.5%, 36.0%
Undecided 16.5%, 16.5%

(Note - Telsel interviewed 505 respondents, 447 said they are likely to vote in the November)

The liberal-leaning Miami Herald while downplaying Snitker's numbers over Democrat Meek as "hardly worth noting," calls the Crist - Rubio numbers "interesting figures."

Meanwhile, the partisan Democrat website SwingStateProject denigrates Snitker's chances of winning, but finds the polling data "extraordinary."

Meek has been plagued by continuous ethics questions. Notes the liberal-leaning alternative newspaper Creative Loafing out of Tampa:

Meek, his staff, and family have questionable ties to a Miami developer of ill repute...

A 4th place finish for the Democrat Party in Florida could prove to be an embarrassing footnote on Election night 2010. This would especially be the case if the outcome comes close to what this new polling suggests: Democrat Meek finishes behind a Libertarian/Tea Party Republican, a fiscal conservative Republican/Independent and a hardline Libertarian Party member.

New Mexico Governors race: Libertarian Republican favorite falls behind, but frontrunner Pro-Liberty enough

Palin-backed Susana Martinez now well-ahead

by Eric Dondero

Doug Turner, a young entrepreneur from Albuquerque has been the Libertarian Republican favorite in the race for New Mexico Governor. He has the endorsement of the Republican Liberty Caucus. He was featured on Libertarian Republican early on.

However, two new polls show him significantly behind the pack. Way out ahead of the 5-(wo)man pack is Susana Martinez.

From Dialing Services LLC (via Hedgehog):

GOVERNOR – NEW MEXICO – GOP PRIMARY (Dialing Services LLC)
Susana Martinez 41%
Allen Weh 30%
Doug Turner 9%
Pete Domenici Jr. 8%
Janice Arnold-Jones 4%

From SurveyUSA (via Hedgehog):

GOVERNOR – NEW MEXICO – GOP PRIMARY (Survey USA)
Susana Martinez 43%
Allen Weh 33%
Doug Turner 8%
Pete Domenici Jr. 8%
Janice Arnold-Jones 3%

Martinez best positioned to defeat Dems

Perhaps most important, Martinez is the one Republican who finishes ahead of expected Democrat nominee Diane Denish, a well-known and popular Dem elected official in the State.

From JoeMonahsNewMexico blogspot:

With two independent polls--including ours--now showing that Susana Martinez is threatening to rout Allen Weh in next Tuesday's GOP Guv primary, attention is turning fast to the main event--the face-off between Dem Diane Denish and probable nominee Martinez. And thanks to SurveyUSA we're already being titillated. A hypothetical match-up between the two women has Susana trumping Di 49% to 43%.

Martinez, Ana County Prosecutor, is described as a "stalwart conservative." She's running on Border Security First.

Two weeks ago, she picked up the endorsement of Sarah Palin.

From Josh Painter at Texas Broadside qouting New Mexico Politics blog:

Susana Martinez, who was endorsed by Sarah Palin May 15, has skyrocketed to a double-digit lead in the New Mexico Republican primary race for governor...

Clearly, this race has broken open since the ABQ Journal poll released May 16 showed Weh leading Martinez 31 to 30. Looking back, the same day that poll so favorable to Martinez was released, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin flew to ABQ to endorse the DA. The next day the Martinez camp came with an ad accusing Weh of being soft on amnesty for illegal immigrants. This was a one-two punch, plus one, that sent the wealthy businessman reeling, and this poll shows he is still staggering around the ring.

New Mexico Independent described Palin's endorsement as a "lightning strike" for her campaign.

Martinez's stance on economics is fully in line with libertarian principles. From her campaign website:

Higher taxes and excessive regulations force jobs out of New Mexico.

My primary goal will be to make certain businesses in New Mexico continue to operate in the state, while attracting others to set up shop here.

I believe we need to create new jobs in New Mexico by lowering taxes and making our state more competitive... This means I will reform the tax and regulatory system by cutting red tape and making it easier to create jobs in New Mexico than it is in neighboring states...

While working in my family’s small business, I learned a key lesson: the private citizen – not the government – assumes risk and creates opportunity.

She may not be the first choice for New Mexico Governor of the GOP's libertarian wing. But Susana Martinez appears to be a candidate that libertarians could rally behind if she secures the nomination.

Chris Christie sticks to his guns: Absolutely no new Taxes!

6 months in office and already a stunning success

by Eric Dondero

Americans have expressed time and time again that they want a politician who actually does what he says, and means what he says. That's Chris Christie.
WCBS TV via Drudge:

"We're very confident we've been able to close the additional budget gap in (fiscal year) 2010 and in (fiscal year) 2011 we're going to be able to solve that problem without any new taxes at all and without any real significant cuts," Christie said.

"We're not raising taxes, Marcia. That's it. It's not happening," Christie said.

Reporter Marcia Kramer gives some background:

Skipping the "fiscalese," what happened was the budget freeze imposed by Gov. Christie when he took office generated more savings than expected, enough to cover much of the lost tax money.

Kramer declares in the intro: "Remember Christie's budget freeze... looks like it worked."

So, what's keeping other governors from copying the Christie model? We already know Democrats like David Paterson of NY, Pat Quinn of Illinois, Ted Stickland of Ohio, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, et.al. are wedded to big government policies and tied to the hip of the Teachers Unions and SEIU which prevents any meaninful reforms. But what's the excuse of Republicans like Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even Georgia's Sonny Purdue?

Future Republican governors take note: Chris Christie is now the model for excellence in governing. He has set the standard. Follow it!

Local elected GOP Libertarian officeholder discovered in Hunterdon County, NJ

Tea Partier & "conservative Republican with a very strong Libertarian bent"

In north central New Jersey lies the county of Hunterdon. Clinton Township has a population of 2,600. And one of the town's elected councilman is a self-described "libertarian."

From the Hunterdon Review, May 27:

Spencer Peck, a 38-year resident of the township is completing a one-year unexpired term on council. He is now a candidate for election to a full three-year term. He, and his wife of 46years, Elizabeth, have six children, all of whom attended township schools.

He said he is “a conservative Republican with a very strong Libertarian bent.”

Peck was the Hunterdon County representative on the 1999 New Jersey Commemorative Quarter Commission, and he “proposed the design and motto for our state quarter.”

This year he organized the Hunterdon County Tea Party Express bus to Washington, D.C.

Among his accomplishments while in office according to Peck:

* supported our local school budget while simultaneously returning $250,000 for direct tax payer relief.”

* “protecting the autonomy of the sewer authority and their accumulated $1.5 million in cash reserves

* modification of the sign ordinance to provide a 30-day exemption for churches and other community based non profits

* voter approval of all bonded debt

The top two vote-getters will win seats on the council.

Rick Barber, Republican & Marine Veteran for Congress - Alabama CD 2

It's called Radical Islam Mr. President!

On the Islamic Mosque being constructed in NYC.

Rick Barber for Congress:

"On September 11, 2001 America was attacked. We weren't attacked by a Nation. We weren't attacked by Terror. We were attacked by Islamic Jihadists."

North Korea Found to Be Responsible For Sinking: Could Oil Rig Be That Far Off?

By Jim Lagnese AKA The Right Guy

Reported in the news, South Korea alleges that North Korea sunk the boat with a torpedo. Shown on CNN, are fragments of said torpedo.     While the non-interventionists take the side of North Korea and call the evidence fake, the South Koreans and the US plan naval exercises and both call for the cessession of trade with North Korea. 

 Earlier this month we published an article here and on Libertarian Republican from Michael Savage's website that proposed that the North Koreans torpedoed the Deepwater Horizon Oil Platform in the gulf. We did publish a disclaimer that these views were not necessarily the views of The Right Guy Show and Libertarian Republican. I stated in my own opinion that occam's razor applies.

Then I got an email from Eric this week saying may be the North Korean's involvement wasn't too far fetched:

"Ya know, with confirmation that it was North Korea that sunk that South Korean ship, suddenly the N. Korea theory on BP isn't so far-fetched.  Care to do a follow-up?  I'm surprised I'm not seeing anyone now suggesting this"

You know Eric, you have a point. So just to stir up the pot, does anyone want to jump in on this again? Is it still a far fetched conspiracy theory or plausible now?

My own opinion is that occam's razor applies, meaning that the simplest and most reasonable explanation  is the right one, which is it just blew up. But you have to admit that this whole oil rig disaster has been a morbid comedy of errors where Obama now makes Bush look like an overbearing mother with his response to Katrina. It is a far comparison and Obama has failed miserably. Much worse than Bush ever has and with a 42% approval rating in less than a year and a half, he's heading down very quickly. 

So there you have it, or do you? With all the tensions with North Korea, would they be so bold? Tensions seems to be building in a post-Bush Obama world, with Israel on maneuvers, ratcheting it up with Iran, who with Mahmoud Ahmedinejad is making nuclear deals with other mideast countries, North Korea sinking a South Korean Navy vessel, and now with South Korea and the US stopping all trade with NK and NK threatening war if anyone retaliates? We also have the continuing mess and morass in Afghanistan and even though Iraq is now secured, we still have bombings and violence. Will these seem like separate, isolated instances, there seems to be a synchronicity to it that may be it's not completely random. I wonder what Occam would think?

Thank you for reading this blog.

LPKY Chair Ken Moellman backs away from strong anti-Rand Paul stance

From Eric Dondero:

The leadership of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky is in turmoil over comments made by LPKY Vice-Chair Joshua Koch to the Washington Post on Tuesday. Koch said that Rand Paul was not going to be supported by Libertarians in the State, and that the Libertarian Party may in fact run a candidate against him.

In an interview with Libertarian Republican, LPKY Chairman Ken Moellman indicated that Vice-Chairman Joshua Koch may have been speaking out of turn, and was misrepresented by the Washington Post as speaking on behalf of the entire Libertarian Party.

Late last night, Moellman issued the following statement on the Party's official website, (excerpted):

It's now painfully obvious that we need to clarify some things. I've been on the phone all day, which has just been great (sarcasm). Let's get some things cleared up right now:

The LPKY is not endorsing anyone in the Senate race

As a party we have no one in this race, and we do not seek to help or harm the candidacy of any candidates other than our own. As a party, it would be completely inappropriate to involve ourselves or in any way devote resources to a candidate outside of the LPKY, when there are great libertarian candidates running as Libertarians for office in Kentucky.

Anything that looked like any sort of endorsement or un-endorsement should be seen as a private individual's opinion, and not the policy of the LPKY. .

The LPKY has no candidate for US Senate

While technically possible for the LPKY to run a US Senate candidate in 2010, the prospects are very unlikely, despite what some in the media have said...

Any other comments are individual opinions and are not the view of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. (emphasis Ken Moellman's)

Note - Other leaders in the libertarian political movement at the upper levels, have expressed privately to Libertarian Republican their great displeasure at the initial comments released by the LPKY.

Libertarian Party of Kentucky criticizes Rand Paul, says they may run a candidate against him

From Eric Dondero:

The Washington Post quoted Libertarian Party of Kentucky Vice-Chairman Joshua Koch yesterday in an article titled - "Libertarians may run Senate candidate in Ky." by reporter Roger Alford. The story was picked up by the AP. From WaPo:

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Libertarian Party is considering running a candidate in Kentucky's U.S. Senate race, saying GOP nominee Rand Paul - the son of a former Libertarian presidential candidate - has betrayed the party's values.

Party Vice Chairman Joshua Koch said Wednesday that Paul has been a black eye for Libertarians because of stands he's taken on issues, including his criticism of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Koch said Paul is not a Libertarian. He called Paul and his Democratic opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, "faces of the same bad coin."

The article continued:

Koch had strong criticism for Paul, who won the Republican Senate nomination last week by trouncing the GOP establishment candidate, Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

"He had gone from being an outsider candidate to a tea party candidate to an establishment candidate in the past nine months," Koch said. "It's a complete identity crisis. I've never seen anything like it."

Koch did not say who the Libertarian Party might put up to run in the race.

Reached for a comment by Libertarian Republican Koch wanted to be clear that his views were his and represented only the Libertarian Party of Kentucky:

"These are my comments and do not speak for the entire libertarian movement... my remarks and those released were from the LPKY. I do not speak for Libertarian Republicans."

The Washington Post did not make the distinction between Libertarian Party and the small 'l' libertarian movement in the piece.

Tea Party Libertarians, Libertarian Republicans and numerous independent libertarians are enthusiastically supportive of Paul. Paul was one of the first candidates endorsed in the 2010 electon cycle by the Republican Liberty Caucus, which represents the libertarian win of the GOP. Dave Nalle, National Chairman of the RLC was not contacted by the Post for the interview, nor were any RLC members in Kentucky.

Sestak Scandal has some Sea Legs

"High Crime and Misdemeanor"

Former Navy Admiral and recently nominated Democrat Senate candidate for Pennsylvania Joe Sestak is in increasingly hot water. The speculation from all sides is he was indeed offered the position of Admiral of the High Seas (Navy Secretary) in exchange for him dropping out of the Senate race, thus allowing Arlen Specter to sail through the primary.

Humble Libertarian and LR Webmaster Wes Messamore asks - Did Barack Obama Commit A Felony?:

Could this be the beginning of the end of the Obama Administration? Have his corrupt, Chicago-style politics finally caught up with him?

Discussing the issue with Sean Hannity, former White House adviser to President Bill Clinton, Dick Morris said:

"This scandal could be enormous. It's Valerie Plame only 10 times bigger, because it's illegal and Joe Sestak is either lying or the White House committed a crime. Obviously, the offer of a significant job in the White House could not be made unless it was by Rahm Emanuel or cleared with Rahm Emanuel... that is a high crime and misdemeanor."

Sestak is running against libertarian-leaning Republican and former Club for Growth President Pat Toomey.

Supply-sider Republican emerges in Oregon Governors race

Former Star with the NBA

From Eric Dondero:

What is it about former athletes turned Republican politicians that they tend towards the Reaganesque supply-sider side of the free market economics spectrum?

Meet Chris Dudley. Talk about a political race that has been completely under the radar of the national news media. He's a former NBA star, which you would think would warrant him some major attention. And he just won the Republican nomination for Governor. But outside of Oregon, there's been little attention given to this race. Perhaps his party affiliation as an 'R' has caused the media to shy away?

Dudley was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at an early age. Despite his handicap he went on to star for Yale, and later played 16 seasons in the NBA, 6 for the Portland Trailblazers. He and his wife Chris (her actual name), and their three children live in Lake Oswego.

The very latest poll has him ahead of his Democrat opponent John Kizhaber by a hair. From Rasmussen via Hedgehog:

OREGON – GOVERNOR (Rasmussen)
Chris Dudley (R) 45%
John Kitzhaber (D) 44%

Taking after another famous Sports Legend & Supply Sider

The Dudley campaign is running on Jobs First! with a special emphasis on private sector employment.

From his campaign website:

As Governor, Chris Dudley will make Oregon’s tax system more attractive for existing businesses, new businesses, entrepreneurs and people with investment income; will reduce the highest-in-the-nation state capital gains tax rate; will increase tax deductions for businesses making new capital investments (bonus depreciation); and will work to reduce Oregon’s highest-in-the-nation taxes that unfairly tax too many small, unprofitable and start-up businesses.

Now the Dudley campaign has released further details on his job creation plan. And it hails from a decidedly Jack Kemp-ian direction.

From the Statesman-Journal:

The massive shortfall in revenue is the direct result of a lack of leadership and common sense in Salem. Neglecting private-sector job growth of course will result in a decline in personal incomes and tax revenue.

The solution, however, for long-term budget shortfalls is within our grasp. We need to lower the cost of government. I have proposed doing this by ending automatic budget increases, reducing state employee health-care premiums and curbing PERS costs. And on the revenue side we can increase tax collections not by raising taxes, but by creating new taxpayers.

Reviving our economy is the only long-term way to balance our state budget without raising taxes.

Expanding the taxpayer base instead of raising taxes. What a concept?

Former Sanford aide Will Folks, making charges against Nikki Halley, is a libertarian Republican

Alleged Sex Scandal erupts among two libertarian Republicans

From Eric Dondero:

This is a painful blog post to make. About as painful as when we reported here a year ago, on Wisconsin State Rep. Jeff Woods a former Libertarian Party member, turned Republican, getting busted on his second DUI charge, or when we had to first report definitively on Mark Sanford's affair with an Argentine woman. But report on this we must.

As many are aware reading the political news sites these past couple days, there's been allegations of infidelity made against Nikki Halley, now frontrunner for South Carolina governor. The allegations are being shot down rather quickly. Halley has of course, unequivocally denied everything.

Halley has long been considered a libertarian Republican. And she is clearly identified with what's called the "Mark Sanford libertarian wing of the SC GOP."

Now we learn that the allegations have been made by another libertarian Republican.

From the Sun-News:

Haley "categorically and totally" denied the allegation by Will Folks, a controversial former spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford. Folks now blogs and has done paid public relations work for politicians -- including Haley

Former rock band member's blog "sometimes accurate; sometimes not"

Folks has an "edgie" punk rock persona. He leads what's been called a "moderately successful" alternative rock band called Dead Agent Caper. More:

Folks is a controversial figure in S.C. politics. He first came to notice after Mark Sanford tapped the former rock band bass player as his spokesman. In 2005, however, Folks pleaded guilty to criminal domestic violence. Since then, he has built FITSnews.com into an influential blog among South Carolina politicos, particularly libertarian-Republicans, including the Sanford-Haley wing of the GOP.

The site frequently taps anonymous sources to publish otherwise unverifiable rumors, sometimes accurately and sometimes not. Much of the rest of the site covers sports or the latest celebrity photos cribbed from entertainment blogs. Folks shrugs off accusations that he is paid to publish certain stories on his blog.

There's been internet rumors that he's on somebody's payroll. I wouldn't be at all surprised.

Ironically, this could all end up benefiting Halley, by giving her a huge groundswell of sympathy vote. Notably, both Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin are standing by her side, and have backed her up on this 100%.

In one way, it might even be a welcome sign for libertarian Republicans: A sign that we've grown so large and influential that we now have our own fiery internal battles and even (non)sex scandals.

UPDATE!

Our friend Stacy McCain at TheOtherMcCain has uncovered some rather creepy details of Will Folk's past relationships or more accurately non-relationships with Republican female campaign staffers. Article: "OMG: Did You See What Haley Accuser Will Folks Wrote About Ashley Herzog?"

Illinois Libertarian for Governor Lex Green - Legalize Casinos to Balance Budget

From Eric Dondero:

Lex Green is the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor of Illinois. The Party recently went over the required amount of signatures for ballot access for 2010.

Green comes from the mainstream wing of the Libertarian Party. His emphasis is solidly on the economics side. He's been crunching the numbers on the Illinois budget and has come up with an 8-point plan.

It includes:

1. No Growth Budgeting.
2. Pension Reform.
3. Reduce added costs associated with Bond debt.
4. Both Broad and Specific Budget Cuts.
5. Deep cuts in Agencies and Grants.
6. Reduce Medicaid fraud and look to sunset Illinois participation.
7. Use Zero based budget justification.

All sensible, almost Republican style proposals. But it is with #8 that his libertarian streak breaks through:

8. Issue Additional Casino Licenses. There is no reason to limit casino licenses, except to respect the wishes of individual counties. While we re-prioritize our budgets, we can continue to collect revenue from casinos. But we have no reason to be in the Lottery business. I propose to sell the lottery to the highest bidder.

Note - Green's wife Karen is a local Republican Precinct Committeewoman.

See the entire detailed budget proposal at electLex.com

Redlich acknowledged with Major Party candidates

Warren Redlich is the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor of New York. He was elected as a Republican in 2006 to the Guiderland town council (upstate). He is also seeking the Republican nomination for Governor.

From The Business Review - Albany:

Cuomo is the only Democrat to announce his candidacy so far. Republicans have four candidates: Lazio, who is currently a lobbyist for J.P. Morgan Chase; Steve Levy, the Suffolk County executive; Carl Paladino, a multimillionaire developer from Buffalo; and Warren Redlich, an attorney in Guilderland. He has already received the Libertarian Party’s nomination.

If Cuomo faced Paladino or Levy on Election Day, Cuomo defeats either one by the same margin, 65 percent to 22 percent, according to the poll...

Though, Redlich unlike the three others, was not included in the polling numbers.

Les Phillip Republican & Tea Partier for Congress - They can't call him a Racist

Proud Navy Vet, Patriot & Fierce Obama critic

Republican candidate for Congress, Alabama CD-1.

Note - he is running in the GOP primary against incumbent Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Parker Griffith.

Editor's comment - this is a tough one. Phillip is fantastic. Just imagine Phillip and a newly-elected African-American Republican Rep. Allen West of Florida side-by-side fighting the Obama agenda in Congress. On the other hand a Phillip win might discourage conservative Democrats in the future from switching to the GOP?

Does Sarah Palin have the Midas Touch?

The Midas touch, or the gift of profiting from whatever one undertakes, is named for a legendary king of Phrygia. Midas was granted the power to transmute whatever he touched into gold. -- MythWeb.com

From Eric Dondero:

Every Republican primary candidate she endorses turns to Gold.

Consider:

Five weeks ago, she broke with the GOP leadership, and backed libertarian Republican Rand Paul in his primary against establishment-backed candidate Trey Grayson.

Result - Paul wins by 24%

Three weeks ago, Palin traveled to South Carolina to campaign with underdog Nikki Haley who had been languishing in a distant 4th place. Days after, a poll was released showing State Rep. Haley jolting to a comfortable 10 point lead of the entire pack including both the State's AG, and the Lt. Governor.

In Minnesota she enthusiastically endorsed "Hockey Dad" Tom Emmer who had consistently been polling in 2nd place. He soon after won the support of GOP delegates in convention, and he is now virtually assured to be the nominee. What's more he's comfortably ahead of all potential Democrats in recent polls for the Fall.

And now this... Palin took some serious heat from hard-line social conservatives for her endorsement of pro-business/fiscal conservative Carly Fiorina in California's red hot Senate primary.

From the Daily Caller:

two weeks ago former Congressman Tom Campbell held a 11 percentage point lead over Carly Fiorina in the GOP governor’s primary. That lead has now incredibly evaporated into a 23 point deficit...

In the Republican primary for US Senator, support for former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is up sharply in the past 2 weeks, from 24% on 05/10/10 to 46% today 05/24/10. Fiorina’s support has more than doubled among women, seniors, Hispanics, the less educated, and in the Inland Empire. During these 2 weeks, Former Congressman Tom Campbell’s support dropped 12 points, from 35% on 05/10/10 to 23% today 05/24/10.

Overlooked, Fiorina, Paul, Emmer, and Halley all share a common bond: fiscal conservatism and staunch support for limited government policies with a de-emphasis of social issues. Indeed Paul and Emmer are explicitly libertarian Republicans. And Paul, Emmer and Halley all have strong Tea Party ties.

Palin's long held free market economics over divisive social issues libertarianism is finally triumphing much to the chagrin of her vitriolic critics on the Left, but even among her doubters - mostly establishment conservatives - on the Right.

Justin Raimondo joins fellow Anti-War-er Rachel Maddow in blasting Rand Paul

With friends like this, the younger Paul needs no enemies

by Eric Dondero

I've known Justin Raimondo for over two decades. I was the Florida Chairman for his Libertarian Republican Organzing Committee for two years, before it went defunct, and I replaced it by founding the Republican Liberty Caucus. I also knew him from various Young Americans for Freedom, and national Republican Party events in the late 1980s, and 90s.

He's been a thorn in the side of Libertarians and Libertarian Republicans for decades. He's also been an extreme trouble-maker, (some suspect on someone's payroll?) whether it was his vicious attacks on Ron Paul in the late 1980s as a "John Birch Society fringe Rightwinger," his organizing Gays for Buchanan in the '90s, his joining in a coalition with Code Pink, or his strident anti-Bush rants and joining with the hard Left against the Iraq War in the early 2000s.

But now he may have completely stepped over the line.

Opines Raimondo at AntiWar.com yesterday:

Rand Paul’s Problem, and Ours: He's not half the man his father is

In the first few paragraphs he makes a half-ass attempt to refute Rachel Maddow's attack on Rand Paul. At the same time he calls the younger Paul's performance, "not very articulate."

Code Pinkos like Raimondo opposing Rand Paul no doubt helpful in Kentucky

He then goes on the attack himself against Rand Paul:

Maddow didn’t expose Rand Paul’s alleged “racism” – what she revealed is his inability to function, like his father, as a spokesman for libertarianism. After all, he isn’t his father – unfortunately, I would add. Wouldn’t it be great to have Ron in the Senate? He’s certainly more than earned it. One can only dream. Yet the advent of Paul, the son, is turning into my personal nightmare.

I have to say that I’ve held off commenting on the subject of Rand’s candidacy quite deliberately, because I wanted to give him the benefit of every doubt. I wasn’t too alarmed, at first, when he differed from his father on the subject of Guantanamo and the question of whether to give “enemy combatants” a trial before we lock them up forever – I didn’t and don’t agree, but plenty of anti-interventionists I respect, such as Pat Buchanan, would take Rand’s side in that debate...

Rand came out in favor of economic sanctions on Iran:

“I do see Iran as a threat to the stability of the Middle East… Recently, President Obama took nuclear weapons off the table in certain circumstances, and I think that’s a mistake. I think it’s reckless to take them out of the equation.”

Raimondo's response:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but that sounds to me like he’s in favor – given the right circumstances – of nuking Iran. This is something that not even the wildest-eyed neocon has seriously proposed. That an alleged “libertarian” could mouth those words is appalling...

Raimondo continues by taking personal shots at him:

It’s true that Rand got his start in the libertarian movement, as a supporter of and spokesman for his father, but good sense may not be hereditary...

He concludes:

Why doesn’t he spend a few moments backtracking from his morally reprehensible refusal to take nuking Iran “out of the equation”? Now that’s something he really ought to get down on his hands and knees and beg forgiveness for – and maybe (just maybe!) libertarians will think about supporting him. Until that apology – or “clarification” – is forthcoming, I wouldn’t give Rand Paul the time of day.

Something tells me that the good voters of Kentucky will be more appreciative of Rand Paul's pro-national security views, rather than the stidently Anti-American/antiWar views of Raimondo, Maddow, and groups like Code Pink. The fact that Raimondo & Co. are withholding support for Rand, is no doubt a huge net-positive.

The very worst thing that could happen for Rand Paul would be if Raimondo & Crew suddenly showed up campaigning for him in Paducah.

Jeb Bush hearts Rand Paul?

GOP needs candidates who are Big, Bold, Provocative

From Eric Dondero:

Former Florida Governor was interviewed by Fred Barnes, on "The Republican Party's future."

Bush quoted in The Weekly Standard:

His advice to Republicans for the midterm elections: Pursue a bold, policy-oriented campaign. “I completely disagree with the idea that you rope-a-dope,” he says. “If we just are trying to be against the president’s efforts to redefine who we are as a nation, eventually .  .  . you can’t score many touchdowns playing defense the whole game.”

“This is a good time to be a little less constrained in your thinking,” Bush says. “Candidates that win will be a little emboldened. They’re not going to take the traditional point of view that we can’t be too provocative because we’re going to upset the population. Think big and bold.

Bush mentioned Marco Rubio as his ideal candidate. But could he have also had a certain Kentuckian in mind?

Interestingly Bush went on to comment:

“We have all these factions inside the conservative cause, people focused on social issues, or libertarian leave-me-alone issues or paleocons or neocons or traditional conservatives,” Bush says. “It seems to me if you ask what is the one thing that we all agree on, [it’s] that we passionately agree that entrepreneurial capitalism works.”

Government trying to mainstream Moocherism

From Eric Dondero:

It's just like a credit card. No shame at all.

From the Daily Caller:

The Agriculture Department announced Wednesday it will encourage grocery stores and other retail outlets that accept food stamps to post signs reading “We Welcome SNAP Benefits.” The move is part of an effort to decrease the stigma of using government food assistance in a tough economy.

Attempts to reduce such stigmas have been ongoing for years. SNAP is an acronym for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a recent name change designed to get away from the loaded phrase “food stamps.” Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, is an electronic way of paying for items so it just appears that a customer is using a credit card.

“Underscoring that SNAP benefits are welcome, rather than merely accepted, signals an important change in the way both retailers and program participants view these benefits,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Of course, tax-payers not wanting to subsidize the tax-takers, have the ability and the full right to avoid shopping at establishments that accept SNAP. See a "Welcome Food Stamp Recipients" sign in the window of such an establishment. Protest to the Manager first, and then take your business elsewhere. After all, it'd be a Snap!

(H/t Boortz)

Pamela Geller whistles Free Speech tune down in Heart of Dixie

Ayn Randist Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs gives the keynote speech to the Tea Party Coaltion of Tennessee. Despite pressure from radical Islamist group CAIR to cancel her appearance.

Geller: Sharia Law is creeping into the mainstream of American life.

Standing ovation at 9 minutes in, Geller's call to oppose the Muslim Mega-Mosque at Ground Zero in NYC.

In New Jersey, Need Trumps Ability: Why Christie Matters

By Jim Lagnese AKA The Right Guy

With socialism, marxism, and collectivism, need always trump ability. If you do not believe me, look at the standard marxist statement: To each according to their needs, from each according to their ability. This means that what is given from the government, which acts as a proxy by force, to those that can't or won't do. It also means, that by force, this proxy for bad ideas takes what is earned by those who not only can but want to. It's not a free will gift and it is taken without respect to the people that earned it, but rather as an unwanted obligation and a demand that they should be happy to do it.

The New Jersey legislature passed a tax hike on all those who make more than a million dollars a year. This adds up to 16,000 people out of 3.9 million. Who speaks for them? Obviously to the socialist controlled New Jersey legislature, no one should.

The bill passed along party lines, 46-32 and 23-17 in the assembly and senate respectively. In a moment of honesty, a socialist in the assembly shows their true colors:

“We’ve got a lot of people who can’t afford to pay their taxes” and need the rebates that the measure may restore, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said before the vote. “Six- hundred thousand older adults would be better off.”

There are a couple problems here. If people can't afford to pay their taxes, ask why? Why are they being taxed so high? If the answer is to pilfer those that have more money, it's irresponsible and thievery. Socialism is based on coveting and stealing. It never occurs to the dems to cut expenditures because they are bribing people with their own money. The 600,000 that are complaining of cuts to senior citizen programs are a sizable voting block where 16,000 are not. How is that for taxation without representation? Oliver should read her history to understand the consequences of such aberrant thinking.

Why Chris Christie matters is that he says he will veto this bill. The demo-socialists do not have the votes to override the veto. A good thing. Time for some fiscal responsibility and honesty.

“This is a defining moment -- it seems to me to be all about taxes, taxes and taxes,” Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, a Republican from Parsippany, said during more than an hour of floor debate before the vote. Referring to Democrats, he said, “that’s all you guys do.”

And that is the truth. Socialists like to bribe people with their own money, and they do it as a bribe for votes. This is done to convert those that can to those that need. The more that need, the more votes the arbiters of socialism will get and thereby hold on to power. This is the path to becoming Farm Animals®. If you doubt me, look at another bit of honesty from a socialist that feels sacrifice is duty and who is also the high priest at the altar of sacrifice:

“I don’t have an issue with millionaires, I just have an issue with people not sharing in the sacrifice,” said Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat from West Deptford. “Those 16,000 people can help 600,000.”
What Sweeney isn't honest about is that the taxes he wants to steal from the 16,000 is to restore programs to bribe the 600,000. Sfacime.

It is a good thing to see a governor stand on proper rational principle and not emotion based straw man arguments and populism. He was elected to govern and govern from a position of responsibility, not of a tyrant that succors the hoi pelloi into a puerile stupor for the purpose of political hegemony. Its time to grow up.

This is why we need Chris Christie.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Libertarian for NY Governor Warren Redlich attacks Democrat Cuomo for Big Spending

From Eric Dondero:

Warren Redlich is the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor of New York. He is also seeking the Republican nomination.

Andrew Cuomo's "plan" for New York lacks substance. Cutting spending requires more than vague ideas. It means firing people, cutting pay and reducing benefits. Any candidate should have the decency to say who will get hurt.

Warren Redlich names specific agencies to eliminate and the only one who proposes to cap pay and pensions for government jobs.
where he will cut spending. Read more:

Public Pay and Pension Caps

Eliminate Departments and Functions: Save $5 Billion

Say on Pay for Voters on Politician Raises

Fewer Taxes: New Yorkers Face Too Many Taxes

Real Tort Reform Will Reduce Insurance Costs

The Redlich plan eliminates spending on corporate welfare and unnecessary agencies so we can reopen parks, stop teacher layoffs and prevent new taxes.

Note - Redlich is an elected small town city councilman.

New Video from Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and SecuretheBorder.org

Feel free to sing along...