Libertarians - where will they go?

[Doomsayer13]

I have a roomate who is a libertarian leaning conservative. He agrees with Bush on national security issues and economic issues, but with Bush's recent spend thrifty budget and this sanctimonious moral proselytizing, espeically with the gay marriage amendment ban, he's seriously considering either not voting for Bush or voting for the Democrat. It was surprising for me becuase just a few months ago, he was a sure Bush voter.

we know that a good deal of Bushites are social liberals/moderates. We'll see an increase in libertarian numbers or some of these folks just wont vote. We can only hope that this is the case.

[wyldwolf]

1. The official position of the libertarian party is anti-Iraq war...

[Capn Sunshine]

5. Too bad we can't say the same about the Democratic party

Especially the DLC;I'm a member, I should know.

[wyldwolf]

6. As am I, and I've seen as many who are pro-Iraq war...

..as non-DLC dems... truth is, some on our side just don't agree with us on this issue...

[wuushew]

2. Would not a true Libertarian vote for the Libertarian candidate?

Same with a Green,Socialist or Constitution Party member

[Doomsayer13]

4. Libertarians generally vote strategically

the real ideologically rigid ones vote Harry Brown (L candidate for the last two races) but usually libertarian leanding individuals will vote Republican to keep Dems out of the race. that is unless the republican is someone so completely adverse to social liberalism that they couldn't bring themselves to do so. Bush is looking like he'll go there.

[arewethereyet]

9. follow the taxes, its the center of the storm for them.

[T Bone]

25. yep, taxes and guns for the looneytarians

taxes and guns. I know one who is buying a bunch of guns. To fight Bush if he wins and to just have them if Kerry wins because he figures Kerry will regulate them off the market. go figure.

[corporatewhore]

20. I have to libertarians in my kucinich4pres group

[Kazak]

21. Dig the flag.

:thumbsup:

[tedoll78]

3. Divided government is your best angle for him.

The GOP will surely control the House, barring some historic landslide. Which means that the White House and/or Senate would be the easiest means of getting divided government.

[leftyandproud]

7. They will vote Libertarian

I know several Libertarians...They say the goal is not to immediately win elections, but to pull both parties back to the side of limited government across the board, on economic as well as social issues. When people get tired of their party making endless compromises with the other side on the things important to them, they should consider third parties...and many people on our side are much closer to the LP than to the current democratic leadership.

[lojasmo]

8. Not Libertarian

No actual Libertarian could support bush on national defense or the war on terrorism. Your friend is NOT a Libertarian, despite what he may say.

[BillZBubb]

12. Exactly, he could not be a Libertarian

He's a LINO. He probably is just not happy to admit he's a Repug. It happens a lot.

[BiggJawn]

26. Does he smoke Dope?

THAT could explain why he considers himself a "libertarian"...

[arewethereyet]

18. as with the dems there is a broad range of acceptance of the tennents

many find the isolationist aspects to be unacceptable

[Doomsayer13]

22. well, he never said he was libertarian

he was libertarian leaning. Socially very liberal - 100% choice and wants a complete and total separation of church and state, but very fiscally conservative. He defines himself as libertarian leaning because he was pro-war and very pro Isreal.

[mountainvue]

31. I thought

Libertarians were pro Palestinian?

[Mike Niendorff]

10. He'll vote Republican.

Then he'll tell you he voted Democratic.

And then he'll tell you that his Democratic vote shows how open-minded LPers are, and you really should consider joining the Libertarian Party.


MDN

[Killarney]

11. R in a close race, L in a blowout race.

They will vote R this year if the polls stay the same.

[EDT]

13. I think alot of Libertarian people are like many, one issue voters

Whether it's taxes, gay rights, gun control, many grudgingly vote for the candidate that supports their hot button issue, eventhough other issues like abortion rights, etc... may take a hit as they're voting in someone who goes against their beliefs.

[arewethereyet]

14. exactly, and taxes are at the heart of their philosophy

[arko]

23. Not exactly,

Liberty is at the heart of their philosophy. That's why their called the Libertarian party.

[arewethereyet]

27. and per an indivdual's relationship to the govt, whats the start with ?

taxes

[blurp]

Taxation definitely part of it

Taxation forces people do things for other people. Libertarians call that involuntary servitude. Most here would call it social justice.

It's hard to see how libertarians would vote Democrat.

[tomorrowsashes]

15. the term libertarian was originally for anarchists

The term libertarian was originally used for and by anarchists, but has since been stolen by conservatives who don't want the law cutting in on there profits, but need the police to protect them from their slaves. Liberty and capitalism are in direct contradiction, thus it is hypocritical for right wing conservatives to describe themselves as such.l

[blurp]

29. History of 20th century suggests you're wrong

Liberty and capitalism are in direct contradiction, thus it is hypocritical for right wing conservatives to describe themselves as such.

Bah.

I'd say they are completely compatible. In fact, I don't think you can have one without the other.

Seems history has shown that the most anti-capitalistic societies have had the least liberty. You think that's just some kind of accident?

[corporatewhore]

16. I have two libertarians who are in my kucinich4pres groups they would

voe for an anti nafta anti patriotact canidate

[Kinkistyle]

17. swing voters

in a politically "safe" state like NY, CA, or AL they will prolly vote their own party, but depending on how much importance they place on the social aspect or fiscal aspect of their Libertarianism, they could go either direction. I used to be a Libertarian who placed a greater amount of importance on social issues, I tended to favor Dem candidates over Pug candidates.

Actually Bill Clinton turned out to be a lot more "Libertarian" than a lot of people realize. Given the current environment, Dems and DLC are alot closer to the Libertarian ideals than the Repugs (especially the new Neo-con generation) ever will be.

[corporatewhore]

19. actually libertains are anti war i heard mike badarnikspeatatantiwar rally

[mouse7]

24. Who cares.

There aren't enough of them to give a crap. Most of them are pecan tree looney. Not just nuts but tree full o' nuts.

[Doomsayer13]

28. it's a good 10% of Bush's vote total

there are more libertarians out there than people give credit for, they just vote Repub in the GE because it's the logical thing to do. If libertarians are persuaded to vote for the D, or at least be dissuaded from voting for Bush, then it could really hurt him in the General election.

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