Comments on: Is Badnarik Unelectable? http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:12:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: Third Party Watch » Blog Archive » Is Arin Sime the Anti-Badnarik? http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-298342 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:36:23 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-298342 [...] With that said, let me back up the sensational headline with some explanation. In March of 2006 I suggested that Michael Badnarik was an unelectable candidate for a variety of reasons. Mainly that he lacked the experience and community ties to win over voters. He was an unmarried man in his 50’s, a transplant into the District, and had virtually no experience or community ties at the local level. His support was mostly coming from outside the District, through Libertarians he met while running for President. They raised $400,000 by collecting checks from California to Maine, they dressed up in crazy “V for Vendetta” Halloween costumes, and ultimately they got 4% of the vote. Even if that money had been spent effectively, it still wouldn’t have saved him because he was just not electable. [...] [...] With that said, let me back up the sensational headline with some explanation. In March of 2006 I suggested that Michael Badnarik was an unelectable candidate for a variety of reasons. Mainly that he lacked the experience and community ties to win over voters. He was an unmarried man in his 50’s, a transplant into the District, and had virtually no experience or community ties at the local level. His support was mostly coming from outside the District, through Libertarians he met while running for President. They raised $400,000 by collecting checks from California to Maine, they dressed up in crazy “V for Vendetta” Halloween costumes, and ultimately they got 4% of the vote. Even if that money had been spent effectively, it still wouldn’t have saved him because he was just not electable. [...]

]]> by: Third Party Watch » Blog Archive » The Badnarik Campaign… http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-55640 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 06:23:30 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-55640 [...] My own opinion from the very start was that Mr. Badnarik was unelectable due to a lack of experience and community ties. Not really anything Mr. Hacker could have done about that. [...] [...] My own opinion from the very start was that Mr. Badnarik was unelectable due to a lack of experience and community ties. Not really anything Mr. Hacker could have done about that. [...]

]]> by: Kromm http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-4301 Thu, 06 Apr 2006 06:34:59 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-4301 Electable, not electable, who cares. Stop wasting your votes on Republicans and Democrats and vote for what you believe. Who cares if you win, you got to cast your vote for what you believe in. If more people would vote for what they believe and stop worrying about who has a shot and who they don't want to win then things would start changing. It's people who argue about who could win and who they are going to vote against that screw up politics. Electable, not electable, who cares. Stop wasting your votes on Republicans and Democrats and vote for what you believe. Who cares if you win, you got to cast your vote for what you believe in. If more people would vote for what they believe and stop worrying about who has a shot and who they don’t want to win then things would start changing. It’s people who argue about who could win and who they are going to vote against that screw up politics.

]]> by: Kyle B http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3231 Thu, 23 Mar 2006 03:44:18 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3231 Darcy, Well I just live in Georgia and am active with the Democratic Party so I keep track of all our candidates and who they are running against. Kyle Darcy,

Well I just live in Georgia and am active with the Democratic Party so I keep track of all our candidates and who they are running against.

Kyle

]]> by: Darcy G Richardson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3225 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:06:47 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3225 Thanks, Kyle. It sounds like you're following that race pretty closely. It should be an interesting one, especially if Abramoff-tainted Ralph Reed emerges as the Republican candidate. Thanks, Kyle. It sounds like you’re following that race pretty closely. It should be an interesting one, especially if Abramoff-tainted Ralph Reed emerges as the Republican candidate.

]]> by: Kyle B http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3221 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 20:39:37 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3221 Darcy, The only Dems that are Declared for the Lt. Gov race at the moment are Greg Hecht, Jim Martin, and Griffin Lotson. Hecht is a ex state sen and Martin is a ex state rep and a ex state human resources commissioner. None of there three are really that strong of candidates. The rumor that is going around now is that State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is considering entering the race. Kyle Darcy,

The only Dems that are Declared for the Lt. Gov race at the moment are Greg Hecht, Jim Martin, and Griffin Lotson. Hecht is a ex state sen and Martin is a ex state rep and a ex state human resources commissioner. None of there three are really that strong of candidates. The rumor that is going around now is that State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is considering entering the race.

Kyle

]]> by: Darcy G Richardson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3220 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:38:39 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3220 Undercover_anarchist, I'm glad your mother-in-law gave you a copy of my book for Christmas. Walt Brown, the former Socialist candidate for president, told me he keeps a copy of it on his nightstand. He says it's better than Unisom. Undercover_anarchist,

I’m glad your mother-in-law gave you a copy of my book for Christmas. Walt Brown, the former Socialist candidate for president, told me he keeps a copy of it on his nightstand. He says it’s better than Unisom.

]]> by: Darcy G Richardson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3218 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:08:38 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3218 Kyle, Thanks for the information about Max Cleland. I had just read an article in yesterday's Walton Tribune listing him as one of five Democrats running for lieutenant governor. Maybe the reporter got it wrong. Personally, I think Cleland is chomping at the bit to mount some sort of political comeback after the nasty 2002 campaign. In any case, assuming that Ralph Reed gets the GOP nod and Cleland ultimately decides to get in the race and wins the Democratic nomination, I think it would be one of the most widely-watches races in the nation. This would be a high profile race where the Libertarians could get some serious attention. Despite the much higher name recognition of his major-party opponents, Allen Buckley would be the most impressive candidate in the field and would be ideally positioned to play a major role as a potential spoiler in what would most likely be a very tight race. Kyle,

Thanks for the information about Max Cleland. I had just read an article in yesterday’s Walton Tribune listing him as one of five Democrats running for lieutenant governor. Maybe the reporter got it wrong. Personally, I think Cleland is chomping at the bit to mount some sort of political comeback after the nasty 2002 campaign. In any case, assuming that Ralph Reed gets the GOP nod and Cleland ultimately decides to get in the race and wins the Democratic nomination, I think it would be one of the most widely-watches races in the nation. This would be a high profile race where the Libertarians could get some serious attention. Despite the much higher name recognition of his major-party opponents, Allen Buckley would be the most impressive candidate in the field and would be ideally positioned to play a major role as a potential spoiler in what would most likely be a very tight race.

]]> by: Darcy G Richardson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3217 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 17:45:03 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3217 Allen, thanks for clearing that up. I'm happy to learn that the Texas party tried to discourage the recalcitrant candidate from filing. Let's hope NOTA prevails at the district nominating convention. Allen, thanks for clearing that up. I’m happy to learn that the Texas party tried to discourage the recalcitrant candidate from filing. Let’s hope NOTA prevails at the district nominating convention.

]]> by: Darcy G Richardson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3216 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 17:30:55 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3216 Chris, good point about Ventura. I should have said "raised" rather than "spent" when referring to Ventura's successful gubernatorial bid in 1998. He raised about $300,000 during the campaign, but retroactively qualified for matching funds in the amount of approximately $327,000. Of course, his campaign didn't receive those funds until after the election. In any case, at this point in the campaign Badnarik is at a pace to far surpass Ventura's fundraising efforts in '98. At this point in Ventura's fledgling campaign, his campaign manager Doug Friedline was operating on a shoe-string budget. In fact, they didn't hit the $75,000 mark until early October, about four weeks before the election. Chris, good point about Ventura. I should have said “raised” rather than “spent” when referring to Ventura’s successful gubernatorial bid in 1998. He raised about $300,000 during the campaign, but retroactively qualified for matching funds in the amount of approximately $327,000. Of course, his campaign didn’t receive those funds until after the election. In any case, at this point in the campaign Badnarik is at a pace to far surpass Ventura’s fundraising efforts in ‘98. At this point in Ventura’s fledgling campaign, his campaign manager Doug Friedline was operating on a shoe-string budget. In fact, they didn’t hit the $75,000 mark until early October, about four weeks before the election.

]]> by: Chris Moore http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3214 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:01:49 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3214 I thought Russo got 26% in the Republican primary for Nevada governor. Either way, Nolan may have gotten 500,000 votes as opposed to 400,000. What's a few tenths of a percentage points among friends? And Russo may have gotten less with his rather brash style and tendency to say whatever was on his mind no matter how offensive. And Jesse Venture spent over $600,000 on his congressional campaign which is over 4 times what the Badnarik campaign has spent. And every candidate mentioned has just as little political experience as Badnarik. I'm not saying not to support them, but do you really think Wilbur Wood has a shot at winning? I live in Virginia. It know it won't happen. I thought Russo got 26% in the Republican primary for Nevada governor. Either way, Nolan may have gotten 500,000 votes as opposed to 400,000. What’s a few tenths of a percentage points among friends? And Russo may have gotten less with his rather brash style and tendency to say whatever was on his mind no matter how offensive.

And Jesse Venture spent over $600,000 on his congressional campaign which is over 4 times what the Badnarik campaign has spent.

And every candidate mentioned has just as little political experience as Badnarik.

I’m not saying not to support them, but do you really think Wilbur Wood has a shot at winning? I live in Virginia. It know it won’t happen.

]]> by: Kyle B http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3212 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:30:06 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3212 Austin, Former Sen. Max Cleland isn't running for Lt. Gov in Georgia unless he changes his mind. This was a rumor that went around a couple of months ago that he would run against Ralph Reed but it seems that it was just a rumor. I have had the chance to talk with Sen. Cleland and from this talk I would be surprised if he ever runs for another elected office. The Georgia Democrat Party is still trying to recruit a well know figure in the state to run for Lt. Gov. At the moment it seems that Ralph Reeds biggest compitition for the office is from State Sen Cagle in the Republican primary. Allen Buckley was pretty impressive in the debate but he only got 2% of the vote and that was with a very weak Democratic candidate in the field. Kyle Austin,

Former Sen. Max Cleland isn’t running for Lt. Gov in Georgia unless he changes his mind. This was a rumor that went around a couple of months ago that he would run against Ralph Reed but it seems that it was just a rumor. I have had the chance to talk with Sen. Cleland and from this talk I would be surprised if he ever runs for another elected office. The Georgia Democrat Party is still trying to recruit a well know figure in the state to run for Lt. Gov. At the moment it seems that Ralph Reeds biggest compitition for the office is from State Sen Cagle in the Republican primary.
Allen Buckley was pretty impressive in the debate but he only got 2% of the vote and that was with a very weak Democratic candidate in the field.

Kyle

]]> by: Allen Hacker http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3207 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 06:13:30 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3207 Whoa, Darcy, The Texas LP isn't running anyone against Ron Paul. The fellow filed against all wishes and advice and has refused to be reasoned into withdrawing. But he is not yet an official candidate. The Texas congressional district nominating conventions are this coming Saturday, the 25th. This person could get the nod if he can convince enough delegates that (a) any candiate is better than none, and (b) Ron Paul isn't really a libertarian despite his voting record, positions and speeches every year promoting the philosophy and the name. Even though the filer is the only person in the primary, that guarantees nothing. He still has to beat NOTA (None Of The Above), always a contender in LP elections, and one who has defeated a few would-be candidates in the past. If NOTA prevails, the LPTexas Executive Committee may have the option to appoint a candidate. They can only do that under special circumstances where someone has filed but died, withdrawn unexpectedly for cause, etc. I predict that if they have the option, they will opt not. -0- Whoa, Darcy,

The Texas LP isn’t running anyone against Ron Paul.

The fellow filed against all wishes and advice and has refused to be reasoned into withdrawing. But he is not yet an official candidate.

The Texas congressional district nominating conventions are this coming Saturday, the 25th. This person could get the nod if he can convince enough delegates that (a) any candiate is better than none, and (b) Ron Paul isn’t really a libertarian despite his voting record, positions and speeches every year promoting the philosophy and the name.

Even though the filer is the only person in the primary, that guarantees nothing. He still has to beat NOTA (None Of The Above), always a contender in LP elections, and one who has defeated a few would-be candidates in the past.

If NOTA prevails, the LPTexas Executive Committee may have the option to appoint a candidate. They can only do that under special circumstances where someone has filed but died, withdrawn unexpectedly for cause, etc.

I predict that if they have the option, they will opt not.

0

]]> by: undercover_ararchist http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3206 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 06:00:48 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3206 Darcy: My mother in law got me your book for Christmas. Now I no longer hate her. Darcy: My mother in law got me your book for Christmas. Now I no longer hate her.

]]> by: Darcy G Richardson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3203 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 05:06:33 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/03/19/is-badnarik-unelectable/#comment-3203 Thank you for your kind words, George. I congratulate you for having the political acumen to have supported someone other than Badnarik for the party's presidential nomination in 2004. I also applaud your willingness to support other Libertarians this year, not just Badnarik. That's the whole point of my argument --- the Libertarian Party shouldn't look to the Badnarik congressional campaign as some sort of panacea. If they do, I'm afraid they'll be deeply disappointed. Having said that, I have to confess that I don't quite understand Texas politics, a state that executes people with low IQ's, yet in 1994 and 1998 elected a man with a similar IQ as governor. I guess I also wonder a little bit about the Libertarian Party leadership in the Lone Star State. Why on earth, for instance, are they running a candidate against Ron Paul, the closest thing to a true "libertarian" in all of Congress? Thank you for your kind words, George. I congratulate you for having the political acumen to have supported someone other than Badnarik for the party’s presidential nomination in 2004. I also applaud your willingness to support other Libertarians this year, not just Badnarik. That’s the whole point of my argument—- the Libertarian Party shouldn’t look to the Badnarik congressional campaign as some sort of panacea. If they do, I’m afraid they’ll be deeply disappointed.

Having said that, I have to confess that I don’t quite understand Texas politics, a state that executes people with low IQ’s, yet in 1994 and 1998 elected a man with a similar IQ as governor. I guess I also wonder a little bit about the Libertarian Party leadership in the Lone Star State. Why on earth, for instance, are they running a candidate against Ron Paul, the closest thing to a true “libertarian” in all of Congress?

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