Comments on: Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate finishes ballot access drive http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:23:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: Steve LaBianca http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-645123 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:12:31 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-645123 I agree that the localities played games with the property tax . . . not raising rates but re-assessing to a higher basis, effectively raising taxes. However, does the Governor or state legislature control the localities taxing ability? Though I am opposed to all taxation, I do support the idea of governments, where they exist being closer to people where they have more ability to effect change. Granted, the personal property tax and real estate taxes are administered by counties and cities, so the reduction of one tax was an excuse to raise another. BTW, I never said that conservatism is synonymous with libertarianism, not is it close in many ways, and I do agree that the phasing out of the car tax is a gimmick, but "conservatives" generally liked it and contributed heavily to Gilmore's positive reputation among conservatives. I will say this as well, in agreement with your synopsis . . . Redpath would need to repudiate his (firm) stance of gun registration in order to have any chance of breaking 1%. p.s. I'll never forget, in a PBS interview in Richmond, Redpath's staunch support for gun registration as a crime fighting tool to go after violent criminals involving firearms. How naive you are Mr. Redpath., so very naive. BTW, I like Bill as a person, plus he did a decent job as ballot access coordinator . . . he just isn't very libertarian. He holds way too much trust in government. I agree that the localities played games with the property tax . . . not raising rates but re-assessing to a higher basis, effectively raising taxes. However, does the Governor or state legislature control the localities taxing ability? Though I am opposed to all taxation, I do support the idea of governments, where they exist being closer to people where they have more ability to effect change. Granted, the personal property tax and real estate taxes are administered by counties and cities, so the reduction of one tax was an excuse to raise another.

BTW, I never said that conservatism is synonymous with libertarianism, not is it close in many ways, and I do agree that the phasing out of the car tax is a gimmick, but “conservatives” generally liked it and contributed heavily to Gilmore’s positive reputation among conservatives.

I will say this as well, in agreement with your synopsis . . . Redpath would need to repudiate his (firm) stance of gun registration in order to have any chance of breaking 1%.

p.s. I’ll never forget, in a PBS interview in Richmond, Redpath’s staunch support for gun registration as a crime fighting tool to go after violent criminals involving firearms.

How naive you are Mr. Redpath., so very naive.

BTW, I like Bill as a person, plus he did a decent job as ballot access coordinator . . . he just isn’t very libertarian. He holds way too much trust in government.

]]> by: MPM http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644821 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:21:33 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644821 Actually, lowering the car tax was an indirect tax because localities made up the difference by higher taxation of real property (mostly through raised assessments). So basically he shifted a tax from all car owners to all real property owners, whom he alienated. Really conservative there... Like I said, Redpath possibly having any success is contingent upon his gun position. Actually, lowering the car tax was an indirect tax because localities made up the difference by higher taxation of real property (mostly through raised assessments). So basically he shifted a tax from all car owners to all real property owners, whom he alienated. Really conservative there…

Like I said, Redpath possibly having any success is contingent upon his gun position.

]]> by: Steve LaBianca http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644803 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:55:59 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644803 Mark Warner is a businessman who understood that he needed to be other than a liberal Democrat. His position on firearms were more reflective of a conservative Republican than a run of the mill liberal Democrat. Sure, people were less than happy with the stalling of the reduction of the car tax to zero, but most, IMHO were satisfied with his explanation of the budget crisis which took precedence. I maintain, Gilmore was a "reasonably" popular Governor. I never said he was wildly popular, and your characterization of Redpath getting 5% is ludicrous. I'll bet $100 that Redpath will get at best, 18% of the way from 0% of the vote to your "not out of the question" of 5%, which is 0.9%. Mark Warner is a businessman who understood that he needed to be other than a liberal Democrat. His position on firearms were more reflective of a conservative Republican than a run of the mill liberal Democrat.

Sure, people were less than happy with the stalling of the reduction of the car tax to zero, but most, IMHO were satisfied with his explanation of the budget crisis which took precedence. I maintain, Gilmore was a “reasonably” popular Governor. I never said he was wildly popular, and your characterization of Redpath getting 5% is ludicrous. I’ll bet $100 that Redpath will get at best, 18% of the way from 0% of the vote to your “not out of the question” of 5%, which is 0.9%.

]]> by: MPM http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644715 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:50:25 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644715 His whole gubernatorial campaign was centered around car tax elimination, which never happened, but he did phase out about half of it. When hard times hit economically, he couldn't satisfy conservatives by eliminating the car tax (which was the only tax he seemed to worry about, and cars valued under $1,000 didn't have their tax rate reduced as much), but he annoyed Democrats but cutting government spending across the board except in education (especially contentious when it came to transportation), while at the same continuing to push for a lower car tax. Also, more money ended up coming in than needed even during economic hardship, so the state rainy day fund had over $1 billion (hence conservatives wondered why taxes weren't reduced more and Democrats wondered why so many cuts had to be made). Also, many didn't like his new emphasis on the SOL tests. The curriculum standardization went over fine, but the tests themselves are largely viewed as worthless by parents; if your child fails an SOL then he/she often has to retake the corresponding class even if he/she did well in the class, but on the other hand if your child is "above average" then it's annoying because in public schools classes are often way too centered around (the generally very easy) SOL's and won't go too far beyond that limited material. Also it's used as a very imperfect barometer of schools and teachers. Finally, a lot of people were pissed at how he handled the case of the permanently comatose Hugh Finn by trying to eliminate the family's private right to remove a feeding tube and let him go with some dignity (unlike say the Schiavo case there wasn't even controversy within the family). In the end a court ruled in favor of the family and Gilmore had to pay their legal fees. Even some social conservatives thought it was a big intrusive waste of time rather than, say, enacting legislation on such cases. As a result of all of Gilmore's blunders, Mark Warner beat Mark Early (largely seen as being 4 more years of Gilmore) in 2001 by 5% in a pretty conservative state. Most people here in VA I talk to now seem to think Gilmore is an idiot, will lose by double digits, and would do well to not embarass himself with his presence in a debate. When he came into office he was pretty popular, but in the last year or two his approval rating tanked. (Note there are plenty of good/popular things he did that I didn't mention, but you asked me to explain his upopularity). Since the spoiler effect isn't a factor here, Redpath could do some real damage if he changes his gun position and makes it well known. 5% isn't out of the question. Now, why would you say Gilmore was roughly on par with Mark Warner in his popularity? His whole gubernatorial campaign was centered around car tax elimination, which never happened, but he did phase out about half of it. When hard times hit economically, he couldn’t satisfy conservatives by eliminating the car tax (which was the only tax he seemed to worry about, and cars valued under $1,000 didn’t have their tax rate reduced as much), but he annoyed Democrats but cutting government spending across the board except in education (especially contentious when it came to transportation), while at the same continuing to push for a lower car tax. Also, more money ended up coming in than needed even during economic hardship, so the state rainy day fund had over $1 billion (hence conservatives wondered why taxes weren’t reduced more and Democrats wondered why so many cuts had to be made). Also, many didn’t like his new emphasis on the SOL tests. The curriculum standardization went over fine, but the tests themselves are largely viewed as worthless by parents; if your child fails an SOL then he/she often has to retake the corresponding class even if he/she did well in the class, but on the other hand if your child is “above average” then it’s annoying because in public schools classes are often way too centered around (the generally very easy) SOL’s and won’t go too far beyond that limited material. Also it’s used as a very imperfect barometer of schools and teachers. Finally, a lot of people were pissed at how he handled the case of the permanently comatose Hugh Finn by trying to eliminate the family’s private right to remove a feeding tube and let him go with some dignity (unlike say the Schiavo case there wasn’t even controversy within the family). In the end a court ruled in favor of the family and Gilmore had to pay their legal fees. Even some social conservatives thought it was a big intrusive waste of time rather than, say, enacting legislation on such cases. As a result of all of Gilmore’s blunders, Mark Warner beat Mark Early (largely seen as being 4 more years of Gilmore) in 2001 by 5% in a pretty conservative state. Most people here in VA I talk to now seem to think Gilmore is an idiot, will lose by double digits, and would do well to not embarass himself with his presence in a debate. When he came into office he was pretty popular, but in the last year or two his approval rating tanked. (Note there are plenty of good/popular things he did that I didn’t mention, but you asked me to explain his upopularity). Since the spoiler effect isn’t a factor here, Redpath could do some real damage if he changes his gun position and makes it well known. 5% isn’t out of the question. Now, why would you say Gilmore was roughly on par with Mark Warner in his popularity?

]]> by: Steve LaBianca http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644621 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:17:04 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644621 # MPM Says: June 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm “Gilmore was reasonably popular as Governor” <i>False.</i> Now there's a substantiated statement! The "car tax" rollback was very popular. In a conservative state, Gilmore held fairly closely to conservative values . . . lowering taxes, emphasizing law and order, not terrible on guns (not especially fabulous either), pro life, etc. Substantiate your "false" statement, or just be a blowhard.
  • MPM Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    • “Gilmore was reasonably popular as Governor”

    False.

    Now there’s a substantiated statement! The “car tax” rollback was very popular. In a conservative state, Gilmore held fairly closely to conservative values . . . lowering taxes, emphasizing law and order, not terrible on guns (not especially fabulous either), pro life, etc.

    Substantiate your “false” statement, or just be a blowhard.

    ]]>         by: TROOFERS/NAMBLA for MARY '08 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644324 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:28:05 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644324 # TROOFERS/NAMBLA for MARY '08 Says: June 11th, 2008 at 3:24 am DOWN WITH BILL! DOWN WITH BILL! DOWN WITH BILL! WE LOVE YOU MARY!
  • TROOFERS/NAMBLA for MARY ‘08 Says:
    June 11th, 2008 at 3:24 am

    • DOWN WITH BILL! DOWN WITH BILL! DOWN WITH BILL! WE LOVE YOU MARY!

    ]]>         by: Thomas J. http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644015 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:24:32 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-644015 Michael, I don't think it is really the job of the LP to do the press for the Green Party. Michael,

    I don’t think it is really the job of the LP to do the press for the Green Party.

    ]]>         by: MPM http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643918 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:46:56 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643918 "Gilmore was reasonably popular as Governor" False. “Gilmore was reasonably popular as Governor”

    False.

    ]]>         by: George Whitfield http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643717 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:41:36 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643717 Hooray! I will be supporting you Bill. Best wishes on your campaign. Hooray! I will be supporting you Bill. Best wishes on your campaign.

    ]]>         by: Chuck Moulton http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643689 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:15:35 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643689 Good luck, Bill! Good luck, Bill!

    ]]>         by: Michael Thompson http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643674 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:05:29 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643674 This press release fails to mention Independent Green candidate Gail Parker who will also turn in enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot in the same U.S. Senate race. http://www.gailparker.us/ This press release fails to mention Independent Green candidate Gail Parker who will also turn in enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot in the same U.S. Senate race.

    http://www.gailparker.us/

    ]]>         by: Steve LaBianca http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643595 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:32:34 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643595 # Paul K. Says: June 10th, 2008 at 3:14 pm <i>Another opportunity to stick it to the neocons and their “Republican” lackys. Gilmore is toast.</i> Guess again Paul . . . Gilmore was reasonably popular as Governor, though it will be interesting because Mark Warner, Gilmore's successor to the Governorship was fairly popular as a Democrat as well! Redpath got about 1% of the vote in 2001, while Gary Reams as the LP Lieutenant Governor candidate got about twice as many votes as Redpath! Two popular governors, with Redpath competing with them . . . I'd be VERY surprised if Redpath got 0.75% or more of the vote.
  • Paul K. Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

    • Another opportunity to stick it to the neocons and their “Republican” lackys. Gilmore is toast.

    Guess again Paul . . . Gilmore was reasonably popular as Governor, though it will be interesting because Mark Warner, Gilmore’s successor to the Governorship was fairly popular as a Democrat as well!

    Redpath got about 1% of the vote in 2001, while Gary Reams as the LP Lieutenant Governor candidate got about twice as many votes as Redpath!

    Two popular governors, with Redpath competing with them . . . I’d be VERY surprised if Redpath got 0.75% or more of the vote.

    ]]>         by: Steve LaBianca http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643581 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:24:42 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643581 # paulie Says: June 10th, 2008 at 2:49 pm <i>Barr is contributing to Redpath now, more than he contributed to Gilmore.</i> Sounds like what all good palm greasing politicos do . . . support opposing candidates of an election!
  • paulie Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 2:49 pm

    • Barr is contributing to Redpath now, more than he contributed to Gilmore.

    Sounds like what all good palm greasing politicos do . . . support opposing candidates of an election!

    ]]>         by: Paul K. http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643566 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:14:08 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643566 Congradulations Bill. Good luck with the campaign. Another opportunity to stick it to the neocons and their "Republican" lackys. Gilmore is toast. Congradulations Bill.

    Good luck with the campaign.

    Another opportunity to stick it to the neocons and their “Republican” lackys. Gilmore is toast.

    ]]>         by: paulie http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643528 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:49:20 +0000 http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/10/libertarian-candidate-for-us-senate-finishes-ballot-access-drive/#comment-643528 Barr is contributing to Redpath now, more than he contributed to Gilmore. Barr is contributing to Redpath now, more than he contributed to Gilmore.

    ]]>