Article from Karl Dickey at Examiner.com:
Yesterday, April 7, 2015, United States Senator Rand Paul announced his official run for president in the 2016 Republican presidential race. The media often refers to Paul as a libertarian, even though Paul himself has said he is not a libertarian. Speaking yesterday during a radio interview about Paul’s announcement and whether Paul is libertarian, 2012 Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson said, “If he was a libertarian, he’d run as a libertarian. He’s a Republican and he said that in his speech.” In another interview last night, Johnson said, “He established himself as a social conservative and I think all Republicans running for president are social conservatives, and that’s really where Republicans differ from Libertarians. The social agenda that the Republicans have is a turn off.”
So who is running to be the Libertarian Party’s 2016 presidential nomination? Johnson, the most viable of potential Libertarian Party candidates, announced that he plans to run to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination and expects to be on the ballot in all 50 states. Although, there is the potential Johnson may not run because he has been busy developing a public company as its CEO, last night on Fox Business’ Kennedy television show he said he hopes to run for president in 2016. He added, “Go back to the website iSidewith.com in the last election. 3.5 million people got online, answered 35 questions, at the end I paired up with the presidential candidate most inline with their views.” Three other candidates have actually declared their intent to run for president and are working to win the Libertarian Party presidential nomination.
Dr. Marc Feldman is most widely known in Libertarian circles and he recently ran for State Treasurer in Ohio as a Libertarian. Feldman is the head of the General Anesthesiology department at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Feldman has stated, “On the first day of my administration I would deliver to Congress a detailed balanced budget. While Congress debates and considers this plan, I will declare a National Fiscal Emergency and, by executive order, direct every government agency to apply strict controls to limit spending to available revenue. Not one single dollar will be added to our 18 Trillion dollar debt. The debt clock will stop dead.”
Steve Kerbel is another candidate seeking the Libertarian Party’s 2016 presidential nomination. His campaign platform is straight from the Libertarian Party’s platform, so libertarians know what they are getting with Kerbel. Kerbel is the CEO of an insurance company and author of the book “Take Everyman Down: A 12 Step Program to servitude of the American Populace and Destruction of the American Dream” From his website, Kerbel states, “I believe that all members of society should have abundant opportunities to achieve economic success. A free and competitive market allocates resources in the most efficient manner. Each person has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market. The only proper role of government in the economic realm is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework in which voluntary trade is protected. All efforts by government to redistribute wealth are improper in a free society.”
Darryl Perry is the third known declared candidate seeking the Libertarian Party’s 2016 nomination for president. Perry, hosts a daily newscast, has is own podcast and often co-hosts the popular libertarian radio show Free Talk Live. From his website, Perry states, “I believe…that all coercive forms of taxation should be eliminated, and government programs should be funded voluntarily…that people should be allowed to travel freely without government interference. This includes the right of individuals to choose where they decide to live.”
Another potential candidate is R. Lee Wrights, who ran for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination in 2012 against Gary Johnson. Others have expressed interest in libertarian celebrities like Drew Carey, Clint Eastwood, John Stossel or Vince Vaughn.
In Florida, 14 people have filed to run for president in 2016 – three Republicans, two Democrats, five with no party affiliation and four as write-in candidates. No candidates above, including Rand Paul, have filed with Florida’s Division of Elections office. Gary Johnson is the only known Libertarian Party presidential candidate who will be speaking at the Libertarian Party of Florida state convention in June, 2015 happening in New Port Richey, Florida.
Editor’s note: other candidates who have declared for the Libertarian nomination include Cecil Ince, Robert Milnes, Robbert Kuffel, Kip Lee, Rebeccae Fliederer, and Bill Pruit.
I’m not anyone’s mouthpiece and if I see credible evidence for your claims I can and will quit OAI. Johnson, like Clark, campaigned plausibly to the left-center-libertarian youth vote. I saw it on the ground working on the campaign and following it closely as a reporter.
I don’t believe there was any huge spending on staff. I have many anecdotal reports of what people on NSON/GJ12 actually make. I also find Ron’s explanation, that he has actually been losing money the whole time and that in all likelihood he will never recoup the debt he is owed, to be believable. I do wish he would exercise more transparency though.
I understand what he tried to do with the FEC and why it failed and that no such attempt will be made again. Unfortunately it also gave habitual critics and anti-LPes alike an underserved opening to bash Johnson.
I know how much GJ12 raised and that a lot of it went to candidate travel, producing and shipping materials, and a small amount also went to help bail out LNC/hq commitments to petitioners for work that was actually done that the LNC/hq was unable to fulfill. Where was the money to pay huge salaries? I don’t see how it could have existed.
The other paragraphs in Phillies’ comment seem on the money to me.
Johnson’s vote total was (i) no other significant third party candidates except a Green, and (ii) Republican dis taste for Romney. I do not believe that huge spending on staff contributed to the final result, and I do not believe the OAI mouthpiece and his assertions of not-on-the-record deniable claims that the money went someplace else other than campaign staff. If we run Johnson again, we will again see our money going to a big campaign staffing operation, just as we did in 2008 and 2000..
Of the other people noted above, I believe “I won’t file with the FEC” is a losing idea, “I’ll only take tiny donations’ is a losing idea, “I’ve never been associated with your party until now, but I’m just so great”—the last guy to try this at least claimed descent from Julius Caesar — is absurd. However, Perry has a significant record of association of party activism, and Feldman has a significant record of party activism. Also, Feldman is actually trying to set up a campaign operation.
I at least had a serious campaign operation.
“Paulie – Thanks for the comment. I would really appreciate the opportunity to discuss that plan with you. If you like, shoot me an e-mail and we can set up a time to discuss..”
All of my contact info (phone, email, fb) is in the About IPR tab at the top of the page, but unless you want to tell me something confidential, I prefer to discuss things here in public and give others a chance to chime in. If you do want to tell me something that’s not for public release I will honor that request.
“Barr actually didn’t do that badly either, much as I dislike him.”
He got the typical 0.4 +/- 0.1% (right at 0.4 iitc) that the LP got in every p-race from 1984 to 2008.
re: the politico article, since it quotes so many LP-ers I put it up as its own post.
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2015/04/politico-article-features-several-libertarian-party-members/
As always, a bunch of candidates nobody’s ever heard of before and who have given no indication they are capable of running a national campaign, trash-talk past LP vote totals and promise double-digits with absolutely no plausible plan of how to do so other than their own self-assurance that they’re just that much more awesome than the all those other idiots who’ve run as a Libertarian in the past.
All it does, is confirm that they wouldn’t have a clue what to do if they actually found themselves being the nominee. Which is why they won’t be.
When somebody steps forward with a candidate who could actually do better than Johnson, it will be worth considering. That’s a very short list of possible names, none of whom have expressed any interest. Until then, Johnson will continue to operate on the assumption that he could win the nomination in a walk, because he would and quite rightly so. That doesn’t mean he won’t debate his nominal opponents at some point, I’m sure he will at the convention if nothing else. But that doesn’t mean his ability to win the nomination in a landslide is seriously in doubt.
*Even if* he didn’t improve on 2012, which I think is unlikely, he’d still do better than any of the possible alternatives. I don’t buy that Kerbel, or Perry, or Feldman, or any of the others, would even crack half a percent, and I haven’t seen anybody offer a plausible narrative where they break out and do any better than the 1984-2008 campaigns that all got less than half a percent.
Paulie – Thanks for the comment. I would really appreciate the opportunity to discuss that plan with you. If you like, shoot me an e-mail and we can set up a time to discuss..
“Jed is exactly right. And how were Bob Barr’s or Ron Paul’s vote totals when they ran with the LP, or Cynthia McKinney’s as a Green, or Virgil Goode’s as CP?”
Barr actually didn’t do that badly either, much as I dislike him.
I agree.
Good luck. I’ll need to see a good plan to get us from here to there.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/rand-pauls-kinder-libertarianism-116833.html#ixzz3WsNAH3w
The Politico article itself isn’t that bad, but the title is terrible. How on Earth does Rand’s increasingly hawkish, socially conservative platform constitute a “kinder, gentler” form of libertarianism? In fact, just the opposite is true. Ron Paul’s positions were far kinder and gentler than his son’s are.
Jed is exactly right. And how were Bob Barr’s or Ron Paul’s vote totals when they ran with the LP, or Cynthia McKinney’s as a Green, or Virgil Goode’s as CP? Reality is…most people are lucky if they know who their own Governor and Congresspersons are, much less anyone else’s or ones from a decade earlier in a small state across the country. It is just not that impressive to the average person. Campaigns rise or fall on their own merits. Maybe if it was the well known current or very recent governor or senator from a major state that crossed over it would be significant, but ex-US Rep or gov of a small state from a decade earlier…not so much.
We are the 3rd largest political party in the nation. More and more people have become disenfranchised with the Democrats and the Republicans. This leaves us the opportunity to become a national force, but we need to make Americans understand that what we stand for is not only right for America, but we have a plan to implement our goals in a way that will stimulate our economy. I believe that I can carry this message in the most effective way possible, and that is what I intend to do. My goal is to get us into the double digits in 2016. 1% will not do if we are going to have a chance to become a real option to the tow major parties.
If you go in with the false assumption that a former major officeholder should get a huge number of votes automagically, then yes Gov. Johnson’s vote total was disappointing. To the rest of us, it was quite impressive indeed, and I see no reason why Gov. Johnson shouldn’t run again on the LP line.
He stayed involved the whole time, endorsed LP candidates in 2012 and 2014, has been speaking at LP state conventions and other joint events with state and local LP groups, and does media appearances and speaking to outside audiences such as at CPAC. With OAI, we are working on influencing legislation and public policy at the state level as well as suing the presidential debate commission. Gary has been working on all these things every year since he came over to the LP in 2011, while completing the rest of the seven summits and launching a new business venture.
Gary debated other people seeking the LP nomination in 2012, and I expect he will again this time, provided he runs.
I wasn’t disappointed. Every LP prez campaign from 1984 to 2008 ended up with o.4 plus or minus 0.1%. Gary got us back to the (rounded off) 1.0% range that we only hit in 1980, but on a campaig budget like we had in the campaigns from 1984-2008, not the larger Koch money inflated budget of the 1980 campaign that we haven’t been able to match since the Kochs broke with the LP in 1983.
How can he enter the debate when he is not here yet? My intent is to not only work hard enough to earn the nomination, but to propel us into the mainstream in the general election with a significant share of the overall vote. While he may be talking about Jesse Ventura, he should be more concerned with those of us who have stuck our necks out for the good of the nation and did not run in the past as a Republican.
I agree with you.
“Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee in 2012, chastises the younger Paul for supporting a budget that includes sizable increases in military spending and for cozying up to evangelicals. Paul continues to personally oppose gay marriage and does not call for the legalization of marijuana.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/rand-pauls-kinder-libertarianism-116833.html#ixzz3WsNAH3w
Taxation needs to be from procurement, with some exemptions for lower income folks so they can live a decent life within their means. Income tax takes money from people forcibly and spends it on programs that many do not want. Flat tax is still income tax. Corporate tax costs huge numbers of jobs to foreign shores and decimates large metropolitan areas. I am all for a strong defense, but it has to be done intelligently and efficiently, just as is necessary for all government managed items.
To one point, I believe that small business is the key to the American dream, and for this to be re-awakened, the government needs to get out of the way. Much of taxation goes to government regulation which destroys small business. So lets see here.. we are paying tons of our own money to make our own lives impossible. Does anyone else see a problem with this?
Regarding Governor Johnson with all due respect.. the rest of us are here right now working hard for the purpose of earning the nomination. We are not swooping down at the last minute with the expectation that we can simply walk in and end up with the nomination, especially after the disappointing showing in 2012. How can he enter the debate when he is not here yet? My intent is to not only work hard enough to earn the nomination, but to propel us into the mainstream in the general election with a significant share of the overall vote. While he may be talking about Jesse Ventura, he should be more concerned with those of us who have stuck our necks out for the good of the nation and did not run in the past as a Republican.
“I have a feeling that Rand-fever will die down soon.”
I wish!
Unfortunately, it is only getting started.
I would like the candidates to debate Gary Johnson on his UNFAIR/UNFLAT punitive tax policy. It clearly puts the tax burden on the poor and middle class while the rich pay even less. Do you candidates agree or are you with Gary and favor the wonderful NEW tax proposals. FYI any discussion of flat taxes by electeds usually means the greedy powers that be just want to take MORE of your money. War ain’t cheap, rich crony CEOS like to get paid. They have important campaign contributions to make EVERY year. TY in advance to the candidates that respond.
My grandfather used to say “I don’t care what they say about me as long as they spell my name right” Thank you rp promoters, except maybe jill, for spelling his name right. At least Jill posted a Pro lib ANTI rat Paul video. Thank you Jill, I take back what I said about. Please tell Alan hello.
Found on several Libertarian FB pages:
Why You Should Not Vote for Rand Paul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsS_QnMLzdg&feature=youtu.be&hc_location=ufi
I get the impression that Cecil is more into the cut and paste hit and run. He can prove me wrong any time he feels like it.
Cecil, I think we’d all be happy to hear more about you. Do you have a website? Have you written anything about your issues, what you’ve been doing toward individual liberty, or anything else you might think we’d like to know? We know both Dr. Feldman and Darryl Perry fairly well here. How about joining in on some discussions here on IPR?
I have a feeling that Rand-fever will die down soon. In the meantime, since Rand is being called a libertarian in many media outlets, he’s going to show up in some of the articles that are appropriate here. If an article is about him and that’s a problem, the reader can just pass on it and read something else.
I predict this will be over fairly soon.
LOL, I doubt he would have known about it. The job of the candidate in a “real” campaign is to give media interviews, speak in front of crowds, and schmooze with fatcats to get them to write the biggest possible checks. Everything else is done by other members of the campaign team.
Our primary focus has always been on candidates running outside the establishment parties, but the comments always have and still sometimes do touch on candidates running in the big two, especially when they are in the title of the article (!) … However, you and the other LP candidates are certainly a topic in this thread as well, and in many others.
Rand Paul is right in the article title, genius.
Thank you Pauley for the rp posted slippers but this thread isn’t about a stupid freaking pab republican war monger loser. It’s about guys like Ince, Kerbal and the dr. Real Libertarians trying to get their message out…..HELLO, anybody up there?
The Rand Paul store has since renamed the item to “Rand Paul Sandals” however the link is still https://store.randpaul.com/index.php/fun-stuff/rand-paul-flip-flops.html
Lots of comments about Dr. Rand Paul. He is running as a Republican, you understand. I thought this was *Independent* Political Report. Maybe you ought to add a little elephant or the RLC logo to the masthead.
Dave, I noticed that Rand had raised less than a million dollars his first day, but then I found that Cruz had only collected half a million. Rand raised $900,000 the first day. Being attacked by the liberal media yesterday might encourage his supporters to give more, since it’s obvious he’ll be attacked from many directions.
I can’t believe those flip flops are actually real. Rand doesn’t strike me as the self-deprecating type. Is it possible that the irony is simply lost on him?
It is. He has several um… “creative” products. Including an NSA spy cam blocker and the three foot Rand Paul birthday card. https://store.randpaul.com/index.php/fun-stuff/giant-rand-paul-birthday-card.html
Speaking of Paul, Folks might be interested to learn that Ted Cruz, thought to b eRand’s main competition in the Republican party for votes, has apparently raised 31 million in his first week. Taking into account donations only to his campaign and not PAC’s, he’s raised 8 million. RP meanwhile is having a moneybomb. In his third day he’s at 1.2 million. I think it’s fairly obvious he’s not attracting the same grassroots support his father did. But hopefully the LP will be able to peel off some of his supporters after he leaves the race, especially if the nominee is Bush.
I believe this is an actual product being marketed by the Rand Paul campaign, not an intentional parody, although I could be wrong.
Paulie–
LOL!!!
Both Feldman and Ince are scheduled to speak at fundraisers hosted by Lake County at the Florida convention.
Kerbel’s claim to being a legitimate candidate, given no prior association with the party as an activist, appears highly open to question.
You forget about Cecil Ince?