Brooklyn, New York (PRWEB) October 27, 2014

Four candidates for Governor of New York debated Wednesday night in Buffalo. The candidates included Republican Rob Astorino , incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo, Green Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott.

"I rest my case" said McDermott, referring to the Democrat and Republican opening statements, "When you listen to my opponents you don't know who to believe".

McDermott continued, The Democrats and Republicans are the problem. The Libertarian platform is about the people. Its about the Constitution its about doing whats right and whats fair We have to reduce taxes and we have to get government down to within its Constitutional size.

On the issues, the major party candidates seemed to be shifting toward traditional Libertarian positions, including tax reductions, marriage equality and medical marijuana which have long been fundamental parts of the Libertarian platform.

McDermott urged voters to listen to the candidates not as Democrats and Republicans but rather as New Yorkers. The Democrats and Republicans are the problem. We have to get the people back into power. Vote Libertarian this one time.

Libertarians contend that the majority of people support both economic freedom and personal freedom and that limiting the choice to Democrats and Republicans forces voters to choose the candidate they dislike least. A Gallup poll indicates that 42% of Americans self-identify as political independents, far more than Democrats (31%) or Republicans (25%).

According to a George Mason University analysis New York ranked dead last in voter turnout in the 2010 gubernatorial election at just 32% of eligible voters. Absence of choices that reflect their views may be the cause of growing voter disengagement.

Third parties face an uphill battle. Under New York State election law, once a candidate for Governor receives 50,000 votes, any future candidates from that party face much less stringent requirements in order to appear on the ballot.

Otherwise, depending on the office, candidates must collect thousands of signatures.

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Candidates for New York Governor Debate in Buffalo. Libertarian McDermott Talks Empowerment. Major Party Opponents ...