ex-Navy Seal clearly most libertarian even on Drug Issue

From Eric Dondero:

The Tidewater Libertarian Party in Virginia has decided to exert itself into the Republican primary for US Congress District 2 (eastern shore). While they are not making an explicit endorsement, they are doing the next best thing; requesting answers from all the contenders on controversial issues and publishing them on their website in detail.

The primary will be held June 8. It is a tight race for the nomination. The current Rep. is Gerald Nye, a Democrat, who is considered very vulnerable.

So far, three candidates have responded to the Libertarian Party call. All three gave very libertarian responses to just about all the questions. In fact, they're virtually indistinguishable, except for the style of their responses, and their emphasis.

Of the 10 questions, there was only one area where differences emerged; allowing states to decide on drug legalization.

Ben Loyola, who is considered to be the frontrunner in the race, stated:

I oppose efforts to legalize drugs, and feel there is a federal interest in interdiction of drug trafficking.

In fairness, on all other questions Loyola took a libertarian stance. This included a question on a national i.d. He would oppose such a plan.

The 2nd candidate Bert Misusawa answered "Yes" he would support allowing states to decide on legalization. But he added, "first we must define victimless," crime.

To Question 6, Should the federal government defer all law regarding victimless crime, including drug use to the states...?

Scott Taylor simply answered "Yes."

Taylor answered purely libertarian on all other questions, including: 2nd Amendment, eminent domain, blocking the EPA from imposing CO2 emissions, privatizing Social Security and Medicare, No on any and all bailouts, and No on national i.d.

Pro-Defense libertarians will be most pleased with his answer on the use of Military force overseas. Taylor responded:

I do not believe in nation building. However, if meddling consists of matters that have to do with national defense I support it.

Taylor is a retired Navy Seal. He is a combat Vet having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

ScottTaylorForCongress.com

MUST SEE!

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian-leaning Nikki Haley takes libertarian-leaning Andre Bauer to task over Sex allegations allegedly released by his campaign.

If you want to see the fireworks, skip the droning Ted Baxter-like anchorman intro and fast forward to the 3 minute mark.

"a strong libertarian bent"

Tom Parrot is running for Congress in Georgia's 7th CD. He is an Air Force Veteran, and a CPA. He's a straight shooter:

At the core of our success as a nation is our commitment to freedom. In running for this office, I am fighting for the preservation of the Constitution because I understand the need to defend the Freedoms and Rights given to all Americans.

Parrot was highlighted by the Seattle Times, in an article on anti-incumbent Republicans running in 2010 - "About 2,300 running for Congress, most in decades":

"I guess it's a mild form of civil unrest," said Tom Parrott, a 59-year-old accountant who is making his first run for office as one of nine candidates in central Georgia's 7th Congressional District race. "I'm willing to spend 30 or 40 grand of my own money to get the chance to speak to people and maybe get my point across that we're really, really in trouble."

Parrott, who is running as a Republican and identifies with the tea party, said he has a strong libertarian bent. Obama's health-care law was the "straw that broke the camel's back" in his decision to run, he said.

"I'm not a wacko," he said. "I just think the government would be better if they just butt out and do the things they're supposed to do like running an army and maintaining waterways and keeping our borders safe."

Parrot is libertarian right down the line, most especially Military/Defense. From his campaign website:

Strong national defense - History shows that every time this nation has lost its strong military resolve, it has provoked attacks against our nation.

I will never forget December 7, 1941, and I will never forget September 11, 2001. If we attempt to appease those who attack us, we only invite more attacks.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was quoted in Politico hammering the administration for pulling away from Israel.

From Politico:

"We have to ask if the Obama administration remains committed to the state of Israel and the right of Israel to exist and defend herself. The Obama administration, through its word and its actions, has been sending the world mixed signals at best."

She continued:

"It appears that from the time the Obama administration came into office they have been stepping away from Israel..."

The Dutch government is condemning Israel's defensive action against the Hamas/Al Qaeda terrorist vessel that entered its waters. However, one Dutch politician is standing against the tide.

From the Dutch News, June 1:

MPs from across the political spectrum, even those traditionally supportive of Israel, have said they were shocked by Israel's actions.

However, PVV MP Geert Wilders said it is 'cheap' to attack Israel. 'I am certainly not going to make a cheap attack on Israel by howling in the woods with the rest of the wolves,' he told tv show Nova.

Israel was fully justified in entering the ships to see if they were also carrying weapons, he said.

From Eric Dondero:

Dan Halloran is an elected City Councilman for New York. He represents a northern portion of Queens. His district includes 166,000 constituents.

Halloran was elected in November of 2009 on both the Libertarian Party and Republican Party lines. He is a longtime member of the Republican Liberty Caucus and the Libertarian Party. Indeed, he is the former State Chair for the RLC. In 2009 he attended the RLC National Convention held in Jacksonville, FL.

Halloran came to St. Louis to express his gratitude to Libertarian Party members for their support for his election in '09. He greeted LP members and attended a luncheon.

Asked by a convention delegate what his future holds, Halloran said he plans to run for reelection in two years. However, he also hinted at a possible congressional run sometime after that.

Note - technically Halloran is not the highest elected official for the Libertarian Party. That distinction goes to Ed Coleman, City Councilman for Indianapolis. Coleman's district is At-large, and thus he represents over 500,000 constituents. Coleman and Halloran met at the convention and jokingly argued as to who was the Top Libertarian in the U.S. Halloran conceded the title to Coleman.

From Eric Dondero:

Brendan Kelly attended the Libertarian Party National Convention last weekend held in St. Louis. Kelly is an elected Town Selectman in Seabrook, New Hampshire. He just won reelection in March beating 3 other candidates.

Kelly served as a "Wayne Root delegate," but was also there to raise awareness and funds for his campaign for NH State House. He is also a Pro-Defense Libertarian, a Veteran, and member of the Libertarian Defense Caucus.

In 2008, Kelly ran for the same seat. He placed 6th out of 8 candidates vying for the position. The top 4 vote-getters win election in the At-large district. This year, he explained to Libertarian Republican, he has the best shot of any candidate. He is the only elected official running. All incumbents voted in for 2008 have decided against a run du to the budget mess in Concord.

Kelly is very confident he'll win a seat. A total of 9 candidates have filed. Again the top 4 vote-getters win election. And Kelly was the only one of the 9 on the ballot in 2008.

His win would mark the first time the LP has had a state legislator in office since 1998.

From Kelly's website:

I've just been re-elected to another three-year term as a selectman in my hometown of Seabrook, NH, and now I'm running as a Libertarian candidate for the NH State House in Rockingham District 14.

Because I'll be a Libertarian candidate who is looking to restore our American Republic and return the operation of our government to the people, I'm seeking and accepting donations to my campaign from those who are in support of the Libertarian Party principles and the restoration of our great country.

ElectBrendanKellyLPNH.org

From Eric Dondero:

Culturally Republican and more mainstream leaning Libertarians now have at least one friend on the Libertarian National Committee. Family values-oriented author of "Millionaire Republican," Wayne Root lost his race for the National Chairmanship of the LP, however, he gained a spot on the coveted LNC. From a Root press release:

Wayne Allyn Root, 2008 Libertarian Vice Presidential nominee, was elected to the Libertarian National Committee on Sunday at the Libertarian National Convention in St Louis. Root was the leading vote getter- finishing first among a field of 13 candidates, including former National Chairman Bill Redpath, Founder of the Libertarian Party David Nolan, former Presidential contender Mary Ruwart, and former Superior Court Judge James Gray. Root now joins the Board of "America's Third Party" to provide leadership and management decisions through 2012.

Root said of his victory, "I am honored and humbled to have been the leading vote-getter out of a field of 13 candidates, that included the legends and celebrities of Libertarian politics. Now it's time to move quickly to capitalize on the perfect moment in time for Libertarians, independents, fiscal conservatives, Tea Party activists, and any American voter looking for smaller government, dramatically reduced spending, lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and sanity. I will fight to turn the Libertarian Party into a 'big tent' for all of these voters. We must turn our party into a coalition of voters who will take back our country from big government, big unions, big corporations and corrupt incumbent politicians. Let the citizen revolution begin."

Root will now help to oversee the LP's annual budget, ballot access decisions, and campaign efforts to elect Libertarians to state and local offices.

From the Editor:

We received an interesting email yesterday from a regular reader, wondering why we haven't listed any endorsements in the California Republican primary races next week. The emailer was quite serious, even suggesting that he'd take our recommendations into the voting booth with him, and vote "for the most Libertarian Republican candidates."

In the words of Republican Liberty Caucus Chairman Dave Nalle, the California RLC this year is playing it "very conservative." They've only endorsed 5 candidates, none of whom are statewide. They have stayed out of the hot Senate race, and the Governors race.

As our regular readers are aware, we follow the lead on endorsements of the RLC. Our fall-back position is Sarah Palin's endorsements. Since the RLC has not endorsed in the Senate race, and Sarah Palin has, I feel it safe to suggest to LR readers that Carly Fiorina be the best choice for the US Senate. This is my personal endorsement and does not reflect the views of our editorial board. Though, I'm confident that most if not all our editors, writers agree with me.

She may not be the most libertarian of the three. Chuck DeVore may edge her out on that score. But she is sufficiently libertarian, and certainly the most electable. Carly's solid on Defense and National Security. Campbell has some questionable views, and past ties to radical Islamists. Vote "libertarian lite." Vote Carly Fiorina!

Eric Dondero, Publisher
LibertarianRepublican.net

Editor’s Note: If you can help make phone calls in opposition of this proposition, we can tip the polls against this bill before it spreads! Click here to find out how Hoosier libertarians can make a difference.
WASHINGTON – Mark Hinkle, newly elected chair of the National Libertarian Party, and former chair of the Libertarian [...]