Is she really anti-Beer?

by Eric Dondero

Readers of Libertarian Republican may wonder why we have not highlighted the campaign of Tea Party-aligned candidate for US Senate Sharron Angle in Nevada. She is now the official GOP nominee against Harry Reid. She beat both Sue Lowden and Danny Tarkanian soundly, yesterday in the Nevada Republican primary.

She's solid on economics. In fact, 100% libertarian on taxes and spending issues, which has won her the label of "extremist" from the liberal media.

However, there are disturbing facts about her on the social side. And while Libertarian Republicans often look past social conservatives who emphasize fiscal conservativism, in Angle's case it may be too much to ignore.

From Steve Sebilius, Slash Politics blog, May 24:

Back in 2006, Angle gave an interview to the excretable execrable (and now defunct) Liberty Watch magazine, which covered politics when it wasn’t extolling the virtues of corrupt state senators, providing a forum for racist rants or profiling 9/11 Truthers. And that interview provides a little more insight into Angle’s conservatism.

Liberty Watch’s website isn’t up on the Internets any longer, but a version of the interview is helpfully posted on the website of the Republican Majority Campaign PAC. Here’s the relevant passage, from a discussion about medical marijuana:

“My greatest problem with marijuana is that it’s illegal, which gives Nevadans a false sense of security in this whole thing,” Angle said. “If the DEA has the manpower and wanted to go after this, there is no place in Nevada state law that can protect people because federal law supersedes state law.”

Her opinion, though, ignores states’ rights and individual freedom. Also, Angle’s faith quickly surfaced, extinguishing her argument that she disapproves of medical marijuana primarily on the elementary premise that it’s illegal.

“I would tell you that I have the same feelings about legalizing marijuana, not medical marijuana, but just legalizing marijuana,” Angle offered. “I feel the same about legalizing alcohol.

“The effect on society is so great that I’m just not a real proponent of legalizing any drug or encouraging any drug abuse,” she continued. “I’m elected by the people to protect, and I think that law should protect.”

Wait, what? Alcohol — which is currently legal — should be treated the same as marijuana — which is currently not legal? Is she serious? A candidate from the state of Nevada, which is practically sponsored by booze companies, is not a proponent of legal alcohol?

Make no mistake about it, we are 100% Pro-Beer at Libertarian Republican.

It goes without saying that Angle is by far the preferred candidate in the voting booth by anyone who cherishes liberty, over monstrous liberal Reid. However, the question is, how much are Libertarian Republicans willing to walk precincts for her, or give her campaign donations, or make phone calls on her behalf in the coming months. If she takes the time to address this "beer issue," and clarifies her views, that she's not in favor of any sort of prohibition, that she just finds it distasteful personally, she may find the libertarian wing of the GOP excited about her candidacy. If she moves on and leaves it hanging, she'll still win Libertarian Republican votes, but most assuredly not active support.