ARIZONA CD-3 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
For the seat of retiring libertarian Republican Congressman John Shadegg. Her main opponent is Ben Quayle, son of former Vice-President Dan Quayle. The primary is in two weeks.
Yet newly released Poll shows Republican Privatizer ahead by 10
From Roy Herron, Democrat for Congress press release, (via Knoxnews.com), Aug. 18:
DRESDEN, Tenn. -- Another Washington-based special interest group has set its crosshairs on seniors-advocate Roy Herron in support of pro-Social Security privatization candidate Stephen Fincher in the race for Congress in Tennessee's 8th District.
The controversial Washington, D.C. powerbroker Americans for Prosperity, a longtime supporter of the risky plan to privatize Social Security to benefit Wall Street coffers, reportedly purchased $120,000 worth of television ads in the 8th District and is hosting a rally in Jackson to malign the record of steadfast Social Security supporter Herron, a small town attorney and Christian author.
"Roy Herron is a roadblock that will stand firmly in the way of groups that want to hand deliver your Social Security funds to bankers on Wall Street," said Brandon Puttbrese, Herron campaign spokesman. "It's no mystery why these Wall Street-backed special interests are pouring millions of dollars into Stephen Fincher's campaign: they are buying him off. Roy Herron's vote is not for sale."
Last week, the 60 Plus Association, another Washington group supporting Fincher and fighting for the risky privatization plan, launched a $250,000 ad campaign distorting and smearing Herron's record.
Dem-held seat, another pick-up for the GOP
Poll just released by the Tarrance group (via Hedgehog):
US HOUSE – TENNESSEE – CD 8 (Tarrance)
Stephen Fincher (R) 47%
Roy Herron (D) 37%
Donn Janes (I) 5%
From Eric Dondero:
Washington State held its multi-party primaries yesterday. The 3rd Congressional district had a multitude of Republicans, many libertarian-leaning and affiliated with the Tea Party. The winner on the Republican side was Jaime Herrera.
Pundits see this seat as the absolute best shot the GOP has of picking up a Congressional seat in WA. The seat is currently held by retiring Democrat Rep. Brian Baird. The district which includes Olympia and Vancouver, in southwestern Washington, leans conservative.
Back in December of last year, when Baird announced his retirement, we wrote here at LR, "Yet another bigtime incumbent Dem calls it quits; Rep. Brian Baird (WA) faced increasingly tough Reelection":
Already announced for the seat is Republican State Rep. Jaime Herrera of Battle Ground. She's been known as a "Jobs First" legislator, and a staunch fiscal conservative. Back in April she criticized Gov. Gregoire's budget (Vancouver Business Journal):
"The only thing I'm proud of with this budget is that Republicans fought against tax increases on working families and employers, and won. However, this budget does not fix the fundamental problem that got us here -- overspending.
Herrera is now the overwhelming favorite to win in November. Here's a breakdown of last night's vote totals. The combined Republican total is far ahead of the lone Democrat. From The Olympian:
With 69 percent of the expected vote counted Tuesday night, Democrat Denny Heck led with 31 percent of the vote. Coming in a close second in early returns was Herrera, who had 27 percent. Republicans David Hedrick and David Castillo trailed with 14 percent 12 percent, respectively. The top two vote getters in the primary advance to the general election, regardless of party.
Contribute JaimeHerrera.com
From Eric Dondero:
Six different candidates are running against incumbent Blue Dog Democrat Rep. Allan Boyd in North Florida. The seat is seen as one of the most likely of all Republican pick-up opportunities, in this staunchly conservative area of the State.
GOPer: "Islam is against everything America stands for"
One candidate, self-described "Reagan Republican" Ron McNeil recently spoke at a forum to local high school kids. During the Q&A the subject came up of the proposed Ground Zero Mosque. From the Panama City Herald, Aug. 17:
“I’m totally against it. If I had my way, it would pretty much be over my dead body... That religion is against everything America stands for. If we have to let them build it, make them build it nine stories underground..."
One student challenged McNeil on his stance. He responded:
“This religion’s plan is to destroy our way of life.”
Girls forced to wear "hot burqas," not "showing any kind of skin."
Dianna Berryhill, is also in the race. She's a longtime Republican activist, officeholder, and a backer of Marco Rubio. But she is not in the primary. Rather she will be on the ballot as an Independent in November. At the forum she had a stern warning:
“If we were under Muslim law, you girls wouldn’t be sitting here showing any kind of skin. You would be in hot burqas and … you wouldn’t be sitting in school,” she said.
At her website Berryhill exclaims:
In the war on terror, nothing should be off the table. This is a war against radical, religious jihadists. We should ensure that our enemies know that we are a greater threat to them than they are to us.
Gary Howard, a spokesman for Rand Paul for Senate issued a statement to Politico this morning.
From Politico, "Mosque debate strains tea party, GOP":
“While this is a local matter that should be decided by the people of New York, Dr. Paul does not support a mosque being built two blocks from ground zero,” Howard said in the statement. “In Dr. Paul's opinion, the Muslim community would better serve the healing process by making a donation to the memorial fund for the victims of Sept. 11.”
Paul was also quoted directly in an interview at Liberty Maven, released yesterday, as saying:
While this is a local matter that will be decided by the people of New York, I do not support a mosque being built two blocks from Ground Zero. In my opinion, the Muslim community would better serve the healing process by making a donation to the memorial fund for the victims of September 11th.
Easy pick-up for GOP in the Fall
From Eric Dondero:
Dissapointing news out of Wyoming for libertarian Republicans. Matt Mead edged out the two candidates endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus for Governor, Rita Meyer and Ron Micheli. Meyer, an Iraq War Vet, was also backed by Sarah Palin.
Mead is a rancher from Teton County, and former U.S. Attorney for Wyoming.
Finals (via Fox):
Matt Mead 29%
Rita Meyer 28%
Ron Micheli 26%
Mead is held in some suspicion by the GOP's libertarian wing, on the drug war, and on taxes. He has said he would be open to an energy tax for the State. Though, he does say that he supports, "protecting gun rights, our state’s rights and private property rights." From his website:
At times it seems the federal government treats Wyoming as a colony with a great big park, with a great big fuel pump. I want self-determination and a greater voice in our future.
He looks certain for victory in November. The total number of votes on the GOP side was roughly 110,000. In the Democrat primary, only 21,000.
This will be a Republican pick-up, as the current Governor is a Democrat.
By: Wes Messamore
"The argument over gay marriage, like many arguments in America, has been falsely presented as a single, binary issue: one is either for or against legalizing gay marriage.
On one side of the dichotomy are the "social conservatives" who believe that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman, and that the law should reflect that reality.
On the other side are gay marriage proponents, who believe that two people of the same gender have every right to disagree with social conservatives about what marriage is, and that our nation's laws should include their definition of marriage as well.
But one thing that pundits, activists, and politicians often fail to consider is that the legal debate over gay marriage is distinct from the philosophical debate.
Whatever your view of the nature of marriage, it is not necessary to legally force that view on the rest of us.
Instead of legalizing gay marriage, what if each state de-legalized straight marriage? Why after all, should the state define what many consider to be a private, religious question?"
From Eric Dondero:
The DCC put out an advisory to all Democrat House candidates nationwide last week, urging them to attack Republicans as wanting to privatize Social Security. We now have a candidate using the tactic.
From The Hill, "Dems plan to attack GOP on Social Security," Aug. 9:
House Democrats are planning more than 100 events around this week’s anniversary of Social Security to attack Republicans who want to reform the popular entitlement.
Democrats and interest groups on the left have scheduled “birthday parties” and other events to highlight Saturday’s 75th anniversary of the program signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt.
A Democratic leadership aide said Republicans are “highly vulnerable” on both Social Security and Medicare.
“This is a party that said they want Medicare to wither on the vine and want to privatize Social Security,” the aide said.
Dems cry Don't throw Grandpa out on the Streets
From the Daily-Herald, "14th Congressional candidates jump into Social Security debate" Aug. 18:
Incumbent Democrat Bill Foster joined AARP representatives at the retirement home to pledge a fight against the privatization of Social Security and a defense of the funds against any raid to balance the national deficit.
With some residents of the community topping 100 years of age, Foster contrasted the creation of Social Security in the era of the Great Depression to fears about the programs solvency following the recent recession.
"During the Great Depression there was a lot of human misery," Foster said. "We had millions of people not being able to eat or eating out of garbage dumps. That is not happening now. And the reason it's not happening now, to a large extent, is because we have safety nets in place."
"Evil Republicans" will make Grandma beg for food
Meanwhile, the Green Party candidate also jumped in with criticisms of Republicans. Continuing:
[Dan] Kairis said he's particularly wary of Republican plans to privatize parts of Social Security given how the leaders of major financial institutions always seem to make money no matter how bad the economy gets.
"The Republicans are good for making money for their buddies, not so good for making money for regular people," Kairis said. "Privatization is good in some circumstances, but for a program like Social Security the government does a much better job."
See our article from last week here at LR, "Yes Democrats, we Republicans actually do want to Privatize Social Security." The article was linked by the Senior Editor for AOL News Andrea Stone, "Social Security Turns 75: How Healthy Is It?"
Conservatives, never happy about government-run anything, have sought to change Social Security by adding personal retirement accounts. President George W. Bush tried to make that a centerpiece of his second term but was forced to drop it when Democrats refused to go along.
However, Stone mistakenly referred in the article to "conservative" efforts, rather than identifying those of us who want to privatize Social Security as libertarian Republicans.
From Eric Dondero:
Barack Obama came out forthrightly in favor of building a Grand Mosque at Ground Zero in a press conference on Friday. We at Libertarian Republican solicited comments from leaders of the libertarian and libertarian-conservative movement.
First though, Greg Gutfeld, libertarian-conservative host of Red Eye on Fox News, appearing on the Glenn Beck show:
I went on to their Web site, the Cordoba House website. It's a lovely website, and they talk about preaching tolerance and communication.
And I thought how interesting is it that they are preaching tolerance and communication to Americans? I thought, wouldn't it be great to test their tolerance?
So I figured let's open an Islam-friendly gay bar next door to the mosque. That is my proposal and I'm sticking by it.
The Gutfeld approach - Let them build, but give 'em hell for doing so
I say let them build the mosque, but I reserve the right to stand in front of it on the public sidewalk and eat pork rinds loudly and messily. -- Dave Nalle, National Chairman, Republican Liberty Caucus rlc.org
Build a Church next door that specializes in Gay Marriage
My view is tolerant on the issue... If the zoning permits it, I say let 'em build. IF they can find licensed union workers who will do the job. IF the co owner of the property sells. BUT - Let them not complain when we permit a church to go right next door - one that specializes in gay marriage, and is, oh, 50' taller, with a cross. Let them not complain when Greg Gutfeld opens his Grind Zero gay bar right across the street. And I would like to see a deli next door as well - one that specializes in Black Forest Ham sandwiches, pork pies and American beer. A Victoria's Secret shop. A Marines recruitment center. Let's eventually zone the street as a high-end red-light.
I say let's play ball, and play for keeps.-- Ranald Hay, Publisher, Si Vis Placem
Quite possibly the stupidest thing Obama has ever said or done 
I try not to be too much of a cynic. Even with President Obama, you have to try and give every person at least the tiniest benefit of the doubt. However, in the last 24 hours he has said perhaps the dumbest, most idiotic things of his short political career. And I know-- that's saying a lot.
Obama has come out in support of the Ground Zero mosque idea, despite many of the victims of the September 11th, 2001 atrocities families being against the plan. Apparently he has moved to the left of even Governor Paterson, who tried to move the mosque away from the sacred ground.
Apparently it's all the rage for the Left to defend the mosque. But God forbid a cross going up on or near public property. Or forbid a cultural center that isn't politically correct. Let's hope they're not building a church or a war memorial near the school, or it might offend someone.
President Obama's said some really stupid things in the last several years. However, this is a direct slap in the face to survivors of the horrific tragedy and furthermore show how far we have come as a country in those nine years. So far that even our own President and Mayor of New York can forget the lessons and pain of that terrible day. -- Matthew Avitabile, Jumping in Pools
Could lead to the next Civil War
No Christian president would ever celebrate Ramadan in the White House and no American patriot would ever support planting a Mosque on the hollowed ground of 9/11. This White House resident is intentionally pushing the American citizens to civil conflict, at ground zero, on the southern border and in cities across this nation. How many more dots do we have to connect? -- JB Williams, Syndicated Columnist, Tenn.
From a strictly political standpoint - big gain for Republicans
I'm hoping Obama's endorsement will do for the Ground Zero mosque what it did for Jon Corzine, Creigh Deeds, Martha Coakley, & Arlen Specter -- and it just may. The American public doesn't support building a mosque at Ground Zero, they're not going to change their mind about it, and Obama's comments cast an even bigger spotlight on the issue. -- John Hawkins, Publisher, Rightwingnews.com
Fairs, fair: Build the Mosque, but give Christians the same right in Muslim lands
The President says Muslims should have equal rights to members of other religious faiths in this country, and I heartily agree. Muslims should not have suprerior rights to the Chirstians whose house of worship was blown up on 9-11 and who have been delayed for nine years now in rebuilding their church. Furthermore, if Muslims can wear a head scarf at places of work, Christians must be allowed to where the cross. If Muslims can have time to pray in our schools, then so should Christians. If Muslims can have holy days added to the calendar, then what the hell is the government doing renaming the Christmas holidays as "Winter Break." As the self-proclaimed leader of a Muslim country, the President should tell his fellow leaders of Muslim countries that they should repect the equal rights of all religions in their countries. Of course, certain places should be kept holy, in the sense of separate, places where the practices of only a particlar religion are allowed, or which are free of any sectarian religion, notwithstanding religious freedom. Clearly, the holy places of Islam in Saudi Arabia are such places. And, to show our commitment to the universal right of religious liberty, we will consider using the geographic extent of the the holy places in Saudi Arabia as a guide for how close Muslim practices can be allowed near holy places in out country such as ground zero. - Clifford Thies, Senior Editor, Libertarian Republican
Too difficult to separate mainstream Islam from the radicals
Progressive-collectivists love to invoke 'private property rights' when it suits their purposes. But they use the iron fist of eminent domain, zoning laws and the mob of political correctness when it doesn't. For moral relativists and collectivist like Obama property rights, along with other issues is just a means to an end.
As a conservative-libertarian, the mosque issue is deeply troubling to me. On one hand, I support laissez faire, 100% unabridged, pure property rights. No exception, no infringement of this right.
And on the other hand is the sheer lunacy of construction of a mosque near hallowed ground where nearly 3000 people died because of a distortion of Islam - violent jihad.
Can we separate mainstream Islam from it's distortion? Or is it not worth the risk? 70% of Americans sure don't think so. Neither do I. -- Tim Daniel, Left Coast Rebel
Obama confuses their right to build, with whether it's appropriate?
The proposed mosque/community center two blocks from Ground Zero was a local matter for President Obama until the Ramadan dinner at the White House last night, where he endorsed its construction. The motto of this administration is now, apparently, "Never let an iftar go to waste."
President Obama's decision hasn't surprised many people, least of all me. Neither has President Obama apparently confusing whether Muslims have the right to build the "Park51" project on that spot with whether it's appropriate to build it there. What did surprise me was the stunningly bad sense of history President Obama once again put on display -- Wesley M., inmycopiousfreetime.blogspot
by Eric Dondero
Some libertarians and other free market advocates are taking the side that the site at Ground Zero of the proposed Mega-Mosque is private property, and the Muslims have every right to build there.
If this was truly private property, I'd agree that they have every right to build their Mega-Mosque, even as extremely offensive as the proposed project may be. It's no different from a porn shop, after all. Though, you could easily argue that pornography is far less offensive than a shrine to Muslim Terrorists.
However, there are some serious questions as to whether this plot of land is indeed private property. Con-edison, which is heavily subsidized by the New York state government, owns half the property.
Even putting that aside, you have to ask, should a war memorial be considered "private property"? Ground Zero is no different from Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, or Arlington Cemetary. It was the site of the very worst attack on the United States in our history. To be consistent, one would also have to advocate privatization of the Pearl Harbor memorial. It's become a bit cliche', but it's a valid argument. Would we allow the Japanese to set up a memorial to Kamakaze pilots at Pearl Harbor? Should we allow the KKK to set up a Welcome Center and Museum at Gettysburg? The American Nazi Party a Museum honoring Hitler at Arlington Cemetary or at the U.S. cemetary plot on Normandy Beach in France?
As principled a libertarian as I am, I don't advocate privatizing every single monument, park, museum, and symbol of the United States of America. Most especially, Military-related sites should remain public property.
Photo of Normandy burial ground, which the French have designated U.S sacred and sovereign territory.
From Eric Dondero:
Some on the Left, and even a number of Left Libertarians have tried to argue that the proposed Ground Zero Mosque is not at Ground Zero, at all, but "a few blocks away."
This from reporter Ben Smith of Politico this morning, about halfway through his piece, "GOP takes harsher stance toward Islam" (emphasis added):
But the attacks on what is now nationally known as the "Ground Zero mosque" —it is a few blocks north of the site — also stand in for a broader turn in the cultural politics of the right...
The property line for the Burlington Coat factory is 600 feet from the Ground Zero construction site. 
The second photo shows a part of the landing gear from the first plane to hit the Twin Towers, that rammed through the roof of the Burlington Coat factory.
According to various dictionaries "a few" is undefined and inexact, but more than one. Moreover, numerous language experts at the UK's Yahoo Answers concur with the following:
* a couple is exactly two
* a few is three, rarely four
* several is at least three but small, not exceeding five
From the aerial photo, the area of destruction on 9/11 is one block away from Burlington. It is two blocks from the property line of the World Trade Center complex. Politico and others using the adjective "a few" to describe what is clearly one block, two if you count only the WTC complex, are making quite a stretch indeed.
Photo hat tips Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs, and KingShamus.
Republican candidates now asking, where do Democrats for Congress stand on GZ Mosque?
From Eric Dondero:
What might be the first video produced challenging a Democrat incumbent Congressman on the GZ Mosque. John Gomez, Republican for Congress, NY's 1st CD (Long Island) asks where does Steve Israel stand?
Interesting Sidenote - Gomez is Sean Hannity's best friend from childhood.
LR EXCLUSIVE!
From Eric Dondero:
Breaking news out of Massachusetts. Libertarian Republican has the exclusive.
The former Independent candidate for Governor, and briefly insurgent Republican primary candidate, Christy Mihos, expresses his support for libertarian Republican Mike Stopa for Congress.
Stopa is a physicist at Havard; virtually the only "free market" voice at the university. He is a Pro-Defense libertarian.
Stopa is challenging entrenched incumbent and ultra-liberal Rep. Jim McGovern, who some have cited as "more vulnerable" this cycle.
Burden of proof that they are not Violent is on the Mosque
Mike Stopa is a libertarian Republican candidate for US Congress, challenging longtime incumbent Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern. Stopa is a physicist and professor at Havard. He has said he's a "loner free marketeer" at the university.
Stopa issued a statement on the Ground Zero Mosque controversy:
Mosques are not exclusively places of worship but are, on some occasions, places where violence is planned.
One major difference between mosques and churches or jewish temples is that anyone may enter a church or a jewish temple. Only muslims may enter a mosque (or at least the principal prayer areas). It is not the bricks and mortar of the mosque building to which people object. Rather, the concern is with what goes on inside. To what extent are they seed beds of terror ? We do not know because we are not allowed to go in and see and hear. This makes the life of Muslims and their mosques rather like secret societies. We know that people like the Fort Hood shooter were indoctrinated in American mosques. We know that there is radicalism in Islam. And we are not allowed in the door to see how much of that is going on.
Islam seeks a world of believers and is willing to put its worldly sword to the task of getting them. I therefore don’t like having Muslims meeting in secret to discuss these things in my neighborhood. The burden of proof that what’s going on inside is all innocent is with the followers of Islam.
Stopa is a self-describred "libertarian" follower of economists Milton Friedman and Frederich Hayek.
"Sinister, consipracy-mongering..."
From Eric Dondero:
In a move guaranteed to put liberals at further odds with the liberty movement, a top blog of the liberal elite, Salon.com, went on the attack this morning on libertarian favorite Pamela Geller. Their piece, "How the "ground zero mosque" fear mongering began." Though meant as a slam, they end up giving her full credit for launching the anti-Ground Zero Mosque movement.
A Salon review of the origins of the story found, the controversy was kicked up and driven by Pamela Geller, a right-wing, viciously anti-Muslim, conspiracy-mongering blogger, whose sinister portrayal of the project was embraced by Rupert Murdoch's New York Post.
Salon went on to call Geller's blog, which gets tens of thousands of visitors a day, a "third-tier right-wing blog" and accuses her of being part of a "professional anti-Islam industry." Ironically, Geller, who has already appeared on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News repeatedly over the last two weeks, could see her celebrity and credibility boosted even further. And now that she's been identified as the leader of the anti-GZ Mosque movement, if Mosque leaders eventually do back off, she'll be viewed as having won an historic victory.
Just Breaking...
Senator David Vitter of Louisiana becomes the first Republican outside of New York to raise the issue of the Ground Zero Mosque with his opponent.
From CBS News, Political Hotsheet "Ground Zero Mosque Debate Becomes a Campaign Issue":
"President Obama's support of building the mosque at Ground Zero is a slap in the face to the American people and I've demanded that President Obama reverse his position. Charlie Melancon's silence on the issue is troubling to Louisiana families," Vitter said in a statement about his Democratic challenger, Politico reports. "But, we should not be surprised. Melancon endorsed President Obama, gave him an A grade and now is eerily quiet as Obama thumbs his nose at the American people on this important issue."
Over the weekend, Republican candidate for Congress John Gomez in NY CD 1, (Long Island), released a campaign video asking "Where does [Democrat incumbent] Steve Israel stand on the Ground Zero Mosque."
From Eric Dondero:
A stunning downturn in Obama's approval numbers, and swing upwards in his disapprovals since his comments early Friday in favor of building a Mosque at Ground Zero. Real Clear Politics now has him at the very lowest point ever in public approval, down to 44.4%. His previous low was 44.8%, Aug. 4. His disapproval is at the highest ever posted at 50.6%. The previous high in dsapproval numbers was on Aug. 10, with 50.1%.
Additionally, for the first time ever, every new poll listed by RCP has Obama in the negative red territory. Rasmussen has him underwater, disapprovals over approvals, by as much as 13%.
RCP Average, 44.4, 50.6 -6.2
Rasmussen Reports, 43, 56 -13
Gallup 8/12, 42, 49 -7
FOX News 8/10, 43, 49 -6
CNN/Opinion Research, 47, 51 -4
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl, 47, 48 -1
OmniPundit calls it a "New New New Low for Obama." With Both Hands blog headlines, "President Mosque Backer Obama Falls to New Low." And then comments: "he has been One Gaffe, One Bow, One America Apology, One Race Baiting Teaching Teachable Moment, One Waffling, Multi-Vacation Disaster after the next..."
Second-term Libertarian Judge Susan Bell of Hagerstown had two interesting experiences recently as the Hagerstown Judge.
The first was of a man trying to get an audience via protest in her courtroom, and the other being the media covering his protest, but focusing on an odd detail he had considered. He wanted to [...]
From Eric Dondero:
A relatively new trend has emerged for 2010; Republican type candidates running on the Libertarian Party ticket for Congress, Governor and other offices. These candidates are for all intents and purposes "culturally Republican." Their views tend to lean more towards the conservative side of the libertarian spectrum, particularly on border and national security matters. But their ballot line says "Libertarian Party."
Stuart Bain for Congress - Virginia
Stuart Bain (photo) is running for Congress in Virginia's 6th District. The District is heavily Republican. It is represented by longtime GOPer Rep. Bob Goodlatte. There is no Democrat in the race.
Bain is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and fiercely patriotic. He's also very active with the local Tea Party in western Virginia.
Because of his mainstream all-American persona, Bain has been accused in on-line forums by some purist Libertarians of really being a "Republican," just using the Libertarian Party for ballot status.
Bain has produced a new video hammering Obama on recent remarks opposing Social Security privatization. He was kind enough to send it along to Libertarian Republican as an exclusive premiere. View it at YouTube.
Jim Prindle for Congress - Texas
Another Republican leaner is Jim Prindle, running for Congress in East Texas. Prindle is a US Army Veteran, a former congressional intern, small businessman and a volunteer football coach. He is challenging longtime incumbent Republican Ralph Hall. Hall is 84 years old.
Prindle, the former Chairman of the Collin County Libertarian Party attended the 2010 Libertarian National Convention in St. Louis as a Wayne Root delegate. He was criticized by some for running as a Libertarian only to use the race to build name i.d. for a future run as a Republican, if and when Hall steps down. Prindle does not deny the charge.
For the current race, there is no Democrat on the ballot, just Hall vs. Prindle. Prindle's campaign emphasizes: 2nd Amendment Rights, The 10th Amendment, Audit the Fed, Tax cuts and incentives for Businesses, Repeal Roe v. Wade and Strong National Defense. PrindleforCongress.com
Lex Green for Governor - Illinois
In Illinois, Lex Green has just officially made the ballot as the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor. Green is a "techie" worker in the Auto industry. He and his wife Karen are "cultural Republicans," who live in the conservative environs of Bloomington. Karen Green is a local Republican precinct committeewoman, and quite an outspoken member of the local Republican Party.
Lex Green is running against incumbent Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn, and Republican Bill Brady, who ironically, is also from Bloomington. The Greens know the Bradys from the Bloomington social scene. Karen has stressed that it's nothing personal. Brady is currently 10 points ahead. If Brady continues to run comfortably ahead, Green could pick up some protest votes, from Tea Party voters. il.lp.org
Kathie Glass for Governor - Texas
Down in Texas Kathie Glass is running for Governor. She's challenging incumbent Republican, libertarian-leaning Rick Perry, and former Houston Mayor, liberal Democrat Bill White.
Glass is stressing conservative-libertarian themes such as border security, ending public education, and abolishing property taxes.
She is married to Tom Glass. The Glasses, both diehard Ron Paul supporters, have been criticized in local Houston Libertarian circles for years, for being "too Republican." Both successful corporate attorneys, they live in a posh, exclusive section of Houston.
In the campaign so far, Glass has taken on sort of the role of substitute liberty advocate for Rick Perry in debates with White. Glass has blasted White for supporting government unions, and being weak on private solutions to education. kathie4guv.netboots.net
Bruce Olsen for Governor - Arizona
In Arizona, Bruce Olsen is running for Governor. But he must first secure the Libertarian nomination. Olsen is challenged in a somewhat rare Libertarian Party primary by leftist libertarian and perennial candidate Barry Hess.
Olsen is a staunch advocate for border security, and even praised Republican Gov. Jan Brewer for opposing the Obama adminstrations' weak-kneed stance on the issue.
Olsen is also staunchly pro-defense, a strong Constitutionalist, and pro-war on Islamo-Fascism. However, he's also an outspoken advocate for marijuana legalization as a way to cut down on Mexican drug cartels. BruceOlsen4Governor.com
Many Republican candidates have been accused in the past of really being Libertarians in disguise running on the GOP ticket "just so they can get elected." The reverse may now be happening, whereby Republicans run on the Libertarian ticket to get their Pro-Liberty message out, but also to build name i.d. for a possible future run-to-win candidacy as a Republican.
From Eric Dondero:
Congressman Walt Minnick of Idaho is a true anamoly. I have long maintained that 97 to 98% of all Democrats are Socialists. Walt Minnick is certainly in that 2 to 3% who are not. And no surprise, he is a former Republican, after all.
Libertarian Republican heartily congratules Democrat Congressman Walt Minnick for winning "Taxpayer Hero" status for 2009 from Citizens Against Government Waste.
From Leagle.com, Aug. 15:
Aug. 15--BOISE -- Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick is the first Democrat since 2006 to be named a "Taxpayer Hero" by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, a group that decries "pork-barrel spending" and tracks congressional votes on "wasteful programs."
The group's president, Tom Schatz, said, "Rep. Minnick is the first Democratic Taxpayer Hero since 2006 and deserves special recognition for this achievement. His vote rating shows that it is not impossible for Democrats to vote to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers, and it stands in stark contrast to the average of 4 percent for his House (Democratic) colleagues."
Minnick's voting record garnered him an 83 percent rating from the group; anyone over 80 percent is deemed a "Taxpayer Hero," which, for 2009, included 89 of the 435 House members.
Honestly, this is going to make campaigning against Minnick much harder for Tea Party Republican Raul Labrador.
One Democrat running for Congress in West Virginia, and virtually assured of his election, has stated for the record he does not plan to vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker.
If Republicans come up one or two votes shy from winning the House, could Walt Minnick, compromise Speaker of the House be a possibility?
There is precedence for Republicans voting unanimously for a maverick Democrat for Speaker, having recently occured in the New York State Senate. So, it's not such a far-fetched possibility. It would be high drama come mid-November, indeed.
Editor's Note - this website fully backs Republican Raul Labrador for Congress over our friend Walt Minnick. But hopes the Republican Party can recruit Minnick back to the GOP for some future role.
