During a forum hosted by Libertarians for Justice, Starchild asked presidential candidate Mike Gravel how he could support coercive taxation for things like education and healthcare, while still claiming to support the core libertarian idea that people should be able to do whatever they liked with their own property, so long as they did not initiate force against others.
A lengthy exchange ensued, with Gravel becoming increasingly angry. At one point, a frustrated Gravel asked if what libertarians wanted was voluntary education. The crowd responded affirmatively. Gravel said, “Fine! Let’s go back to the 18th century.” Well-known libertarian activist Andy shouted from the crowd, “It’s not going back to the 18th century, it’s going back to freedom.” The crowd of delegates cheered.
In 2004, Michael Badnarik won over delegates with his libertarian purism. To most libertarians, Gravel fails the purity test. He has a fairly large entourage with him in Denver, but it is unclear how many of the people are delegates.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Trent Hill // May 23, 2008 at 1:47 am
I’d bet that the majority of his delegates will skip him in favor of Mary Ruwart.
2 Austin Cassidy // May 23, 2008 at 1:50 am
Why in the world didn’t he just run for the Green Party nomination?
3 Dylan Waco // May 23, 2008 at 2:07 am
Because McKinney would have kicked his ass, and his folks thought the “Libertarian” label was more hip and timely because of the Paul campaign.
4 Jerry S. // May 23, 2008 at 2:09 am
He smelled Ron Paul type donations from the libertarians. The greenies don’t have much green compared to Paul…
5 Trent Hill // May 23, 2008 at 2:13 am
I think Gravel could’ve given McKinney a run for her money. When in doubt, the Green-Party leadership seems to back the Old White Guy.
=)
6 Peter Orvetti // May 23, 2008 at 2:40 am
Latest LP stories:
AP: Libertarians Kick Off National Convention
http://www.examiner.com/a-1404965~Libertarians_kick_off_national_convention.html
London Guardian: Purity Testing
commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/jeremy_lott/2008/05/purity_testing.html
CQ Politics: Recent Converts Are Top Contenders For Libertarian Nod
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002881305
Denver Post: Libertarians May Enliven The Election
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_9339539
Washington Times: Marijuana Project Parties With Barr
washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/NATION/39459226/1001
Bloomberg News: Barr May Be Spoiler For McCain With Quest For Libertarian Vote
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aZAdOxa11zGg&refer=us
ABCNews.com: Is Bob Barr The Next Ralph Nader?
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4909551&page=1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Libertarians Hit The Road For Bob Barr
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/05/22/libertarians_0523.html
Hotline On Call: An Alternate Universe
hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/05/an_alternate_un_1.html
American Spectator: Enemy Of The Good
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13262
American Spectator: Fear And Loathing In Denver
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13264
7 G.E. // May 23, 2008 at 2:50 am
Thanks for the links, Peter.
8 Peter Orvetti // May 23, 2008 at 6:35 am
Here are some more third party stories from around the Internets…
LIBERTARIANS
Denver Post: Libertarians May Pick Bob Barr For His Fame
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9352157
Rocky Mountain News: Libertarians In Denver To Pick Nominee
rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/may/22/libertarians-in-denver-to-pick-nominee/?partner=yahoo_headlines
Westword: A Libertarian Takes Aim at the White House [Christine Smith profile]
westword.com/2008-05-22/news/a-libertarian-takes-aim-at-the-white-house/
Wall Street Journal Online: Being Ron Paul
online.wsj.com/article/SB121149054333215289.html
Wall Street Journal: Does The Libertarian Party Matter?
online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121141302518112431.html
Raleigh News and Observer: Libertarians Make The Mark To Get On Ballot
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1082568.html
Trenton Courier-Post: Sabrin Brings Libertarian Viewpoint To Race
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080523/NEWS01/805230378
GREENS
Sacramento News and Review: Cynthia McKinney Goes Green
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=666706
CONSTITUTION PARTY
Elko Daily Free Press: IAP Candidate Challenges Carpenter
http://www.elkodaily.com/articles/2008/05/23/news/local_news//local3.txt
SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY
New Zealand Scoop: US Presidential Socialist Candidate Visits NZ
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0805/S00259.htm
OTHERS
Greene County Daily World: Waterman May Run For Governor As An Independent
gcdailyworld.com/story/1407194.html
9 FreeMarketeer // May 23, 2008 at 10:13 am
Hello Everyone!
This is Todd Andrew Barnett, host of Liberty Cap Talk Live and creator of the Let Liberty Ring blog on Blogspot.com.
(URL: http://letllibertyring.blogspot.com)
I thought I’d let everyone know that I’m here reading the Independent Report. G.E., thanks for creating this site. It’s a great site, and I’m reading it daily. In fact, I have you blogrolled and your site feed is already on my site now.
Yours in Liberty,
Todd Andrew Barnett
10 David R. Jeffries // May 24, 2008 at 12:30 am
The nominee should be not only a Libertarian (as required by Party bylaws), but also a libertarian (i.e. in accord with libertarian principles.)
This rule-of-thumb disqualifies Gravel and Barr, in my opinion.
I only hope enough delegates agree with me.
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