At Nolan Chart, Thomas Simmons is contemplating a run for governor of New Hampshire as a Libertarian and is looking for feedback as we approach 2010. He writes:
Dear Fellow Libertarians,I am asking for your measured, sober thoughts on the 2010 election. As you may have gathered from my last email, I am seriously considering a run for Governor as the Libertarian Party candidate in 2010.I am an Economist and have been an Educator (at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield MA, and Keene State College in Keene, NH) since 1998. As my blog (“Tully’s Page,” at http://www.tullyspage.blogspot.com) states, I am tired of liberal hands in my wallet and conservative noses in my bedroom. While my background is that of a Republican campaign operative (having appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on behalf of Ronald Reagan as long ago as 1980), I am as equally opposed to the theocratic right as to the collective left. We should not be a footnoted brand of conservatism. I believe in a Libertarian Party that is competitive, freedom-oriented, and above all, Pragmatic. I *do* believe in incremental steps towards liberty, and believe in victories more than purity. I will be very frank about that with you all.. . .I seek your feedback and your support. As a teacher, I have the summer off, and I am prepared to spend the summer campaigning and raising our party’s visibility. It would seem to me that in an off-year election, with an active campaign and rising voter disgust, we ought to reach the 4% threshold that will secure ballot access. But I can’t – and won’t – do it myself. I need to hear from you.Thank you,Thomas SimmonsWinchester NH
7 responses so far ↓
1 Bill Wood // Dec 27, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Question number one, are you a voting (dues paying) Member of the Libertarian Party? Surprising to see people who are not Members just show up at Conventions with plans on running for Office.
2 Rachel H // Dec 27, 2009 at 8:51 pm
“I believe in a Libertarian Party that is competitive, freedom-oriented, and above all, Pragmatic.”
I shuddered at the word “pragmatic”. But still open to learning more.
“I *do* believe in incremental steps towards liberty, and believe in victories more than purity.”
What does that mean? I believe in incremental steps, i.e. accepting a tax cut, rather than insisting on NO TAX what so ever.
But winning over principle? So you’d vote for a public option, as long as NH doesn’t have to pay more taxes?
3 T. S. // Dec 28, 2009 at 8:28 am
To respond to the above:
1) Been a dues paying member since 2001.
2) Rachel, I’ll take caps and cuts on Taxes rather than wait for their elimination; I’d reform public schools rather than replace them; and I’d never accept a public option. I’ve been blogging long and hard against public options and in favor of market-based freedoms, doctor-patient decision making, and keeping government OUT. Pragmatism means stopping the advance of government control, and rolling it back in steps. I would not oppose a stepped rollback in the hopes of waiitng for a “Pure” bill that would never pass; but I would also not favor an incremental advance of government power AT ALL.
4 Joey G. Dauben // Dec 28, 2009 at 4:04 pm
The LP doesn’t have ballot access in New Hampshire, right? When I was up there, every Libertarian I met worked alongside the Ron Paul Republicans and the RLC guys.
There might be different requirements for state level and federal offices, but I thought for sure NH was shut out of the ballot-line for LPers.
5 paulie // Dec 28, 2009 at 4:09 pm
They would need to petition.
6 Bill Wood // Dec 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for the response T.S
7 Steve // Dec 29, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Good luck Mr. Simmons, at this point going hard in the right direction is more important than purity in-fighting. Anyone who is for less government and less war should be on our side against Democrats and Republicans who are for more government and more war.
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