The republicans are doing it. The democrats are doing it. So why not the Libertarians.
I am referring to the movements against the "Ticket Candidates" per convention/primaries.
I respect people who are in motion, and there are conservatives that don't want Trump representing the brand "republican". There are progressives that do not trust Billary Clinton, and therefore are stoking the fires of the Bern. You cannot dismiss these actions. They are not anomalies. These are large groups of people that are taking a stand for principle.
What are the motives of the convention going Libertarians in 2016?
1. Debate inclusion
2. Vote-percentage exemption for immediate ballot access for years to come
3. A possible position on Johnson's campaign team or Judicial committee "consultant"
As Johnson and Weld have already proven to be electable (not as Libertarians), this seems to sway the convention goer to punch their name. It worked for Bob Barr. It would explain such high first ballot numbers. But why?
It is unlikely that the convention goer who supported a Johnson Weld Ticket knew that much about each candidates administration when Governors respectively. Also, many Libertarians libertarians are not fond of the Fair Tax which Johnson has openly endorsed. George Phillies has led the charge with writing a book about the finances of two Libertarian Presidential Candidates which apparently had difficulty running for President and living within there financial means. Phillies work was, IMO, thorough and precise. If the work had been done on other topic, perhaps it would've warranted entry into a peer reviewed journal of academia.
In the study of group think, why do Libertarian convention goers keep voting for carpet baggers that have shown little to no Libertarian ideology in rhetoric, speeches, or actually votes while in office.
The latter is important this year because both President and Vice President have records as Governors. Bob Barr had a record in the House. Many have thrown Johnson's veto history into my face several times as "proof" of his libertarian leanings. I retort by bringing up his non-stance on marijuana law, the number of people incarcerated for drug offenses, his willingness to support market-based school systems, and his length in office. Johnson served two terms, was termed out, and could've done many things in his final term as Governor to "prove" his Libertarian mind and heart.
All of the above rambling comes to a single point: the Libertarian convention goer is desperate. I don't believe that ALL convention goers who voted for Johnson Weld believe that they are pure or hard core Libertarian. They believe they are libertarian at some level (with no actual proof beyond emotivism), and this seems to warrant a vote for each. The Libertarian Convention goer projects their own belief system onto these candidates and then cocoons in denial until the convention vote is finished.
Bob Barr was a drug warrior while in the House. Weld has a track record for gun control. So here, one can deduce that the convention goer cares about one thing above all else: electability or past public service.
The Libertarian convention goer does not represent the entire Libertarian movement in America. It is a poor sampling of a niche market of Freedom loving humans set on Individual sovereignty. The convention goer had the time, means, and the logistics to attend.
It is my belief that if the Libertarian Party functioned as the other parties and ran primaries or caucuses in each state the vote totals would be much different. One could make an argument that in this day of technology that an online internet conference of registered delegates could easily vote for their candidate as did the convention goer. State Chairs and state committees could validate each online delegate and the elections could run just as they are now.
But why has the Libertarian refrained from innovating and open range voting system for President/Vice President? Answer. It is much easier to manipulate a thousand rather than a million.
Blog post Disclosure:
1996...I voted for Browne
2000...I voted for Browne and aided his campaign
2004...Protest year. I didn't vote as I supported Caruso
2008...I wrote in NOTA which in Missouri made my ballot void
2012...I wrote in NOTA which in Missouri made my ballot void
The Libertarian convention goer is an addict. I will not enable them.
If a Johnson Weld ticket offends your principles, why not a "Never Johnson" campaign? Simple. The Libertarian is desperate.
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