Comments on: Liveblogging The Libertarian Debate

By: nathancontramundi

nathancontramundi — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:14:31 +0000

“â€œIs this really the best America can do for a third party option?â€
No, the Constitution Party is.”

Daniel, James’s post leads me to ponder (without expressly invading your privacy sufficiently actually to ask) whether, based on your thoughts on his debate performance, you foresee yourself supporting Barr or heading to the CP.

By: Nonesuch

Nonesuch — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:43:48 +0000

Perhaps I missed something along these lines in another post, but isn’t Gravel’s presence there well… strange? And not only that, but he’s getting a lot of votes it seems (I have the convention on C-SPAN at the moment.. the second vote is being taken as I type this). How seriously can we take the LP if someone who supports universal health care is not only welcomed but given more votes than actual libertarians? I’m going to add this (and the Ayn Rand name dropping) to the list of things that make the LP impossible to support or even take that seriously. I think James is right, the Constitution Party is a better third party option, at least based on what I know about both groups.

By: jwpegler

jwpegler — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:35:21 +0000

Phillies mentioned at least 3 times that he wanted to imprison people for various reasons. Heâ€™s obviously a very bitter man. Also, his voice is as grating as running your nails over a chalkboard.

Gravel said that people canâ€™t be free if they are uneducated, poor, and donâ€™t have healthcare. This is exactly the argument that the socialists have made for 100 years. Maybe Gravel should move to Europe and run for President of France.

Kubby was surprisingly impressive. He was poised and funny. If the sole goal of the LP was to legalize marijuana, he should be the nominee.

Root sounds like a used car salesman. Where was his checkered jacket?

Barr wasnâ€™t impressive, but he didnâ€™t do himself any harm either. In fact, his answers on the Patriot Act and DOMA will likely help him on the second round of voting today.

Ruwart sounded like a mindless ideologue, reciting silly platitudes that she memorized long ago.

Jingozian was on stage for what reason?

By: jamesvkruse

jamesvkruse — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:28:54 +0000

“Is this really the best America can do for a third party option?”

No, the Constitution Party is.

By: Roach

Roach — Sun, 25 May 2008 07:22:03 +0000

I can’t wait for the Communist Party or the Democratic Socialists of America to have their “big” debate.

If libertarians were serious about being a third party political force, they’d be fielding candidates for runs at local office, Congress, and the like. The Presidency is not an entry level job.

By: Daniel Larison

Daniel Larison — Sun, 25 May 2008 05:35:43 +0000

Apparently so. Compared to some of the debates I’ve seen this year, this was quite excellent. Pinkerton did a pretty good job as moderator.

By: John

John — Sun, 25 May 2008 05:30:59 +0000

Sounds like it was quite the spectacle. Is this really the best America can do for a third party option?

By: Daniel Larison

Daniel Larison — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:39:32 +0000

Good point.

By: Elvis Elvisberg

Elvis Elvisberg — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:37:27 +0000

Iâ€™m not sure if this is deeply worrying evidence of insanity or evidence of absolutely shameless pandering to the Libertarian crowd.

Totally unfair.

There’s no reason why it can’t be both.