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Topic: Essay submitted: Benson Allies Gain Ground but Lose Benson (Read 7345 times)
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jgmaynard
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This is a CRAZY thought, and it will never go anywhere, but hear me out, even if only for the chuckles. Craig Benson is now a former governor, has plenty-o-dollars, and is libertarian-leaning, and really seems to want to make a difference. In short, he has the same level of experience as the last 4 of 5 presidents, he therefore has FAR more credibility than anyone the LP has EVER run for president, and I believe he spent $12M of his own moey to get elected the first time. If he would match $100M in donations, that could put him on an even footing with the two old parties. With that kind of advertising money to be had, there's no media blackout (quite the opposite), with that kind of exposure, 15% in polls going into the debates is a gimmee. We'd have our most credible candidate ever, equal funding, equal media exposure, access to the debates, and an FSP-friend in the big chair. Why would the LP go with a former Republican governor? Well, it puts us on an even level with the two old parties, and gives us huge credibility and instant media attention. Why would Benson go with the LP - Even if he DID run for president, why not with the R party? Easy. Two reasons. First, he was a registered indepedent until 2001, and therefore, probably doesn't have much loyalty to the R party (esp after their treatment of him this election cycle). Second, for the EXACT same reason Curt Schilling joined the Red Sox, and not the Yankees - Helping the Yankees win yet another world series (like helping the Rs elect yet another president) is totally ho-hum. BUT helping the Red Sox win the World Series for the first time in 86 years (like electing the first third party president in 144 years) is a MAJOR historical parafigm shift. The risk is a couple drees higher, but the potential payoff is many, many times what it would otherwise be. And the bet worked out for Schilling......  JM |
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The Light of Alexandria By James Maynard A history of the first 1,000 years of science, and how it changed the ancient world, and our world today. http://www.lightofalexandria.com
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Karl
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I wish such a scenerio were plausible. I don't think Benson wants to do politics anymore, so I don't think he'd run even if he agreed 100% with LP platform.
The real blocker is the fact that the LP hates anyone who deviates from the platform. The LP has a long tradition of shooting itself in the foot (or is that the head?). Look no further the foolish 2004 rejection of two semi-credible candidates (one with money, one with some name recognition) in favor of the dogmatist. The LP wants a teacher, not a presidential candidate. They've proven it time and time again.
And after seeing so many people waste their time with Presidential politics (in both Libertarian and Republican circles), I think we should put our minds back to our state & local goals.
We just kicked in the face four days ago. The #1 reason Republicans lost seats in the House and Senate was the GOP's obsession with George W. Bush. Every GOP function I went to had everyone gushing over the man. Nobody was paying attention to local races. Countless candidates placed campaiging for Bush ahead of their own candidacies and that of the Governor. What a mistake.
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Samuel_Adams
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The real blocker is the fact that the LP hates anyone who deviates from the platform. The LP has a long tradition of shooting itself in the foot (or is that the head?). Look no further the foolish 2004 rejection of two semi-credible candidates (one with money, one with some name recognition) in favor of the dogmatist. Thats why people like me and you and others should join LP, become delegates and support the most credible candidates. Next time be a delegate to LP Convention for Aaron Russo. Yours in putting Strategy in Libertarian Party, SA |
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"If ya love wealth better than liberty, tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace... May your chains set lightly upon you..."
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"Hagrid"
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The real blocker is the fact that the LP hates anyone who deviates from the platform. The LP has a long tradition of shooting itself in the foot (or is that the head?). Look no further the foolish 2004 rejection of two semi-credible candidates (one with money, one with some name recognition) in favor of the dogmatist. Thats why people like me and you and others should join LP, become delegates and support the most credible candidates. So get active in the party, and change the platform.. You wouldn't be alone in calling for this... And BTW, Badnarik was the best choice of the 3... I met Nolan (ugh), I listened to Russo (ugh), and Badnarik won fair and square and was head and shoulders better than both. His 'loss' was not his creation, but the saddling of the Troika on him. Lots of people 'one step' below the Troika can tell you lots of examples why this campaign went south, and none of them are Mike-related/caused. |
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jgmaynard
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I agree with both the fact that the LP would never nominate someone who is not 100% "pure", and I also agree we should concentrate a LOT more on local, county, and state races.
Just saying it would be a win/win situation is they'd ever both get around to well, coming around. lol.
JM
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The Light of Alexandria By James Maynard A history of the first 1,000 years of science, and how it changed the ancient world, and our world today. http://www.lightofalexandria.com
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JasonPSorens
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Gary Johnson would probably be a somewhat better candidate than Benson (he's somewhat more libertarian, has equal experience, & has no future in the Republican Party), but obviously if Benson ran and adopted some of the personal-freedoms platform of the LP, it would be a big coup for the LP's credibility. I'd still rather see Benson working at the state level in some fashion. Perhaps funding and figureheading for a certain nonpartisan league?  |
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Audio signature (MP3) "Experience has shown that it is difficult, if not impossible, for a populous state to be run by good laws." --Aristotle, The Politics
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Denis Goddard
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Perhaps it's redundant, but I didn't see any post to this effect yet:
THANK YOU, Dada, for taking the time and energy to write up this article. It is optimistic and motivational, and those are exactly what's needed to get people working towards our common goal.
And, for the record, you're so totally right-on with the statement:
"This we will pass on to the hundreds of new liberty immigrants expected over the coming year."
Yep. My wife and I are just 6 months from moving, and we're chomping at the bit to get active in NH politics. The experience of you early-moving Porcs will be invaluable for newbies like us!
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bIlluminati
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We do have two U.S.Senators and 2 U.S. House seats. Maybe even have a third after 2010. Executive Council only has five ... somewhere in this Benson has a chance to make a difference.
What we really need is a lock on Governor long enough to name New Hampshire judges ... or 4 of 5 on Executive Council, for the nuclear option.
Zack Bass could be right in strategy .... but we are learning tactics on the ground. Liberty in our lifetimes!
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Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.
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