A Realistic View of What Constitutes a Win for Liberty

Here's my wish list for the election results. A wish list tempered with realism.

Romney wins. I think the odds are against him, but he might pull it off.   Gary Johnson exceeds 5% of the popular vote, and thereby qualifies for Federal Matching Funds.  (I'll be voting for Gary.  You should too.  Especially if you're in a non-swing state like Delaware.)  Johnson returns in four years, stronger, better known, and better funded, and we do it all over again.  Johnson and/or Stein get enough votes to "spoil" a possible victory for Obama in at least one state, and Johnson and/or Stein get enough votes to "spoil" a possible victory for Romney in at least one state.  Both major parties need to be looking over their shoulders.  Alternative parties matter.  We want them to respect us.  We want them to fear us.

Libertarians spend the next four years comparing every big government, pro war policy that Romney enacts to those that Obama supported.   We spend the next four years demanding to know why Republicans aren't as critical of Romney for the same policies they crucified Obama for. 

Alex Pires and Andy Groff pull enough votes from Tom Carper that he loses to Kevin Wade.  It's not a perfect result, but I could live with it.  Scott Gesty and Bernie August pull enough votes from John Carney to at least make a race out of it and make John Carney sweat a little bit on election night.  A big enough vote total for Scott to shove up Ralph Begleiter's ass in two years when UDel's Center for Political Communication announces debate participant rules would be a joyous result in its own right.

In my own 16th State Senate District, I hope Mike Tedesco returns Colin Bonini back to the private sector after being on the state payroll for 18 years, the last several years of which he's pretty much been a ROADie (Retired On Active Duty.)  It's Mike the Independent against Colin the Republican.  There is no Democrat in the race.  Colin gets poor marks from all sides for lousy constituent service and just general laziness.  Tedesco's been campaigning hard with no money.  Lots of door to door and home made signs.  He's Delaware's Rocky to Colin's Apollo Creed.  With enough Democratic and Independent support, Mike could pull it off.

In my own 32nd Representative District, I honestly don't care.  Paleo-Conservative Ellis Parrott against Big Government/Big Union Liberal Andria Bennett.  I wish they could both lose.  I will write in Will McVay.  He's not registered as a write in candidate.  The vote won't get counted for him.  But it just seems like the right thing to do.

I'd love to see Cathy Samardza win the 15th State Senate District.  She's a smart and motivated lady.  She'd make a great legislator.  Thoughtful and willing to do the hard work.  I don't dislike the incumbent Dave Lawson.  He is sincere in his beliefs and engaged with the voters in a way that Bonini hasn't been for years.  But given a choice, I'd vote for Miss Cathy.

I don't know what his chances are, but if there is any justice in the world, Sam Chick would be the next State Representative from the 31st District.  And if not, keep an eye on him for the future.  Smart guy, great resume, devoted to liberty.  He's the most libertarian Republican I know.  He'll continue to have my support no matter what party he belongs to.

Elsewhere throughout the state, I want Libertarians to do well.  Decent numbers, especially for some of the folks I know the best.  Margie McKeown, Wendy  Jones,  Margaret Melson, and Ronnie Fitzgerald.  Wins for David Eisenhour and my wife Mary Pat McVay for Clerks of the Peace in Sussex and Kent Counties respectively would be welcome results and wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility.  And for the dozen or more Libertarians who I didn't mention by name, I wish you good luck and good results. Your efforts are appreciated, and you advance the cause of liberty just by being on the ballot and offering voters a better choice.  Thank you for stepping up.

As for Delaware governor, I guess it's fair to say I have a more personal interest.  My opponents Jack Markell, Jeff Craig, and Mark Perri are all good and honorable men.  At least two of us, and truth be told probably three of us, know we aren't going to be the next governor of the State of Delaware.  We three are carrying the banner for the causes that we believe in because someone should always do that.  I just hope I've been useful to my party, and have done my part to promote liberty in Delaware.  I still hope to win your vote, but I'll be satisfied if I get more votes than the Republican write in candidate, what's his name.  And one way or another, no matter what the outcome, the McVay family will be staying engaged in the years ahead.  We're not giving up on Liberty.  I hope you won't be either.

A Message from the Libertarian and Green Party Candidates for Governor

The Green Party and the Libertarian Party have some significant policy differences.  If you support one party, you're likely to have some major problems with the goals of the other party.  But there is at least one issue on which there is no daylight between us.  We both believe that the so called "two party system" has poisoned the American political landscape and has put the future of this country in jeopardy.

A quick look at the numbers suggests that a lot of Delawareans agree with us.  Of all registered voters in Delaware today, 24% are registered as Other than Republican or Democrat.  Roughly 9% of those eligible haven't even registered to vote.   And in 2008, the last "most important election of our lifetime," 31% of those who were registered to vote, didn't bother to actually show up at the polls.  We suspect that the limited choices available simply failed to inspire these non participants in the two party charade.

We think it's time to change all this, and we have a plan.  If you agree with us that two parties isn't enough; if you agree with us that more choices are better than fewer choices; vote Green Party or Libertarian Party for governor this year.  We don't care which.  (Well, individually, we do, but collectively, we don't!)

Are you worried about wasting your vote?  Don't be.  Delaware is the bluest of blue states.  Democrats enjoy huge advantages in money, organization, and voter registration.  That, in addition to his personal popularity, will guarantee Jack Markel another term as Governor of Delaware.  We know that.  You should too.  So, whether you like that outcome or not, we should all realize that this certainty presents an opportunity.  A third party vote this year won't change the outcome of the election, but it might help change the perception of the viability of third parties.    If you agree with us that the two party system is broken, then the only way to NOT waste your vote is to vote Green Party or Libertarian Party for governor this year.  It will cost you nothing, and you might just be striking a blow for a sounder, more balanced, and more civil political system.

And oh, by the way, the same goes for the presidential election.  Delaware's Democratic advantage extends to the presidential race as well.  His prospects outside the state may be less certain but, love him or hate him, Barack Obama will walk away with all three of Delaware's Electoral College votes this year.  Take a look at Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson.  They're both on the Delaware ballot this year as well.  They debated last week in Chicago, and they will be participating in one final debate on Monday, 5 November, election eve, at 9pm in Washington DC.  You can watch live at RT.com and other venues.


Jess McVay, Candidate for Governor, Libertarian Party
Mark Perri, Candidate for Governor, Green Party

If I Was Hillary, I'd Be Pissed!

Imagine how angry Hillary must be to have been thrown under the bus on the whole Libyan Consulate security issue. Imagine how it must chafe her to be asked to carry the water for the administration and to accept responsibility for President Obama on a major issue like this just because Joe Biden was such a weasel at the debate and couldn't own up to a mistake. Imagine how many of Hillary's supporters will share her dismay with a president who they see as basically inept and inferior to Hillary in just about every way. Imagine a sizable number of those disaffected voters abandoning the president on November 6.

I can see this happening. Now, can you imagine those same Democrat voters choosing Mitt Romney instead of the president? Me neither. But they might choose Gary Johnson. LIVE FREE www.garyjohnson2012.com

Republican Party or Toga Party?

The Kent County GOP issued a press release last week with a last minute endorsement of one of the candidates in the 32nd District  primary.  Kind of late notice for the party to be telling the faithful how they're supposed to vote, don't you think?  The primary is this Tuesday, after all.  The rules of the Delaware GOP require fifteen days written notice to all candidates prior to such an endorsement being made.  No such notice was given, but the Kent GOP found a clever way around that.  Here's a quote from their press release.   “Mr. Parrott and Mr. McVay both appeared before the Executive Committee earlier this year seeking our endorsement." What they got wrong here is that Mr. McVay was seeking their neutrality, not their endorsement.  And that "earlier this year" in this case means the first week of June.  That's over three months ago.  At that time, they decided not to make an endorsement.  They said, "It wouldn't be appropriate."  What's changed?

 I had to laugh when I read the press release.  It reminded me of the movie Animal House.  Maybe back in June, they really did make an endorsement, but it was a "double secret endorsement."  So in this scenario, Mr. McVay is the, shall we say "somewhat unconventional" Delta House, Mr Parrott stands in for the preppie Omegas, and I guess that means the Kent County GOP  is Dean Wormer.  Way to go Kent GOP.  Great way to run a political party guys.  No wonder the Delaware GOP is "circling the drain" to steal a phrase from a popular Libertarian blogger.  Mr. Parrott has taken quite a beating in the media for refusing to debate Mr. McVay because of his Libertarian background.  We happen to think Libertarians make better Republicans than Republicans do. 

Ron Paul Owns the RNC