Sunday, July 04, 2004
np: josh rouse - the smooth sounds of josh rouse
a quick note on yesterday's post. here is a link to a small interview with michael badnarik from the independent tribune, the main newspaper in cabarrus county. (thanks to charlie for the link.) it's not much of a step off of any politician's sloganeering responses, which is to be expected in a small, sparse interview like this. although it's kind of amusing (and also not surprising) to see how badnarik's sentiments echo the nader/la duke campaign of 2000:
“The two parties basically act as one, giving people no choice at all,” he said.
Badnarik wants to change that as the Libertarian Party’s 2004 presidential nominee.
“We do agree there is a lot more support, but it’s coming from both parties,” he said...
Despite the hold the two major parties have in the American political system, Badnarik said he believes the Libertarians can play an important role in politics.
“We are already making the Republicans and Democrats nervous; we can influence elections,” he said.
any of it seem very familiar? it is largely the rallying cry of the third parties here in the states. although, as opposed to the chances of more liberal/progressive minded third parties, this may indeed be the year for candidates like badnarik. with the left coming somewhat cohesively together behind kerry, the bush defectors from the more conservative end of the spectrum are looking more at candidates like badnarik who offer an alternative from bush, yet isn't the democratic party. he represents, to a large extent, with a few exceptions here and there, the more traditionally conservative end of the right wing that bush seems largely to have abandoned in his tenure.
personally, i wish michael badnarik all the luck in the world. i'd love to see him pull down a 5% or more on national results, which would be quite impressive for a third-party. of course, my reasons are selfish: badnarik is (despite his claims to the contrary) going to be pulling votes from the conservative end, and that can only help john kerry in the long run.
