The Libertarian President

Freedom was a frequent topic of discussion during a debate between seven candidates vying to be the Libertarian Party’s nominee for president. Liberty was also mentioned. In essence, liberty is freedom from government control of a citizen’s money and body. One person’s freedom ends where it meets another person’s property, with property being defined as body as well as land, or even as the air we share.

This was the final debate before delegates to the Libertarian Party’s national convention choose their nominee. That decision will be made today, May 25, 2008.

I watched the debate live last night as it aired on C-SPAN. Although labeled a debate, it was a forum. Candidates were asked a question and they all had the opportunity to answer with no opportunity for rebuttal. The result was much more the impression of a team sport. That image was first created when the moderator introduced the candidates. As each candidate entered the stage, he or she went down the line of previously introduced candidates clapping backs and shaking hands. Once the forum started, the candidates were more likely to hand the ball, or issue, to the next candidate, or team member, for his or her own chance at a better shot.

Bob Barr took some slings from other candidates for his days as a Republican congressman from Georgia, when he was among the authors of the Patriot Act and of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). He promoted his loyalty to the Libertarian ideology by mentioning his service as a member of the Libertarian National Committee and his chance to meet Charlton Heston as a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Mike Gravel, a Demoratic two-term U.S. Senator from Alaska, faced a tough crowd as he tried to convince the convention delegates that a Libertarian could also be a liberal. In his opening statement, Gravel said that the United States is at an “important juncture” and to “follow the money if you want to find out what will happen next year,” if a Republican or a Democrat is elected president.

George Phillies, a professor of physics at a technical institute in Massachusetts, describes himself as a centrist Libertarian. His theme for the forum was that he already has a network in place for his campaign, no doubt because he also heads the Massachusetts state party. He has formed political action committees, sent out news releases, and reached out to Ron Paul supporters in an effort to help local and statewide candidates get elected..

Michael Jingozian is a business owner. His closing statement sounded more like a commercial for his business than a pitch for his candidacy. Answering a question about oil and gas drilling in the U.S., Jingozian said the arctic has more uses than just energy. He also pointed out that petroleum is used in many raw materials and products besides gasoline, so the discussion is about much more than energy.

Mary Ruwart is a physician who has run for the party’s nomination before. She stressed that she has had 25 years of Libertarian campaign experience. She played the gender card during the forum, arguing that many women in the country want to vote for a woman. She believes in traditional political issues such as a clean environment, reduction in crime, and affordable healthcare. However, she believes that only freedom, not government, can help us reach those goals.

Steve Kubby has adrenal cancer and that led him to battle for legalization of medical marijuana. When answering a question about philosophers who inspired the candidates, Kubby said he was inspired by David Nolan, founder of the Libertarian Party, who taught him that liberty works and from that everything else follows. When asked who he would appoint to the Supreme Court, Kubby said the justices “have too much power, and they’re idiots.”

Wayne Allyn Root has been a sports commentator and is a small business owner. His niche issue is education and he describes himself as a person who home schools his children. When he said he favored drilling for fuel in protected Alaskan lands, off the shore of California, and in other environmentally sensitive locations, the delegates let out a mix of boos and yeas.

More information on the background of the candidates can be found in an April 29, 2008, Reason Magazine article.

M.R. Field writes about events for AroundDesMoines.com. Kevin Litten is a delegate from Iowa at the convention.