From U.S. Politics

http://uspolitics.einnews.com/article.php?nid=450969

McCain is also being challenged by a newly resurgent Libertarian movement. Largely unnoticed, Ron Paul die-hards in recent weeks all but took over Republican state conventions in Washington state and Minnesota, electing many of their people as delegates, guaranteeing a noisy Libertarian presence at the Republican national convention.

More threatening to McCain is the apparent decision of former Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia, a highly credible right wing spokesman, to run for president as the Libertarian Party candidate. Ron Paul won from 5 to 10 percent of the vote in many GOP primaries. A Barr candidacy, based on the same message and driven by many of those energized by Paul, could do serious damage to McCain.

Neither an evangelical candidate or a high visibility Libertarian on the ballot would likely challenge for any state's electoral votes. But as we saw in 2000 with Ralph Nader, even a few percentage points in closely contested states can tip the balance. In both the 2000 and 2004 elections, the outcome was decided by fewer than 6% in 18 states. Florida essentially split its vote between Gore and Bush, and Nader's 1 1/2% clearly made a difference.

And Libertarians, particularly, are using their new-found energy to heavily recruit candidates for Congress---also complicating matters for Republicans.

The presidential nominating campaign has been quite a drama. But it looks as if there are many twists and turns of the plot yet to go before we get to the final chapter.

I've come to the conclusion that is exactly why the country has veered of course.  We keep getting duped into voting for these major party candidates even though they don't defend our views. 

In the final analysis, it doesn't matter which of the major parties is in power, they both take us in the socialist direction.  If we limit our analysis to Reagan forward, there is not one redeeming quality about the republicans that makes them worthy of our vote.  At times, the democrats look more conservative.

I vote for every libertarian I can because they represent my views, and I have never regretted that decision.  I'm glad I didn't vote for Bush one, Bush two, Clinton, Gore or Kerry.

The reality may be that if everyone went out and voted for the candidate they believed the major parties may have collapsed years ago. Instead, we get caught up in the hype each election cycle and continue to elect these corrupt parties.

I believe the people have the power to make the change, they just don't realize or exercise it.  I also believe at least a third of this country is ready for a change.  If they voted that way, we would probably get it.

The only wasted vote is a vote cast for someone that doesn't represent your views.  What a pity. People don't seem to see that.

David Jahn

Gravel, I don't like. Ron Paul isn't perfect, but he has it where it counts.

Well I'm sitting here reading this because the day has arrived I think that the difference between Rep and Dem is not the size of government but merely who gets the patronage. I loose nothing by voting with principal, we need to send a message, we need to be heard.

Samantha