Libertarians challenge the GOP
Conservatives profess to want limited government, to want citizen-politicians. Politicians that hold office for decades do not seem to represent that ideal. So, that said, competition in the field of politics is a good thing.
Apparently, a large percentage of voters in Henrico county appear to think this too. Challengers were consistently successful in reaching double digits in vote percentages. One such challenger, Mr. George Marchenko, of the the Libertarian party, fought a good fight. In an overwhelmingly Republican district, he garnered 21.61 percent of the votes, including over 32 percent in one precinct. This tells me two things. That the Libertarian party, though not as recognizable as the Democratic party in challenging the GOP, is no longer seen as a non-viable party at the local level. And that many voters are tired of career politicians holding office for years at at time.
Principles of small government are popular with conservative voters. And lately, incumbent Republicans are not exhibiting faithfulness to that ideal. The GOP is in danger of having to fight a two front war. One versus the socialism of the Democrats and another against the "small government" principles of the Libertarian party. If the GOP wishes to succeed in the future, it will have to return to the conservative principles of low taxes and minimal government. Like minded Libertarians could use this a jump start into office, if they run as Republicans. Remember, numbers count.
It doesn't matter to which party the GOP loses seats, the GOP will still lose.
This is a win-win situation for both parties. Remember, if a libertarian candidate runs as a Republican, that candidate will still be standing on his libertarian principles. The principles on which you run and govern do not change. If you change the label on a book, the plot inside stays the same.
Mr. Marchenko was able to take 2,332 votes away from his Republican opponent, even though his opponent was a popular, long time supervisor with support from the general Republican organization. 2,332 votes out of 10,787.
I wonder what would happen if he ran in the primary as a Republican?
Apparently, a large percentage of voters in Henrico county appear to think this too. Challengers were consistently successful in reaching double digits in vote percentages. One such challenger, Mr. George Marchenko, of the the Libertarian party, fought a good fight. In an overwhelmingly Republican district, he garnered 21.61 percent of the votes, including over 32 percent in one precinct. This tells me two things. That the Libertarian party, though not as recognizable as the Democratic party in challenging the GOP, is no longer seen as a non-viable party at the local level. And that many voters are tired of career politicians holding office for years at at time.
Principles of small government are popular with conservative voters. And lately, incumbent Republicans are not exhibiting faithfulness to that ideal. The GOP is in danger of having to fight a two front war. One versus the socialism of the Democrats and another against the "small government" principles of the Libertarian party. If the GOP wishes to succeed in the future, it will have to return to the conservative principles of low taxes and minimal government. Like minded Libertarians could use this a jump start into office, if they run as Republicans. Remember, numbers count.
It doesn't matter to which party the GOP loses seats, the GOP will still lose.
This is a win-win situation for both parties. Remember, if a libertarian candidate runs as a Republican, that candidate will still be standing on his libertarian principles. The principles on which you run and govern do not change. If you change the label on a book, the plot inside stays the same.
Mr. Marchenko was able to take 2,332 votes away from his Republican opponent, even though his opponent was a popular, long time supervisor with support from the general Republican organization. 2,332 votes out of 10,787.
I wonder what would happen if he ran in the primary as a Republican?
Labels: gop, Henrico politics, libertarian party, republican party, small government, virginia elections
posted by Cargosquid at 9:43 PM
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