2004 interview regarding Badnarik campaign

(http://www.quietpoly.com/juryfury/debates/election2004/libertarians-whosvotearethe.html)

Who Loses when Badnarik Wins?

by Sophia Barkat

It would seem that the Badnarik campaign is original on Crime Policy, Free Trade and State Corporatism, and also Affirmative Action and Empowering of Minorities. If Republican Voters are not too happy about the Republican policies on these issues, this might make them vote for Badnarik. Since Democrats are also against State Corporatism and also for empowering of Minorities by way of easing entry to trade, they may even favor a Badnarik presidency. That if Badnarik can look beyond Affirmative Action as a divisive issue and not be against it.

The message of the campaign is clear. The real challenge for the Party remains to get it's message across. How are they doing about this?

I invited a few diehard Libertarians from various college campuses to see what their take on Badnarik was. Dick Clark, President of Auburn University Libertarians, a group affiliated with the national Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of Alabama, responded. Let’s have a look at what he said about the Libertarian Campaign in his area and who they are appealing to.

What does Michael Badnarik's campaign stand for? Of these ideals which appeal to you the most?

DC: Michael Badnarik stands for small government and individual freedom. As a constitutional scholar, he understands the limitations put on the federal government in that compact, and how they have been surpassed by politicians since that time.

How is he different from Bush? From Kerry? From Nader?

DC: Badnarik differs from Bush in that he is far more genuine in his support of 2nd amendment rights, as well as being a champion of other individual civil rights. In addition, Badnarik opposes the "war" in Iraq, which was disingenuously sold to an American public still reeling from 9/11.

How well known is Badnarik in your area? Amongst young people? What's the voter base like?

DC: Badnarik is a new name in the Auburn, AL area, but his recognition is growing. More and more bumper stickers and yard signs are beginning to crop up, and we had a Libertarian meeting the other night that revealed some interest on Auburn University's campus. More than five hundred Auburn students have signed petitions to achieve his ballot access here in Alabama, and that number is likely to reach into the thousands by the end of this week. Badnarik enthusiasts include disgruntled Democrats and Republicans, as well as some people who have never been involved in politics before at all.

If you have met him in person please tell us about the meeting. How did you change your mind about him after the meeting?

DC: Mr. Badnarik is very personable, although quite mild-mannered. I met him in his hospitality suite at the Libertarian National Convention in Atlanta.

Tell us about your role in the Badnarik campaign. Do you organize rallies, inform voters and get funding? How do you go about this?

DC: As a campus organizer for the Libertarian Party, I host events on Auburn's campus and off campus. At these events, I and my fellow activists distribute literature, administer the "World's Smallest Political Quiz" and talk about various issues including the War on Drugs, the War in Iraq, international trade, and more.

How are your campaigns financed?

DC: All the campaigns that I have had a hand in were funded entirely through private donations. More often than not, a candidate spends a sizable chunk of his or her own capital, and that represents the lion's share of the budget. This seems not to be the case with Badnarik, who is enjoying brisk returns on campaign fundraising efforts, but I am afraid I don't know much about that aspect of his campaign.

Will you be working in the 2008 Campaign for the Libertarian Party?

DC: Yes, I will be involved then too.

Tell us something about the Libertarian Party. How diverse is it?

DC: The diversity of the Libertarian Party is incredible. I have been to few events that combine such contrasting groups from our society as Libertarian events. The LP has atheists, Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics, pagans and more. Some people attend events in business attire, and some look more on the "hippie" end of the spectrum. The key that unites all of us is mutual respect for each person's right to make autonomous personal decisions. We don't have to look alike to get along--we simply must respect the basic human rights that this country was founded in recognition of.

How do you feel about monopolies and even free trade? Are you for or opposed to treaties like NAFTA, WTO?

DC: I am opposed to NAFTA, GATT, CAFTA, the WTO, and all their ilk. Free trade does not require thousands of pages of specifics. If we are indeed going to conduct free trade, the government need only to get out of the way. Free, voluntary trade is good for all parties involved. If the United States is to maintain its position as an economic leader, we must engage in free trade with as many countries as possible.

As grassroots organizers tell us how hard or easy it is to inform voters about your party.

DC: It is getting easier every day, but many still want to limit people's access to information about us. Here at Auburn, the College Democrats and College Republicans have decided to exclude us from an October Debate, despite our previous (Spring 2004) participation and assistance.

Are you informed and are you informing voters about the problems with the Diebold Voting Machines, that Bev Harris helped expose? (See right-hand menu of http://www.juryfury.com about Bev Harris and the ES&S voting software)

DC: I cannot remark on this, as I am unfamiliar with this issue.

What changes would you like to see happen in the nation as far as the War in Iraq, the US Congress and also in Public Education?

DC: I want for our soldiers to be taken out of harm's way. As for public education, we need local controls over local schools. If the cry for more funding is heard, cut extracurricular budgets before asking tax-payers to assume a greater burden.

Are you happy with the way Democrats and Republicans have been managing the Defense Budget?

DC: They have hardly managed it. If we eliminated all domestic spending by the federal government, we would still be over budget thanks to the Iraqi conflict. As usual, politicians prey on the fears of the electorate to generate more money that can then be diverted by graft.

How would you convince anyone not yet registered as a Libertarian to vote for Badnarik in 2004?

DC: I try to explain that peaceful free trade will better insure a prosperous, safe US in the future than Bush's or Kerry's respective plans of "more killing, less trade."

Conclusion

It seems as though the appeal of the Libertarian Party is increasing amongst the young people who may have become disenchanted by the third-party system, at least on one college campus.

Looking back at my own college years in Mount Holyoke College, I never once considered joining any campus political party. Then again, I never thought I'd be interested in American Politics. How times change.

Hopefully, more disinterested and disenchanted youth in America will rise to the occasion in the November 2004 Election, and who knows, maybe some day in the future they will even elect a third-party candidate to the White House.

Many thanks to Dick Clark for the interview.