James Joyner: [1]
Something really strange is going on with the Libertarian Party. I mean, more so than usual — I wouldn’t bother to point out the obvious.
Their annual convention is going on as I write. Some highlights:
- Bob Barr [2], most famous for opposing medical marijuana and for his role in the impeachment of Bill Clinton, is running to be its presidential nominee.
- So, possibly, is Tucker Carlson [3], the bowtied guy who filled the Pat Buchanan chair on Crossfire.
- Richard Viguerie, who has sent me approximately 6,000 emails since railing that Rudy McRomney wasn’t conservative enough [4] at CPAC 2007, has just delivered the Keynote Address. The text is available at Richard Viguerie’s Conservative HQ.com [5].
What in the world is going on here? These people aren’t even from the libertarian wing of the GOP, let alone honest-to-goodness, according to Hoyle big-L Libertarians.
Yeah, no kidding.
The supposed party of principle, though, does get something out of all of this. Think on it;
They get:
- People. What little start power these fools have, brings in more people then the LP has gotten in years, on their own.
- Money. Such influx of people always brings in money for any party, and the LP is not unique here, nor are they unique in claiming that’s not what they’re about.
- Power. With added money and people parties invariably get more power from that combo. Which, apparently, is their biggest motivation, when you get down to it.
So much for principle.
Ask me again why I’ve never taken the Libertarian Party seriously.