More on the debate

Here are my impressions on the first 90 minutes of the LP presidential debate.

Bob Barr–the candidate most likely to get more than the obligatory half of one percent. The question is, is he a conservative libertarian like Ron Paul or a libertarian conservative like Ronald Reagan. Barr turned in a solid, professional performance.

The old conundrum in the LP is: do we want a candidate who can get votes or a candidate who will present a hardcore vision for a libertarian society. My own answer has always been: both!

One issue Bob pushed is absolutely critical this year: he would be the only candidate who hasn’t bought into the global warming theory.

Mike Gravel: A nice man but not a libertarian.

Mary Ruwart: the classic movement libertarian. A bit too policy wonkish last night but has great potential to reach out beyond traditional libertarian circles. And she did write one of the best libertarian books ever–Healing Our World.

Steve Kubby: He impressed me last night. He showed he was more than a one-issue candidate (medical marijuana). Called the federal government “the biggest polluter in the world.”

Wayne Allyn Root: the classic charisma candidate we always say we need. Solid performance. He could win a debate with one line. “The difference between Washington DC and Las Vegas is that in Vegas, the drunks spend their own money.” He called Al Gore’s jet “the second biggest polluter in the world.”

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8:56 am on May 25, 2008