Libertarians/ Liberals- who's got your vote and why?

Question

I'm a young Centrist/Libertarian. I have voted before, but am trying to research the candidates better than I did last time. I am interested in your views.

Answer 1

FYI: Libertarian is a political party, liberal is a social belief that does not necessarily correspond with the Libertarian party beliefs.

For the GOP, I support Dr. Ron Paul, but my state does not have open primaries, so I cannot vote for him. Unless of course, he is nominated by the GOP.

For the Democrats, I like Obama and think he has a chance of winning the national election, much more than Hillary. But again, unless he wins the nomination, I cannot vote for him.

Answer 2

I'm a libertarian.

What I look for in a candidate is:
1. A history of effective leadership
2. Governs from core convictions, not political expediency
3. New Fresh ideas that make sense.
4. Clearly laid out platform that I agree with.
5. Is someone I can trust.

This excludes the top 3 Dem candidates right away. Clinton has no core convictions, as her votes in Iraq indicate. Edwards is just slimy. He has no core convictions, pits classes against each other, and cannot be trusted. Neither has fresh ideas. Obama has no history of effective leadership.

On the Republican side, Giuliani is the only one who has 4 of the 5.

My dark horse candidate is Newt Gingrich. I hope he runs. He's been an effective leader, governs from his convictions, is just full of new and interesting ideas, and he's laid out good platforms before. He also has a wonderful understanding of history, being a former history professor, so won't be making a lot of the same mistakes as in the past.

Answer 3

I'm a Young Libertarian too. I prefer Libertarians, they are the party of principle and are a mixture of fiscal conservatism with social liberalism. Goldwater was a libertarian and Milton Friedman was a libertarian though, registered as a Republican. I think government is too big and overbloated, we need to reduce it. Taxes for the wealthy are too high and social programs are a mess. We, Libertarians, go by classical liberals (some people call us that). I prefer to consider myself that. Right now I might vote third party because well many are liberals or crazy conservatives.

Answer 4

Obama at this point.

A Harvard graduate who has very solid ideas about how to address and fix illegal immigration.

He believes in health care for everyone which is one of my biggest concerns.

He was opposed to the war in the first place and has never waivered from that stance. He gave a speech 6 months before the invasion that makes him look prophetic because it was so accurate on how things would turn out.

He's pro-choice also.

And he's not a career politician. He's a self made man who seems to have more integrity than any other candidate in the race from either party.

www.barackobama.com

Answer 5

Obama.

He is very liberal, yet still has a chance of winning overall. He is charismatic, and promises change. I love the guy based on his voting record. No icky votes like John Edwards.

Edwards is good, just not as good as Obama. Hilary Clinton is mehhh....

I'm not a "Hilary hater," but she is too...calculating to me. She doesn't sound pure, and from the heart, like Obama. Plus she refuses to admit she made an error voting for the Iraq war, while maintaining the standpoint that the war was wrong.

Riiiight.

Answer 6

Bill Richardson
1. He's a moderate / centerist.
2. He's got international diplomacy experience.
3. He's got domestic policy experience.
4. Frankly, I just agree with him more than the others.

Answer 7

Obama.

Answer 8

I hope you will never fall for the empty GOP slogans about "less government". The reality has been THE biggest, most expensive (and debt-laden) and most intrusive government ever. The GOP will never give up its lust to control other people's sex lives or to foist religion on us. That's not libertarian.