October 25, 2004
No sign of fortress
So I'm trying to decide who to write-in for President. The two obvious candidates are Badnarik (the libertarian) and Nader (not Green, but independent this time around). I'm inclined to vote for one of the top runners because I really believe we'd be better off with more serious political parties; however, both Badnarik and Nader are little off the deep end. Still, its a serious possibility that I'll vote Badnarik, as he at least is pulling one percent nation-wide (he's as high as five in strange states like New Mexico). Although, Bob Barr apparently supports Badnarik, so that definitely turns me off.
However, there is a host of even more minor candidates who also deserve my attention (most of them are certifiably insane):
Stirling Allan (Providential) - His major campaign plank is a call for "Open Disclosure on U.S. Involvement with [the] Extraterrestrial Frontier." I think that means aliens. That birthday cake picture at the bottom of his page is creepy. Real creepy.
Gene Amondson (Prohibition) - Umm, he doesn't even put the fact that he's runninig for president at the top of his personal website. There's a split in the Prohibition party; it seems that the old leader, Earl Dodge, is running for President also claiming to be the Prohibtion party candidate, despite the fact that the 'convention' that nominated him consisted of eight people meeting in his living room, most of whom were family. Both candidates are on the ballet in Colorado, but nowhere else.
Walt Brown (Socialist) - well, he's not a commie, but he's close. Most reasonable candidate so far. Isn't there a Socialist in the House of Representatives from Vermont or something?
David Cobb (Green Party) - The Green Party is probably the most respectable third party after the Libertarians. Both parties have hundreds of officials in local positions nation-wide. That's about the only reason I have to vote for David.
Michael Peroutka (Constitution Party) This guy is crazy. He wants to repeal the income tax. Imagine "More libertarian than libertarian" sung to the tune of Rob Zombie's impossibly bad song "More human than human."
Darren Eugene Karr (Party X) The name's interesting. The party's lack of organization is not.
Last, but most certainly not least, there's His Royal Majesty Caesar St Augustine De Buonaparte, Emperor. Check him out.
So, who should I vote for? This slate of candidates is probably more pathetic than the Democrat and the Republican.
(Vote Smart has all the candidates if you really need more crazies.)
Posted by eatingbark at October 25, 2004 11:15 PMMy write-in vote was for Dennis Kucinich.
Posted by: jigga at October 25, 2004 07:47 PMOh, now this is priceless:
"Robertson's Relativism Shocking » when asked about some evangelical Christians who are alienated from President Bush because of his record budget deficits and the war in Iraq, Pat Robertson, a Bush supporter, said: “Well, you know you don’t run against perfection.” 10/25/04"
Guess where that one came from?
Posted by: Nick at October 25, 2004 10:26 PMLast month I was leaving the student center when I saw a group of students manning a table with signs that said "Vote your dreams. Vote socialist." Or something to that effect. I didn't even bother to conceal my laughter. Later that day I managed to completel weird out a group wanting to eliminiate Third World debt by asking some basic questions about the actual debt in question. I really love ignorant idealists. They're so much fun to poke at.
Rob, you gotta be kidding. A write-in? It's a cop out, plain and simple. One of either Bush or Kerry is going to be President next week (assumming the system can actually produce a result, an assumption I find myself increasingly unwilling to make). The write-in option is there because I'm pretty sure it's required, but come on. Voting for anyone who isn't from the major parties is a useless gesture whose only benefit would be saving you from making an unpleasant choice. Bite the freaking bullet.
Posted by: ryan at October 26, 2004 09:35 AMRyan -- unfortunately, unlike you, I still live in Georgia (actually, I much prefer Athens to Chatty, but that's another issue). Consequently, my vote has very little effect on who will become president. I'm considering third parties because I think they might be interesting (if they had more influence) -- though, everytime I read one of their candidate's statements, I'm compelled to reconsider Bush or Kerry.
Oh, and just to clarify, when I said Walt Brown was the most reasonable candidate so far, I meant in comparison to the 1920s guy and the alien wierdo.
Posted by: rob at October 26, 2004 05:13 PM