Here’s the Friday open comments post.
Today’s suggested topic is your candidates for the upcoming September 14th Wisconsin primary election for governor, lieutenant governor, and U.S. Senator. Here are my picks, depending on party preferences. (I’m a libertarian and Libertarian, rather than a Democrat or Republican.)
If voting among Democratic choices, I’d pick:
GOVERNOR – DEMOCRATIC
TOM BARRETT
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR – DEMOCRATIC
NO PICK
US SENATOR – DEMOCRATIC
RUSS FEINGOLD
Barrett and Feingold are, in effect, unchallenged (although there’s more than one candidate on the primary ballot for the Democratic nominee for governor). Both are likely to be better on some, but not all, civil rights than their Republican opponents. Both are likely to be worse on some, but not all, economic issues than their Republican opponents.
If voting among Republican choices, I’d pick:
GOVERNOR – REPUBLICAN
MARK W NEUMANN
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR – REPUBLICAN
NO PICK
US SENATOR – REPUBLICAN
RON JOHNSON
I’d easily pick Neumann over Walker, simply because Walker’s handling of the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division’s abuses, incompetency, and misconduct convinces me that Walker’s just another scheming, manipulative, selfish, unprincipled careerist.
As for Johnson, he’s the sure winner, and he’s a pick based on inevitability in the primary.
If voting among Libertarian choices, I’d pick:
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR – LIBERTARIAN
TERRY VIRGIL
He’s the only Libertarian choice — we didn’t field a candidate for governor. Such is the state of our party (the LP).
These primary picks are that only — I’m undecided among the major party candidates in November. Although, as one can guess, Walker’s selection as the Republican nominee would make it easier for me to decide in November.
The use of pseudonyms and anonymous postings are, of course, fine.
Although the comments template has a space for a name, email address, and website, those who want to leave a field blank can do so. Comments will be moderated, against profanity or trolls. Otherwise, have at it.
I’ll keep the post open through Sunday afternoon.
Hello, John I will vote Republican in the primary for Neumann and Johnson. I wouldn’t vote for any Milwaukee politician like Walker or Barrett, under any circumstances. They’re worthless.
They’re unopposed but Barrett and Feingold deserve support for standing up for ordinary people against fat cats and special interests.
Walker’s geting a really bum rap on the mental health issue. He’s done great things for Milwaukee County, and his ideas to revitalize Wisconsin are the best of ANY candidate. No one’s perfect, and they should have done better, but he’s better than barrett for sure.
Why not just turn the whole state over to a few big companies and few lobbyists? Doyle’s been a disappoinment but after a few years of Walker then Doyle will look like George Washington.
It’s disgraceful that in a year of limited government excitement, the LP of Wisconsin can’t even get a candidate for governor on the ballot.
If democrats hate special interests, why do they date lobbyists? Date is the nice word for what they have been doing with their special interest friends. Stop pretending and stop spending!
No question, at all, about whether it’s a disgrace that we don’t have a Libertarian party candidate for governor. It is. Yes, it is.
That leaves libertarians with a choice — hard, I think — in November. We could support self-professed limited-government candidates, but those same candidates favor political regulation after political regulation over other areas of private society.
Beyond that, I could not support Scott Walker after the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex revelations. He may become our next governor; his conduct as Milwaukee County Executive suggests he’d make a poor one.
It’s all or nothing for a real libertarian. Go with Terry Vigil for Lt. Governor and no one else.
The economy is Job 1. If a republican can fix it I am willing to hold my nose when I vote.
Easy: Neumann and Johnson
Even easier: Barrett and Feingold. 🙂
If they’re not libertarians you can always write someone in
Neumann!
I’m a dyed in the cape, card-carrying Super Ultra Liberal Democrat, so that makes me a ‘Socialist,’ according to Tea Baggers, Republicans, and hate-mongering talk show hosts. Being a native Milwaukeean, I will continue that fine socialist tradition, and support Tom Barrett, for Governor. Lt. Gov, I select Henry Sanders, who actually has programs he espouses that are worthy of a second-in-commmand. Senator, Feingold. There is no comparison to the Republican’s handpicked nutjob, Roob Johnson. Every time that idiot opens his yap, he embarrases himself; but provides a ton of laughter and fun. As for Walker…get ready for slash and burn if gets in; he gutted Milwaukee…you ain’t seen nothing yet! Neumann is sensible, but way too Conservative for my stomach. If we end up with a Republican Governor, maybe we’ll end up with stagecoaches between Milwaukee and Madison. Hi Yo, Silver!!!
No question, this is a tough primary for libertarians. We didn’t field many candidates, and that’s our own fault. We can compromise, and pick someone, but what does that compromise involve?
I think initially, it may mean voting to keep a less preferred candidate from reaching the general election. For me, that would be voting for Neumann and against Walker. I can’t see supporting Walker after how he’s handled the care of disabled, mentally ill patients in Milwaukee County.
There’s much to be said for The Phantom Stranger’s clarity, based on a consistent set of principles. Sometimes a political party will field a slate of candidates wholly agreeable to a particular outlook.
Sadly, the WI Libertarian Party in 2010 is not that party! One candidate for Lt. Gov. leaves libertarians with choices to make. We should have done a better recruiting job, but even now we can vote to help prevent unsuitable (to us) candidates from taking office.
It’s not enough, I’d say, to contend that one would cut this or that, if vulnerable people’s rights are ignored along the march to Madison in November. There’s no need to compromise their interests; they can be protected and other economic reform undertaken at the same time.
If a candidate won’t do both, we (libertarians) should move on to other candidates, or write someone in.