# Libertarian candidate in 04? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476 "2004-05-10T16:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/1 "2004-05-10T16:29:55Z")
After a quick perusal, including the official web site, why is there no announced Libertarian candidate for president? I voted for Harry Brown in the last two presidential elections, and I plan on voting Libertarian again this year, but with only six or so months to the election, why no candidate? Is there even going to be one this time around? ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/2 "2004-05-10T16:40:47Z")
The convention has not occured yet. However, ther far and away favorite to win is [Gary Nolan](http://www.garynolan.com/index.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/3 "2004-05-11T15:34:21Z")
> [@Ryan Mahoney](#): > > After a quick perusal, including the official web site, why is there no announced Libertarian candidate for president? I voted for Harry Brown in the last two presidential elections, and I plan on voting Libertarian again this year, but with only six or so months to the election, why no candidate? Is there even going to be one this time around? Ryan, I too voted Libertarian in the last election, because my state was a “lock” for the Democrats. This year, however, it is looking as though my state will be a close thing – but not as close as some others. Are you in a swing state? If so, would you consider trading votes with me? The way I see it, my state is close, so I am going to vote for Kerry (because I see Ashcroft as a threat to my civil liberties). However, if your state is closer, I would be happy to vote Libertarian (since that’s the direction in which I lean anyway) in your stead, provided you promised to vote for Kerry in your state to help remove Bush from office. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/4 "2004-05-11T18:05:05Z")
Interesting proposal indeed, however I’m afraid that I couldn’t possibly take you up on it. I’m totally committed, no matter how naive it may seem, to supporting only a candidate who runs a positive campaign and who offers real, alternative solutions. I cannot support either traditional party and their accusatory campaigns of failed policy finger pointing. John Kerry does not represent to me an honest difference to the political landscape in this country, and therefore I could not in good conscience cast my vote for him, as I am committed to seeing real change. ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/5 "2004-05-11T19:38:08Z")
Oh well. I think I’m less of an idealist than I once was, but I also want to see some “real change”. As I mentioned, in 2000, I put my money where my mouth was. This season, though, I just can’t bring myself to “make a statement” while the current administration gets a free pass. I guess we’ve just got different priorities – I am very unhappy that I have to sacrifice my long-term goals (seeing a third party in office) to accomplish this short-term goal (get Ashcroft out of Washington). For what it’s worth, I admire your uncompromising dedication to your ideals, and wish you (and all third-party candidates and voters!) the best. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/6 "2004-05-13T11:15:45Z")
> [@Jurph](#): > > Are you in a swing state? If so, would you consider trading votes with me? **Jurph** , two things: 1. This is GQ. Answer the OP, and keep it factual. 2. I don’t believe your proposal is legally permitted in the US. As such, you shall desist from repeating this. - **xash** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/7 "2004-05-13T11:26:51Z")
> [@xash](#): > > 1. I don’t believe your proposal is legally permitted in the US. As such, you shall desist from repeating this. There’s nothing illegal about vote trading; it was a big fad during the 2000 election. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-candidate-in-04/244476/8 "2004-05-13T12:00:38Z")
[www.politics1.com](http://www.politics1.com) has the list of Libertarian candidates running for President.