Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2003
Source: State, The (SC)
Copyright: 2003 The State
Contact:  http://www.thestate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/426
Author: Jim Livingston

RECENT RACE POINTS UP LIBERTARIANS' PROBLEM

In spite of the best possible conditions for a Libertarian candidate to 
make a decent showing, Libertarian votes totaled an embarrassing 2 percent 
in the recent special election for Andre Bauer's former Senate seat. The 
Libertarian, Steve Cain, had as opposition a once-upon-a-time Democratic 
senator and an unknown, dark-horse Republican. He has an impressive record, 
including experience serving with Sen. Fritz Hollings. Cain is a young, 
intelligent, well-educated and personable young African-American involved 
in community affairs.

It seems unlikely that Libertarians will ever place someone in any state or 
federal position due in large measure to their unwillingness to realize 
that politics means compromise; success in one is dependent on the other. 
Too, here in grass-roots, ultra-conservative South Carolina, most folks 
have a horror of association with dope-smoking and other permissive 
promotions of legalizing drugs -- even those of us who realize the drug 
problem is best addressed with education and medical attention. It is too 
bad too many Libertarians choose not to redirect their efforts to the 
health-education-welfare situation rather than endorse the sorry state of 
affairs that issue from such.

JIM LIVINGSTON

Saluda
- ---
MAP posted-by: Alex