The Libertarian Intelligentsia Is Freaking Out Over Newt

[ProSense]

The Libertarian Intelligentsia Is Freaking Out Over Newt

Pema Levy

Libertarians in Washington are not happy about how the Republican primary is shaping up...On Monday, Christopher Barron, a Republican strategist with libertarian leanings and head of GOProud, which represents gay conservatives, penned an op-ed mourning Herman Cain’s exit from the race. In his stead, Barron endorsed Gary Johnson, the libertarian former governor of New Mexico.

Now, many of Cain’s supporters had tea party inclinations, and the latest polling suggests many of them are swinging Newt’s way. Barron thinks that’s a terrible mistake.

“Newt is the establishment. He’s antithetical to what the Tea Party is talking about,” explains Barron. “This is about building on the Tea Party’s success. It would take a lot of selective amnesia” to think Newt could represent the Tea Party’s agenda.

Since the advent of the Tea Party in 2009, libertarians finally began to feel more at home with the right. The Republican Party, at least its rhetoric, was taking on a libertarian tone. They talked about lower taxes, shrinking the size of government, and constitutional originalism, which in theory would eliminate a lot of government regulations libertarians feel interfere with the free market. In Washington, the libertarian Cato Institute embraced the new movement, with events like a September 2010 book forum with Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe of FreedomWorks on their book, Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto. But Republicans’ enthusiasm for libertarian ideals has not translated into the primary field, and libertarians are putting out a host of articles in conservative publications this week now that Newt Gingrich could end up with the nomination.

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[karynnj]

1. This is fascinating to watch

It really looks like the Republican establishment from legislators who worked with Newt to some talking heads (Joe Scarborough, Rick Lowry of National Review) to Zell, who controls the Chicago Tribune and LA Times are all saying things about Newt that are worse than anything I ever heard from TPTB in a party of their front runner - and much of it is intensely personal, not political.

They are 4 weeks from the caucuses and they have three pretty flawed front runners. Newt is a pretty creepy person and it seems Republicans are coming out of the woodwork to say so publicly and on video. That will be a goldmine if he wins.

Romney, is so disliked by his party that we have seen the strongest "anybody but X" movement I ever saw. (The ABC movements in 1976 and 1992 never coalesced around a single candidate and Carter and Clinton won. In addition to that exceptionally low support, he can be hit on having no core political believes and the fact that he was a real life Gordon Gekko at a time where everyone hates Wall Street.

Next they have Ron Paul, who is prone to taking incredibly extreme positions - such as believing both edicare and SS are unconstitutional.

Next consider the personalities of both Newt and Romney - but especially Newt. What is his likely reaction to Romney now being supported by the Republican establishment. His standard method has been to demonize people in his way. I can't imagine he will go quietly. This will NOT be HRC and Obama arguing their relative strengths - often in tougher terms than they would if it were not a contest. I expect Newt will be vicious. Whoever wins will be irreparably damaged.

[ProSense]

2. Excellen points. Newt

is not what the RW had hoped for.

Some people don't like to admit it, but these libertarians are RW kooks. They each have a position or two (at best) that they repeat often to confuse the masses, but underneath the facade of each one lurks a right winger.

Gary Johnson: Cain 'Will Remain A Significant Voice'

<...>

“I have no doubt Herman Cain will remain a significant voice in the dialogue about the many important issues we face. His rejection of business-as-usual in Washington has been a valuable part of this campaign, and clearly resonates with a great many Americans. I wish him the best.”

The person mentioned in the OP wants Cain supporters to back Gary Johson, but...

Bachmann Snags Cain Supporters In Iowa

There have been rumblings that Herman Cain will endorse Newt Gingrich now that he’s abandoned his run for the White House, but there are signs that Cain’s organization is going with a different candidate.

On Tuesday Michele Bachmann’s campaign announced 19 prominent Cain backers have signed on with the Minnesota Republican now that Cain’s out of the race.

From the release:

Bachmann said today, “Our phones are blowing up with former Cain supporters wanting to line up behind a true consistent conservative. I won’t back down from my conservative beliefs. It is with our campaign that Cain supporters will find a home for their constitutional conservative agenda.”

[ProSense]

3. No other comments? n/t

[musiclawyer]

4. I expect Ron Paul to blow things up in Iowa

A month is forever in politics
The freaks who vote in Iowa will have heard a tidal wave of anti-newt press by then. They will begin to second guess themselves. Never trusting Romney, many may go to Ron Paul--hopefully burying Romney in third place. That's the best scenario for Dems.

[Inuca]

6. "A month is forever"

Agree 100%. Saw a tweet eralier today, forgot who from, reminding people that are already ready for the Newt coronation that there is no Pres. Dean in his 2nd term.

[Inuca]

5. Fascinating to watch

Scary also because the idea if Newt winning even the nomination, even more so becoming president, makes me SICK. And things are so crazy and unpredictable that I think anything can happen (though some, like BO being re-elected, are much more likely than others).

[Old and In the Way]

7. And to think we still have 10 more months of this dopefest to watch.

I'm seriously wondering how the Republican Party is going to field a credible candidate in the 2012 election. I really think they thought they'd benefit from constant debates and attention on their platform/agenda. I think precisely the opposite is happening. The more you see them in action, the less you like any of them.