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Zeese VideosThe First Debate in Maryland Senate Race between Zeese, Steele and Cardin
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MD Senate: A Race to Watch |
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Thursday, 06 April 2006 |
http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/04/04/md-senate-a-race-to-watch/
By Stephen Gordon
Those of us watching the Zeese
for Senate race in Maryland knew that it would be tough for him to gain
Libertarian Party support, but I would not have guessed how close the vote was
going to be. I hadn't seen Zeese since shortly after the Nader/Badnarik
campaigns were winding down. He looked (and sounded) good on stage. I think he's
lost a few pounds, and he certainly seemed younger than he did while we were
doing press conferences and interviews on the Ohio recount efforts. I probably
look a bit younger than I did then, too. It was an exhausting time for everyone
in third party presidential campaigns, but the Nader crew (because of the ballot
access stuff) may have had it the toughest.
While he runs a left-libertarian campaign, most of his positions fall within the
normal range of other anti-war Libertarian candidates. Nationalized healthcare
(which Zeese supports) is the issue which could have done him in, and almost
did. Zeese never hid his position from the Maryland Libertarian Party
convention. Instead, he argued that there may be better solutions - he was "all
ears" about them - but finds a socialized plan superior to the fascist plan in
existence today. He made some valid points, but missed on others, IMO. While I'm
a political incrementalist, I don't think the free market solution is totally
DOA (within the American political scene - obviously I prefer the free market
solution philosophically) and would have much preferred that option - but I
don't live in Maryland and had no say in that matter.
He impressed the
audience with the fact that he may have three different lines on the ballot
(Populist, Green and Libertarian) while the Republican and Democratic candidates
will only have one each. As one might surmise, the MD legislature is working
hard to ensure this does not happen.
Doris Gordon (no relation - sort of
reminds me of Helen Thomas, at times) asked her typical questions about
abortion. There was no real hawk opposition, although I know a couple people in
the room who (at least at one time) supported the Iraq War.
NOTA was
nominated, and Zeese won by a fraction of a vote. As I understand it, it takes
60% of the vote to be nominated in MD, and Zeese pulled it out with
60.8%.
From Zeese's press release:
"Voters are uniting to
challenge the two old parties. Both parties have higher negative ratings than
positive ratings, voters do not see either as having solutions to their
problems, see them as equally corrupt and the vast majority feel unrepresented,"
said Zeese. "We need a positive vision that represents the interests of Maryland
voters and works for their welfare. Voters across the political spectrum are
uniting for positive change."
A Gallup Poll this week found that the
largest group of U.S. voters consider themselves independent of the two parties
- 38% consider themselves independent, while 33% consider themselves Democrats
and 29% consider themselves Republicans. In Maryland the fastest growing group
of voters are registering independent of the two parties.
"Despite
differences on issues like health care, Libertarians recognize that we agree
many issues. This includes the need to withdraw from Iraq, end the failed drug
war, stop corporate welfare, protect and expand civil liberties as well as
reinvigorate our democracy with more choices, more parties and more candidates
for voters," said Zeese. "We are coming together with disaffected Democrats and
Republicans, to present voters with a candidate that answers to them, not to
corporate donors."
For good or bad, Zeese is now the duly decided
candidate of the Maryland Libertarian Party. He's a damned sight better than
Kweisi Mfume - who is favored in this race at the moment. With Zeese's very long
list of credentials, media access, name recognition, and the fusion-style
campaign - he has a chance of doing fairly well in his race. My wife and I wish
him the best of luck - however, she's a medical doctor and is more than willing
to take the time to speak with Kevin about his healthcare position. I'll add
that I see this as a choice of three positions: the socialized one, the free
market one, or the fascist one. Zeese's arguments were strong against the
fascist position, but failed to realize the potential of free market
solutions.
Kevin, you know the number - gimme a call so we can set up a
meeting. :)
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