Where in the World is Wayne? (Allyn Root)

Where in the World is Wayne?

Bruce Cohen - December 3, 2008

There was a lot of concern about

the so-called mainstream

candidacies of Libertarians Wayne
Root and Bob Barr.

This concern came from within the Libertarian

community, echoed in the mainstream press.

The concern was about the overlapping questions of Candidate

motivation, effectiveness and perseverance.

In other words, why are these people running?

How well will they do for our movement, our Party, our Brand?

And finally, how will they do after the election is over and the

bright lights are turned off?

It's no secret I'm a big fan of Wayne's, so don't be emailing

and blogging about how I'm biased. I'm going to stipulate

to that right up front here.

Post Election, Wayne hasn't let up at all.

His assertions that he was not a temp, but the real deal, hold

up just fine when looked at in the post-election light.

Wayne is still pounding the pavement for the Libertarian

Party, promoting our agenda and brand.

And doing so rather effectively.

During the election he shocked a lot of people by being the

first Libertarian VP Candidate to get so much major media

coverage, in fact, arguably more than Bob Barr, the top of

the ticket LP Candidate for President.

So he did well leading up to the election...

Did he go away, and prove right the folks making negative

predictions about him?

Not at all.

Since the election, he's continued to be a regular on

major media, appearing on both TV and radio to major

markets. Wayne has discussed everything from the

non-bailout 'bailout' to what it means for Obama to win.

Recently, he was on Fox News' top-rated business show,

Bulls & Bears. Watch it here: http://snipurl.com/730rc

Instead of giving up, he's increased his commitment to

the Libertarian Party and to our mutual effort to change

America for the better.

Wayne realizes the Libertarian Party is the only remaining

Political Party with any shot at change, or with any leverage

to truly make a difference.

He's still appearing on Neal Cavuto's FOX show, on a regular

basis, and nationally syndicated radio shows, such as the

Mancow Show and The Jerry Doyle Show.

Wayne has been appearing on Neil Cavuto more often

even than Ron Paul, another Libertarian hero.

Some of you may think it's a bit early to think about the

2012 election for President.

Wayne doesn't think so.

I agree.

What we need is a leader, a promoter and an organizer.

We need not just a pretty face, but someone that can

explain Economics to the average American, and make

the case for personal freedom from the standpoint of

a squeaky clean 'Boy Scout'.

And that's Wayne.

It's one thing for Cheech and Chong to make the case

against the War on Drugs, but when the tee-totaling

father of four home-schooled kids make the case, it

starts to gain credibility.

It's one thing for Atheist Penn Gillette to come out for

a wider separation between church and state, but when

Wayne, a born-again Christian with deep Jewish roots

does so, it's a big deal!

As a small businessman turned VP and Presidential

Candidate and Author, Wayne can rail against government

bureaucracy, overregulation and taxes like no one else.

And he does, all over the media!

Wayne is set for life, with a successful business, a beautiful

family and home and all the toys one might want; not to

mention an amazing job, traveling the world.

But he's not satisfied.

His newest book, "The Conscience of a Libertarian" is due
to be released, by one of the biggest publishers in the world,
by Christmas.

Wayne could be enjoying the holiday break. Instead, he's
writing six to eight hours a day- all for our Libertarian cause.

Wayne is someone who loves to build and improve things,
for himself, and those around him.

So, for those Libertarians and Americans who've been

asking themselves where Wayne is, be assured he's getting

less sleep than about anyone I know, working on his

marriage, family, business; for the Libertarian Party,and

on creating a successful Libertarian Presidential Campaign

in 2012.

And the book.

I'm watching Amazon for my first chance

to pre-order it.

Copyright Bruce Cohen - December 2008

Root versus Palin? Smearing the VP Candidates

I read Michelle Malkin's most recent article, and
could not help but think how uncanny the parallels

between the McCain and Barr Campaigns were, as

well as the even deeper irony of how Palin and Root

performed, and in return, were mistreated.

No good deed goes unpunished.

[Note: Sarah Palin isn't really a Libertarian,
she only plays one on TV. Wayne Root is
the real deal, walking away from a near-
certain Senate seat to join the Libertarians.]

Malkin Article:
The cowardly character assassination of Sarah Palin
http://snipurl.com/57m9d

Uncanny the parallels.

The McCain Campaign was stuck in a rut.
Barr's as well.

Palin was inspiring, articulate, funny and likeable.
Root was too.

Palin got bigger crowds and more enthusiasm.
So did Root.

McCain's Staff Blew it on strategy, fundraising and
execution.
So did Barr's.

Palin worked her tush off to support McCain, never
saying a bad word about him or the Campaign.
Same as Root.

McCain's Staff worked to keep Palin out of the
limelight if/when they were both at the same event.
Just like Barr's people did with Root.

Read Michelle's article, but sub the names Barr for
McCain and Root for Palin.

"People who play fair, look good, have

successful lives and families get demonized

by the press and the left"

Libertarians have to get over the jealousy and
nastiness they're famous for.

Sarah and Wayne are both real Americans who know
what it's like to meet a payroll and pay taxes.

They know what it's like to meet the bills on a small
budget and survive in lean times.

They know how to face adversity without a
government paycheck or asking for a handout.

They also inspire jealousy from the left because of
their good looks and personal success.

Be prepared for the slime to come out when they
both run again. Personally, I look forward to a
Palin vs. Obama vs. Root election in 2012.

Partly because Palin has demonstrated her friendliness
and support of Libertarians in the past.

People who play fair, look good and have successful
lives and families get demonized - by the press and
the left. But then, I repeat myself.

Copyright Bruce Cohen - November 2008

Note: Many of Root's detractors said he'd leave the
LP for greener pastures immediately after the
election. But instead, he's already working on
his run for the LP nod in 2012.

Look for his book coming out Spring 2009:
The Conscience of a Libertarian

http://www.rootforamerica.com/

http://www.michellemalkin.com/

What's the Cure for Election Poisoning?

What's the Cure for Election Poisoning?
'We had the best ticket ever and did nothing'

I'm feeling sick to my stomach right about now.

I've had this terrible queasy feeling for a while.

It's not what you think.

Sure, I'm totally disgusted with Barak Obama, the far
more evil of the two lessers.

But that's not it.

You bet I am totally unhappy and disillutioned about
the GOP's miserable choice of John McCain.

But that's not it either.

Yes, I'm disgusted that America is almost certainly
going to elect Obama as our President, a man who
holds no regard for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights,
not to mention personal or property rights.

But that's not why I'm feeling so sick.

I'm used to Democrats being Socialists and selling
everyone down the river, rich or poor. I'm used to
Republicans promising to be Constitutionloving tax
and spending cutters, but doing the opposite.

So what if Obama is a dishonest crook?
America hadthat in Bill Clinton for eight years.

So what if McCain is a kinder, gentler Socialist?
What do you call George Bush?

No, I'm so disgusted because my Party, the
Libertarian Party, has failed so miserably to have
any effect at all in this election.

"We never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. "*

Truly, in an election year, when we had arguably
the very best ticket we've ever had, as far as
saleablility to the American Voter, we did nothing
to take advantage of it.

The Barr Campaign is stuck in Neutral and the LP,
at leastat the national level, and in my state,
California, nothing much at all is being done to
promote what we have to offer to America.

In California, we have the fewest number of
Candidates on the ballot in recorded history.

The least we've had since our founding!

This under the so-called leadership of a CA State
Chair who had 'full slates' of Candidates his priority.

This is the same Chair who has publicly complained
"this job is too hard" (Why did you take it then?) and
"I can't get anyone to help me" (some leadership).

You bet I feel sick.

I've spent the majority of my adult life working for
the LP in one way or another, 20-60 hours a week.

To piggyback on Wayne Root's recent article, I'm
suffering from 'Abused Volunteer Syndrome'.**

"Mister Root is clearly the future of the LP
at the national level. Good looking, friendly,
likeable, ORGANIZED, articulate.. ."

Now it's my own fault, not insisting the things I know
]are needed were in place, but... We need to be prepared.

And we are not.

We need to have the LP on the ballot in all 50 states,
way ahead of time, and not, like we did this time,
operate by crisis management.

Worse yet, fail, then blame others, and then waste
money suing everyone imaginable.]

We need to get more people involved way ahead
of time, phone banking, fundraising, recruiting
volunteers and candidates.

And we need to act like professionals that your
neighbor wouldn't be ashamed of.
(Because we smell bad, dress crazy, have bad
tempers, or support legal child porn.)

But most important of all, we need to stop
reinventing the wheel.

I mean that from two perspectives.

Number one, the 'business of politics' is almost a
turn-key, franchise business.

To set up a solid and successful base ofo perations, we
just need to follow the successful business model
others have already set up.

No creativity required!

Secondly, we have to stop throwing away the work
and effort of this years when next year comes along.

We need to have a legacy plan for this effort.

From Volunteers to Candidates, we ought to set them
all up with guidebooks and guidelines. This way they
don't all get thrown into the water while we hope they
can swim.

Because otherwise they'll give up and not come back.

The LP could have made a very big splash in this
election if anyone took us seriously.

But they don't.

And it's our fault.


Copyright November 2008, Bruce Cohen

*Abba Eban - Past Israeli Prime Minister

** Wayne wearing out several pairs of shoes
campaigning for us, quite successfully; a one-man
army, getting more media than every other LP
VP Candidate in history COMBINED is the one
bright light in this otherwise miserable failure
by the Barr team.

Mister Root is clearly the future of the LP at the
national level.

Good looking, friendly, likeable, ORGANIZED,
articulate.. .

Libertarian Sarah Palin to Debate Wayne Root?

Libertarian Sarah Palin to Debate Wayne Root?


One can only hope.

It certainly would be far more interesting than
seeing her debate Biden, the Dela-where Socialist.

Clearly, this is a good sign for America and the
Libertarian Party. That folks in secret smoke
filled rooms wanted and needed our votes enough
to choose her means a lot.


Both Libertarians, and the larger silent majority of
libertarian thinking and leaning Americans, can't help but
be pleased McCain would choose this very pro freedom woman
as his VP running mate.

Sarah Palin has been touted as a good thing for America
and Alaska for a long time by Libertarian bloggers, not
to mention open minded members of the mainstream media.

I agree.

Sarah is the kind of 'small l' Libertarian I could get
very excited about.

I won't be voting for Sarah this season. Though if she
were heads up against Wayne Root for President the,
the choice would be tougher.

I just can't see voting for Sarah, when it would mean
being stuck with John McCain as President.

McCain just isn't very good on the issues important
to America and Americans today.

Besides, why waste my vote on one Libertarian when
I can get two for the price of one?

More importantly, I want a President who's good
on the Constitution, taxes, spending and equal rights
for all. Bob Barr, for example.

It was a very smart political move to choose Sarah
as a running mate.

This choice underscores how badly American needs
Libertarians. And not just Libertarian voters, but
a Libertarian in the White House.

Copyright Bruce Cohen, August 2008

www.GetBruce.com

www.GetBruce.BlogSpot.com

Face Time With the Presidential Candidates - A libertarian curmudgeon tries to figure out where the major presidential candidates stand on the issues

Face Time With the Presidential Candidates -
A libertarian curmudgeon tries to figure out where
the major presidential candidates stand on the issues
by Steven Greenhut

Candidates from both parties have been braying the same old
line we hear during every presidential election: This is the most
important election of a generation, or perhaps even a century.
So much is at stake that you, the harried voter, need to hang on
every word every candidate utters during the televised debates.

Do you want the candidate who is "standing up for regular
families," or the one "who speaks the truth and who will restore
America's moral leadership," or the one who understands that
our nation "embodies the belief that tomorrow can be better
than today"? Such big issues and tough choices!

Certainly, whoever becomes president gains an enormous
amount of power for good or for ill. Someone (thankfully) has
to replace President George W. Bush, who has specialized in
the "for ill" category. Last week, for instance, U.S. intelligence
agencies released a report rebuking the administration's
rationale for increased belligerence toward Iran.

The report showed that Iran had abandoned its nuclear
weapons program in 2003, yet the president declared that
the new information would in no way change U.S. policy.
Hey, why let new facts get in the way of a policy?

No wonder so many Americans are ready for a new
administration. But the new boss can be just as bad, or
even worse, than the old boss, so proceed with fear and
trepidation.

Yes, this is an important election. But even when the
candidates do talk about things that are real issues (the
Iraq war, abortion, health care, Social Security), they
dish out pabulum designed not to offend any particular
interest group.

The race isn't just about public policy, but about the
deepest issues of "faith." Mitt Romney is trying to
defuse concerns about his Mormon religion. Mike
Huckabee has told Iowa voters that he is the
"Christian" candidate. It's hard enough figuring
out what these candidates believe about taxes and
the Constitution, let alone about their theological
thinking.

American voters have to be a hardy bunch to sort
through the information and pick the right candidate.
The weak field of candidates, by the way, should be
reassuring to those who cling to that old adage that
"anyone can grow up to be president in America."

Nevertheless, someone eventually will win the race.
Here are some quick thoughts about the 17
Democratic and Republican candidates vying for
their respective parties' nominations. Consider it
help in picking your poison.

Bring on the Nanny State
Should the federal government vastly expand its
reach into our private lives? If you believe that,
then no candidate would express your views better
than Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. "We need a new
beginning on health care," she said. "We need to
stand up to the drug companies and the insurance
companies and provide health care for every single
man, woman and child, at a price that people
can afford, and we're going to give them the help
to do that."

Reagan without the principles
If you like the Reagan look (with a lot more hair gel)
and the Reagan-like conservative platitudes, but
aren't concerned that the candidate probably doesn't
believe much of his own rhetoric given his incessant
flip-flopping, then former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt
Romney is your clear choice.

Pat Robertson meets Hillary Clinton
For those who like the Nanny State, but prefer that
it be served up in the cadence of a preacher, then
I'd suggest Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas
governor and a Baptist minister. Writes National
Review's Jonah Goldberg: "Huckabee is a populist
on economics, a fad-follower on the environment
and an all-around do-gooder who believes that
the biblical obligation to do 'good works' extends
to using government – and your tax dollars – to
bring us closer to the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth."

Give class warfare a chance
Do you think your biggest problems are the result
of Evil Corporations and think that America is a land
dominated by irreconcilable differences between the
haves and the have-nots? You ought to start walking
precincts for former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. "In
today's Two Americas," he said, "it is no coincidence
that most families are working harder for stagnating
wages when there are nearly 60 lobbyists for every
member of Congress." Edwards has a solution to that
non sequitur – more government.

Authoritarianism with a not-so-friendly face
If you want the trains to run on time, and aren't too
worried about minor issues such as civil liberties, then
Rudy Giuliani should be a top choice. The Republican
former New York mayor once summarized his views
this way: "Freedom i s about authority. Freedom is
about the willingness of every single human being to
cede to lawful authority a great deal of discretion
about what you do."

'Wilsonianism' with a friendly face
Those who like grand big-government crusades will
love Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Obama said recently
at a South Carolina church that "we can create a
kingdom right here on Earth," thus reflecting his
belief in Great Society-type programs. But he's not
hesitant to use U.S. military might, either. In 2004,
he told the Chicago Tribune that he would be willing
to attack vIran if it obtains n uclear capabilities. And
he promises to use U.S. might to fix problems in Africa.

Follow the Constitution
Those who truly believe in limited government and
noninterventionism will have only one choice, U.S.
Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas. As he rises in the polls
(7 percent) and raises millions of dollars, the long
knives have come out for him from "mainstream"
Republicans trying to portray him as a kook. But as
the self-effacing Paul recently said to Salon magazine,
"The message is so powerful, in spite of my shortcomings."

Less is more
The best choice for those who believe that a president
should have limited ambitions is former Sen. Fred
Thompson, R-Tenn. Michael Crowley wrote in the
New Republic: "If Fred Thompson is as lazy as reputed…
he'd have stuck a Post-it note to his wall back in 2002,
reading 'Saddam?' and then never quite gotten around to
invading. Which, in retrospect, may not have been such
a bad thing."

Follow the shiny object
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, is the right choice if
you are yearning for old-fashioned socialism with a
conspiracy-theory twist. Kucinich's Web site includes a
section on "saving capitalism." As "Share Guide: The
Holistic Health Magazine" explains, Kucinich "is a
dynamic, visionary leader who combines a powerful
activism with a spiritual sense of the essential
interconnectedness of all living things."
















Straight-talking warmonger
If you like the idea of cutting through all the
Washington BS, but don't mind a candidate who
in many ways epitomizes that same BS, then you
might want to hop on Arizona Republican Sen.
John McCain's straight-talk express.

McCain, after all, is best known for his campaign
to erode the First Amendment by strictly limiting
political speech (and protecting incumbents) in
the name of campaign-finance reform, and for his
constant push for more war.


The real Bill Clinton Clone
Some voters still pine for Bill Clinton, yet are
getting the sinking feeling that his wife is a
different sort of politician. The choice for them
is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the former
Clinton appointee who embodies Clinton's focus
on small initiatives (i.e., a Green Jobs program)
combined with the embrace of a handful of
conservative policies (i.e., support for the
Second Amendment) designed to win over
centrist voters.

The Mexicans are coming!
Voters who are solely concerned about the
issue of illegal immigration should look no
further than U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

The Chinese are coming, too!
Those who worry about the "invasion" of
Mexicans AND also stay up at night,
fantasizing about a trade war with China
should put U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter,
R-San Diego, at the top of the list.

Opting for an also-ran
If you want to support a candidate who offers no
new ideas, little money to seriously compete in
the primaries and no chance of winning, then
you have four clear choices: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.,
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., lecturer Mike Gravel
(a Democrat) and professional candidate-for-any-
office Alan Keyes (Republican).

And you think third-party candidates are ridiculous?


December 12, 2007
Steven Greenhut is a senior editorial writer and
columnist for the Orange County Register.
He is the author of the book, Abuse of Power.

Copyright © 2007 Orange County Register