Lonely Bird

One of the quietest booths at the Augusta County Fair has to be the Constitution Party. The coyote hunter is a close second.

The Constitution Party is attempting to get the 10,000 signatures needed to be on the Virginia ballot this November. The deadline is noon on August 22. According to their website, they've collected 9,000 signatures, but it doesn't appear they are adding many more at the Augusta County Fair. For one thing, the guy basically waits for fairgoers to come to him and few seem to be doing so. They just don't give a cluck. Also, you need more signatures than required since some will be declared invalid for not being registered voters and for other reasons. The party claims to be on the ballot in about half the states.

The Constitution Party's nominee is "Dr." Chuck Baldwin, a minister who attended Liberty Bible Institute at Liberty University. He holds two honorary doctorate degrees. Mr. Baldwin founded Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida and is a conservative radio talk show host. The church boasts that it has hosted speakers such as the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, Pat Buchanan, former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, and former Ambassador Alan Keyes.

Never heard of the Constitution Party? Their "Seven Principles" are:

1. Life: For all human beings, from conception to natural death;
2. Liberty: Freedom of conscience and actions for the self-governed individual; 
3. Family: One husband and one wife with their children as divinely instituted;
4. Property: Each individual's right to own and steward personal property without government burden;
5. Constitution: and Bill of Rights interpreted according to the actual intent of the Founding Fathers;
6. States' Rights: Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government is reserved for the state and local jurisdictions;
7. American Sovereignty: American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, and not entangled in foreign alliances.

Hum, which faction of which party should these guys be roosting in?

Also seeking a spot on the ballot in Virginia and across the country are Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, and independent Ralph Nader. Nader (so been there, done that) is attempting to get on ballots in 45 states and claims to be on 28 already and has finished his petition drive in Virginia. Some political pundits think Barr could attract 2-3% of conservative Republican voters if he is successful at getting on the ballot.