The conservatives' choice

Shenandoah Valley conservatives are caught in a tight spot. They instinctively know that John McCain does not represent them or their views. They do not trust John McCain whose "maverick" reputation means to them he'll be kissing up to conservatives one day and stabbing them in the back the next. Sarah Palin energized the most conservative folks in the GOP during the weeks following the convention, but as her lack of qualifications and knowledge have been exposed, her ethical lapse documented, and the realization that she'd be a heartbeat away sunk in Palin has paled. She is now a drag on the McCain campaign.

For conservatives there are better and more principled choices for president who have qualified for the Virginia ballot.

Yesterday Bob Barr, the nominee of the Libertarian Party, campaigned in Virginia with stops at Liberty University and a meet-and-greet at Corned Beef and Company in Roanoke. At the Roanoke event, one Barr supporter summed up his vote this way:

"Both parties have lost it, what our forefathers intended for us to become," he said. "I believe in this movement. I am done voting for the lesser of two evils."

Others talked of Barr's strong libertarian ideas on the economy, health care, and welfare. Many in the crowd expressed a fear that McCain would pose the greatest threat to civil liberties.

Another candidate who should appeal to social and Christian conservatives is Chuck Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin, a minister, is the nominee of the Constitution Party, but is on the Virginia ballot under the banner of the Independent Green Party since the Constitution Party failed to get enough signatures. Baldwin is anti-abortion, supports school prayer, and believes Social Security is unconstitutional welfare. A few Baldwin signs have been popping up in the Shenandoah Valley, probably distributed through churches aligned with his beliefs.

If you are a principled conservative, there are other voting options for you on November 4. Candidates that speak to your concerns and issues. Candidates who, unlike John McCain, can be trusted to live up to their campaign promises.

Ballot Birds

The Virginia ballot for President and Vice President will be as follows:

• Democratic Party - Barack Obama and Joe Biden
• Republican Party - John McCain and Sarah Palin
• Independent Green Party - Chuck Baldwin and Darrell Castle
• Libertarian Party - Bob Barr and Wayne Root
• Green Party - Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente
• Independent - Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez

Looks like the guy at the fair seeking signatures for the Constitution Party didn't have much success.

What will the impact of the minor party candidates be on the race in battleground Virginia? Only two tickets, led by Bob Barr and Ralph Nader, enjoy the name recognition and some resources to have any impact. The others might as well not even be on the ballot - cumulatively they'll be lucky to get 1/2% of the vote. 

Ralph Nader is well known and does have a following. He may appeal to some progressive Democrats, but the sense seems to be that most of his former supporters wish he'd just go away. He's been there, done that and sounds like a tired old war horse who is best left out to pasture. Nader will be lucky to get 1%.

On the other hand, Bob Barr has some appeal to the same Republicans who supported Ron Paul in the primaries - an outspoken group who were willing to put their money where their mouth is. As McCain flop flops on issues, some libertarian leaning conservative Republicans will find him totally unacceptable. Barr will have some appeal because he's new on the presidential scene, has media savvy, and because he's outspoken and takes controversial stands. Barr gets a fair amount of publicity for a minor party candidate. It is possible Barr will get 3-4% of the popular vote, all out of McCain's weathered hide. In a tight race, that could make all the difference and help turn Virginia Blue.

In the U.S. Senate race the Virginia ballot will be:

• Democrat - Mark Warner
• Republican - Jim Gilmore
• Independent Green - Gail Parker
• Libertarian - William Redpath

The two minor party candidate will have almost zero impact and one may wonder why they are even on the ballot. Of course, the same can probably be said about Gilmore.