newsobserver.com projects - N.C. Libertarian Party - Comments

Re: More than 1,000 attend Raleigh rally

cmheath19144 — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:10:25 -0400

CORRECTION:

StopNCannexation Coalition had a booth at the Rally.

Fair Annexation DID NOT have a booth at the Take Back Our State rally.

Re: Betts: Straight ticket boosts all parties

wmatthews — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:53:01 -0500

Is this seriously news? Let's do some more thoughtful math...22% of registration is unaffiliated, and there is no "unaffiliated" straight ticket option. Thus, it's reasonable to assume, if we are trying to figure out what "their party registration would suggest" that the unaffiliated voters split like the rest of the electorate. Non-unaffiliated voters are registered 58.8% Dem and 41% Rep. 58.8% of the 22% makes a 12.9% of total boost for Dems, and the remaining 9% boost goes to Republicans.

Thus we would more or less expect by registration for Democrats to capture 46 + 12.9 = 58.9% (compared to the actual of 58.8% as reported by Betts).

We also would more or less expect by registration for Republicans to capture 32 + 9 = 41% (compared to the actual of 40.4% as reported by Betts).

Betts is wrong, and he uses poor methodology to make his flawed case.

Also, an election is a zero sum game. The idea that "Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians benefited from straight-ticket voting" is absurd on its face.

Edit: I just crossposted on Bett's blog and added this analysis of Libertarians...

Assuming no one switched over (after straight party Dem voting, picking Dole), 57% of Hagan's votes came from straight party voting. Given a similar assumption, 46.7% of Dole's votes came from straight party voting. By the same method, 14.3% of Chris Cole's votes came from straight party voting. By this methodology, it's clear that Libertarians relied much less on the straight party option than either of the other two parties. I would argue, however, that the difference here between Hagan and Dole (in this methodology) is due to the classic NC scenario of people voting Republican federally and Democratic at the state level (McCain-Dole/DemCouncilofState voters). I would run these numbers for the Governor's race, but most would agree that the sensation of Dems for McCrory would make them less useful. Thus, I argue that there's really no news here...just fun numbers and the good life lesson that summary statistics can be very misleading - depending on how carefully they are produced.

Re: Not the droids

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:37:47 -0400

Related.

— RTB

Re: Not the droids

maiapinion — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:30:40 -0400

What if I have Jedi powers?

Jedi powers?

Prototype — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:48:29 -0400

Are "Jedi powers" the same thing as a 527?

Re: WSOC invites Munger to debate

FFC1304 — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:32:14 -0400

BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPLICIT with the controlled AGENDA and CORRUPTION!!!

THEY defend the activities in many ways, and always have! Its why we are so thankful for some alternative media now available in our once great state...too bad so many NC voters dont have a clue and remain too ignorantly indoctrinated to find the truth.

Re: WSOC invites Munger to debate

Proctor — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:52:22 -0400

Good for WSOC! Who says the staid Charlotte media can't strike a blow for justice and fairness in press and politics every now and then!

Professor Munger will bring along loads of good suggestions about streamlining state government when he visits Charlotte for the debate. And if he has some ideas on how to get the Carolina Panthers back on track in 2008, maybe he could drop those off in the WSOC Sports Department.

In fact, one of these days, they ought to let some sportswriters and sportscasters host a big political debate. This might bring a much-needed deree of politeness, civility and sense of fair play to the proceedings. Can you imagine how nice it would be if a couple of Raleigh's sports journalism dignitaries served as debate moderators:

[A.J. Carr, The News & Observer]: "Wonder if I could ask you this one question..."

[Tom Suiter, WRAL]: "Let's go to the videotape! Folks, this could be the Boast of the Day."

David McKnight

Re: WSOC invites Munger to debate

scharrison — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:44:41 -0400

"Munger is a Duke University professor best known for his comical critiques of the other candidates and their positions."

I know I've been kind of picky of your wording lately Ryan, and I realize the "best known" is referring to the what the average voter might know. But this description is both unfair and inaccurate. He's more than just a professor at Duke, he's Chair of the Poli Sci Department and he's got a list of publishing credits that should impress even a seasoned journalist.

Why don't we help the average voters get to know a little more about this guy?

Re: WSOC invites Munger to debate

MeckDeck — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:56:19 -0400

For the record, why didn't the NC Press (sic) Assn. invite Munger to Asheville?

JAT

Re: WSOC invites Munger to debate

MattM — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:06:00 -0400

He got invited to a debate. I'm sure that still isn't good enough for the nuts supporting him, hell they probably want everyone else to raise money for him too since he can't do it on his own.

Re: WSOC invites Munger to debate

Senate — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:04:32 -0400

that should effectively turn the last debate of the cycle into a circus with Munger serving as ringmaster.

it is too bad he wasn't invited to all the debates, he could have articulated the libertarian postion and gotten positive attention.

this debate being his only real chance to garner publicity, he's going to have to throw political hail marys. So the debate should be entertaining but not particularly informative regarding Perdue and McCrory's positions and differences.

Re: More than 1,000 attend Raleigh rally

cthayes75 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:11:57 -0400

The $10 was the cost of the Civitas poll luncheon for those that came on the bus from Asheville.

The rally was free.

Re: More than 1,000 attend Raleigh rally

KimCotten — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:12:04 -0400

The Republican booth was hosted by and manned entirely by the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans. I want to thank all those who stopped by.

Kim Cotten
NCFYR, Chair
kimcottenyr@gmail.com

Mr Terrell

bnartist — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:07:19 -0400

I was also at the thinly veiled "conservative, non-partisan" rally and heard nothing but the same tired Republican red meat, over-cooked and past its use by date, from Republican speakers including Phil Berger whining how "Democrats have spent years hiding the numbers from us".

In the first quarter alone of 2008 Republican Paul Stam got $31,500 in PAC money including $4,000 each from NC Realtors and NC Homebuilders. This compares with $18,778 in contributions from individuals.

For the same period Republican Phil Berger pulled in $45,700 from PACs and just $10,100 from individuals. For the entire election cycle he recorded $91,500 from PACs and $10,350 from individuals.

Dan Blue has a record of contributions from individuals and PACs. Through the 1st Quarter for the entire election cycle he recorded $18,950 from PACs and $4,200 from individuals.

If you want to complain about PAC money, check with your Republican party leaders first.

Re: More than 1,000 attend Raleigh rally

tangoz — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:43:32 -0400

I was at the rally today. What I am running against is Dan Blues' special interest. It is very arrogant of Dan Blue to represent the cities and big business but not the citizens in his district. Take a look at his donations. They are all from PACS like ElectriCities, Time Warner and many others.
Dan Blue has openly and unconditionally endorsed Barack Obama. Obama has shown that he si not for change but is another typical power hungry politician. Why did Dan Blue file for reelection if he wasn't sure? I think Dan Blue should seriously think about representing the people in the State House 33 district. I want to retire Dan Blue from public service.

Paul Terrell III
http://terrellforhouse33.blogspot.com
Terrell III for State House
4549 Tollington Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27604