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Though I suport Ron Paul and intend to vote for him in the primary, I'm a little worried that so many libertarians are endorsing the idea of scrappoing 08 and simply going with him. Thats because the Presidential races are statewide, and thus an opportunity for many state lps to garner the required voting threshold to remain as a registered party. In other words, the Libertarian Party probably NEEDS a Libertarian Party Canidate in order to remain as a vaible alternative to the Republicrats. We need to think of the long term effects, not just the possibility of getting a libertarian in the White House. While that would be great, as the three branches of governemt would no longer be working in harmony to suppress our rights, it could cost many state Lps their ballot access if they don't get the required votes.

True, but I doubt that he had the celebrity status he does now. By running as a Republican, he was able to participate in the debates and get his name out there, something Libertarian canidates can't do. And do you remember the attenion paid to Ralph Nader, who ran on the Green Party platform? If Ron Pual had started out as a Libertarian again, it probably would have been a repeat of his past attempt. But by running for the Republican nomination, he was able to get in the spotlight, and if he should switch to running for the Libertarian nomination, he would probably carry that spotlight with him. Unilke in the 80's people know who he is, and if they see his name on the ballot, they'll likely vote for him. Whether or not he becomes President is a different story, though. Likely, if he runs as a Libertarian, he'll wind up splitting the Republican vote, and we'll wind up with the Democratic canidate being elected. Which doesn't really matter, so long as they don't select Hitlery Clinton. *Shudders.*

Sadly, it does not seem like Ron Paul is going to win the nomination. I'll still vote for him, of course, but now whether I vote Republican or Libertarian depends mainly on whether or not the Dems run Hillary. Until then, I wont know for sure.