Kenneth L. Gibbs

 

Kenneth L. Gibbs

VP candidate for Independent American Party (aka Constitution Party of Oregon aka Independent) (2012)

Running mate with nominee: Will Christensen (b. 1937)
Popular vote: 4,456 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Will Christensen, an Arizona/Utah-based Amway salesman and perennial candidate was the Presidential nominee of the Independent American Party. In Aug. 2012 he was selected by the Constitution Party in Oregon, which was not affiliated with the national party in that year. His running-mate was Ken Gibbs of Fresno, Calif.

Along with several other states, the Oregon Chapter of the Constitution Party disaffiliated with the national party in 2006 when the latter decided that abortion could be permitted in cases of incest, rape, or if the mother's life was at stake. That was apparently way too liberal for Oregon members, so off they split.

Gibbs' path to the IAP was outlined in the campaign webpage--

Once becoming aware at the level of bureaucratic red tape affecting his own industry, Ken did what any sensible American would do; He got involved. Too much government was choking the life from the very industry that provided the life’s work. That must be stopped. Ken reviewed the Republican Party that he had belonged to for decades and found they were not even on the same page he was. Ken left the Republican Party and went Independent. He also joined the Tea Party Patriots and made his voice heard.

Watching the many in-justices and gross mismanagements of our present government, he found this simply rubbed against all he grew up believing. “God and Country, and the American Way must still mean something to folks?” So Ken decided that he would have to roll up the sleeves and help fix it. Along with his fellow Patriots of the Independent American Party, it was time to change things for the better.

The IAP platform included--

The Secretary of Defense will have the assignment to bring our troops safely, but rapidly, home from foreign wars. This will save trillions of dollars per year.

The Secretary of Education will have the assignment to transfer all educational control to the states or respective school districts while phasing out the Department of Education. This will save billions per year.

The Secretary of State will have the assignment to shepherd bills through Congress to: Halt all foreign aid, which is little more than international welfare. Withdraw from the UN, NATO, SEATO, NAFTA, WTO, IMF, World Court, etc.

The Attorney General will have the assignment to determine which legislation passed in the last hundred years runs counter to the Second Amendment. These laws will not be enforced by the Executive Branch pending remedial action by Congress. The Director of the BATF&E will be directed to transfer to the states such functions which are not counter to the Second Amendment prior to the Department being abolished.

Drugs, alcohol, & tobacco are state issues. The federal war on drugs will be terminated.

The Patriot Act and the National Defense Act of 2012 (NDAA) are clearly outside of the Constitutional authority of Congress, therefore they will not be enforced pending removal by Congress.

Marriage is a state or local issue. We will not enforce law that is outside of the Constitutional authority of Congress to pass.

The IAP had a "Coat of Arms" badge system, where actual badges sort of like merit badges awarded in Boy Scouts, were used as an incentive/reward device depending how well the recipient was able to internalize the Party principles and then become an activist. They had names like the Proud Patriot Badge, Praying Patriot Badge, Impassioned Patriot Badge, and badges named after colonial revolutionaries. In 2012 the Christensen/Gibbs ticket introduced something called a "Prayer Mission," emphasizing the pursuit of the Praying Patriot Badge which had the following requirements--
    
    Read the IAP Mission and Platform (http://www.independentamericanparty.org/)
    Sincerely pray every day for 2 weeks about specifically the 1) principles AND 2) destiny of the Independent American Party.  As you pray, you are encouraged to ponder and search the scriptures for evidences of patriotism, and related principles.
    Advice on prayer (optional)
        Pray out-loud (Mark 11:23, Matthew 7:12)
        Pray with Faith (James 1:7)
        Pray specifically (Matthew 6:9-13)
        Pray “Thy will be done” (Luke 22:42)
        Pray in the spirit (Romans 8:26)
    Look up each of these scriptures on prayer

The Christensen/Gibbs "Dream Cabinet" as listed on their campaign webpage included--

Attorney General – Judge Andrew Napolitano
Secretary of Defense – Representative Allen West of FL.
Secretary of Education – Ezola Foster – President of Black Americans for Family Values, author of “What’s Right for All Americans”.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Stewart Rhodes (Founder of Oath Keepers)
Secretary of the Treasury – Ron Paul
Ambassador to the United Nations – John McManus (President of the John Birch Society.)

Other "dream" appointees for unspecified positions included Chuck Baldwin, Robert Bork, Jerome Corsi, Roy Moore, and "Members of the Austrian School of Economics."

Christensen/Gibbs were on the ballot in Oregon where they finished 5th out of 6, with 0.25% of the vote. They were also write-ins in 11 other states.

Election history: none

Other occupations: US Army, aerospace machinist, HVAC/R industry, computer consultant

Notes:
Gibbs spent his earlier years in Florida.

Joseph L. Martin

 

Joseph L. Martin, December 6, 1968 -

VP candidate for Reform Party of Kansas (2012)

Running mate with nominee: Charles Obadiah Baldwin (b. 1952)
Popular vote: 5,017 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

The Kansas branch of the Reform Party of the United States of America appeared to have disaffiliated from the national party at some point between the 2004-2008 elections. In 2008 they crossed parties and endorsed Constitution Party nominees Chuck Baldwin/Darrell Castle. In June 2012 they once again nominated Baldwin but this time with Joseph Martin as his VP.

It would seem Baldwin had nothing to do with the Kansas Reform Party nomination. Since the 2008 election he relocated from Florida to Montana, where he became an even more outspoken anti-Zionist and embraced the survivalist American Redoubt concept--

God has led us to the conviction that Montana (along with other Mountain states) is going to be the tip of the spear in the freedom fight; and we believe God wants us to be part of that fight. We plan to start a new ministry where I can preach and my family can sing and minister (you should hear them sing!). Once we get established and can raise the funds, I definitely plan to livestream my messages on the Internet as we have been doing at Crossroad for the past year and a half. And if God opens the door, I will not rule out a run for State office. Yes, the freedom message is both spiritual and political; and I am afraid of neither!

For years, people have been asking me, “Chuck, what can we do?” Well, this is what God has led my family and me to do. We are convinced that the only way freedom has a chance to survive in these States united is to recapture the spirit of liberty–one State at a time. (To continue to focus on Washington, D.C., is a waste of time and energy!) And God has led us to the conclusion that Montana (and nearby states) is the place where freedom-minded patriots have a fighting chance to prevail. Instead of telling you what to do, my family and I are showing you what we believe we should do.

Baldwin had rejoined the Republican Party in order run for the position of Lt. Governor in Montana, but aborted that campaign prior to the 2012 primary.

His running-mate Joseph Martin was in Statesville, NC during the 2012 election but he had been a longtime activist with the Kansas Reform Party since 2000 when he joined as part of the Pat Buchanan wave. A Christian conservative, he was not happy when the national party backed Ralph Nader in 2004. Martin had run for Lt. Governor and Secretary of State under the Reform Party banner in Kansas. He was allied with Ron Paul supporters and said he was part of the effort to "put Chuck Baldwin on our Reform Party of KS ballot line in 2008." It appears he moved to North Carolina around 2010.

When Martin ran for Kansas Secretary of State in 2006 he provided an answer to those who used the abortion issue as a political litmus test--

Yes, I am Pro-life. All of our candidates are pro-life, some without exceptions, some with reservations like "life of the mother" and rape.

I am completely pro-life. Abortion should not be a legal medical procedure. If invasive surgery is required to save the mother, then that procedure should be to save her life and not to kill the child.

I am also completely against the use of embryonic stem-cell research. It is unethical, inhumane, and a contemptuous assault on human dignity. In addition, the research so far has been largely a complete failure: God and His Nature are trying to show mankind that this is unacceptable and useless.

I support reasonable research on adult stem-cells, which has been showing promise.

I am also against the forced harvesting and sale of organs from political dissidents against their will. This is a booming business in China, while our country's leaders do nothing about it, and our media are almost completely mute on this crime against humanity being done by our "Most Favored" trading partner.

Kansas has an entity called the Kansas Objections Board which is comprised of the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General. In Sept. 2012 they heard two pleas. First was from the Reform Party of the United States of America. The national party had nominated Andre Barnett for President and wanted the ballot line occupied by Baldwin. Secondly, it was reported the Reform Party of Kansas wanted to rescind the Baldwin nomination and replace his name with that of Constitution Party nominee Virgil Goode and was planning to make their appeal to the Objections Board. The Board rejected the the former request, and appears to have said no to the latter as well if they did make the request.

Meanwhile, Martin was living in North Carolina and had become involved with the newly created Christian Party, which provided this self-description on their webpage--

About the Christian Party

For government truly to provide freedom to the people in our country, both the concepts in the Bible and the Constitution are necessary. Therefore, it is our goal in the Christian Party of North Carolina to empower Christians politically to glorify the Lord, by influencing government through the political process so that it conforms to both Biblical principles and the Constitution.

The Christian Party of North Carolina came into existence in response to the need for there to be a political voice for Christians in our state. On 9/3/10 the Christian Party of North Carolina was officially registered with the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

We are affiliated with the Constitution Party of America, a new national political party which is also Christian and 100% Pro-life. We welcome you as a fellow Christian to join us in restoring true Biblical leadership in government. To that end we ask that you please check out our “Get Involved” page.

For his part, Baldwin mostly stayed clear of the Kansas situation. However he did weigh in on his webpage that he believed Romney was going to win--

Posted on Nov 1, 2012
A Word About The Elections

With the 2012 Presidential election just a few days away, it is almost superfluous for me to engage in any kind of in depth discussion, as most people cannot, for the life of them, get past the political theater that is currently crescendoing to a climax. Therefore, I will simply provide readers with a few passing thoughts regarding the elections next week.

I think Mitt Romney will somewhat comfortably win the Presidential election. This will cause “conservatives,” Christians, and most Republicans to go into a state of deep hibernation, which will allow Romney to wreak havoc upon the Constitution and liberties of the people. In 2012, Barack Obama is the “Boogeyman” that must defeated at all costs. But the fact is, with the exception of Romney’s more business-friendly approach to economics, the differences between Obama and Romney are negligible.

The Baldwin/Martin team took 0.43% of the Kansas vote.

Election history:
2006 - Kansas Secretary of State (Reform Party of the United States) - defeated
2008 - US Senate (Kan.) (Reform Party of the United States) - defeated

Other occupations: computer programmer.

Notes:
Martin has a BS in Mathematics from Georgia Institute of Technology, 1992.
Baldwin joined the Independent American Party after the 2012 election.

Robert E. Thornsberry

 

Robert E. Thornsberry, October 7, 1956 (St. Mary, Ohio) -

VP candidate for Constitution Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Charles Obadiah Baldwin (b. 1952)
Popular vote: 4,694 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Chuck Baldwin, the 2004 Constitution Party VP nominee, had told journalists that is was up to God whether or not he would run for President in 2008. In 2006 Baldwin told the Conservative President 2008 website, "In order for me to even consider running in 2008 would require several 'miraculous' signs of reassurance that, frankly, I cannot see happening. However, I am always open to God's will." As late as Mar. 25, 2008, Baldwin told The Miller Report, "I am very honored that anyone would suggest that I should be considered as the CP presidential candidate. There are many great people in our party that, in my opinion, are much more qualified than I am. I have always tried to be open to God's will. At this time, however, I have no inclination that this is God's will for me." In late 2007 Baldwin endorsed Ron Paul for the Republican Presidential nomination.

But God must have given him the sign in short order since Baldwin jumped into the race for the CP nomination on Apr. 10, 2008 right before the convention. Other contenders included "Mad Max" Riekse but it was the threat of Alan Keyes grabbing the prize that may have inspired Baldwin to run. Keyes, who had only recently left the Republican Party after continually failing to achieve elected office, was considered acceptably conservative on social and domestic issues but a total pro-war Neocon in terms of foreign policy. Baldwin handily won the nomination and selected Tennessee attorney Darrell Castle as his running-mate.

A major loss for the Constitution Party was in California. In that state the American Independent Party had been an affiliate of the CP since the early 1990s, but in 2008 the AIP split over Baldwin and Keyes. The California Secretary of State and subsequently the court backed Keyes, and Baldwin was forced to run as a write-in in the Golden State.

The CP had a few other stray ends in 2008. The Constitution Party of Montana, like several other state chapters across the nation at the time, had disaffiliated with the national party in 2006. It seems many state groups did not agree with factions of the national Party that abortion was acceptable in cases of rape, incest, or saving the life of the mother. Also in that same year they elected their first member to the Montana State House of Representatives. Meanwhile, across the country in Maryland, another state where the local Constitution Party took a walk, 2004 Constitution Party Presidential nominee Michael Peroutka jumped ship and considered himself part of the American Heritage Party.

Rather than support Chuck Baldwin, the official Constitution Party nominee in 2008, the Montana group on Sept. 5 filed the names of Ron Paul and Michael Peroutka as their ticket of choice. State Party Chair Jonathan Martin told the press, "Ron Paul did not seek it, but he did not oppose it. He allowed it." Ballot Access News reported, "Ron Paul was aware that the party planned to do this, and has said that as long as he can remain passive and silent about the development, and as long as he need not sign any declaration of candidacy, that he does not object."

It seems Rep. Paul had a change of heart and wrote in a letter dated Sept. 10 to the Montana Secretary of State, "It has come to my attention that I was nominated by the Constitution Party of Montana as its presidential nominee. While I certainly appreciate the Constitution Party of Montana’s nomination, and all the hard work of its members, I am writing to respectfully request that you remove my name from the ballot in Montana as I did not seek nor consent to this nomination." Paul's request was denied on Sept. 15 on the grounds he acted too late. Paul/Peoutka won 2.17% of the vote in Montana. Paul himself endorsed Baldwin.

Peroutka had also won write-in votes for President in Georgia, and Castle the same in Indiana.

In Kentucky, Baldwin's running mate was Robert E. Thornsberry. Thornsberry had earlier supported Ron Paul in the Republican primaries and contributed this comment in an online Paul tribute--

I’m 51, married with two kids. I’m a librarian, my wife is an RN, my daughter is a freshman in college, and my son is in the fifth grade. We are Orthodox Christians and strongly pro life.

I’ve been a libertarian/consevative since 1980 and voted for Dr. Paul in 1988. My wife and daughter are also planning on voting for him this year.

Sent by Robert E. Thornsberry | 10:05 AM ET | 12-19-2007
Robert E. Thornsberry - December 22, 2007 at 11:31 am

On the Baldwin campaign website, every policy essay began with a quote from the candidate. Here are a few to act as a summation--

The Education of Young Americans
"If I were President, I would disband the Department of Education."

The Second Amendment Protects Our Liberty
"To help keep your family safe and your country free, go buy a gun."

A Free And Sovereign Republic, Not A World Empire!
"We will stop this international meddling...this international empire building. When Chuck Baldwin is sworn in as President of these United States the 'New World Order' comes crashing down!"

Freedom Of Choice In Health Care
"I strongly support the freedom of choice of practitioner and treatment for all citizens for their health care"

There Is Still Hope For America
"I am personally convinced that, as we get out our message is received by the people of America we will find a ready audience for our message of freedom and hope!"

A Strong National Defense For America
"We will have a national defense that is second to none, with armed forces that serve only under our flag, whose mission is to defend these United States of America!"

Personal Freedom In America
"Free people do not have to check in with government officials and show them their papers--that doesn't work in these United States of America!"

Preserving An Independent American Nation
"The globalists, with their ideas of a common currency here in the United State with a North American Union and a NAFTA Superhighway are after our sovereignty, our freedom and our national independence."

The Sanctity of Life
"I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to demand that Congress enact Dr. Ron Paul's Sanctity of Life Act which would set forth that every unborn child is a 'person' under the Constitution, entitled to equal protection of the law and therefore, no unborn child could be killed without due process of law."

The United Nations Will Have To Find A New Address!
"When I am President of these United States all funding for the United Nations stops!"

Baldwin's dislike for the Republican Party seemed to be even more passionate than his views on the Democratic Party. Some Baldwin quotes from different sources in 2008 campaign--

Republicans tout themselves as being “pro-life.” Yet, the GOP controlled both houses of Congress and the White House for six years and did absolutely nothing to overturn Roe or end abortion-on-demand. Under my administration, we could end legal abortion in a matter of days, not decades. And if Congress refused to pass Ron Paul’s bill, I would use the constitutional power of the Presidency to deny funds to protect abortion clinics. Either way, legalized abortion ends when I take office.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “If I Were President” , May 2, 2008

There is absolutely no reason for us to be dependent upon OPEC. There is enough gas and oil under the soil of Alaska (not to mention the Dakotas and the Gulf of Mexico) to meet the energy needs of the United States for the next 150-200 years. There is also no reason that gas should cost more than $1.50 a gallon (which is about what it was before Bush became President) ... We must begin drilling for the domestic oil that we know exists; we must build more refineries and nuclear power plants.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “If I Were President” , May 2, 2008

As President, I would end foreign aid. I would also end the current infatuation with nation-building, empire-building, and interventionism. America is not the world’s policeman. Neither are our military personnel the personal militia of the United Nations ... Remember that President Bush told the U.N. in 2003 that the reason we invaded Iraq was for the purpose of securing the “peace and credibility of the United Nations.” (I lie not; that is what he said.)
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “If I Were President” , May 2, 2008

The Democrats basically want the illegals to continue to come across the border at will for the sake of getting votes. The Republicans, on the other hand, want the borders to remain open for the purpose of being able to obtain cheap labor. Regardless of the reason, neither major party has any desire to secure our borders.
Source: Charles Geraci in The Herald Journal, Cache Valley, Utah , Jul 5, 2008

Not only does the Bush administration not secure our borders and ports, it wants to provide a “path to citizenship” for illegal aliens. It allows tax dollars to be used to pay for illegal aliens’ education, social services, and medical care. It offers birthright citizenship for illegal aliens. And it prosecutes and imprisons Border Patrol agents for shooting (but not seriously enough to prevent his escape back into Mexico) a known illegal alien and drug trafficker.

No wonder the flood of illegal aliens has skyrocketed since George W. Bush became President. And is there anyone who does not understand that a John McCain Presidency will be more of the McSame? A McCain White House promises continued open borders and ports. Plus, McCain will also push forward with his plans to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. When it comes to illegal immigration, amnesty, etc., there will be no relief from an Obama White House. Both Barack Obama and John McCain are pro-open borders, pro-amnesty twins.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “Open Borders Prove” , May 23, 2008

Basically, the only difference between the Republicans and the Democrats today is that the Democrats want to tax and spend, and the Republicans want to borrow and spend. But both of them want to spend. They spend like drunken sailors, except that’s an insult to sailors because at least sailors are spending their own money.
Source: Charles Geraci in The Herald Journal, Cache Valley, Utah , Jul 5, 2008

Secret ‘suspicious activity reports’ filed by financial institutions and reviewed by teams of agents spread around the country. The American people are largely unaware that they are now living in a universal surveillance society. Virtually every major financial transaction--as well as much of their travel--is reported and monitored by the federal government. This total surveillance system, that began in earnest under Bill Clinton’s administration, has mushroomed into a ubiquitous and finely tuned science under George W. Bush. Dare I say that Dubya’s neurotic fixation with spying on ordinary citizens rivals Comrade Stalin’s paranoiac obsession with a total surveillance society?

You and I are constantly being watched, listened to, monitored, taped, and stalked by our own government. So, do any of us really believe that we still live in a free country? A Chuck Baldwin Administration will bring an immediate end to the surveillance state.
Source: 2008 Presidential website, baldwin2008.com, “Issues” , May 27, 2008

I opposed the preemptive invasion of Iraq, and I continue to oppose the occupation of that country. I believe the Bush administration was untruthful about the motivations for going to war with Iraq and continues to deceive the American people to this very day.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “Strictly Personal” , May 9, 2008

Baldwin/Thornsberry placed 5th in Kentucky with 0.26% of the vote in the Bluegrass State.

Election history:
2010 - Kentucky House of Representatives (Constitution Party) - defeated

Other occupations: law librarian at Eastern Kentucky State University, science fiction author

Notes:
Enjoys Civil War reenactment.
Along with Jason Matthew Coleman, an Independent in Kansas, was the second librarian third party VP in 2008.
Trivia - The University of Kentucky, where Thornsberry gained his library degree, was well known for being one the very best schools for catalogers at the time he attended. I actually applied and was accepted there a few years before he was enrolled, but decided to sign up with the University of Washington instead.

Darrell Lane Castle

 

With Ron Paul

Darrell Lane Castle, October 11, 1948 (Kingsport, Tenn.) -

VP candidate for Constitution Party (aka Independent aka Alaskan Independence aka Reform Party of Kansas aka US Taxpayers Party aka Nebraska Party aka Independent American Party) (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Charles Obadiah Baldwin (b. 1952)
Popular vote: 195,186 (0.15%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

Chuck Baldwin, the 2004 Constitution Party VP nominee, had told journalists that is was up to God whether or not he would run for President in 2008. In 2006 Baldwin told the Conservative President 2008 website, "In order for me to even consider running in 2008 would require several 'miraculous' signs of reassurance that, frankly, I cannot see happening. However, I am always open to God's will." As late as Mar. 25, 2008, Baldwin told The Miller Report, "I am very honored that anyone would suggest that I should be considered as the CP presidential candidate. There are many great people in our party that, in my opinion, are much more qualified than I am. I have always tried to be open to God's will. At this time, however, I have no inclination that this is God's will for me." In late 2007 Baldwin endorsed Ron Paul for the Republican Presidential nomination.

But God must have given him the sign in short order since Baldwin jumped into the race for the CP nomination on Apr. 10, 2008 right before the convention. Other contenders included "Mad Max" Riekse but it was the threat of Alan Keyes grabbing the prize that may have inspired Baldwin to run. Keyes, who had only recently left the Republican Party after continually failing to achieve elected office, was considered acceptably conservative on social and domestic issues but a total pro-war Neocon in terms of foreign policy. Baldwin handily won the nomination and selected Tennessee attorney Darrell Castle as his running-mate.

A major loss for the Constitution Party was in California. In that state the American Independent Party had been an affiliate of the CP since the early 1990s, but in 2008 the AIP split over Baldwin and Keyes. The California Secretary of State and subsequently the court backed Keyes, and Baldwin was forced to run as a write-in in the Golden State.

The CP had a few other stray ends in 2008. The Constitution Party of Montana, like several other state chapters across the nation at the time, had disaffiliated with the national party in 2006. It seems many state groups did not agree with factions of the national Party that abortion was acceptable in cases of rape, incest, or saving the life of the mother. Also in that same year they elected their first member to the Montana State House of Representatives. Meanwhile, across the country in Maryland, another state where the local Constitution Party took a walk, 2004 Constitution Party Presidential nominee Michael Peroutka jumped ship and considered himself part of the American Heritage Party.

Rather than support Chuck Baldwin, the official Constitution Party nominee in 2008, the Montana group on Sept. 5 filed the names of Ron Paul and Michael Peroutka as their ticket of choice. State Party Chair Jonathan Martin told the press, "Ron Paul did not seek it, but he did not oppose it. He allowed it." Ballot Access News reported, "Ron Paul was aware that the party planned to do this, and has said that as long as he can remain passive and silent about the development, and as long as he need not sign any declaration of candidacy, that he does not object."

It seems Rep. Paul had a change of heart and wrote in a letter dated Sept. 10 to the Montana Secretary of State, "It has come to my attention that I was nominated by the Constitution Party of Montana as its presidential nominee. While I certainly appreciate the Constitution Party of Montana’s nomination, and all the hard work of its members, I am writing to respectfully request that you remove my name from the ballot in Montana as I did not seek nor consent to this nomination." Paul's request was denied on Sept. 15 on the grounds he acted too late. Paul/Peoutka won 2.17% of the vote in Montana. Paul himself endorsed Baldwin.

Peroutka had also won write-in votes for President in Georgia, and Castle the same in Indiana.

In Kentucky, Baldwin's running mate was Robert E. Thornsberry.

On the campaign website, every policy essay began with a quote from Baldwin. Here are a few to act as a summation--

The Education of Young Americans
"If I were President, I would disband the Department of Education."

The Second Amendment Protects Our Liberty
"To help keep your family safe and your country free, go buy a gun."

A Free And Sovereign Republic, Not A World Empire!
"We will stop this international meddling...this international empire building. When Chuck Baldwin is sworn in as President of these United States the 'New World Order' comes crashing down!"

Freedom Of Choice In Health Care
"I strongly support the freedom of choice of practitioner and treatment for all citizens for their health care"

There Is Still Hope For America
"I am personally convinced that, as we get out our message is received by the people of America we will find a ready audience for our message of freedom and hope!"

A Strong National Defense For America
"We will have a national defense that is second to none, with armed forces that serve only under our flag, whose mission is to defend these United States of America!"

Personal Freedom In America
"Free people do not have to check in with government officials and show them their papers--that doesn't work in these United States of America!"

Preserving An Independent American Nation
"The globalists, with their ideas of a common currency here in the United State with a North American Union and a NAFTA Superhighway are after our sovereignty, our freedom and our national independence."

The Sanctity of Life
"I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to demand that Congress enact Dr. Ron Paul's Sanctity of Life Act which would set forth that every unborn child is a 'person' under the Constitution, entitled to equal protection of the law and therefore, no unborn child could be killed without due process of law."

The United Nations Will Have To Find A New Address!
"When I am President of these United States all funding for the United Nations stops!"

Baldwin's dislike for the Republican Party seemed to be even more passionate than his views on the Democratic Party. Some Baldwin quotes from different sources in 2008 campaign--

Republicans tout themselves as being “pro-life.” Yet, the GOP controlled both houses of Congress and the White House for six years and did absolutely nothing to overturn Roe or end abortion-on-demand. Under my administration, we could end legal abortion in a matter of days, not decades. And if Congress refused to pass Ron Paul’s bill, I would use the constitutional power of the Presidency to deny funds to protect abortion clinics. Either way, legalized abortion ends when I take office.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “If I Were President” , May 2, 2008

There is absolutely no reason for us to be dependent upon OPEC. There is enough gas and oil under the soil of Alaska (not to mention the Dakotas and the Gulf of Mexico) to meet the energy needs of the United States for the next 150-200 years. There is also no reason that gas should cost more than $1.50 a gallon (which is about what it was before Bush became President) ... We must begin drilling for the domestic oil that we know exists; we must build more refineries and nuclear power plants.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “If I Were President” , May 2, 2008

As President, I would end foreign aid. I would also end the current infatuation with nation-building, empire-building, and interventionism. America is not the world’s policeman. Neither are our military personnel the personal militia of the United Nations ... Remember that President Bush told the U.N. in 2003 that the reason we invaded Iraq was for the purpose of securing the “peace and credibility of the United Nations.” (I lie not; that is what he said.)
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “If I Were President” , May 2, 2008

The Democrats basically want the illegals to continue to come across the border at will for the sake of getting votes. The Republicans, on the other hand, want the borders to remain open for the purpose of being able to obtain cheap labor. Regardless of the reason, neither major party has any desire to secure our borders.
Source: Charles Geraci in The Herald Journal, Cache Valley, Utah , Jul 5, 2008

Not only does the Bush administration not secure our borders and ports, it wants to provide a “path to citizenship” for illegal aliens. It allows tax dollars to be used to pay for illegal aliens’ education, social services, and medical care. It offers birthright citizenship for illegal aliens. And it prosecutes and imprisons Border Patrol agents for shooting (but not seriously enough to prevent his escape back into Mexico) a known illegal alien and drug trafficker.

No wonder the flood of illegal aliens has skyrocketed since George W. Bush became President. And is there anyone who does not understand that a John McCain Presidency will be more of the McSame? A McCain White House promises continued open borders and ports. Plus, McCain will also push forward with his plans to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. When it comes to illegal immigration, amnesty, etc., there will be no relief from an Obama White House. Both Barack Obama and John McCain are pro-open borders, pro-amnesty twins.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “Open Borders Prove” , May 23, 2008

Basically, the only difference between the Republicans and the Democrats today is that the Democrats want to tax and spend, and the Republicans want to borrow and spend. But both of them want to spend. They spend like drunken sailors, except that’s an insult to sailors because at least sailors are spending their own money.
Source: Charles Geraci in The Herald Journal, Cache Valley, Utah , Jul 5, 2008

Secret ‘suspicious activity reports’ filed by financial institutions and reviewed by teams of agents spread around the country. The American people are largely unaware that they are now living in a universal surveillance society. Virtually every major financial transaction--as well as much of their travel--is reported and monitored by the federal government. This total surveillance system, that began in earnest under Bill Clinton’s administration, has mushroomed into a ubiquitous and finely tuned science under George W. Bush. Dare I say that Dubya’s neurotic fixation with spying on ordinary citizens rivals Comrade Stalin’s paranoiac obsession with a total surveillance society?

You and I are constantly being watched, listened to, monitored, taped, and stalked by our own government. So, do any of us really believe that we still live in a free country? A Chuck Baldwin Administration will bring an immediate end to the surveillance state.
Source: 2008 Presidential website, baldwin2008.com, “Issues” , May 27, 2008

I opposed the preemptive invasion of Iraq, and I continue to oppose the occupation of that country. I believe the Bush administration was untruthful about the motivations for going to war with Iraq and continues to deceive the American people to this very day.
Source: Chuck Baldwin Live column: “Strictly Personal” , May 9, 2008

Baldwin/Castle placed third in Utah with 1.26%. They were in 4th in Idaho (0.72%), Alaska (0.51%), South Dakota (0.50%), Oregon (0.42%), Nebraska (0.37%), West Virginia (0.35%), and Mississippi (0.20%). They were in 5th place nationally, on the ballot in 37 states where they were one of only six tickets with the theoretical potential of gaining enough Electoral votes to win. Baldwin was also a write-in in the remaining states except for Oklahoma, North Carolina + the District of Columbia. In spite of losing the California ballot placement, 2008 was their highest national popular vote up to that time, and their second highest percentage.

Darrell Castle would be the Constitution Party Presidential nominee in 2016.

Election history:
2012 - Constitution Party nomination for US President - defeated
2016 - US President (Constitution Party) - defeated

Other occupations: US Marine Corps (Vietnam War), attorney, board member of the Conservative Caucus, US Taxpayers Party Elector 1996

Notes:
Personal trivia- Given Mr. Castle's birthplace and surname, it is highly possible we are distant cousins.
Was trained in the Marine Corps by Oliver North.

Marvin Earl Sprouse Jr.

 

Marvin Earl Sprouse Jr., May 3, 1941 (Alabama) -

VP candidate for America's Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Alan Lee Keyes (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 883 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

As an African American Republican Christian Conservative, Alan Keyes was something of an anomaly on the political landscape. Sometimes referred to as a "Theocratic Neocon," the Harvard-educated Dr. Keyes had served as a diplomat in various capacities starting in 1979. In the Reagan years he was Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and later Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs from 1985 to 1987. He was subsequently known as former Ambassador Keyes in the media.

By 2008 he had also become known as a perennial candidate. He had made three attempts for the US Senate, 1988, 1992, and 2004 (losing to Obama in that last one), and for US President in the Republican primaries 1996 and 2000. 2008 was his third try.

When Keyes' Republican prospects evaporated he announced on Apr. 15, 2008 he was switching parties and was now a candidate for the Constitution Party Presidential nomination. He said, "I believe people deserve a choice. They certainly deserve a conservative choice — something neither John McCain, Hillary Clinton, nor Barack Obama can offer voters. All they can offer is empty promises based on liberal track records." Constitution Party stalwarts were wary of Keyes' late conversion. He certainly had the evangelical Christian credentials but also a Neocon foreign policy track record was out of step with them. Besides, 2004 VP nominee Chuck Baldwin was already on track to gain the nomination.

Although Baldwin did win the national CP nomination, the American Independent Party which had been affiliate since 1991 was torn apart over the selection. The pro-Constitution Party faction nominated Baldwin, and the anti-Constitution Party faction nominated Keyes. Both held their own conventions regarding the other as an invalid gathering. The California Secretary of State and later the court sided with the Keyes faction and thus the era of the AIP's association with the CP came to an end. Instead, the AIP became an affiliate of the newly invented America's Independent Party which also nominated Keyes. By the time the dust settled it was really too late for Baldwin to gain access to the printed ballot in California but he did register as a write-in.

This chapter of AIP history was interpreted by the victors on their webpage--

History repeated itself after the death of our revered founder, William Shearer in early 2007. Once again outside forces sought to determine the AIP's future, but this time it was the Constitution Party that sought to dominate the American Independent Party of California through surrogates, a misguided rump faction that came to be known as "The Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight." Defeating this assault on the independence of the AIP also took three long and costly years from 2008 to 2011. After illegitimate attempts to eject Edward Noonan from the Chairmanship by the daughter of the late founder William Shearer failed, the rump faction she led sought aid from the founder of the Constitution Party, Howard Phillips, to deny the American Independent Party its rightful voice at the Presidential nominating Convention in 2008 by a series of dastardly tricks. After successfully maintaining its right to vote on the Presidential nomination, the AIP was subjected to a further attack when the rump group held its own "Convention" and elected its own officers, entirely without authorization and contrary to both AIP Bylaws and the California Election Code. A legal battle for control of the Party ensued, which was finally resolved in favor of the legitimate party leadership on August 29, 2011.

The curious fact the party of segregationist George Wallace now had an African American standard bearer was not lost on politicos of all stripes.

The Keyes faction of the AIP was viewed as "pro-war" within the ranks of critics on the Right. The platform of America's Independent Party was pretty much the same as the American Independent Party of years past, except perhaps for the America's military plank--

Peace through Strength
We believe in a supremely strong, prepared, and well-equipped civilian-controlled United States military, and a bold, visionary and intelligent program of principled constructive engagement with the rest of the world. For us, "peace through strength" is not a mere slogan. It is the means of survival for our country in a very dangerous and often hostile world. Our friendship should be a sought-after possession of all men and women of good will everywhere in the world. Our enmity should be something that all rightfully fear.

As Ronald Reagan opposed and defeated the designs and desire of the Soviet Union to dominate the world and place it under the tyranny of their Evil Empire, we stand unalterably opposed to all who approve of, plan or commit terrorist acts. Since the first principle of America is the protection of innocent human life, any who would use acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians to forward their political, ideological or religious aims incur our effective and determined enmity.

Keye's running-mate in Texas was Dr. Marvin E. Sprouse Jr. who was a conservative Christian author and TV/radio host. Just prior to the election Sprouse had been caught up in the Bio Performance fuel additive MLM/pyramid scheme hoax/scam before the State of Texas shut it down.

Keyes national vote was 47,941 (0.04%). 883 (0.00%) of those came from the write-in ticket with Sprouse, accounting for 0.01% of the vote in Texas. Keyes' other VPs were Wiley Drake in California, Brian Rohrbough the official America's Independent Party VP nationally, and Steve Schulin in Virginia. Write-in votes for Keyes were reported in 12 more states where no running-mate was included.

Election history: none

Other occupations: US Army (Vietnam War), life coach, author, lecturer, publisher, teacher, radio and TV talk show host, Bio Performance fuel additive manager

Notes:
Earned his doctorates at Landmark Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Tex.
Has written several books including: God Sent Me to Love You (2020), Pharoah Obama I: the Christian Response to Tyranny (2014), My 30 day book: published for less than $500 (2012), The Four Minute Sermon (2013), The World's Greatest Motivator (2012), 2013; America’s Year of Catastrophe (2012), Life Coaching (2013), The Hezekiah Prayer (2004), Connecting (A Guide to Great Relationships) (1990), Political Correctness Exposed: A Piranha In Your Bathtub (1994), and The Seven Biblical Principles of Fitness (2005).

Brian Eric Rohrbough

 

Brian Eric Rohrbough, January 18, 1959 (Casper, Wyo.) -

VP candidate for America's Independent Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Alan Lee Keyes (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 5,835 (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

As an African American Republican Christian Conservative, Alan Keyes was something of an anomaly on the political landscape. Sometimes referred to as a "Theocratic Neocon," the Harvard-educated Dr. Keyes had served as a diplomat in various capacities starting in 1979. In the Reagan years he was Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and later Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs from 1985 to 1987. He was subsequently known as former Ambassador Keyes in the media.

By 2008 he had also become known as a perennial candidate. He had made three attempts for the US Senate, 1988, 1992, and 2004 (losing to Obama in that last one), and for US President in the Republican primaries 1996 and 2000. 2008 was his third try.

When Keyes' Republican prospects evaporated he announced on Apr. 15, 2008 he was switching parties and was now a candidate for the Constitution Party Presidential nomination. He said, "I believe people deserve a choice. They certainly deserve a conservative choice — something neither John McCain, Hillary Clinton, nor Barack Obama can offer voters. All they can offer is empty promises based on liberal track records." Constitution Party stalwarts were wary of Keyes' late conversion. He certainly had the evangelical Christian credentials but also a Neocon foreign policy track record was out of step with them. Besides, 2004 VP nominee Chuck Baldwin was already on track to gain the nomination.

Although Baldwin did win the national CP nomination, the American Independent Party which had been affiliate since 1991 was torn apart over the selection. The pro-Constitution Party faction nominated Baldwin, and the anti-Constitution Party faction nominated Keyes. Both held their own conventions regarding the other as an invalid gathering. The California Secretary of State and later the court sided with the Keyes faction and thus the era of the AIP's association with the CP came to an end. Instead, the AIP became an affiliate of the newly invented America's Independent Party which also nominated Keyes. By the time the dust settled it was really too late for Baldwin to gain access to the printed ballot in California but he did register as a write-in.

This chapter of AIP history was interpreted by the victors on their webpage--

History repeated itself after the death of our revered founder, William Shearer in early 2007. Once again outside forces sought to determine the AIP's future, but this time it was the Constitution Party that sought to dominate the American Independent Party of California through surrogates, a misguided rump faction that came to be known as "The Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight." Defeating this assault on the independence of the AIP also took three long and costly years from 2008 to 2011. After illegitimate attempts to eject Edward Noonan from the Chairmanship by the daughter of the late founder William Shearer failed, the rump faction she led sought aid from the founder of the Constitution Party, Howard Phillips, to deny the American Independent Party its rightful voice at the Presidential nominating Convention in 2008 by a series of dastardly tricks. After successfully maintaining its right to vote on the Presidential nomination, the AIP was subjected to a further attack when the rump group held its own "Convention" and elected its own officers, entirely without authorization and contrary to both AIP Bylaws and the California Election Code. A legal battle for control of the Party ensued, which was finally resolved in favor of the legitimate party leadership on August 29, 2011.

The curious fact the party of segregationist George Wallace now had an African American standard bearer was not lost on politicos of all stripes.

The Keyes faction of the AIP was viewed as "pro-war" within the ranks of critics on the Right. The platform of America's Independent Party was pretty much the same as the American Independent Party of years past, except perhaps for the America's military plank--

Peace through Strength
We believe in a supremely strong, prepared, and well-equipped civilian-controlled United States military, and a bold, visionary and intelligent program of principled constructive engagement with the rest of the world. For us, "peace through strength" is not a mere slogan. It is the means of survival for our country in a very dangerous and often hostile world. Our friendship should be a sought-after possession of all men and women of good will everywhere in the world. Our enmity should be something that all rightfully fear.

As Ronald Reagan opposed and defeated the designs and desire of the Soviet Union to dominate the world and place it under the tyranny of their Evil Empire, we stand unalterably opposed to all who approve of, plan or commit terrorist acts. Since the first principle of America is the protection of innocent human life, any who would use acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians to forward their political, ideological or religious aims incur our effective and determined enmity.

Keyes' official VP in America's Independent Party was Brian Rohrbough, who became an involuntary public figure starting with his son being one of the victims of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. In an effort to make sense of a senseless act, Rohrbough settled on blaming what he calls our "culture of death." This included--

Abortion: "We teach there are no absolutes, no right or wrong. And I assure you the murder of innocent children is always wrong, including by abortion. Abortion has diminished the value of children."

The theory of evolution: "This country is in a moral free-fall. For over two generations, the public school system has taught in a moral vacuum, expelling God from the school and from the government, replacing him with evolution, where the strong kill the weak, without moral consequences and life has no inherent value."

Rohrbough had become a prominent anti-abortion activist by the time he was chosen to be Keyes' running-mate. Siding with the "absolutist" faction as the anti-choice groups in Colorado experienced a major schism, Rohrbough took part in the Right-wing takedown of Mitt Romney during the 2008 Republican primaries ("The evidence is indisputable — Mitt Romney is lying to get Christian votes," said Rohrbough) as well as being highly critical of the National Right to Life Committee.

The Keyes/Rohrbough ticket was on the ballot in Colorado (0.13%) and Florida (0.03%). In addition Rohrbough was considered the write-in running-mate in Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, and Utah.

Keyes national vote was 47,941 (0.04%). 5,835 (0.00%) of those came from the ticket with Rohrbough. Keyes' other VPs were Wiley Drake in California, Marvin Sprouse Jr. in Texas, and Steve Schulin in Virginia. Write-in votes for Keyes were reported in 12 more states where no running-mate was included.

Election history: none

Other occupations: car stereo business, president of Colorado Right to Life, president of American Right to Life, author

Notes:
Rohrbough engaged in a flurry of various controversial lawsuits following Columbine.

Wiley Smead Drake Sr.

 

Wiley Smead Drake Sr., November 23, 1943 (Magnolia, Ark.) -

VP candidate for American Independent Party (aka America's Independent Party) (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Alan Lee Keyes (b. 1950)
Popular vote: 40,673 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

As an African American Republican Christian Conservative, Alan Keyes was something of an anomaly on the political landscape. Sometimes referred to as a "Theocratic Neocon," the Harvard-educated Dr. Keyes had served as a diplomat in various capacities starting in 1979. In the Reagan years he was Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and later Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs from 1985 to 1987. He was subsequently known as former Ambassador Keyes in the media.

By 2008 he had also become known as a perennial candidate. He had made three attempts for the US Senate, 1988, 1992, and 2004 (losing to Obama in that last one), and for US President in the Republican primaries 1996 and 2000. 2008 was his third try.

When Keyes' Republican prospects evaporated he announced on Apr. 15, 2008 he was switching parties and was now a candidate for the Constitution Party Presidential nomination. He said, "I believe people deserve a choice. They certainly deserve a conservative choice — something neither John McCain, Hillary Clinton, nor Barack Obama can offer voters. All they can offer is empty promises based on liberal track records." Constitution Party stalwarts were wary of Keyes' late conversion. He certainly had the evangelical Christian credentials but also a Neocon foreign policy track record was out of step with them. Besides, 2004 VP nominee Chuck Baldwin was already on track to gain the nomination.

Although Baldwin did win the national CP nomination, the American Independent Party which had been affiliate since 1991 was torn apart over the selection. The pro-Constitution Party faction nominated Baldwin, and the anti-Constitution Party faction nominated Keyes. Both held their own conventions regarding the other as an invalid gathering. The California Secretary of State and later the court sided with the Keyes faction and thus the era of the AIP's association with the CP came to an end. Instead, the AIP became an affiliate of the newly invented America's Independent Party which also nominated Keyes. By the time the dust settled it was really too late for Baldwin to gain access to the printed ballot in California but he did register as a write-in.

This chapter of AIP history was interpreted by the victors on their webpage--

History repeated itself after the death of our revered founder, William Shearer in early 2007. Once again outside forces sought to determine the AIP's future, but this time it was the Constitution Party that sought to dominate the American Independent Party of California through surrogates, a misguided rump faction that came to be known as "The Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight." Defeating this assault on the independence of the AIP also took three long and costly years from 2008 to 2011. After illegitimate attempts to eject Edward Noonan from the Chairmanship by the daughter of the late founder William Shearer failed, the rump faction she led sought aid from the founder of the Constitution Party, Howard Phillips, to deny the American Independent Party its rightful voice at the Presidential nominating Convention in 2008 by a series of dastardly tricks. After successfully maintaining its right to vote on the Presidential nomination, the AIP was subjected to a further attack when the rump group held its own "Convention" and elected its own officers, entirely without authorization and contrary to both AIP Bylaws and the California Election Code. A legal battle for control of the Party ensued, which was finally resolved in favor of the legitimate party leadership on August 29, 2011.

The curious fact the party of segregationist George Wallace now had an African American standard bearer was not lost on politicos of all stripes.

The Keyes faction of the AIP was viewed as "pro-war" within the ranks of critics on the Right. The platform of America's Independent Party was pretty much the same as the American Independent Party of years past, except perhaps for the America's military plank--

Peace through Strength
We believe in a supremely strong, prepared, and well-equipped civilian-controlled United States military, and a bold, visionary and intelligent program of principled constructive engagement with the rest of the world. For us, "peace through strength" is not a mere slogan. It is the means of survival for our country in a very dangerous and often hostile world. Our friendship should be a sought-after possession of all men and women of good will everywhere in the world. Our enmity should be something that all rightfully fear.

As Ronald Reagan opposed and defeated the designs and desire of the Soviet Union to dominate the world and place it under the tyranny of their Evil Empire, we stand unalterably opposed to all who approve of, plan or commit terrorist acts. Since the first principle of America is the protection of innocent human life, any who would use acts of terrorism targeted at innocent civilians to forward their political, ideological or religious aims incur our effective and determined enmity.

Keyes' American Independent Party running-mate, only in California, was controversial minister Wiley S. Drake. The minister's name had already been in the news several times. On the humanitarian side, he had provided a place for the homeless on his church parking lots and legal assistance for illegal immigrants. On the homophobic side, he called for a ban on Disney for recognizing Gay partnerships as the same as straight marriages in terms of employee benefits. Drake loudly opposed the appointment of an American ambassador strictly based on sexuality.

In 2007 Drake's name was in a letter of support for James Kopp, convicted sniper, terrorist, and murderer with his targets being abortion doctors. Drake claims he did not authorize the use of his name.

Drake campaigned partly from his pulpit. At first for Gov. Huckabee in the Republican primaries but then for Keyes later in the season. The Americans United for Separation of Church and State advocated for an IRS investigation of Drake. Drake's response was to pray for the death of his enemies.

Keyes national vote was 47,941 (0.04%). 40,673 (0.03%) of those came from California with Drake, where they earned 0.30% of the state vote.

Drake went on to, in a very public way, pray for the death of President Obama and of anyone else who displeased him as he urged God to be his hit man. Keyes, Drake and AIP Elector Markham Robinson filed a petition with the Superior Court in California at Sacramento challenging the right of Obama to assume the office of President based on spurious "birther" claims. The action was filed by Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation, an organization characterized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-Muslim hate group.

Election history:
2012 - American Independent Party nomination for President - defeated
2012 - US President (Unaffiliated) - defeated
2016 - American Independent Party nomination for President - defeated
2016 - US President (Unaffiliated) - defeated

Other occupations: US Navy, rodeo rider, Baptist minister, radio host, national chaplain of the Minuteman Project

Notes:
Drake was heavily influenced by his grandfather, Hamp Smead Beasley, who took him to revival meetings.
MSNBC host Keith Olbermann called Drake the "world's worst person" on a broadcast July 2009.

Michael Anthony Peroutka

 

Michael Anthony Peroutka, September 7, 1952 (Baltimore, Md.) -

VP candidate for Constitution Party of Montana (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Ronald Ernest Paul (b. 1935)

Popular vote: 10,638 (0.01%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

In 2008 Ron Paul was still a sitting member of the US House of Representatives for his district in Texas. Although he had indeed been a member of the Libertarian Party and was even their Presidential nominee in 1988, he always operated as a card-carrying Republican when holding public office, albeit somewhat as an outlier.

Rep. Paul had been running for President in the Republican primaries in 2008, usually standing out in the debates as being the most vocal candidate to oppose the foreign military adventures that had been initiated by the George W. Bush administration. By June 2008 it was obvious lightning wasn't going to strike and Paul dropped out of the race with not enough delegates to really make an impact.

Some call him conservative, or a libertarian Republican, but I have always thought of Ron Paul as a political party unto himself beyond conventional classification not unlike Ralph Nader. Paul enjoys a base of support that some commentators describe as a personality cult. Many of his followers refused to allow his campaign to die in 2008 and by November he was either a certified write-in or actually on the ballot in a couple states. Paul's role in all of this seemed to be mostly passive.

The Draft Paul movement resulted in write-in votes from five states: California (with VP Gail Lightfoot), Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. In California his name was associated with both the Republican and Libertarian parties, but in the other write-ins he was merely a Republican. He was also on the ballot in two states. In Montana he was listed under the Constitution Party with Michael Peroutka as his VP and in Louisiana under the Louisiana Taxpayers Party with Barry Goldwater Jr. as the running-mate. Paul earned a combined total of 42,426 reported popular votes (0.03%) in 2008.

The Constitution Party of Montana, like several other state chapters across the nation at the time, had disaffiliated with the national party in 2006. It seems many state groups did not agree with factions of the national Party that abortion was acceptable in cases of rape, incest, or saving the life of the mother. Also in that same year they elected their first member to the Montana State House of Representatives. Meanwhile, across the country in Maryland, another state where the local Constitution Party took a walk, 2004 Constitution Party Presidential nominee Michael Peroutka jumped ship and considered himself part of the American Heritage Party.

Rather than support Chuck Baldwin, the official Constitution Party nominee in 2008, the Montana group on Sept. 5 filed the names of Ron Paul and Michael Peroutka as their ticket of choice. State Party Chair Jonathan Martin told the press, "Ron Paul did not seek it, but he did not oppose it. He allowed it." Ballot Access News reported, "Ron Paul was aware that the party planned to do this, and has said that as long as he can remain passive and silent about the development, and as long as he need not sign any declaration of candidacy, that he does not object."

It seems Rep. Paul had a change of heart and wrote in a letter dated Sept. 10 to the Montana Secretary of State, "It has come to my attention that I was nominated by the Constitution Party of Montana as its presidential nominee. While I certainly appreciate the Constitution Party of Montana’s nomination, and all the hard work of its members, I am writing to respectfully request that you remove my name from the ballot in Montana as I did not seek nor consent to this nomination." Paul's request was denied on Sept. 15 on the grounds he acted too late.

Earlier in the campaign season Peroutka had endorsed Rep. Paul for President in the Republican primaries. His statement on Sept. 2007 included some views quite contrary to the Libertarian Party philosophy--

I endorse Rep. Ron Paul for President. And I endorse him not because he is the lesser of two evils. A Christian can never endorse any kind of evil. I endorse Rep. Paul because — from a Christian/Biblical and Constitutional perspective – he is, by far, the best candidate running for President.

— Rep. Paul believes, correctly, that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant word of God and thus it is not the role of God-ordained civil government, at any level, to feed, house, clothe or educate anybody.

— Rep. Paul takes his oath to God as a Congressman seriously and believes, correctly, that the Constitution is the highest man-made law in our land, that it severely restricts what the Federal Government can legally do, and it must be obeyed. This is why, as he states on his campaign web site, he has: never voted to raise taxes; never voted for an unbalanced budget; never voted for a Federal restriction on gun ownership; never voted to raise Congressional pay; never taken a government-paid junket; and has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

In addition, Rep. Paul has voted against: the Patriot Act; regulating the Internet; and he voted against the Iraq war. He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program. He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

— Rep. Paul, again correctly, is truly pro-life and believes that there are no circumstances under which it is OK to murder by abortion any innocent unborn babies.

The Paul/Peroutka ticket did pretty well for being such reluctant candidates. Pulling in 2.17% of the vote in Montana at third place, it was the best showing in all of the states where the Draft Paul effort had either gained ballot or registered write-in access.

In the end, Rep. Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party for President.

As a point of trivia, Peroutka was also a write-in candidate for President in Georgia in 2008, where he took 23 votes.

Election history:
2004 - Reform Party of the United States of America nomination for President - defeated
2004 - US President (Constitution Party) - defeated
2008 - US President (Constitution Party of Georgia) - defeated
2014-2018 - Anne Arundel County Council (Md.) (Republican)
2018 - Anne Arundel County Council (Md.) (Republican) - primary - defeated

Other occupations: attorney, US Dept. of Health and Human Services employee, founder of the Institute on the Constitution, radio host, board of directors of the League of the South, Board of Trustees of The Conservative Caucus Research Analysis & Education Foundation, Board of Governors for Council for National Policy,

Notes:
The Human Rights Campaign called Peroutka an "active white supremacist and secessionist sympathizer" Dec. 2012.
Became a Republican in 2014.
One of Judge Roy Moore's biggest financial political donors.

Gail Katherine Lightfoot

 

                                                            Taitz and Lightfoot 2009

Gail Katherine Lightfoot, September 18, 1937 (Santa Monica, Calif.) -

VP candidate for Libertarian Party (aka Independent Republican) (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Ronald Ernest Paul (b. 1935)

Popular vote: 17,006 (0.01%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

In 2008 Ron Paul was still a sitting member of the US House of Representatives for his district in Texas. Although he had indeed been a member of the Libertarian Party and was even their Presidential nominee in 1988, he always operated as a card-carrying Republican when holding public office, albeit somewhat as an outlier.

Rep. Paul had been running for President in the Republican primaries in 2008, usually standing out in the debates as being the most vocal candidate to oppose the foreign military adventures that had been initiated by the George W. Bush administration. By June 2008 it was obvious lightning wasn't going to strike and Paul dropped out of the race with not enough delegates to really make an impact.

Some call him conservative, or a libertarian Republican, but I have always thought of Ron Paul as a political party unto himself beyond conventional classification not unlike Ralph Nader. Paul enjoys a base of support that some commentators describe as a personality cult. Many of his followers refused to allow his campaign to die in 2008 and by November he was either a certified write-in or actually on the ballot in a couple states. Paul's role in all of this seemed to be mostly passive.

The Draft Paul movement resulted in write-in votes from five states: California (with VP Gail Lightfoot), Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. In California his name was associated with both the Republican and Libertarian parties, but in the other write-ins he was merely a Republican. He was also on the ballot in two states. In Montana he was listed under the Constitution Party with Michael Peroutka as his VP and in Louisiana under the Louisiana Taxpayers Party with Barry Goldwater Jr. as the running-mate. Paul earned a combined total of 42,426 reported popular votes (0.03%) in 2008.

Perennial Libertarian candidate and former California state chair Gail Lightfoot was able to round up enough disgruntled Party members in 2008 to fill the Elector positions and help register Ron Paul as an official write-in in The Golden State. And in the process she became the running-mate.

"I may get more votes as Ron Paul's running mate than I did as a Libertarian candidate. And a lot of Libertarians are going to be upset with me," she was quoted.

The Paul/Lightfoot ticket finished with 0.13% of the vote in California. In the end, Rep. Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party for President.

Lightfoot made more news after the election than during it when she joined the "birther" conspiracy theorists and became part of the legal case Lightfoot v. Bowen, California lawsuit, Obama not eligible, Dr. Orly Taitz, Petition for Extraordinary Writ for Mandamus for Stay, Gail Lightfoot, Vice Presidential candidate, Ron Paul, co-Plaintiffs, Electors, Constitution Party, December 3, 2008 alleging that "the swearing of Mr. Obama is null and void due to the fact that he was sworn in on a name that is not legally his name and he is a foreign subject from birth and now and never qualified as a Natural Born US Citizen."

In a video of that time period she is shown identifying herself to an apparent "Tea Party Patriot" rally as a "Three Percenter" descendant. This is based on the claim that only three percent of American colonists fought in the Revolution to oppose British autocracy.

Election history:
1983 - Bonita Unified School District Board (Calif.) (Nonpartisan) - defeated
1984 - US House of Representatives (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - defeated
1988 - US House of Representatives (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - defeated
1990 - US House of Representatives (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - defeated
1996 - US House of Representatives (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - defeated
1998 - California Secretary of State (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2000 - Libertarian Party nomination for Vice-President - defeated
2000 - US Senate (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2002 - California Secretary of State (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2004 - US Senate (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - primary - defeated
2006 - California Secretary of State (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2008 - Libertarian Party nomination for Vice-President - defeated
2010 - US Senate (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - defeated
2012 - US Senate (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - primary - defeated
2014 - US House of Representatives (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - primary - defeated
2016 - US Senate (Calif.) (Libertarian Party) - primary - defeated
2018 - California Secretary of State (Libertarian Party) - primary - defeated

Other occupations: nurse, public access TV producer

Notes:
2000 US Senate opponents included Diane Feinstein (winner) and Diane Beall Templin.
2010 opponents included Barbara Boxer (winner), Carly Fiorina, Marsha Feinland, James E. Harris,    and Jerry Carroll.
2012 opponents included Diane Feinstein (winner) and Marsha Feinland.
Winner of the 2014 election was Kevin McCarthy.
Winner of the 2016 race was Kamala Harris.
Former Member, Young Republicans and campaigned for Goldwater in 1964, joined Libertarian Party in 1972.

Barry Morris Goldwater Jr.

 

Barry Morris Goldwater Jr., July 15, 1938 (Los Angeles, Calif.) -

VP candidate for Louisiana Taxpayers Party (2008)

Running mate with nominee: Ronald Ernest Paul (b. 1935)

Popular vote: 9,368 (0.01%)
Electoral vote: 0/538

The campaign:

In 2008 Ron Paul was still a sitting member of the US House of Representatives for his district in Texas. Although he had indeed been a member of the Libertarian Party and was even their Presidential nominee in 1988, he always operated as a card-carrying Republican when holding public office, albeit somewhat as an outlier.

Rep. Paul had been running for President in the Republican primaries in 2008, usually standing out in the debates as being the most vocal candidate to oppose the foreign military adventures that had been initiated by the George W. Bush administration. By June 2008 it was obvious lightning wasn't going to strike and Paul dropped out of the race with not enough delegates to really make an impact.

Some call him conservative, or a libertarian Republican, but I have always thought of Ron Paul as a political party unto himself beyond conventional classification not unlike Ralph Nader. Paul enjoys a base of support that some commentators describe as a personality cult. Many of his followers refused to allow his campaign to die in 2008 and by November he was either a certified write-in or actually on the ballot in a couple states. Paul's role in all of this seemed to be mostly passive.

The Draft Paul movement resulted in write-in votes from five states: California (with VP Gail Lightfoot), Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. In California his name was associated with both the Republican and Libertarian parties, but in the other write-ins he was merely a Republican. He was also on the ballot in two states. In Montana he was listed under the Constitution Party with Michael Peroutka as his VP and in Louisiana under the Louisiana Taxpayers Party with Barry Goldwater Jr. as the running-mate. Paul earned a combined total of 42,426 reported popular votes (0.03%) in 2008.

The Paul/Goldwater ticket was an interesting combination of two political dynasties connected with conservative libertarianism. Ron Paul's son, Rand, is a US Senator from Kentucky, and Barry Goldwater Jr.'s father was basically the godfather of the modern American conservative movement. Barry Sr. was a leader in the US Senate and the Republican nominee in 1964.

Goldwater Jr. had endorsed Paul for the Republican Presidential nomination on Nov. 17, 2007. Having grown up in the era of his father (my own Dad was enthusiastic about Goldwater Sr. in 1964) it is somewhat eerie how closely Goldwater Jr. resembles and sounds like his Pop. After Sen. McCain won the nomination, Goldwater endorsed him, but with this qualification--

What Ron Paul is about is trying to get the Republican Party back centered on what it's supposed to be, it's real definition of conservatism, of libertarianism. That's what Goldwater was about. That's what Reagan was about. We kind of lost our way with the '94 election when the Republicans took over Congress, with the Christian Right moving in and the big spending. Ron Paul offers a true definition of liberty, a message. I'm supporting that message. You watch-- it's going to keep moving.

According to Trent Hill of Baton Rouge, who was one of the people instrumental in getting Paul on the ballot in Louisiana, some of the other VP options under consideration were Lew Rockwell, Gary Johnson, and Chuck Baldwin.

When Reason asked Hill in a Sept. 11, 2008 interview about Paul's involvement, Hill answered--

I have specifically avoided all contact with Ron Paul. He has neither encouraged nor discouraged this idea–- and I never gave him the opportunity to. Like most events surrounding Ron Paul, this was a grassroots effort that was completely out of his control. We have received confirmation from several Ron Paul staffers that Ron Paul will not have his name removed from the ballot, so we are relieved to get that news. At the onset of this effort, we were fairly confident that Ron Paul would not sue to have his name removed from the ballot–- we were far more concerned about the VP choice, and whether he or she might remove their name. Former Rep. Barry Goldwater Jr. was asked by one of our members at the Rally for the Republic if he would accept the VP spot and he was very happy about the effort and even suggested he might come to Louisiana to do some fundraising events or rallies.

As it was Goldwater was mostly involved with book tours promoting a monograph about his father entitled Pure Goldwater, co-authored with John Dean. He told political columnist Daniel Scarpinato he wasn't actually asked for permission to be on the ticket with Paul in Louisiana, "But that's OK."

You would expect that a team with such star power surnames and a combined amount of considerable political experience in US Congress would have garnered a huge vote in the Bayou State. But it didn't turn out that way. In the end, Rep. Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party for President.

The Paul/Goldwater ticket placed third in Louisiana with 0.48% of the vote. It was Paul's second best showing among the states in 2008.

Election history:
1969-1983 - US House of Representatives (Calif.) (Republican)
1982 - US Senate (Calif.) (Republican) - primary - defeated

Other occupations: stockbroker, public relations executive, import-export business, financial services, member of the New York Stock Exchange

Notes:
Member of the American Numismatic Association
1982 opponents included Pete Wilson (winner), Pete McCloskey, Robert Dornan, Maureen Reagan, and John G. Schmitz
Interesting parallel. Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. and Barry M. Goldwater Jr., both named after their politician fathers, were born in California in 1938 and both attempted and failed to be the US Senator for that state in 1982.