Badnarik: "You cannot export democracy at the point of a gun"
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BY RICK WAGNER
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
Jul 2, 12:00 AM EDT
BLOUNTVILLE – Michael Badnarik is an admitted dark-horse presidential nominee from a little-known political party.
But by November’s general election, the Libertarian plans for his name to be a household word across America and for his party’s main goal – downsizing government – to get serious recognition.
"I was a dark-horse candidate with less money and less name recognition than my two opponents," Badnarik said on a stop here Thursday. "I’ve already won over two candidates with more money and more name recognition."
During the party’s May convention in Atlanta, Badnarik was chosen over radio talk-show host Gary Nolan of Ohio and California movie producer Aaron Russo.
Badnarik said that for one of the few times in the 32-year-old party’s history, its 800 delegates did not split into factions after the convention because, he said, he was "everybody’s second choice" for the nomination.
Now he’s going across the country trying to tell people about the party and its goals, including abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service, the "unalienable" right to bear guns without background checks or paperwork, abolishment of the U.S. Department of Education and legalization of drugs.
The computer programmer and technical trainer was here for a two-hour rally on the steps of the old Sullivan County Courthouse. It drew about 50 people, mostly Libertarians or people seeking elected office.
Various Democratic and Republican state and federal legislative candidates, and one independent, also spoke at the rally in support of smaller government.
Even without a win in November, Badnarik hopes to break the 1 million-vote barrier, something no other party nominee has done. He said he already is on the ballot in 41 states and probably will make all 50, while independent Ralph Nader, the 2000 Green Party nominee, is on the ballot only in seven.
"We can actually influence the policies of the future administration," Badnarik said.
He hopes to raise a few million dollars to fund advertising to challenge President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry.
"The Democrats and Republicans are going to be spending a lot of money because their message does not resonate with the people," Badnarik said.
"If I can get included in a presidential debate, I can win that debate," Badnarik said. "The majority of people in 2000 voted for the lesser of two evils."
He said many Republicans and Democrats are disenchanted with their candidates. For instance, he cited growing public opposition to the war in Iraq.
"You cannot export democracy at the point of a gun. The only way you can export democracy is by example," he said.
Badnarik said he and the party also oppose the idea of bringing back the draft, calling it "involuntary servitude" and saying it is closer to occurring than most Americans realize.
rwagner@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2518