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Republicans Take Page From Libertarian Book

From tea parties to budget proposals, GOP changes tune

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2009 12:42 PM CDT
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(Newser) – It looks as though the GOP is turning libertarian, says Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com. The tea parties it championed last week take their cue from libertarian movement shindigs, and participation was high in libertarian-leaning states like New Hampshire. The GOP’s alternative budget was a like-minded proposal, "dramatically slashing taxes while promising to balance budgets—an achievement that would only be possible if the size of the government were cut enormously."

Other signs include:

  • Eighty percent of Republicans think Big Government is a bigger threat to the country than Big Business, according to a Gallup survey.
  • Republicans are backing off gay marriage, barely protesting the Iowa ruling.
  • Conservative pundits—like self-proclaimed libertarian Glenn Beck—have embraced marijuana legalization.
Add it up, and "Ron Paulesque libertarianism" seems more appealing than the party’s other potential new directions: "Sarah Palinesque cultural populism," "Mike Huckabeesque big-government conservatism," and "Olympia Snowesque moderation/ good-governmentism."

A woman holds a sign that reads Don't tax me bro! during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest Wednesday, April 15, 2009 in Atlanta.
A woman holds a sign that reads "Don't tax me bro! " during the Atlanta Tea Party tax protest Wednesday, April 15, 2009 in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Vince Schuck of Newfane, Vt., wears a hat festooned with tea bags during a rally at the Statehouse in Montpelier, Vt., Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Vince Schuck of Newfane, Vt., wears a hat festooned with tea bags during a rally at the Statehouse in Montpelier, Vt., Wednesday, April 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, asks questions of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke during the committee's hearing on Capitol Hill, Feb. 10, 2009.
House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, asks questions of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke during the committee's hearing on Capitol Hill, Feb. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
riffran
Apr 23, 2009 7:37 AM CDT
53% -vs-46%?..good solid win, but no landslide..Ronald Reagan's 525 electoral votes to Walter Mondale's 13 electoral votes in 1984.
Caps
Apr 23, 2009 4:01 AM CDT
And he was a dick-head.
JonmarkP
Apr 22, 2009 9:45 AM CDT
LIbertarians are even more me-centered than Republicans. Republicans lost the last election by a landslide, so they're answer is to move even further to the right. Go, little Republicans, go!

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New Hampshire • GOP • Mike Huckabee • Olympia Snowe • Ron Paul • libertarian • Glenn Beck • libertarianism • Sarah Palin • Gallup poll • Gallup • political strategy • Nate Silver • Republicans • tea parties

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