Libertarian Katherine Glass Campaigns for Governor
The easy part for Katherine "Kathie" Youngblood Glass was securing the gubernatorial nomination of the Libertarian Party of Texas, which she did by a 3-to-1 margin over the party’s 2002 choice, Jeff Daiell, on June 13 in Austin. Glass, 56, a Houston trial lawyer, knows she has almost no shot of winning in a state where the most successful Libertarian candidate since 1992 mustered less than 1.5 percent of the vote.
Still, she's ready to do battle — on general principle — and she'll get her first shot at Democrat Bill White on July 5, at the candidate ...
Comments (10)
Cynthia Casper Robertson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I personally fail to understand why on earth anyone would support a third-party candidate either in this state or this country. TX and the US always have been, always will be a two-party system unlike the Middle East and Europe. If people are really serious about having their vote(s) count then they should wage the platforms of the viable candidates and back whomever comes closest to meeting their personal criteria. Otherwise, why bother to vote and/or throw your money away supporting a non-viable candidate?
And, to circumvent the argument that there are two Independents in Congress, there is a vast difference between an Independent and a Libertarian. Look closely and you will see that both Independents are from progressively extremely liberal states -- CT and VT -- to which TX is a big fail.
Bobby Warren via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cynthia, I couldn't agree more. To push for third parties flies in the face of the very structure set up by the U.S. Constitution and the vast majority of state constitutions.
Because we utilize a "winner take all" system, splintering into more than 2 groups generally is counterproductive to success in elections. Instead, coalition building and platform change all occur prior to elections and within the party system.
People interested in seeing change in either the Republican or Democratic party should attend local party conventions, write resolutions, and generally get involved. That is the best way to change the system - from within.
You may argue that the system isn't best, or that it isn't fair, but then you should work for real change. Don't pretend that getting 5% of the vote as a third party candidate somehow changes anything.
Veronica Estrada via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why is Youngblood wasting our time? Because she wants to fight on principle? The first principle EVERYONE should be fighting is dethroning socialism -- to secure our freedom. You do this by trumping the Democrats, not splitting the Republican vote, which is EXACTLY what Youngblood intends to do.
Youngblood wants to secure White's win, period.
McKenna Welsh via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am a democrat and I am not a socialist, don't want a socialist government. What are you talking about, Veronica? Is this because of the recent bill that passed regarding health care? Many countries with excellent health care systems are NOT socialist countries ie. Great Britain, Canada. So tired of these tired old arguments. Can we move on already. The majority of Americans wanted this reform - we voted for Barack Obama as this was part of the platform he ran on. We, majority voted = Democracy! Go back to school.
Kimberly White Erlinger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What McKenna said.
Irene Solnik via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Please people socialism is an economic system, not a political system.
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Irene, you need a dictionary it is both.
Irene Solnik via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Not when I was in college. It is possible for a democracy to have a socialist economy and a dictatorship to be capitalistic. Economics 101
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It may not be a form of government, but that is not what you said it is can be a political system.
I am not opposed to that system, I think that a good mix of systems where they work together is a good thing.
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It may not be a form of government, but that is not what you said, it can be a political system.
I am not opposed to that system when used in combination with others, I think that a good mix of systems where they work together is a good thing.