Austin Petersen is the Way Forward for the Libertarian Party

by Elias J. Atienza

With Rand Paul suspending his campaign two weeks ago, Rand Paul supporters are wondering what the Hell to do. Several have moved on to Ted Cruz. Others have moved onto John Kasich. Some are under the delusion that somehow they can get Rand Paul back into the race and get him the nomination. I am a Rand Paul supporter and I plan to vote for him in the California primaries even if he has suspended his campaign. But I have decided to support a candidate who I believes represents the future of the Libertarian Party. That man is Austin Petersen.

Yes, I will read and hear the comments later on how we are skewed towards Austin Petersen. The Libertarian Republic does belong to Austin Petersen, but considering that the editor-in-chief is a Ted Cruz supporter, several of the writers were Rand Paul supporters (including me) before he dropped out, and that others have expressed their support for other candidates, I think I’ll be fine with the criticism.

The Freedom Ninja is willing to expand the party. While Gary Johnson decided to slam Rand Paul in a lengthy Facebook post, Austin has stood with Rand Paul at times even though they are from different parties. As a Republican turning in his Republican card after the primaries in California (June), I appreciate that. Rand Paul might not have been a libertarian, but he was the closest we had in the Republican Party.

Austin represents the future of the Libertarian Party. He’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, nor is he afraid to go against party orthodoxy. The Libertarian Party has always clung to the NAP with a passion and I’m fine with that. The NAP does have its faults; Remso W. Martinez does a great job of defining it and arguing against it at Freedom Gulch.

He’s young, passionate, and able to connect with people on a personal level. I’m not going to go into the list of positions he holds, but I think he’s our best chance to win the White House, or at least get a bigger vote than ever before. His willingness to criticize Gary Johnson is great, as evident in an interview with Truth in Media.

Gary Johnson’s actions, especially regarding the debate with McAfee and Stossel, make me question his judgment and his team. Especially in regards to Johnson’s team attacking Petersen supporters when they question Johnson’s judgment. And when a very ardent supporter of Johnson back in 2012 who spent money, time, and effort to coordinate his campaign in Florida now refuses to support him and instead supports Petersen, you have to question what is going wrong with his campaign.

He’s the best chance we’ve got to reinvigorate the Libertarian Party.

No matter what happens, I know I will l at least be able to vote for the Libertarian Party candidate with a clear conscience. Unlike the Republican Party, the LP isn’t filled with people who want to continue to bomb the Middle East, spy on every American, and violate the Constitution.

But I’m supporting Austin Petersen for President and I hope he wins the LP nomination.