As the November Election approaches, I would like to again thank
those of you who were supportive of my candidacy. Many of you contributed your time, your
talents, and your funds in an effort to restore to our nation those fundamental values of
faith, family and freedom that the Founding Fathers so wisely procured for us. Over the
years, so many have fought and died to establish and protect freedom in our nation. The
effort to run for office seems so trivial in comparison. However, not to run would have
said that the sacrifices of those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom were in
vain.As a former Republican candidate for the US House of Representatives in the 12th
district of North Carolina, I am often asked if I endorse the winner of the primary. My
answer is a resounding NO. I am committed to put principle before party. Given the choice
between the three remaining candidates, I will be voting for Michael Smith, the
Libertarian.
Let me quickly dispel the idea that I am simply a "sore loser." It should be
noted that I was not a close second, but a distant sixth in a field of six. 514 people
voted for me, and I am honored that those people believed strongly enough that I was the
best person for the job. If Jim Cohen, the person who did come in a close second, had won,
I would have heartily endorsed him and been a willing worker in his campaign.
For those of us who have the values of a Christian, conservative, or Constitutionalist,
our choice is between the incumbent, who is a wolf in wolf’s clothing, the
Republican, who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and the Libertarian, whose general
platform we can embrace.
Many argue that it would be better to vote for the Republican than to allow the
incumbent, arguably the most liberal in Congress, to remain in office. I do not believe it
is worth the marginal improvement we would achieve by electing the Republican nominee.
Once elected, it would be virtually impossible to remove him in subsequent election with a
candidate of merit.
Others argue that voting for a third party candidate is a wasted vote. It may be a vote
against the odds, but it is in no way wasted. A vote from conviction, a vote for the best
candidate in the field, is the only vote worth casting. All other votes are votes of
compromise which, as history repeatedly shows, leads to tyranny.
I would urge all those who share one or more of the following values to vote for the
Libertarian candidate.
- Christian faith
- Conservative principles
- Constitutional government
- Pro-Life
- Pro-Second Amendment
- The values represented by the Republican Party platform
This is not a question of whose team will win, but what values our nation will hold. Do
NOT hold your nose and vote Republican. Instead, be able to walk out of the voting booth
with a clear conscience. Vote for Michael Smith. May the Lord show his mercy to our
nation!
