Alternatives in the presidential race

Our View
Published: November 1, 2008

Our coverage of the presidential race has focused on two candidates, Democratic nominee Barack Obama and his Republican contender John McCain.

We have kept our attention on these two because, let’s face it, they are the only ones with a chance of winning. However, that does not mean that they are the only ones running.

In fact, in Virginia, four other candidates from four different parties are also vying for the office of president.

Here is a quick glimpse of each:

• Chuck Baldwin is running for president on the the Independent Green Party ticket in Virginia.

Baldwin has a doctrine, which states that “No foreign government or world government body or entity” can own “US roads, airports, homes, buildings, lands, waters, resources (oil, gas, precious metals,
minerals, etc,), religious facilities (no matter what faith), stocks, bonds, US treasury notes, businesses, banks, military bases or military assets or manufacturing facilities…”

He would get rid of the U.S. Department of Education and he supports parents’ rights to educate their children as they see fit.

Baldwin believes that we should remove our troops from Iraq, however he believes in a strong military that serves as a deterrent for foreign       powers.

For more information about Baldwin, go to http://www.baldwin08.com

• Bob Barr is the candidate for the Libertarian Party. Barr was once a Republican Congressman from Georgia.

Barr believes in cutting taxes, shrinking government and restoring civil liberties, which he believes were taken away under the Bush Administration.

Barr would also remove troops from Iraq without “undue delay,” though he would not advocate publicly announcing a timetable for withdrawal. And he supports military defense versus offense — he thinks
we have too many troops stationed abroad.

Barr’s energy policy emphasizes the free market and would lead to a reduction in government     intervention.

For more information about Barr, go to http://www.bobbarr2008.com

• Cynthia McKinney is the presidential candidate from the Green Party.

Put simply, McKinney’s platform is based on freedom.

She wants freedom in the election process — the dominance of electronic voting machines, special interests and the two main political parties are counterproductive to free elections, according to her
platform.

McKinney believes in getting rid of disparities at all levels — education, health care, housing, social justice, etc.

McKinney wants to tackle the issue of poverty and she wants to increase the minimum wage to make it a living wage.

An end to the War in Iraq is also part of McKinney’s platform.

For more information about Cynthia McKinney, go to http://www.mckinney2008.com/

• Ralph Nader is the final third-party candidate running in the presidential election. He is, of course, running as an independent.

Nader believes we need to restore and expand our civil liberties and cut down on our dependence on fossil fuels. He thinks that global warming is real and that we need to do something about it.

Cracking down on corporate crime, fraud and abuse is part of Nader’s agenda.These corporate excesses have taken money out of the pockets of many, he says.

Nader also supports the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, within six months, and he advocates impeachment of President George W. Bush.

Learn more about Nader at http://www.votenader.org

Granted, this is only a superficial glance of your alternative presidential candidates, but we hope it has raised your interest.

To learn more about the candidates’ parties, go to the Virginia State Board of Elections Web site at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/08PVPGEN_CAN.pdf

There you will find links to the different parties’ Web sites.

Only two days remain until Election Day. If you have more research to do before voting, then get on it!