Cruz wins Iowa caucus, Rand Paul 5th

Rand Paul Campaign, SuperPAC Speak on Iowa and What's Next - Hit & Run : Reason.com - Brian Doherty:

February 2, 2016 - "Rand Paul's vote in the Iowa caucus tonight could have been roughly predicted from the most recent polling. It was discouraging for those who hoped for a last-minute surge to third driven by student turnout and over a million voter I.D. and GOTV [get out the vote] calls.

"Paul's campaign issued a statement tonight trying to spin the results positively, which read in part:

Rand Paul had a strong top-five finish by placing ahead of Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, John Kasich, and the last two Iowa Caucus winners tonight. The voters spoke for the first time, and they showed that they believe everyone in our country should have the liberty to make the most of their lives, not just the well-connected and the political establishment.Whether the issue is constitutional government, a balanced budget, a rational foreign policy, or preserving the entire Bill of Rights for all citizens, Rand Paul is the only one standing up for conservatives and liberty-loving Americans.

Tonight's vote reveals that the race for the White House is wide open. Dr. Rand Paul believes his voice is important to the debate, and calls on ABC and the RNC to make sure he is on the stage next weekend in New Hampshire. The results today demand it.... 

"Matt Kibbe, formerly of Tea Party-identified liberty activist group FreedomWorks and now with the Paul-supporting unaffiliated SuperPAC Concerned American Voters [CAV], ... worked on GOTV for Paul in Iowa.

"While 'we wanted Rand to do better, given where he has been it was a credible showing. I do think that Cruz and Donald Trump and even oddly enough Bernie Sanders were eating away at Rand's potential voting bloc,' Kibbe says. 'It heightens the now obvious divide between the liberty vote and the anti-establishment populist vote'....

"Kibbe is not as viscerally turned off by Cruz as many libertarians are. 'If you look at Ted Cruz' background, his training as a classical liberal is impressive," Kibbe says. 'He's read Mises and Hayek, he's read all the books [libertarians] have read and I believe he deeply understands those ideas'."

"Kibbe admits that 'I'm more ambivalent today because he has flip flopped on criminal justice and he's flip flopped on surveillance and most worrisome is, what is his foreign policy?...'

"Cruz or no, Kibbe says that 'there is still momentum to move forward [with Paul], it was a very credible performance tonight and we [CAV] will be in it as long as Rand is in it.' They are currently involved in social networking efforts in New Hampshire and ground work in Nevada....

"Kibbe says that even voters who are never going to embrace the full vision of movement libertarianism in an intellectual, bookish manner are still capturable by libertarian-leaning politicians."

Read more: http://reason.com/blog/2016/02/02/rand-paul-campaign-superpac-speak-on-iow

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Why a "libertarian" can win the GOP nomination

Why a libertarian can win the GOP nomination - David Harsanyi, The Federalist:

May 20, 2014 - "Commentary’s Seth Mandel poses a question: Should GOP presidential hopeful Rand Paul embrace the 'libertarian' label or not?...

"For starters, Republican voters aren’t exactly turned off by Paul’s politics.... According to a FreedomWorks poll, a quarter of Republicans already self-identify as 'libertarian' or 'lean libertarian.' A 2013 poll from the Public Religion Research Institute found that only 7 percent of voters could be considered 'consistent' libertarians, but another 15 percent could be said to sympathize with the broad tenets of the philosophy. That’s 22 percent of all Americans. And those who did identify with libertarian beliefs are more likely to vote for the GOP (43 percent) than the Democratic Party (5 percent), though half identify with neither....

"In its Randian incarnation —  a highly watered-down version — libertarianism syncs up quite well with growing sentiments of many grassroots conservatives on an array of fronts.  It’s a comfortable anti-establishment position that offers a measure of ideological consistency often missing in politics. But it’s worth remembering that libertarianism isn’t inherently offensive to secular and independent voters, either. When government fails, people grow cynical about the state, and libertarian instincts kick in."

Read more: http://thefederalist.com/2014/05/20/why-a-libertarian-can-win-the-gop-nomination/

Online gambling ban bill opposed by libertarian coalition

Libertarian groups slam online gambling ban | TheHill - Kate Tummarello:

April 28, 2014 - "A coalition of libertarian groups have said a new bill to ban online gambling would pave the path for more government control over the Internet.

"The bill 'is an inappropriate and unnecessary use of federal powers that infringes on the rights of individuals and states,' a coalition of ten libertarian groups said in a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on Monday.

"The bill to ban most online gambling for money was introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) earlier this year. It would reverse a 2011 Justice Department ruling that reintepreted the Wire Act to allow online gambling.

"Since that ruling, states have moved forward with efforts to legalize and regulate online gambling within their borders. Currently, Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey allow online gambling, and a handful of other states — including California — are looking to do the same....

"The letter from libertarian groups — including FreedomWorks, the Competitive Enterprise Institute and R Street — called the bill from Graham and Chaffetz 'a broad overreach by the federal government over matters traditionally reserved for the states.'

"A ban will push the inevitable online gambling to the black market 'where crime can flourish with little oversight and consumers have little to no protection from predatory behavior,' the letter said."

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/technology/204580-libertarian-groups-slam-online-gambling-ban
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NPR interviews Matt Kibbe of FreedomWorks

A Libertarian With Roots In Rock Music : NPR - Weekend edition, Sunday:

March 30, 2014 - "RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: We're going to hear now how a prominent libertarian found his political voice.... Matt Kibbe was just 13 when he fell under the spell of a certain rock band.

MATT KIBBE: Well, I was listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin, but it was the band Rush really got me starting to read and pay attention to ideas.

MARTIN: On the Rush album, 2112, the band sings of a futuristic society, in which thought and expression are controlled by a top-down autocracy.... Now, many years later, you could say Matt Kibbe has turned those early teenage notions into a career. He's the head of FreedomWorks, the grassroots organization that helped launch the Tea Party. His latest book is called Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff: A Libertarian Manifesto.

"I asked him to talk more generally about America at this moment and whether he thinks our society already resembles the dystopia imagined by Rush."

Read more: http://www.npr.org/2014/03/30/296673083/a-libertarian-with-roots-in-rock-music
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Rand Paul, FreedomWorks sue NSA for 4th Amendment violations

Libertarian Paul sues Obama and his security chiefs for Fourth Amendment violations - Euronews:

February 12, 2014 - "Maverick US Republican senator Rand Paul is suing President Obama and the directors of National Intelligence, the NSA and the FBI for violating the Fourth Amendment.

"In the latest fallout from the Snowden leaks, which exposed illegal government snooping, Paul is joining with the Tea Party-aligned FreedomWorks group.

"'Good morning, on behalf of myself, FreedomWorks and everyone in America that has a phone, we are filing suit against the President of the United States, in defence of the Fourth Amendment. We will ask the question in court whether a single warrant can apply to the records of every American phone user all of the time, without limits, without individualisation,' he said.

"Paul, a libertarian, is confident the case will go all the way to the Supreme Court. The Fourth Amendment is designed to protect Americans from unreasonable searches, something Paul says Obama has publically refused to stop."

Read more: http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/12/libertarian-paul-sues-obama-and-his-security-chiefs-for-fourth-amendment-/

Cruz filibuster reflects increasing libertarian views in Republican Party

Ted Cruz Speech Nods to Increasing Libertarian Views within Republican Party | Cato @ Liberty - David Kirby:

September 26, 2013 - "During his Ironman 21-hour speech, Sen. Ted Cruz read excerpts from Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, name-dropped 'libertarians' at least six times, and yielded to Sen. Rand Paul, who invoked Frederic Bastiat’s 'What is Seen and Unseen,' a favorite among libertarians.

"Ted Cruz, who retained remarkable composure over the long night, seems in all things deliberate. Political leaders seem to have become more comfortable talking about libertarians, even identifying themselves as such. Libertarians may have reached a tipping point within the Republican Party....

"Gallup has tracked 'libertarian' beliefs since 1993 using a combination of two questions on the role of government.... Gallup defines libertarians as those who think government is doing 'too many things' and should not 'promote traditional values'.... Gallup data show a 19 percentage point increase in libertarian views among Republicans and Republican leaning independents in the decade between 2002 and 2012. In 2002, libertarians represented 15 percent of Republicans; in 2012, 34 percent.

"Using American National Election Studies (ANES) data, a stalwart in political science, we duplicated Gallup’s methodology.... ANES data show a nine percentage point increase in libertarian views among Republicans and Republican leaning independents between 2000 and 2012. In 2000, libertarians represented 26 percent of Republicans; in 2012, 35 percent.

"Finally, we added similar questions to a national poll FreedomWorks commissioned in August to see what percentage of Republicans hold libertarian views today.... Using this method, FreedomWorks data show that 41 percent of Republicans and Republican leaning independents are libertarian today. 

"Two separate data sources, Gallup and ANES, show the same trend: that libertarian views are at the highest point in a decade. And three point estimates for libertarians in 2012 and 2013 — Gallup, ANES, and FreedomWorks — find a similar level of libertarian views between 34 and 41 percent. Of course ... not all these libertarians self-identify as such and many don’t know the word. But even that seems to be changing.... According to FreedomWorks’ poll, only 10 percent of Republicans 'don’t know' the word libertarian, compared to 27 percent nationally.

"The data confirm that libertarian views may well have reached a tipping point in the Republican Party."

Read more: http://www.cato.org/blog/ted-cruz-speech-nods-increasing-libertarian-views-within-republican-party
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The GOP's growing "big-tent libertarian" base

GOP's "Big-Tent Libertarian" Base Home For Small-Government Advocates - Investors.com - Matt Kibbe, Investors Business Daily:

September 13, 2013 - "New polling shows that policymakers with an authentic commitment to personal freedom and non-intrusive government will thrive in the Republican Party's growing 'big-tent libertarian' base, while the big-government Old Guard will follow its own trend and disappear into political obscurity.

"FreedomWorks' national poll of 1,000 registered voters found that while the Republican Party fumbles to rehabilitate its damaged political brand, favorable opinions towards big-tent libertarian values are at the highest level in a decade. The economy, health care and jobs take top priority across the voter base, early evidence that political dynamics in 2014 will resemble the 2010 midterm elections.

"There is a realignment happening in the GOP, a return to the domestic economic policy priorities that fueled the last Republican midterm sweep. It's 2009 all over again, only this time combined with a growing distrust of an executive branch plagued with IRS targeting and NSA surveillance scandals, and selective ObamaCare enforcement.

"The perfect storm is brewing for a referendum on the unchecked authority and arrogance of big government, and Republican incumbents ignore these trends at their own peril."

Read more: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-on-the-right/091313-671008-voters-are-tired-of-big-government-favor-libertarian-values.htm#ixzz2esfm08Ls
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Poll: Republicans embracing libertarian priorities

 Poll: Republicans embracing libertarian priorities - James Hohmann, Politico:

September 11, 2013 - "FreedomWorks commissioned a national survey of registered voters last month, shared first with POLITICO, that finds 78 percent of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents self-identify as fiscally conservative and socially moderate.

"It’s not that Republicans are suddenly self-identifying as “libertarians” and devouring Ayn Rand novels, but more that they seem to be embracing underlying libertarian priorities and views about the role of government.

"The poll asked Republican voters what they are most interested in: 40 percent said 'individual freedom through lower taxes and reducing the size and scope of government,' 27 percent picked 'traditional values' and 18 percent chose a 'strong national defense.'

 "Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway, who ran the poll, said she’s seeing a spike in voters who feel the government is too expensive, invasive and expansive.

"'The perfect storm is being created between the NSA, the IRS, the implementation of Obamacare and now Syria,' she said. 'People are looking at the government more suspiciously. They’re looking with deeper scrutiny and reasonable suspicion'....

"One-quarter of Republicans self-identified as “libertarian” or “lean libertarian.” Of Republicans, 42 percent view the term “libertarian” favorably and 10 percent don’t know it.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/poll-republicans-libertarian-96576.html#ixzz2eiWe5NFz

Joseph S. Diedrich interviews Austin Petersen

Libertarian America: A Conversation with Austin Petersen | Washington Times Communities - Joseph S. Diedrich:

June 9, 2013 - "Austin Petersen, the Director of Production at FreedomWorks ... harnesses his artistic talent and libertarian zeal to produce videos, commercials, and event photography. He is also hard at work preparing the FreedomWorks University courses that will be debuting in the near future. Among others, the courses will feature Peter Schiff, Jeffrey Tucker, Steve Horwitz, and Judge Andrew Napolitano....

"Petersen produced Judge Napolitano’s show Freedom Watch on Fox Business. He also operates Stonegait Pictures, an LLC under which he does portrait photography, media training, public lectures, and video interviews for private clients.

"Petersen is also the executive producer of Alongside Night, a film based on the novel of the same name by J. Neil Schulman. Steeped in themes of agorism, the plot tells the story of what can happen when government destroys a currency and outlaws the use of gold. It premieres this month."

Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/business-living/2013/jun/9/libertarian-america-conversation-austin-petersen/
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Tea Party promotes a New Fair Deal

To reinvigorate Republican Party, tea party takes page from Occupy - CSMonitor.com - David Grant, Christian Science Monitor:

April 15, 2013 - "If Republicans are going to bounce back in 2014, the tea party thinks it has the answer: the New Fair Deal.

"A dozen House lawmakers and Sen. Mike Lee (R) of Utah – backed by swarms of activists affiliated with the group FreedomWorks – are offering up a package of about a dozen proposals on Monday that are the tea party’s contribution to how the party should go forward.

"The thing that’s been missing is a reform agenda that excites people and gets them in the streets, that they believe can happen,' says Dean Clancy, vice president for public policy at FreedomWorks and a chief organizer of the New Fair Deal package. 'What can we do to help the guys that we helped get elected in 2010 actually restore credibility for this movement'....

"The New Fair Deal consists of 10 bills, which will include:
           * Cuts to a wide array of subsidies, with alternative energy companies, sugar growers, and high-speed rail all to get the ax.
           * A conservative alternative to Obamacare.
           * A 'flat tax' system.
           * A private savings option for Social Security.
           * Tax reform to broaden the tax base."

Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/0415/To-reinvigorate-Republican-Party-tea-party-takes-page-from-Occupy
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FreedomWorks @ 4 million - Libertarian non-profit continues soaring up social media rankings

Charity News: SOCIAL MEDIA: Freedom Works 4 million - Libertarian non-profit continues soaring up social media rankings but still way to go to surpass Lady Gaga - Alan Cole, Charity News Xperedon:

January 8, 2013 - "The libertarian non-profit FreedomWorks, that opposes authoritarian controls and celebrates community values, has reached over 4 million likes on Facebook this week, the main social media network.... It currently has 4,051,287 likes....

"The non-profit has been encouraging taxpayers to sign a petition to reject tax hikes.

"President of FreedomWorks, Matt Kibbe, recently commented that: 'Washington has a spending problem, not a tax shortage...'

"The non-profit’s social media campaigning has been partly successful due to its large grass-roots following, but also its clear communications and direct appeals via the web to an ever wider supporter base....

"Around the New Year the non-profit made a peak of about 6,000 new likes a day."

Read more: http://www.xperedon.com/news_1990
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Dick Armey Sticks His FreedomWorks Payback to Glenn Beck - Politics - The Atlantic Wire

Dick Armey Sticks His FreedomWorks Payback to Glenn Beck - Politics - The Atlantic Wire - Elspeth Reeve:

January 4, 2013 - "Former FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey revealed that the Tea Party group paid Glenn Beck about $1 million to say "nice things" about the group on his radio show, and that it got a negative return on that investment, in an interview Friday — with the liberal group Media Matters, of all places. It's the latest strange revelation in the FreedomWorks civil war. Armey reportedly tried to stage an armed coup last fall, but his reign didn't last long, and donor Richard J. Stephenson agreed to pay Armey $400,000 a year for 20 years to go away....

"'The arrangement was simply FreedomWorks paid Glenn Beck money and Glenn Beck said nice things about FreedomWorks on the air,' Armey said, adding that, initially, Beck's kind words were only supposed to cost $250,000 a year. 'Once that was approved by the trustees, it then took on a life of its own, it got bigger than we understood it to be. All of a sudden it was we are paying Limbaugh as well as Beck.'"

Read more: http://m.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/01/dick-armey-sticks-his-freedomworks-payback-glenn-beck/60624/
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Left / Right Alliance for defense cuts

Stewart J. Lawrence: A Left / Tea Party Alliance? - Counterpunch , Jan. 26, 2011:

January 26, 2011: "[P]rogressive groups like the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and the Ralph Nader-founded Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) are now working in a de facto coalition with some 23 conservative groups, including Grover Norquist’s tAmericans for Tax Reform, and the national Tea Party group FreedomWorks, to push for deep cuts in US defense spending.

"The coalition has come together around the findings of President Obama’s Deficit Reduction Commission, which included a call for $100 billion in defense cuts. And at least one prominent congressman, eight-term Texas Republican Kevin Brady, who marched on Washington, DC with the Tea Party last fall to win their support for his re-election, has already moved to incorporate the Commission's recommendations into federal legislation."

http://www.counterpunch.org/lawrence01262011.html