Libertarian shorts from around the nation

A round-up of Libertarian electoral news pieces too brief for me to post individually (at least this late at night):

Deathwatch North Carolina notices (without endorsing) North Carolina Gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger in a positive way:

DW was recently contacted by the Delaware Libertarian blog with a request to spread the word about NC gubernatorial candidate Dr. Michael Munger, who opposes the death penalty. DW does not endorse candidates for political office.

It gets him on the record with death penalty opponents.

In Georgia, Senatorial candidate Allen Buckley takes incumbent Saxby Chambliss to task for supporting earmarks and other pork:

Buckley said: “If elected, I’ll take a no earmarks, no pork, no subsidies pledge, and I will fight to permanently eliminate these wasteful expenditures from federal budgets. I would not vote for a bill such as the housing relief bill that Saxby Chambliss has voted for, as it rewards irresponsibility and increases the debt burden on future generations.” Buckley also said: “I hereby challenge Mr. Chambliss and the ultimate Democratic nominee to a debate on the prudence of earmarks, pork, subsidies, means of changing the tax and entitlements systems, and the financial soundness of continuously increasing federal spending and deficits in light of the GAO’s warnings.”

In Indiana's 9th Congressional District, Dr. Eric Schansberg rises from 4 to 5% in the polls, and has to referee the ongoing spat between his opponents over who conducted the nastiest campaign in 2006, and who will debate or share town meeting forums with whom:

Dr. Eric Schansberg said: “Baron [Hill] needs to look in the mirror. Both of them were responsible for the nasty campaigns they ran in 2006. Baron needs to apologize as well—not only to Mike [Sodrel], but to everyone in the 9th District—for subjecting us to so much mud-slinging and name-calling like ‘Millionaire Mike’. I commend Mike for extending the olive branch. Maybe if they both take responsibility and apologize, we can go forward and have an honorable campaign this time.”

On the debates, Dr. Schansberg said, “Even though it was completely hypocritical, I understand why Baron wouldn’t debate gas prices earlier this summer. But since Baron demanded a lot of debates in 2006 and since he’s so good at it, I’m sure he’ll have enough character and confidence to offer at least the same three debates we had then—in Bloomington, New Albany, and Jasper. I look forward to many opportunities to debate and discuss the issues that are important to the voters of the 9th District.”

In Texas's District 52 (State House), Lillian Simmons has been recognized by Americans for Prosperity for signing the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) pledge, promising that if elected, she will support the following:

First, the state government’s budget should not grow faster than the family budget.

Second, decisions about new taxes and spending projects should be made by taxpayers.

Election Advantage notes that in Montana the race between John McCain and Barack Obama has abruptly tightened into a 47-47 tie, and that the Libertarian vote (especially with Stan Jones running for Governor and drawing a consistent 3% in the polls) may prove decisive:

Something to keep an eye on here could be Libertarian Bob Barr, as 5% of Republicans but only 1% of Democrats say they would currently vote for a 3rd party candidate. It doesn't sound like a lot, but in the 2006 Senate race here, Democrat Jon Tester won by .87% while Libertarian Stan Jones won 2.55%.

Politics continues to get more and more interesting as we stumble closer to November.