I love Andrew Horning. He's a fine Christian gentleman, and a true friend of liberty. I first buddied up with him back when he was the Libertarian candidate for mayor of Indianapolis some years ago, and dig him the most- even after he jumped horses to run for Congress this year as a Republican.
The season has not been particularly kind to brother Horning, though. Incumbent Democrat Julia Carson (surely one of the least worthy members of Congress to start with) has given only very minimal public appearances, even less than my electoral opponent Evan Bayh.
On top of which, The Indianapolis Star apparently really hates him, for whatever reason. Or at least it seems somewhat personal when they wrote in their official endorsement of Julia Carson,
This editorial page over the years has disagreed with Rep. Julia Carson on almost every issue of substance. That's why, until now, The Star has never endorsed her candidacy.
But this year, unlike in the past, Carson is not facing credible opposition.
Republican Andy Horning, who previously has run as a Libertarian for mayor of Indianapolis and governor of Indiana, is an engaging and intelligent fellow. But in an interview with the Editorial Board he continually lapsed into rambling philosophical discourses rather than giving specific answers.
Dang, but that hardly seems fair, even if you don't agree with Andy's conservative to libertarian philosophy. It might be enough to give someone an attitude.
Indeed, this has even good genteel Andy understandably smoking mad. From WXNT:
Republican congressional candidate Andy Horning is taking issue with the "Indianapolis Star" endorsement of Congresswoman Julia Carson in the upcoming election. In answer, Horning burned a copy of the paper downtown.
"They've never covered any of my press conferences. They covered one debate and got it wrong and had to print a retraction." Speaking to Abdul in the Morning on newstalk 1430, Horning says the paper never asked him any questions concerning his campaign.
Article comments
1 - Steve Rhodes
It is impressive they would mention a third party candidate by name along with an issue he raises and praise his campaign.
Good job.
2 - Bryan
Indianapolis,IN right here. I haven't followed alot of the local politics (shame on me), so I will just say this.
Go Colts!
3 - RJ
Way to go, Al!
It's about time the elite media started paying some due respect to third-party candidates.
4 - Mike Kole
Al's done a great job on a shoestring budget. It's very gratifying to see the respectful press he has earned.
5 - Mike Kole
It's been a funny thing, trying to win the respect of the media. We (Libertarians) listen to their criticisms and take them seriously.
For instance, a few years back, the LPIN really only ran candidates for the top of the ticket. The Star and others said, "that's nice, but you need a deeper ticket to be taken seriously".
So, LPIN ran better than 150 candidates in the next cycle. The Star and others said, "that's nice, but you're obviously just getting any joe blow to fill the ballot. You have to put people qualified for the office they seek".
Fair enough. We've run CPAs for auditor and treasurer at the state and local level, fine attorneys for AG and judge, surveyors for surveyor, etc. The Star and others say, "that's nice, but you don't raise big money like the other parties. You must not have popular support."
Very well. That's next. We're going to raise big money. I imagine that even when we win high office, we will just be told, "that's nice, but you can't govern. You don't have a majority of seats in the legislature".
That's just the kind of bias third party candidates tend to have to deal with. It's very tough. Look at the Socialist Party. They've been doing what they do for over 100 years, but they never could crack the big time. That's something to consider, especially since so many of their workplace economic policies (especially)became law: child labor laws, OT pay, 8-hour work days, minimum wage, etc. All courtesy of the third-party Socialists.
6 - Mac Diva
. . .and the Libertarians would repeal it all.
Never has so much fuss been made over so little achievement. The paper barely acknowleged Barger's existence. And, if it had delved deeper, the response would have been very critical. Abolish public schools. Prevent the unemployed from collecting benefits. Repeal all tax laws. Outlaw abortion. Etc. That's the reality of what Barger is peddling.
7 - Al Barger
Yes, we Libertarians would get rid of most all of the policies implemented over the last 100 years by various socialist parties. The editorial board at the Star knows this because 1)that's all basic stuff that is the basic Libertarian philosophy on which we've run candidates for several decades now, and 2)because I met with them and discussed the issues at hand.
For the record, as Diva well knows, I am pro-choice.