Buzz Blog

With the impending election many voters are scrambling for last minute information about candidates. Republicans and Democrats often have information that can be easily found, but that is not the case for third party candidates. Thus, many of them remain an enigma for a lot of voters. --- Given, quite a few don't help themselves, because they are notably absent from the web and campaign functions. But there are some candidates who are engaged, and I’ve asked a few participating in this election a few questions, from why they maintain low profiles to what drink they order when out on the town. Hopefully, it will shed some light on an otherwise shadowy subject, and give you a little bit of insight into the candidates.

Note: The following are responses from candidates who responded to our questionnaires. There are others that are actively campaigning, and as we hear from them we will post their answers, as well.

Andrew McCullough, Governor

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?

I am Utah Chair of the Libertarian Party.%uFFFD I used to be a Republican; but my former party was captured by the "religious right".%uFFFD They pay lip service to smaller government and freedom; but they thrive on the politics of fear.%uFFFD My party is the only one who clearly supports an end to the war on drugs, marriage equality and an end to the surveillance state.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?

In High school, it was English (literature) and social studies (history and government).%uFFFD In college I majored in both political science and sociology.

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

I learned back in high school that "third parties" are not there to win elections; but are there to "change the nature and the tenor of the debate."%uFFFD There is little doubt that the war on marijuana users is being lost, and that legalization is coming.%uFFFD The same applies for marriage equality.%uFFFD And yet, the Libertarian Party is the only one on the right side.%uFFFD The major parties are simply too afraid of losing votes to say what needs to be said.%uFFFD That is why we need to exist.

4. Do you have a website? If not, why?

I have a regular website at www.andrewmccullough.org; a blog at www.andrewmccullough.blogspot.com and a Facebook group (Andy for Utah governor).

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

I drink a lot of iced tea because I don't like sweet drinks.%uFFFD That is my real vice (not approved by most BYU graduates).%uFFFD At home I drink milk.

6. Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

Some volunteer to run, knowing that they cannot spend a lot of time of money.%uFFFD It really is very difficult to raise money and to get visibility.%uFFFD That can discourage people, too.%uFFFD I have not been invited to any of the several debates between my "major party" opponents.%uFFFD And, both of my opponents can effectively take a leave of absence from their government jobs, and campaign pretty much full time.%uFFFD I have an active law practice which I cannot afford to neglect.%uFFFD With all those disadvantages, I do the best I can.

7. What’s the best book you have ever read?

Les Miserables (unabridged).

8. What is it that you would like people to know about your party, platform and your campaign?

We are the party that supports smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.%uFFFD We started the "tea party" movement, as a protest against high taxes.%uFFFD Right wing Republicans took it away from us and made it a vehicle for intolerance and the religious right.%uFFFD So, we are the tea party without the intolerance and the fear.

Randall Hinton, 2nd Congressional District

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?

The Constitution party, I have voted for constitution party candidates for several years, but this is the first year that I have been actively involved with the party in the political project.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?

Computers, Speech and Debate

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

There are so many things that we all agree on, there are just a few nuances that the parties leverage to be divisive and divide people with. I believe our stand on founding principles that are enshrined in the Constitution provide a base that we can use to unite people of all parties and backgrounds.%uFFFD

4. Do you have a website? If not, why?

Yes, http://www.randallhinton.com

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

Water

6. Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

For many it may just be a lack of funds to get their website up, or to afford running around to all the different functions. But in other cases candidates are excluded from events based on their polling numbers, many organizations will only include candidates that have at least 5-10% of the vote in a poll, but they are rarely included in those polls. It is a problem in getting to some events and functions.

7. What’s the best book you have ever read?

The Law by Fredric Bastiat

8. What is it that you would like people to know about your party, platform and your campaign?

We are for a smaller, more principled, and constitutional government. We want a government that preserves the maximum amount of liberty for each individual. For a government that treats all people Equal before the law. For a government that does not take the property of one party and dole it out to others or to businesses/corporations. For a government that respects the Life, Liberty and Property of all people. A government that concentrates on preserving the liberty of it's citizens, rather than spending time, life, and money with interventionist foreign policy and Ultimately an government that the people can respect and wholeheartedly endorse.

George Hill, Utah House District 55

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?

I’m a member of the Libertarian Party. %uFFFDI filed to run as an Independent, but the State requires a Party Affiliation so I had to pick one. %uFFFDThe Libertarian Party has the closest platform to my beliefs in the areas I feel are important, so I registered as Libertarian.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?

History was my favorite subject to be honest. %uFFFDTo understand who we are we have to understand where we came from. %uFFFDI was lucky to have good Teachers and good Professors on the subject that really brought it life for me.

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

I’m not really big on any Political Party. %uFFFDMost of the time these parties fail to serve the people they are supposed to represent and instead serve themselves. %uFFFDNow we are seeing Politicians distancing themselves from their Parties they have supported and got support from just to stay in office. %uFFFDIf they had served the Citizens, no one would have to be back peddling.

4. Do you have a website? If not, why?

I’ve a couple. %uFFFDVoteGeorgeHill.org is the campaign site. %uFFFDMadOgre.com is the Blog I’ve been doing since before there were Blogs.

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

A simple Coke. %uFFFDOr a Mt. Dew depending on what I’m eating.

6. Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

Fear. %uFFFDIt takes a lot of nerve to walk into the room where you are eyed as a Vote-Splitter. %uFFFDI’ve attended every function I had time for... which was most of them. %uFFFDAll the Meet The Candidate gatherings, the League of Women Voters in Moab, I even rode on top of the back seat of a convertible Mustang in the July 24th Parade. %uFFFDI’m not a politician... but I’m also not afraid to look people in the eye and tell them what I really think.

7. What’s the best book you have ever read?

I suppose I am supposed to name some big inspirational work that gives insight into my character but, to be honest I love The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. %uFFFDLord of the Rings is a close second. %uFFFDI can’t decide. %uFFFDCan I pick 2?

8. What is it that you would like people to know about your party, platform and your campaign?

I’m running because I’m tired of complaining about the problems in the State and I aim to try to do something about it. %uFFFDStupid laws we complain about, then we just say “well, this is Utah.” %uFFFDI say Utah can be better. %uFFFDNo Lottery... we are transferring money to Idaho and Colorado where guys play, but we are too good for that money in Utah. %uFFFDMoney that can go for Education. %uFFFDShould go for education. %uFFFDThe State is in the booze business, running Liqueur Stores, but can’t make it profitable so they’ve shut stores down. %uFFFDThe State shouldn’t be in the Liqueur Business. They should be private. They are already doing compliance checks on places that sell alcohol. %uFFFDLetting them sell the rest, the estimate is a 7% increase in consumption, imagine more since people are not buying it from out of state and imagine those tax dollars without the overhead of the ABC stores. %uFFFDMillions of dollars for Utah that we are too good to take. %uFFFDHunting laws that make no sense, those need to be fixed too. %uFFFDWe need to fix the Stupid.

Ryan J Kelly, Utah House District 39

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?
I am a member of the Libertarian Party of Utah since March 2010.%uFFFD As the filing deadline for candidates approached I needed 300 signatures to get on the ballot as an independent, and I didn't have them in time.%uFFFD I reached out to the Libertarians as a group of people who share similar goals for our government, and they were kind enough to nominate me as their candidate for District 39 in the Utah House of Representatives.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?
I always preferred biology, and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in the subject at Westminster College.

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?
Republicans focus primarily on concepts of economic liberty, while Democrats focus on personal liberty.%uFFFD The Libertarian Party supports liberty in all forms, advocating that people should maintain their freedom to live as they choose without an oppressive and controlling central government determining the direction of their lives.

4. Do you have a website? If not, why?
http://www.ryankellyforcongress.com

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?
Dr. Pepper, if they have it.

6. Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

I think that in Utah we feel overwhelmed by the dominance of the Republican Party, as well as the tendency of voters to fall back on Democrats as the answer to any shortcomings of the Republicans.%uFFFD However, I think it is important that we continue to increase our visibility by getting out in front of voters as much as possible.%uFFFD We need to maintain a strong presence on the internet, and provide more public functions as an opportunity to enlighten voters about the choices they have on Election Day.%uFFFD I would like to see all third parties work together to raise our profile.

7. What’s the best book you have ever read?
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

8. What is it that you would like people to know about your party, platform and your campaign?
I want everyone to know that we are not simply conservative or liberal; those are just buzzwords designed to lead people to the conclusion that party leaders want them to reach.%uFFFD We stand strong against the tyranny and oppression brought upon people by a government that refuses to acknowledge its own limits and follow its own laws.%uFFFD We support liberty and individuality in all forms, believing that the people themselves are the best at determining what they need to succeed in life.

Erin Michael Partridge, Utah House District 44

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?

Libertarian.%uFFFD I first%uFFFDgot involved during the 1988 election, particularly the Ron Paul Presidential race.%uFFFD This was before I could even vote.%uFFFD I first voted in 1992 when Andre Morrou ran for the presidency.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?

Sciences, like%uFFFDChemistry and Physics.%uFFFD I also liked History.

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

They are totally dedicated to tax reduction and gun rights.

4. Do you have a website?

Yes:%uFFFD ErinPartridge.com

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

Tap water.

6.) Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

Uninvited or uninformed, low funds, too busy with day job

7.) What’s the best book you have ever read?

The Eagle has Landed%uFFFDby Jack Higgins

8.) What is it that you would like people to know about your party, platform and your campaign?

I want to improve education, particularly with funding and science.%uFFFD I also want to work in the middle regarding the immigration in a way that will benefit everybody and actually do something.%uFFFD

Russell G. Hatch, Utah House District 50

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?
   %uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD Constitution Party

I became dissatisfied with the Republican Party, for which I was active with for many years at the county level.%uFFFD I became acquainted with the Constitution Party (CP) after looking at their platform and listening to some%uFFFDspeakers%uFFFDand found that this organization more closely corresponded to and followed through%uFFFDon the principles%uFFFDwhich I believed in.

1. What was your favorite subject in school?

History and Geography.

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

The "CP" is very similar to the traditional Republican ideals and values that I identified with of several decades ago.%uFFFD The CP membership and leadership exemplify and follow through on those same values.%uFFFD They do what they say, not say what they do like the two major parties.

4. Do you have a website? If not, why?

No.%uFFFD Time and experience.%uFFFD However, the state website is very good and informative.

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

Lemonade.

6. Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

Most 3rd party candidates are dependent on their own resources, unless they are running for major offices that time and attention will be given to and they are able to balance work and family needs.%uFFFD Some candidates have an IT background, but many, (like myself) don't.%uFFFD There is relatively little opportunity to gain political experience with the major parties having a monopoly on political opportunities. I have attended some major meet the candidate functions, but I am somewhat restricted because I do have a full time job.

7. What’s the best book you have ever read?

I have many "best" books that I have read, but for entertainment (and that I am a science fiction fan), I really have enjoyed Frank Herbert's Dune.%uFFFD I have read%uFFFDit many times over the years since I first read it in the 1960's.

8. What is it that you would like people to know about your party, platform and your campaign?

The Constitution Party has many valid and cogent platform stands that many will find resonance with.%uFFFD I have talked to many people who applaud me for running for office, but find it hard to vote for a third party with the thought that it would be "wasting" a vote.%uFFFD With our country's present condition and the performance over the years by both the major parties, I would ask those with such thoughts to consider that voting for one of the major parties would be wasting their vote instead.%uFFFD The Constitution Party stands for returning to the precepts upheld and addressed by our founding fathers' in the original intent of the Constitution.%uFFFD It is an unchanging%uFFFDcontract by the people to the government which guarantees our rights in a republic.%uFFFD If elected, I would follow those precepts and my legislative actions would be guided by such.

Vincent Marcus, Utah Senate District 21

1. What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?

Libertarian. About four years ago. I attended the state convention and then the national convention that year.

2. What was your favorite subject in school?

I liked Electronics in both High School and College.

3. How do this parties ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

The Libertarian Party believes in the Principle of Self-Ownership. %uFFFDYou have the supreme authority over your own choices and the only purpose of government is to protect your rights as long as you are not violating the rights of others.

4. Do you have a website? If not, why?

Yes. %uFFFDhttp://www.votemarcus.com

5. When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

It would depend on the restaurant. Usually I prefer a glass of red wine with dinner.

6. Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

In my case, it's because running for office is a relatively low priority for me. %uFFFDBetween work and family obligations I'm pretty busy. %uFFFDI have to squeeze campaigning in where it doesn't impact anything else.

7. What’s the best book you have ever read?

Fiction? %uFFFDThe Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein

Non-Fiction? %uFFFDFreakonomics

David A. Hansen, Utah State Senate Candidate District 22

1.) What party are you with, and how did you first get involved with it?

Constitution Party. Joined several years ago because of disgust with the Republican Party, which had a great platform but did not follow it. All too many Republican legislators were in actuality Republicans in Name Only--like Sheryl Allen.... She's now finally running with the party she belonged with all along.

2.) What was your favorite subject in school?

I liked English (the reading part, not the grammar part). Loved to read books.

3.) How do this party's ideas improve compared to those of major parties?

The Constitution Party understands the causes of our current economic and political problems. It understands that so-called free trade has caused millions of manufacturing jobs to be exported to foreign nations. Congress was delegated the power to regulate trade with other nations, not some unelected world-government bureaucrats (WTO, NAFTA, GATT, CAFTA). Those who are out of a job can thank Hatch, Bennett, and Bishop for their support of these unconstitutional give-aways of power. 

4.) Do you have a website? If not, why?

My website is www.RestoreMyFreedom.org and its corollary blog, www.RestoreMyFreedom.org/blog.

5.) When you go out to a restaurant, what is the drink you like to order most?

I alternate; it's usually root beer, lemonade, or Sprite.

6.) Many 3rd parties candidates keep a low profile when running, (examples not attending functions, or having a web presence) why do you think that is?

Those of us in the Constitution Party care deeply about our country but we are typically not wealthy and therefore must spend more time at our occupations. I plan on keeping a web presence and informing constituents of my activities on my blog if elected.

7.) Whats the best book you have ever read?

Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.

8.) What is it that you would like people to know about your party,platform and your campaign?

We have for too long allowed the Federal government to exercise powers that were never delegated to it. For instance, where are the amendments allowing the Federal government to own land in Utah (other than for the post office or military bases), to mandate health care, to fund education, to print paper dollars, to bail out financial institutions, and to do a multiplicity of other functions it has taken on? Those amendments clearly do not exist, and yet the Federal government has still exercised these powers without the necessary constitutional changes being implemented. I strongly advocate nullification of all of these unconstitutional Federal mandates.

Because the Federal government is acting outside of its Constitutional bounds in spending trillions of dollars on unconstitutional programs, I advocate nullifying the collection of Federal income taxes and replacing them and all other state and federal taxes with a state-levied Fair Tax (sales type tax). Utah would then forward only the portion of that tax to the Federal government that it requires to fulfill its constitutionally-defined duties. This would be the ultimate in freedom, since both people and businesses would no longer have to account to government for their earnings. This policy would attract companies and create jobs by the thousands. Manufacturing jobs should be returned to the U.S. Manufacturing is the only route to prosperity, since only manufacturing develops riches. Service economies remain poor and stagnant and will inevitably turn us into a third world nation.

I advocate the careful development of lands (currently claimed by the Federal government, but to be reclaimed by the state of Utah) to provide revenue for education and legitimate government functions.

My approach will not be a "mother-may-I" approach. We have a constitutional duty to refuse to obey unconstitutional Federal mandates. Federal officials who continue to attempt to enforce unconstitutional Federal mandates may find their offices moved to the local county jail cells, since sheriff's are the top law enforcement officials and supercede Federal enforcement powers with regard to unconstitutional Federal mandates.

Utah should be leading out on these matters, and as we do, other states will follow. The momentum will be unstoppable, and we will finally put the Federal government back into its little Constitutionally defined box and, hopefully, never let it back out again.... If we don't address these problems now, Utah's economy will be dragged down with the rest of the nation's, and we may well see the likes of the riots that are occurring in Greece and England. The Constitution Party hopes that citizens will finally wake up to the fact that socialist policies (which use governmental force to rob from the rich and give to the poor--and have been supported by both Republicans and Democrats) will eventually--inevitably--bring a nation to bankruptcy and destroy our economy and our freedoms. Our best hopes lie in restoring the Constitution so that we can once again become prosperous and free of big-brother government interference. If we will work together to do this, we have a very bright future.