Mark Cuban Asked to Run For President with Libertarian Party; "Flattered" But Family Would Rebel

Charles Peralo is an inventor and early adopter in the Bitcoin space who is running for chair of the National Libertarian Party this year.

He had informally explained some things about Bitcoin years ago to billionaire sports team owner, entrepreneur, and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban when connected by a mutual associate, and had a personal email for Cuban.

Peralo emailed Cuban, in the wake of the certainty of the Trumpening, to think about saving America by running for president with the L.P.

Peralo promised he could get Cuban a ton of instant endorsements within the Party.

Cuban responded, in an email Peralo posted on his Facebook, that: "My wife and kids would run away if I did. But I'm flattered."

Well, someone is going to be on the ballot in likely every state with the Libertarian Party, most likely at this point former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. Sensible Republicans with a free-market, small-government bone in their body need to think hard about that, certainly starting now.

Peralo writes me that:

I'm not sure if Mark Cuban would be my pick for president. The thing is the guy over the years has said some very libertarian type views and I feel he could…actually have us win on a friendly pro business and pro freedom message.

I'm happy with the current crop of candidates, but I am aware that someone like Mark Cuban could not only get us to the magic 15% number, but would probably win. Also, I think other people in the LP should at this point probably be calling up Tim Draper, David Koch and other business moguls with liberty views to come in and be our Trump. And by "our Trump" I mean be peaceful and filled with dignity.

Comments

[Lee G]

Doherty appears to be the only Reason staffer assigned to write about actual libertarians.

[Hugh Akston]

He drew the short straw and has to cover the Libertarian Party beat, if that's what you mean. I would hazard that most actual libertarians have nothing to do with that freak show.

[Citizen X]

+1 blue guy

[mashed potatoes]

Psst, Doherty is the only actual movement libertarian on staff.. everyone else is just the socially liberal, fiscal conservative weak tea stuff.

[mad.casual]

If by 'socially liberal, fiscal conservative' you mean socially liberal and pleased to spend money for no other purpose than to fuck with social conservatives, then yeah, there are at least a few 'socially liberal, fiscal conservative' contributors around here.

Seriously, the magazine wavers from socially liberal to "cultural libertarian". At one point there were fairly regular articles about spending, the debt, and the economy but, apparently that doesn't draw eyeballs as well as Trump herp derp and Nth-layer iteration of defending peoples' fundamental right to squat and pee wherever and whenever they feel like it.

[mashed potatoes]

yeah, I meant more in the sense that most people complete accept the framework, worldview and thoughts of the progressive and conservative movements and completely argue within those mentalities. while Brian and libertarians other places seem to reject the progressive and conservative worldviews and conflict theories and put forward a uniquely libertarian thought, not derived from mainstream politics..

Don't get me wrong.. the part of the movement that argues within the mainstream is useful as well.

[Trshmnstr, terror of the trash]

yeah, I meant more in the sense that most people complete accept the framework, worldview and thoughts of the progressive and conservative movements and completely argue within those mentalities.

Yup. As I've said, some agree with the SJW intentions, if not with their solutions.

[DEATFBIRSECIA]

Our Trump Is Peaceful And Filled With Dignity!

[Citizen X]

That reads like North Korean propaganda.

[SIV]

Well, someone is going to be on the ballot in likely every state with the Libertarian Party, most likely at this point former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

Is there some sort of poll of Libertarian Party delegates to back that up? GayJay would be a disastrously bad candidate.

[Rich]

Watching Trump, Hillary, and McAfee debate would be loads of fun.

[T.F.G.]

Better than Trump or Hillary, though. Better than Trump or Hillary.

[SIV]

This is objectively not true. Johnson is a "bad candidate" in that he communicates poorly, can't sell himself and has no political skills to speak of. NOTA would clean his clock if it were a ballot option.

[Thomas L. Knapp]

Spot on. Johnson has proven himself unable to handle tough debate even with the other Libertarian Party candidates. He falls to pieces when challenged and either stammers, speaks in tongues or rails like Mussolini. Clinton and Trump would send him crawling off the debate stage bawling with his pants around his ankles and snot bubbles coming out of his nose. The other candidates may not have his resume, but at least three or four of them are far more charismatic, far quicker on their feet and far more difficult to discommode than he is.

[OldMexican Trained Philosopher]

[...] And by "our Trump" I mean be peaceful and filled with dignity.

"Peralo, why are you winking and hitting me with your elbow while you say that, huh?"

[PapayaSF]

Funny thing: Scott Adams has mentioned him as a VP for Trump.

[OldMexican Trained Philosopher]

Yes, that is actually very funny.

[Jerryskids]

I'm happy with the current crop of candidates, but I am aware that someone like Mark Cuban Bob Barr could not only get us to the magic 15% number, but would probably win.

Now you're talking some sensible compromising-our-principles to elect somebody on the we-don't-compromise-our-principles ticket!

[Mainer2]

Has anyone else noticed Cuban's intro on Shark Tank has changed twice.
First he was "notorious" billionaire. Next season, "renowned". Now he's "esteemed".

I think we know what's next: "beloved"

[EMD]

Followed by "cherished" when he's dead.

[EMD]

Related.

I notice a lot of certain types of celebrities are "beloved."

[Krapulent Kristen]

The LP has already tried the stunt casting thing. I drove a lot of people away from the party.

[Citizen X]

So, then they tried it again and again and again and again and...

[paranoid android]

I drove a lot of people away from the party.

Well I never knew you were nominated by the LP, but I don't think you should put all the blame on yourself.

[Krapulent Kristen]

Well, I do what I can for the cause.

[Bill Dalasio]

Sensible Republicans with a free-market, small-government bone in their body need to think hard about that, certainly starting now.

This. If you're a Republican for any reason other than simple Team loyalty at this point, the Libertarians are pretty much the only "Republican" choice left.

[You Sound Like a Prog (MJG)]

Smart man.

[eyeroller]

Sensible Republicans with a free-market, small-government bone in their body need to think hard about that, certainly starting now.

Not sure why you only mention Republicans. Democrats who don't want to start bombing every country between Morocco and Bangladesh might want to look around too.