Watch Democrats Try to Convince a Libertarian to Vote for Hillary

Nick Gillespie asks DNC delegates to give it their best shot.

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Watch Democrats Try to Convince a Libertarian to Vote for Hillary

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With the growing dissatisfaction of the two-party system, more and more Americans are ditching their party identification and turning independent. A 2015 Gallup Governance survey found that 27 percent of the electorate can be characterized as libertarian—outnumbering conservatives (26 percent) and liberals (23 percent).

This makes them a highly coveted voting bloc, and one that Hillary Clinton needs to win over in order to prevent a Donald Trump presidency.

Reason editor-in-chief Nick Gillespie found delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA to see if they could convince him why libertarians should vote for Clinton in November or if they're better off with a third option.

Approximately 3 minutes.

Produced by Zach Weissmueller. Camera and graphics by Joshua Swain. Interviews by Nick Gillespie.

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Comments

[(((Renegade)))]

Approximately X minutes.

So is X minutes the Roman version?

[geo1113]

Perhaps yesterday when a 28-second video was approximately 1 minute and a 1:50some seconds was approximately 3 minutes, they just figured the variable X would be just as good an estimate,

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[Just Say'n]

Gillespie is already voting Clinton. I'm sure Johnson isn't even cosmotarian enough for him.

[NotAnotherSkippy]

It's been a hard hitting week of RNC pieces. Lookin forward to when they cover the DNC next week.

[R C Dean]

Noice.

[still too soon for "Nice"]

[Brochettaward]

I just clicked this article to basically say this. It doesn't take much convincing for some of the Reason staff.

[Eric Bana]

Gillespie is already voting Clinton.

Sarcasm?

[Zeb]

Either an elaborate running gag or idiocy.

[Eric Bana]

Very elaborate.

[Gene]

The latter.

[Eric Bana]

Are you sure? Because it's insanely idiotic. It's probably just trolling to get people riled up.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The gist I'm getting is from these people is that I should vote Hillary because Trump is the greater of two evils.

[Trump's Penis Logo, Jr.]

Just please, Fist, PLEASE don't throw your vote away on a third-party candidate. This is the Most Important Election of Our Lifetime?.

[Trump's Penis Logo, Jr.]

A 2015 Gallup Governance survey found that 27 percent of the electorate can be characterized as libertarian

Hihn-bait in its purest form.

[NotAnotherSkippy]

It's really pi raised to 91%.

[Suicidy]

Don't summon the unHihnged troll.

[The Elite Elite]

Trump doesn't care about the Constituion? What, Hillary suddenly does? Since when have the Democrats given a shit about the Constitution? It's nothing but an obstacle in the way of their power grabs.

[Rufus The Monocled]

Yeh funny, but the same guy does get a point for asserting there should be more candidates debating. So he seems to be willing to engage.

[DarrenM]

Caring about the Constitution means you think there is still a need to figure out ways to circumvent it.

[buybuydandavis]

Nick:

Did you just say that Hillary was a lesbian?

Ruh roh!

[Inigo Montoya]

I laughed at the woman's reaction to that. It was awkward laughter and a sort of, "Let's not even go there," response.

I'm frankly surprised that haven't tried to make it another historic opportunity to elect an LGBT person.

Of course, I know in reality that Hill is really only attracted to and desiring of power. Other people's body parts hold no interest (hence Bill's perpetual mission to get attention for his parts from other sources). Just give her the Pen, the Phone, and the Launch Codes and she will be positively orgasmic.

[All-Seeing Monocle]

Sorry, I only have X/2 minutes.

[geo1113]

In this case, X=7.

[bartzman86]

So was it just me, or did these interviewees not really understand the request "convince me to vote for...."? Or did that phrase translate to "Please tell me that you're voting for Hillary". Going to take a gamble and say these individuals were not on any debate teams growing up.

[Rich]

"Do your own research."

OK.

[Fist of Etiquette]

That was my favorite. If only she'd have gone all Rand on Gillepsie. "Libertarian, be self-sufficient thyself."

[Cynical Asshole]

...something about not enacting your labor for you...

[R C Dean]

Yeah, probably not the best thing for a partisan Dem or Rep to invite anyone to do.

[Zeb]

Yet they manage to convince themselves that if people would just get their facts straight, they'd all jump right on that bandwagon.

[Paper Wasp]

She's union.

[Joe M]

No, they just don't really know why they're voting for Clinton.

[Zeb]

That's probably closest to the truth.

[Glide]

Right, I expect for the median convention-goer, their rationale is "X is the good guy, Y is the bad guy."

For the 75th percentile convention-goer, they've picked one issue they agree with X on as a basis, and can name three other issues that X believes on which they claim to agree with but wouldn't actually reconsider their vote in any way if X went apostate on them.

[NYC2AZ]

They're voting Hillary because BOOOOOOSH Truuuuuuump!

[Paper Wasp]

Because they sense that "she has the right genitalia" is a ridiculous response, even though that's why they're voting for her.

[Suicidy]

I was eating lunch at a restaurant earlier today. I had to listen to some loud, overbearing bitch (a realtor I think) pontificate about what a great feminist and upstanding citizen Hillary is, and how Trump, with three divorces, has horrible character, and not a good person. It was all I could do to not get up, walk to their booth and vomit all over her.

[Jickerson]

Yeah, because being on a debate team guarantees that they'll have good arguments. More often, it seems to mean they're good at bullshitting people with feel-good arguments and manipulating suckers. If you want logical argumentation, it's probably best to look away from public debates, at least usually.

[Inigo Montoya]

One respondent did try to convince Nick by pointing out that she "cares about children and the community." LOL, yes, if "caring" is defined as imperial rule.

You know who else cared about children and the community?

[Auric Demonocles]

Remember, this is largely the same group of people think that supporting government funded welfare makes them generous.

[Inigo Montoya]

Yep. Also the same ones that think that me not wanting to pay for another person's birth control means that I want to outlaw birth control.

Logic completely escapes these people.

[JimBob7]

Attila the Hun?
.
Pol Pot?
.
Margaret Sanger?
(let me know if I'm getting close)

[Mint Berry Crunch]

This makes [libertarians] a highly coveted voting bloc, and one that Hillary Clinton needs to win over in order to prevent a Donald Trump presidency.

Really? Hillary simply cannot win without the libertarian vote?

[Inigo Montoya]

If you mean voters who self-identify as libertarian, then I think she can safely ignore all of them (us).

If you mean the 27% referred to in the Gallup poll Nick cites - she does have to try to win over a sizable portion of them -- and she is trying! The main thrust of the convention messages and all the mainstream media has been, "It's an election between two choices and Trump is just terrible, so you MUST vote for Hillary, even though we know she kinda sucks too."

Think about it. Other than a very few die-hard feminists, who are only excited because she has a vagina, when do you hear anyone actually say they're excited to vote for her? It's always, "We need to defeat Trump!"

She also needs to get high turnout, which another reason for the constant drumbeat of "Trump is a threat!" The woman does not generate even 1/10th of the enthusiasm -- however misplaced it was -- that Obama did. If enough young people, older conservatives in the Never Trump camp, independents who are not keen on either candidate, and disenchanted Bernie supporters decide to just sit home on election day, then she can kiss her chances goodbye.

[Suicidy]

What kind of feminist gets excited about some evil bitch who has spent the last 45 years covering for and enabling a serial rapist just so she can ride his coattails? Instead of getting ahead on her own? What the fuck kind of feminism is that?

[Inigo Montoya]

If you mean voters who self-identify as libertarian, then I think she can safely ignore all of them (us).

If you mean the 27% referred to in the Gallup poll Nick cites - she does have to try to win over a sizable portion of them -- and she is trying! The main thrust of the convention messages and all the mainstream media has been, "It's an election between two choices and Trump is just terrible, so you MUST vote for Hillary, even though we know she kinda sucks too."

Think about it. Other than a very few die-hard feminists, who are only excited because she has a vagina, when do you hear anyone actually say they're excited to vote for her? It's always, "We need to defeat Trump!"

She also needs to get high turnout, which another reason for the constant drumbeat of "Trump is a threat!" The woman does not generate even 1/10th of the enthusiasm -- however misplaced it was -- that Obama did. If enough young people, older conservatives in the Never Trump camp, independents who are not keen on either candidate, and disenchanted Bernie supporters decide to just sit home on election day, then she can kiss her chances goodbye.

[R C Dean]

If you mean the 27% referred to in the Gallup poll Nick cites

Who are mostly delusional, and thus ripe for the picking.

[MarkLastname]

Yeah I suspect as much as 27% of voters identify as grape fruit, so that number doesn't really mean anything.

[Suicidy]

Most of that 27% are filled with fear and anger. Which leads to the quick and easy path to the dark side.

[Knarf the Yenrab]

Three and a half minutes. Not bad, Nick--that's three minutes longer than it took them to convince Welch.

[american socialist]

Because liberal Democrats are better on war, gay rights, abortion rights, immigration, drug laws, bank bailouts, and basically any social policy than Republicans? Plus, the Democratic candidate is eminently qualified and the Republican candidate is an embarrassing joke.

Did I sell you?

[R C Dean]

liberal Democrats are better

That's nice, but what does that have to do with Hillary?

[R. K. Phillips]

Social programs and policies have no place in the US government. None.

[Inigo Montoya]

Uh no.

Better on war? If you mean pushing for more war -- I'll grant it's a toss up.

Abortion rights. Normally yes, but Trump is reputedly pro-choice, and even if Cruz or Rubio had gained the nomination, does anyone really think Roe v. Wade is going to be overturned? Let's be honest and admit this is just a wedge issue used to scare voters on both sides of the aisle. Abortion rights are pretty safe.

Immigration -- I'll grant you this.

Drug laws -- Uh, no. See "war" above. The elites of both parties are equally awful.

Bank bailouts -- same as war and drug laws. Sorry, try again.

Any social policy -- if you mean gay rights or bathrooms, that ship has sailed. Much like abortion, it's cynically used by leaders on both sides to browbeat their audience into supporting them. ("Republicans want to put gays in chains!" "Democrats will force your teenage son to get gay married!") No one with half a brain believes that crap.

[John Titor]

Because liberal Democrats are better on war, gay rights, abortion rights, immigration, drug laws, bank bailouts, and basically any social policy than Republicans?

Let's engage in disastrous interventions into foreign conflicts with no actual long-term strategy or plan, that's 'better on war'.

Clinton's husband supported DADT and the Defense of Marriage Act, and for most of her career apparently she believed marriage was between a man and woman. But suddenly when public opinion on gay marriage flips over the 50% mark they're the crusaders for gay rights. It's almost like they're cynical political opportunists who would easily flip to an anti-gay position if the polls favoured it. Trump actually has a better record of support in the last twenty years for homosexuals than Clinton does.

Hillary supported the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, a bill that enforces more mandatory sentencing for drug related crimes, so she's terrible on drug laws.

Clinton supported the Wall Street bailouts.

No, you didn't sell me because you're an idiot who doesn't understand Clinton's actual positions. Of course I should expect that coming from a socialist shrilling for Wall Street's candidate.

[David Emami]

Clinton's husband supported DADT

Most of what the grandparent post said is nonsense, but on this specific point, you need to remember what Don't Ask Don't Tell replaced. The policy went from "we'll hunt down gays and drum them out" to "officially no gays, but if you stay in the closet we won't look for you." Not ideal, but it was an improvement.

[Rufus The Monocled]

No, you did not.

Liberal democrats are the biggest war boners and corrupted hypocrites.

Next.

[JimBob7]

You convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are delusional. Does that count?

[MarkLastname]

War? Where have you been the last 8 years? And as far all the social policies you mention, you may as well be telling me Habsburgs are better than Bourbons because Habsburgs protect the enemies of the Bourbons. Ok, but what about the enemies of the Habsburgs? The Democrats don't care about the rights of poeple not to bake cakes for homosexuals, nor the rights of people not to have to pay women to get abortions, nor the rights of people not to have to pay for medical bills, schooling, every other public service for illegal immigrants who don't even file tax returns 9but still get to vote).

So yeah, tell me all about how the Democrats take care of their own. I'm a heterosexual white male with a job. They've made it very clear that I'm one of the enemy, and my rights aren't "protected."

[Suicidy]

Really? Let's see.......

War: Hillary has made things worse with Russia, and wrecked Libya (Just to get her scumbag buddy the bandage concession)

Gay rights: Hillary was against homos marrying until the wind shifted a few years ago.

Abortion rights: Helps enable butchers like Kermit Gosnell because abortion mills can do no wrong no matter what.

Drug laws: The Clintons are drug warriors.

Bank Bailouts: Sure. Hillary doesn't take millions from Wall Street firms.

Basically, other than men fucking each other's assholes and unlimited government funded infanticide with no oversight, democrats are worse on anything freedom or rights related. Everything. There is nothing these miserable shitbags don;t want to enslave and control from cradle to grave.

The democrat candidate is far less qualified based on her track record than the republican, and both less than the libertarian candidate who is better on everything you mention in every way.

So will you now be professing your devotion to Gov. Johnson? Also, will you finally show some responsibility and PAY YOUR FUCKING MORTGAGE?

[fish]

That's the saddest video you've ever presented Nick......did you pick out the most obviously slow witted (a target rich environment I grant you) that you could find?

This country is doomed.

[JWatts]

"A 2015 Gallup Governance survey found that 27 percent of the electorate can be characterized as libertarian?outnumbering conservatives (26 percent) and liberals (23 percent)."

From the Gallup link:

For more than a dozen years now, the Gallup Poll has been using two questions to categorize respondents by ideology:

Some people think the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Others think that government should do more to solve our country's problems. Which comes closer to your own view?

Some people think the government should promote traditional values in our society. Others think the government should not favor any particular set of values. Which comes closer to your own view?

That's sort of 4th quadrant libertarian, but hardly sufficient to really classify someone as a "Libertarian". Let's face it the Libertarian party isn't a broad tent, or even a narrow tent. It's more like a tiny umbrella.

[american socialist]

Tell me about it. For years I've been trying to get into Club Libertarian to smoke dope, not go to war, get my wife an abortion, and hang out with immigrants, but the minute I tell the bouncer that I'm in favor of dramatically higher taxes on rich people to fund a health care system where people a.) go to the doctor and b. Get medical advice and treatment he turns me away and let's in some pasty white Republican. What a fucking asshole.

[fish]

Shouldn't you be out consoling Senator Phlegmy on his recent election loss?

[JimBob7]

Yes, yes you are an insufferable asshole.

[Get To Da Chippah]

but the minute I tell the bouncer that I'm in favor of dramatically higher taxes on stealing mountains of money from rich people to fund a health care system where people a.) eventually go to the doctor the government tells them to and b. Get low quality medical advice and treatment if they're still alive by the time their number comes up he turns me away and let's in some pasty white Republican.

Fixed, except you're forgetting the shitty, overpriced, one-size-fits-all mandatory health insurance.

[MarkLastname]

Isn't "mandatory" basically synonymous with "choice?" And what right is more essential, more sacred, than the right to live at the expense of your neighbors while threatening to throw them in a cell if they stop sending you money?

[MarkLastname]

Yeah, letting people make their own economic choices and pay for it with their own money is just fundamentally inconsistent with any definition of freedom.

[Suicidy]

No, you're a fucking thief at heart who expects other people to pay your tab (mortgage deadbeat). The bouncer shouldn't turn you away, he should beat the shit out of you.

[Nativist, Racist & Xenophobe]

Well, it's becoming a pretty big tent. Of course, it's not clear attracting protest votes from a raft of butt-hurt neocons and Cuckservatives is gonna do much for advancing libertarian goals, but at least it's something.

[robc]

And Bernie Bros.

[Dennis, Constitutional Peasant]

"Y'all need to do your own research on this stuff"

[Dennis, Constitutional Peasant]

its notable how few people can actually look you in the eye and just instantly start talking about what they already know and feel.

most of them were trying to read invisible talking points and hoping there was a point in there somewhere which applied.

[Mainer2]

If the point was to convince a libertarian, why were they talking to Nick ?

[Haha, charade you are]

If all they have is comparing her to Trump, they may as well save their breath. She is just as bad if not worse than the Donald. The only thing she has going for herself is that she is not as crass as Trump. Other than that, they are two divisive, authoritarian, unconstitutional peas in a pod. Screw them both.

[Amigo]

He asks an unfair question. The majority of people cannot make an argument for why they, themselves, are voting for Clinton. "Libertarian what? What the fuck is a Gary Johnson? We just, um, need the Clinton in the ovum office."

[Rufus The Monocled]

Well, after watching that video, I'm convinced. If I were voting, I'd vote Hillary!

As for the last chick who questioned whether libertarian are democratic it's worth reminding that once a nation ceases being a republic and moves onto a democracy (and sometimes running parallel to empire) this is where the tyranny of majority sets in while an oligarchy slowly consolidates its power.

But hey. FEEL THE BERN!

[DarrenM]

The important question is who you'd want as First Lady. Melania or Bill?

[Suicidy]

I know which one I would rather have to look at for the next four years. Bill would probably agree with me too.

[Rebel Scum]

You are going to have to do that research for yourself. I'm already convinced...

No, you're delegate for the woman and you can't even articulate an argument in favor of voting for your candidate. Moron.

[invisible finger]

You are going to have to do that research for yourself. I'm already convinced...

In other words... Fuck you. That's why.

[Hank Phillips]

That's exactly right. Looters don't care what you want or what you think. As long as men with guns are poised you murder you should you disobey, their job is done. This is what is meant by the initiation of force as opposed to rational persuasion.

[jmg09]

Not one reason to vote for Hillary. Hilarious.

[Hank Phillips]

Nick went to the right place to find morons that have never read a platform or a law in their lives. But sending IRS agents with guns out to take your home and car was a platform plank in 1848. It took the Dems 61 years to become looters. Making beer a felony was also a platform plank back then, and the Communist and Prohibition parties never got 2% of the vote. BUT THEY WON!

[Suicidy]

SO many things wrong with that........

Hank get some fucking help FFS.

[XM]

You know, Clinton RESIGNED as secretary of state (as did Sebelius, Holder, and other prominent Obama allies who voluntarily threw themselves under the bus). She handled classified info on her own private server.

So what is this "resume" that the dems are speaking of? Its like they skimmed through all the incidents in which she put our nation at risk and focused on that one section that read "I helped minorities and children".

Equality is the end game for dems. Freedom, security and common sense can all be sacrificed to promote it. Watch the morons outside the convention who say "borders should be open because returning people isn't our value". Yeah, like the American companies wouldn't replace Clinton and donut loving white progressives with smarter people from India or Germany.

[Paper Wasp]

focused on that one section that read "I helped minorities and children".

Not one Hellbot can explain how she did that, either. I've tried getting them to explain and provide examples, in various fora. Because they can't. Because she didn't. She sent dark folk's kids to die in pointless wars that she started so she could seem "tough on terror, harrumph harrumph." She supposedly has black friends, and black people that she's eaten lunch with and written letters to. That's her record of action for minorities and children. Hellary's army of menopausal hags can't articulate a single detail of her record that makes her a better choice than anyone who's ever run for president.

[TGoodchild]

"This makes them a highly coveted voting bloc,"

Wait a minute...don't they have their own candidate, Gary Johnson? Oh, right....

This election's silver lining may be, hopefully, that the electorate will finally be sufficiently disenfranchised by the DNC/RNC that a third party can become legitimate and not a throw-away vote for an opposing side.

Trump. There, I said it. There is a lesser of two evils, and he is it.

[Suicidy]

The good in his evil is stronger than the evil in his good.

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[The artist known Dunphy]

With leftists/libs, it is almost always "I just FEEL ..." vs. "I think" or "I believe". You see it here and I see it constantly and it's very telling

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