Colorado Libertarians Face Presidential Quandary in '08

Dedicated Colorado Libertarians face a presidential quandary in 2008: jump ship to support Republican Congressman Ron Paul, the 1988 Libertarian presidential nominee, in the February caucuses or support the Libertarian presidential nominee who will be chosen in Denver in May.

Paul, a 10-term Texas congressman and anti-war physician, has achieved remarkable progress in the crowded GOP race. By raising more than $7 million since Oct. 1, $4.2 of that in a single day on Nov. 5, Paul has risen from obscurity to a high dollar ranking among the dozen or so Republican candidates, and has begun to break open the media blackout that plagued him at first.

"He is starting to get major press," said Travis Nicks, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Colorado. "But don't be discouraged - his supporters are true Libertarians which will re-register. There will be no hard feelings toward people who choose to change their registration. We are all fighting for liberty in our own way."

The Libertarian Party, according to national party rules, cannot endorse Paul or any other candidate from any other political party, Nicks said.

In Colorado, Libertarians are being encouraged by Paul supporters to register Republican by Dec. 5, the deadline for participation in the GOP's Feb. 5 caucuses. Colorado has returned to a party caucus system culminating in a state convention after flirting briefly several years ago with a primary system.

The Delta County Libertarian Party, led by firebrand Debbie Schum of Cedaredge, is facing dissolution because all but one of its active members defected to the Republican Party to support Paul.

"I have no one from Delta to help as all the active 'doers' have registered Republican to support Ron Paul," Schum said.