Friday, December 17, 2010

Lackluster Libertarian Party Candidates For New York State Comptroller Obtain .23% to .98% Of The Total Votes Cast In The Past Five Elections

John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller in 2010, obtained a total of 27,897 votes, which was .62% of the 4,475,335 total votes cast. This was a 31.07% decrease from the 40,472 votes obtained by John J. Cain, the New York Libertarian Party's candidate for Comptroller in 2006.

Election results for Libertarian Party candidates for New York State Comptroller have shown no particular trend during the past five (5) statewide elections, with candidates obtaining .23% to .98% of the total votes cast in each particular election. The only thing that can be said is that the LP's candidates lacked direction, political expertise, charisma, a fundraising strategy and the ability to attract media attention. The results reflected this reality.

In 2006, John J. Cain obtained a total of 40,472 votes, which was .98% of the 4,134,973 total votes cast. In 2002, James Eisert obtained a total of 19,235 votes, which was .46% of the 4,157,487 total votes cast. In 1998, Robert M. Goodman obtained a total of 10,310 votes, which was .23% of the 4,421,252 total votes cast. In 1994, Richard L. Geyer obtained a total of 17,986 votes, which was .38% of the 4,642,028 total votes cast.

Dallwyn Merck, Vice-Chair of Downstate Libertarians (a chartered chapter of Empire State Libertarians), reflected on these results as follows:

Too many candidates run for elective office because of an inflated sense of self-worth and to feed their own egos instead of running to inform voters of the practical and beneficial effects of applying libertarian principles to find practical solutions to the real problems facing our state and nation.

Often, these candidates not only have no idea how to run an effective campaign but they also have no idea how to fund raise. This year, John Gaetani, Libertarian Party candidate for New York State Comptroller, often posted requests for campaign contributions but he failed to mention how he intended to use the money or to provide the potential contributor with any insight with respect to his campaign strategy, if he had one at all.

A poor electoral outcome is no surprise when the Libertarian Party runs inexperienced, ego-driven candidates for statewide office instead of highly principled, motivated, charismatic candidates willing to finance a race for all the right reasons.

In the 2010 race for Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli (Democratic, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,272,722 votes for 50.78% of the total vote. Harry Wilson (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 2,070,247 votes for 46.26% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 104,469 votes for 2.34% of the total vote. John Gaetani (Libertarian) obtained 27,897 votes for .62% of the total vote.

In the 2006 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Independence, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,349,578 votes for 56.82% of the total vote. J. Christopher Callaghan (Republican,  Conservative) obtained 1,612,270 votes for 38.99% of the total vote. Julia A. Willebrand (Green) obtained 117,908 votes for 2.85% of the total vote. John J. Cain (Libertarian) obtained 40,472 votes for .98% of the total vote. Willie Cotton (Socialist Workers) obtained 14,745 votes for .36% of the total vote.

In the 2002 race for Comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi (Democratic, Liberal, Working Families) emerged victorious obtaining 2,095,913 votes for 50.41% of the total vote. John Faso (Republican, Independence, Conservative) obtained 1,933,104 votes for 46.50% of the total vote. Garifalia Christea (Right To Life) obtained 61,464 votes for 1.48% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 47,771 votes for 1.15% of the total vote. James Eisert (Libertarian) obtained 19,235 votes for .46% of the total vote.

In the 1998 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Independence, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,862,903 votes for 64.76% of the total vote. Bruce A. Blakeman (Republican, Conservative) obtained 1,423,086 votes for 32.19% of the total vote. Douglas H. Harknett (Right To Life) obtained 70,397 votes for 1.59% of the total vote. Dean Venezia (Marijuana Reform) obtained 39,423 votes for .89% of the total vote. Howie Hawkins (Green) obtained 15,133 votes for .34% of the total vote. Robert M. Goodman (Libertarian) obtained 10,310 votes for .23% of the total vote.

In the 1994 race for Comptroller, H. Carl McCall (Democratic, Liberal) emerged victorious obtaining 2,404,404 votes for 51.80% of the total vote. Herbert I. London (Republican, Conservative, Tax Cut Now, Right To Life) obtained 2,155,759 votes for 46.44% of the total vote. Laureen A. Oliver (Independence Fusion) obtained 53,801 votes for 1.16% of the total vote. Richard L. Geyer (Libertarian) obtained 17,986 votes for .38% of the total vote. Brock Satter (Socialist Workers) obtained 10,078 votes for .22% of the total vote.

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