Libertarians protest exclusion

By William R. Toler

While Sen. Richard Burr and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall were inside the studios of University of North Carolina Television trading accusations, a small group of

Matt Drew holds a sign signaling his discontent-Photo Courtesy Michael Shanklin

 people stood outside signaling their discontent.

They weren’t just expressing disapproval against the two candidates. They were outraged because of the absence of the third: Libertarian candidate Dr. Michael Beitler.

The grassroots protest was orgainzed by Michael Shanklin, who sent out invitations on the social networking site Facebook. More than 20 people showed for the event holding various signs.

“We did this in just two and half days,” said Shanklin, political director for the Libertarian Party of North Carolina.

“The rally was to display our concern for the fact that candidates and their parties, even after completing rigorous ballot access requirements and completing the huge task getting on the ballot, still cannot get their message heard through the media channels,” Shanklin added. “It was a form of ostracism to show our disgust with the actions taken to limit speech and dialogue that the voters deserve to hear.”

Media continues to shaft third parties

By William R. Toler

One thing that irks me working in the mainstream media is the omission of thrid party candidates.

My support for third parties goes all the way back to the sixth grade when I pulled for Ross Perot in a mock election in 1992.

The media continues to propogate the Republican/Democrat paradigm, making no mention of third party candidates in national and even local coverage.

As Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) made his way through the colonial capital tonight, the local media was there. In the coverage, Democratic opponent Elaine Marshall was mentioned, but Libertarian candidate Mike Beitler was left out. Although he appears on the ballot, you will not hear his name in any coverage of the race.

Beitler boasts 10 percent

By William R. Toler

In a positive upswing for Libertarians, US Senate candidate Mike Beitler garnered 10 percent of a recent poll according to PoliticsDaily.com.

Republican incumbent Sen. Richard Burr pulled in a less-than-impressive 38 percent while Democratic nominee Elaine Marshall, current Secretary of State, had a showing of 33 percent.

Like most Libertarian candidates, Beitler is relatively unknown because of mainstream media’s lack of equal coverage.

Beitler is a business professor at UNC Greensboro. He also works as a business consultant and as host for the internet radio show “Free Markets.” Before teaching, he worked for a CPA firm and in the banking industry.