Alabama Libertarian Loretta Nall

Spending the past week immersed in Alabama politics has been a real eye-opener on many fronts. I was lured here by the fascinating story of the dismissal of Russ and Dee Fine from their morning talk show on 101.1 FM, 'the Source.' I have already commented at length on this debacle by Crawford Broadcasting (see my two earlier posts), and I can only say that many are eagerly awaiting further news from Russ and Dee, which can be found on their website at www.russanddeeonline.com. No further comment from me is in order until we get the latest news directly from the Fines. I will, however, post a few observations on Alabama politics, particularly as it relates to the Libertarian candidate for Governor, Loretta Nall.

At this point it appears Governor Bob Riley is cruising to an easy re-election, despite the obvious drawbacks of belonging to a no-Blacks-allowed Lodge and there being question marks all over his conservative credentials, having proposed the single largest tax increase in the state's history. The state's taxpayers saw through the scheme and voted down the measure, only to find vindication in a multi-million dollar surplus a mere three years later--all without any tax increase whatsoever. Riley's only serious challenge was mounted by Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley, whose campaign never really got off the ground. Much can change in two months, however. And thus, the final verdict is still out and rests in the hands of the voters.

The most intriguing story in the campaign, however, revolves around the Libertarian candidate, Loretta Nall, a 32 year old mother who found herself in the middle of a legal nightmare in 2002 with regard to a charge of misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Nall subsequently launched the 'Marijuana Party' in an effort to highlight her belief that U.S. drug policy is long overdue an overhaul. Nall, nonetheless, has plead not guilty to the charges.

Nall's campaign for Governor has been fraught with roadblocks along the way. In addition to her legal battles over marijuana, she failed to receive the number of signatures on a petition to have her name placed on the ballot. Alabama law makes it very difficult for anyone outside the two major parties to find a place on the ballot, and thus, voters are left to decide between Riley and Baxley, or write in the name of Loretta Nall. Write-in candidates typically have a very difficult time garnering a significant number of votes.

In spite of these seeming insurmountable odds, the Nall campaign has provided Alabama politics a refreshing dose of candor. One may disagree with her unorthodox views, but one cannot question her integrity or valor. Nall opposes the war in Iraq and has indicated that as Governor she would call for the Alabama National Guard to withdraw from the war. She supports the decriminalization of the possession and use of illegal drugs. She states unequivocally that she is not religious, yet she speaks with great love and admiration for her 'precious Christian mother.' She supports the concept of gay marriage, claiming that nothing in the Constitution prohibits such a thing.

It goes without saying that none of this plays well in conservative Alabama, to say the least.

Nonetheless, the Nall campaign gives Alabama voters a definite choice. Increasingly one hears the complaint that the Republicans and Democrats are simply two sides of the same coin and that as time goes by one can find very little significant difference. This is certainly the case this year in the Alabama governor's race, with the Republican being charged with being a 'closet Liberal' and the Democrat trying very hard to appear conservative. Loretta Nall, however, has carved out a distinct position for herself among the candidates. Her guiding philosophy is one of limited government, personal liberty, complete separation of government and religion, free markets, and war being reserved for defense only. Whether or not one can embrace the specific ways this philosophy is carried out in terms of public policy is the key question.

The problem with the Libertarian party as a whole is that through the years it has tended to resonate with people who are so far outside the mainstream that their candidates have had trouble with raising funds and gaining name recognition. Many have come to view the Party as synonymous with 'anarchy' in its most negative connotation. This is unfortunate in that most of the truly innovative and fresh ideas concerning the place of government in our lives have come from the Libertarian party. At the very least those ideas need a hearing.

It is thus unfortunate that name of Loretta Nall is not on the November ballot in Alabama. The citizens of the state could greatly benefit from being aware of the candidate and her views. It is hoped that she can make a difference in those venues where she is given a hearing.