Libertarian VP candidate speaks to local constituency

Libertarian vice presidential candidate Richard Campagna spoke to a roomful of hopeful voters Thursday night at the MCL Cafeteria in Bloomington, voicing his vision of America guided by American principles and libertarian values. Resembling the fireside chats of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Campagna encouraged the crowd to vote with their hearts and conscience in mind after dining amongst the public.\nThe Libertarian Party is one of three national parties to appear on the Indiana ballot this November. Since 1994, voters in most districts have had the opportunity to vote Libertarian because of heightened support the party has received from citizens around the state, Campagna said. In fact, Indiana represented the second-largest contingency of Libertarian voters across the country in the 2000 elections. Currently, seven elected Libertarians hold Indiana public office.\nAfter several introductory speakers from the Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik's campaign, Campagna outlined their goals and missions following the quotable party line. His speech was candid and brief. Campagna's presentation style resembled the vision of the libertarian way: "I won't push you around, so don't push me."\nCampagna privately with anyone who wanted to discuss issues after his speech.\n"I was a very flexible, roll-with-the-punches kind of lawyer," he said. "I prefer low-key, intellectual conversations about the issues." \nTyler Young, who drove from Bedford to hear Campagna speak for the second time this month, said the candidate's style is what sets off the Libertarian Party from the Republicans and Democrats.\n"Do you think (Vice President Dick) Cheney or (Sen. John) Edwards would come to Bloomington?" Young said. "The crap on both sides is what drove me here."\nCampagna greeted every member of the audience personally. \n"You can count on the Libertarian Party to listen, to talk and to act in a just way," Campagna said from across the table. "I have a college-age son, and many college students, I hope, are finding a ray of light in the Libertarian Party." \nAmong the issues Campagna feels are central to the libertarian vision of a future America are state rights and a hands-off government functioning within the powers granted by only the United States Constitution.\n"The constitutional function of the government is to guarantee the sovereignty of the American people and to protect the borders from foreign invasion," Campagna said. "States should have the opportunity to run themselves as the citizens of each state see fit."\nIU senior Nicholas Blesch, who is campaigning for state representative for District 61 under the Libertarian banner, said Campagna is a good example of what the third party could, and should, be.\n"I'm a good example for students who believe in the third-party system. A year ago I wasn't involved in anything political other than watching CNN. Now I'm running for public office. Like a Libertarian, I can get involved to make a difference. It's not just men in stuffy suits anymore." \n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu .