Gividen talks politics with local Libertarians, supporters

Gubernatorial candidate Kenn Gividen joined a band of 12 Libertarian supporters at the Village Deli, 409 E. Kirkwood Ave., Tuesday night to discuss the "wasted vote syndrome" and to pound out campaign strategies. Nick Blesch, president of IU College Libertarians, was also in attendance.\nGividen, the self-proclaimed "candidate with the best hair," said the problem with the two major parties is their magnetism toward the middle of the road.\n"The Republicans are gravitating by design to the center of the political spectrum," he said. "The Democrats are doing the same thing. Democrats and Republicans are becoming identical twins. They are losing their distinction."\nThe discussion was part of a monthly meeting held by the Libertarian Party of Monroe County. Gividen met several members of the Libertarian Party in a small room in the back of the restaurant. Gatherers filtered in and eventually took seats at three folding tables. After introductions, Blesch, who is also the Libertarian candidate for representative of the 61st district, spoke to the group about his first foray into a public campaign.\nBlesch said his initial goal when he entered the race five months ago was to assist the Libertarian party and to have a "quirky" venture to scribe on his resume.\nBut early in his campaign, Blesch said, his distrust of the Democratic incumbent Matt Pierce grew, and he knew he wanted to offer the district's voters a better option.\n"It's not a wasted vote," he said.\nBlesch passed a gray fedora around the room to collect money from the supporters -- he needed some $50 so his campaign could break even.\nIU staff member Mike Durbin, who attended the meeting, said his trust in the Libertarian party comes from an inherent sense of freedom.\n"I'm opposed to the initiation of force against anyone," Durbin said. "The party lives up pretty well with my views."\nDurbin also said he is concerned with the major parties' lack of respect for all people.\n"It bothers me that they have no concern for civil liberties," he said. "They've thrown away a lot of our rights for security, and they haven't granted that security."\nEarly conversations centered on the most prevalent paradox encountered by Libertarians: the "wasted vote syndrome." The Libertarians feel although many likely voters want to cast their ballots for a third-party candidate, they are afraid not enough people will support that candidate and that their votes will be wasted.\nWhile Libertarian Party of Monroe County Secretary Erin Hollinden suggested a "buddy system" to partner possible Libertarian voters, vice chair Margaret Fette said a vote for one's convictions is never wasted.\n"I don't buy into the 'wasted vote' theory," she said. "I think it's only wasted when you choose someone who doesn't hold your values."\n-- Contact senior writer Rick Newkirk at renewkir@indiana.edu.