Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2001
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Paul Miller

IGNORING VIRGINIA'S LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES

The June 21 editorial on the candidates for Virginia statewide office did 
not mention the Libertarian candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.

Although neither is likely to win, the media compound the problem of 
limited choice by ignoring candidates from outside the major parties. This 
is a disservice to voters, who only can assume from the media's inattention 
that these candidates are simply side-show acts.

In Virginia, the Libertarian Party is fielding its first-ever statewide 
candidates. The candidate for lieutenant governor, Gary Reams, is running 
on one issue -- a reform of the prohibition on marijuana and industrial 
hemp, an issue the major party candidates are unlikely to discuss. Mr. 
Reams has no interest in waiting for his shot at the governor's mansion. 
He's simply trying to send a message that a growing number of people see 
this prohibition as ineffective and counterproductive.

For once, we have a candidate for lieutenant governor who stands for 
something more than his career. That alone should merit a few lines in an 
editorial that argued about how distinctions do exist among this field of 
candidates.

PAUL MILLER

Woodbridge
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