Chuck Baldwin 2008 presidential campaign
Baldwin 2008 | |
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Campaign | U.S. presidential election, 2008 |
Candidate | Chuck Baldwin, 2004 Constitution Party Vice Presidential nominee Darrell Castle, Lawyer |
Affiliation | Constitution Party |
Status | Lost election November 4, 2008 |
Headquarters | Pensacola, FL |
Key people | Darrell Castle (Running mate) Mary Starrett (National Communications Director) Lowell Patterson (Campaign Finance Director) |
Receipts | US$.131 (2008-08-31) |
The Chuck Baldwin presidential campaign of 2008 began April 10, 2008 as pastor and radio host
During the general election, Baldwin expressed paleo-conservative positions on a number of issues including protectionism on trade, nonintervention in foreign affairs, religious practice in the public sphere, and nativism. He cast himself as a close ally of 2008 Republican presidential candidate, Representative Ron Paul, who ultimately endorsed Baldwin's campaign.
With 199,750 votes, about 0.15% of the total, Baldwin finished fifth in the race, ahead of
Background
Chuck Baldwin was initially a Democrat, but changed his party affiliation to Republican in 1980. In the 1970s, he founded Crossroad
Baldwin left the Republican Party in 2004, believing it had become a "second big-government, big-spending party" that could be characterized as "more liberal than the Democratic Party...in practice."
Early stages
While considering a run for president, during an October 2006 interview with The Conservative President 2008 website, Baldwin expressed his frustration with the Republican Party, which he believed was on a course of "self-destruction" and that was only kept afloat by the "absurd liberalism of Democrats."[3] He praised Congressmen Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul as well as activists Pat Buchanan and Alan Keyes, but stated that the Republican Party had steered too far to the left for him to support any of their candidates for president.[3] When asked if he would run for president in 2008 he stated that he had "no desire to run" but that he was "always open to God's will."[3] Baldwin endorsed Ron Paul for the Republican presidential nomination in a message posted to YouTube on December 19, 2007.[6]
During a March 25, 2008 interview with Miller Politics, two weeks before Baldwin officially entered the race, he commended Alan Keyes as a possible Constitution Party candidate but stated that he "needs to clarify his foreign policy positions for the party." He described Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr as a "very attractive candidate" whom he "like[s]...very much." When asked about his own presidential aspirations, he responded by saying that "There are many great people in our party that, in my opinion, are much more qualified [to be the presidential nominee] than I am. I have always tried to be open to God's will. At this time, however, I have no inclination that this is God's will for me."[7]
2008 Constitution Party National Convention
Baldwin announced on April 10, 2008 that he would seek the Constitution Party presidential nomination at the party's April 23–26 convention in Kansas City, Missouri.[8] His run was believed to have arisen from draft efforts within the Constitution Party, who feared the party would nominate a pro-Iraq War candidate like Alan Keyes.[9] Until the convention, Baldwin did not campaign and in an April 17 interview with Miller Politics, he stated that he was "not running" but merely placing his name into consideration, "trusting that God will reveal His will accordingly."[9]
During the convention, the party's founder Howard Phillips endorsed Baldwin and gave a passionate speech in which he referred to Keyes as "the Neocon candidate" who "lingered in the Republican Party until a week ago."[10] Afterwards, Baldwin defeated Keyes, 383.8 to 125.7, winning approximately 74% of the delegates. He won the majority of delegates from most states with the exceptions of Missouri, Maryland, and Oklahoma, where Keyes narrowly edged Baldwin.[11] At Baldwin's request, the delegates then chose attorney Darrell Castle of Tennessee as his running mate.[12]
General election campaign
Though Baldwin was not included on many mainstream polls, a May 2008
Baldwin expressed his own discontent with the Republican Party in a May 22 interview with Montana News. He expressed frustration with
At the end of May and the beginning of June, several controversial developments concerning the Baldwin campaign hit the press. Comments surfaced that were made by Baldwin, raising the possibility of a 9/11 conspiracy theory of a controlled demolition stating, "I don't know whether there was any kind of an inside apparatus involved in this or not... If there's duplicity involved in some kind of conspiracy, then let's find out who it is and prosecute whoever's involved."[15]
Endorsements
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Growing media interest
The campaign also increased a drive for ballot access, appealing to supporters for help to get on the presidential ballot in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and West Virginia.[27]
The campaign began in August by announcing its plans to participate in a demonstration against illegal immigration in Denver during the Democratic National Convention. Baldwin was joined by Bob Barr, Alan Keyes and Tom Tancredo at the "Rally Against Illegal Immigration" during the first day of the convention.[28] Later in August, Baldwin campaigned in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he criticized both parties' presidential nominees as "globalists". He declared his opposition to the Federal Reserve, which he stated has "subjugated" the nation to "foreign dependence". He railed against the use of the National Guard in the Iraq War remarking that the forces should be used to "repel" the "invasion" of illegal aliens from the southern border, and described the United Nations as "a sinister organization run by Marxists, socialists and communists." Baldwin criticized both major parties for not cutting spending stating that "the only difference between Democrats and Republicans is Democrats want to tax and spend and Republicans want to borrow and spend." He promised that slashing spending would be a priority in his administration.[29]
On September 10, Baldwin appeared on the
Final stages
In October, Baldwin was interviewed by
Baldwin participated in a third party debate with Independent candidate
On election day, Baldwin was on ballot in 37 states.
Results
Baldwin's campaign ended after receiving 199,314 or 0.15% of the popular vote on Election Day. He finished in fifth place, but won the largest percentage of votes for his party since Howard Phillips in 1996. 14,865 of his votes were won in Michigan, but he won his largest percentage in Utah with 1.26% of the state's votes.[1]
Aftermath
Baldwin relocated to Montana in 2010, and founded the Liberty Fellowship,
See also
- Comparison of United States presidential candidates, 2008
- List of candidates in the United States presidential election, 2008
- Nationwide opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2008
- Third party (United States) presidential candidates, 2008
References
- ^ a b c "2008 Official Presidential General Election Results" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. November 4, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Chuck's Bio". Chuck Baldwin Live. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Miller, Ben (October 6, 2006). "Rev. Chuck Baldwin on the Republican Party and Possible Run for the White House". Conservative President 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Baldwin, Chuck (May 2, 2006). "Me in a Nutshell". NewsWithViews.com. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ "2004 Election Results" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ Baldwin, Chuck (December 19, 2007). "Chuck Baldwin Endorses Ron Paul". YouTube. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ "Baldwin Answers Questions". Miller Politics. March 25, 2008. Archived from the original on June 28, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ "Chuck Baldwin Declares for Constitution Party Presidential Nomination". Ballot Access News. April 10, 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ a b Dance, George (April 25, 2008). "Ron Paul supporter Chuck Baldwin runs for President". Nolan Chart. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ a b "Howard Phillips endorses Chuck Baldwin at Constitution Party Convention". 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ McManus, John (18 May 2008). "Constitution Party Chooses Baldwin". The Constitution Party. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ Mannies, Jo (April 26, 2008). "At KC convention, Constitution Party picks pastor for president". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Missouri Constitution Party. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ "Zogby Poll: Election of Our Discontent? 48% of Likely Voters Dissatisfied With Current Crop of Presidential Candidates". Zogby International. May 14, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ a b c d "BALDWIN 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF". Montana News Association. 22 May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ Weigel, Dave (May 29, 2008). "Candidates for Truth!". reason.tv. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ Brimelow, Peter (November 3, 2008). "Peter Brimelow". The American Conservative. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Corsi, Jerome (August 13, 2008). "The Obama Nation". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Former US Congressman John Hostettler to attend Constitution Party event". November 23, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Conservative Endorsements Rolling in for Chuck Baldwin". November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.
- ^ Dice, Mark (November 3, 2008). "The Resistance Forum". Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ "Former GOP Congressman Will Speak to Constitution Party National Committee Meeting". Retrieved 26 November 2008.
- ^ Preston, Mark (September 9, 2008). "Ron Paul to announce presidential endorsement plans". CNN. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Paul, Ron (September 22, 2008). "A New Alliance". Campaign For Liberty. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Skousen, Joel (May 2, 2008). "Joel Skousen's World Affairs Brief". Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Sobran, Joseph (November 3, 2008). "Joseph Sobran". The American Conservative. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Carney, Timothy (November 3, 2008). "Rebels Without a Candidate: How should a dissident conservative vote?". Culture11. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ "Baldwin appeals for ballot access help". Third Party Watch. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ "MASSIVE Anti-Illegal Immigration Rally at the Democrat Convention". August 25, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Spencer, Jason (August 27, 2008). "3rd party candidate lashes out at Obama and McCain". GoUpstate.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ "Baldwin promises to release Compean and Ramos if Elected". Third Party Watch. September 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-04.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Baldwin, Chuck; Scott Simon (October 18, 2008). "Chuck Baldwin On His Run For President". NPR. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ "Third Party Presidential Debate (Full Video)". C-SPAN. October 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- ^ Recio, Maria (November 3, 2008). "Even the little parties are getting in on the action". The Houston Chronicle. Hearst. Retrieved 8 January 2010. [dead link]
External links