I listened to a live interview with the Libertarian candidate for President of the US, Aaron Russo. Interestingly, Mr. Russo is not a stranger to the entertainment business.
There is a page on his website ( http://www.russoforpresident.com ), in which he gives the visitor a little information about his past.

"In 1975, he also began managing Manhattan Transfer, producing their weekly summer television series that featured Bob Marley in his only American television appearance. In 1978, he won the Emmy for producing the best television special of the year “Ol’ Red Hair is Back” starring Dustin Hoffman, Bette Midler, and Emmit Kelly. He then produced his first motion picture “The Rose” starring Midler, for which she received an Oscar nomination for best actress in her very first film. He went on to produce “Trading Places” starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy for which he won the NAACP award for best picture. This film, considered a classic, plays every Christmas across the world. He also produced the highest grossing show of any Broadway play at the time (in a ten week period) “Clams on the Half Shell Review” starring Bette Midler and Lionel Hampton, for which he won an honorary Tony. And in 1978, concerned about education in California, Russo produced a live show featuring Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, and many more talented artists at the Hollywood Bowl to benefit the Save Our Human Rights organization.

Russo is known for the unique combination of being highly creative yet fiscally responsible. His management talents have been recognized with an Emmy, a Tony, Golden Globe nominations, and many gold and platinum records as well as six Academy Award nominations for his films. In an industry known for severe budget overages, Russo has managed to complete every film, TV, Broadway, and music production, on budget and on time. As a self-made entrepreneur, Russo truly understands the bottom line. The key to Russo’s success in all endeavors has been straight talking, perseverance, and the ability to stay focused on the objective."
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I really liked Mr. Russo's ideas about how to make this country better. I don't know enough yet to give him an unqualified endorsement, and this is not the place for me to do that even if I did, I must admit I found this opinions refreshing, and his stances on the issues compelling.

He talked about the importance of privacy, of personal liberty, and of taking care of business here at home.

One thing I was really taken with was this...he said that, people are always saying that voting for a third party is a waste of your vote, but he pointed out if you are just choosing between the lesser of two evils, that if you are voting for someone who is just going to follow the old policies of the past, then THAT is truly a waste of your vote.

Since we have touched on some of the other candidates earlier, I thought it was balanced to give Mr. Russo some exposure.

~CW

Aaron had a great show on PBS a few years back called Mad As Hell and it was really enlightening. He seems to have a great head on his shoulders!!! I'd vote for him.....

I think if people weren't so worried about voting for someone who doesn't have a realistic chance of winning simply because they won't be on a winning side, politicians like him would have an outstanding chance.

It's like something I've experienced with Kucinich. People want him to be president, yet they vote for Dean or Kerry simply because they think that those candidates have a better chance of being the winner. If everyone voted for who they wanted, this country would truly be a better place.

I voted for Kucinich in New Hampshire

I agree with everyone. I voted for Gore in 2000, and after seeing the way that election went, felt my vote was wasted, since the majority of people voted for him, and instead of our president being Elected...the Supreme Court SElected...

Iluvepees...he talked briefly about that Mad as Hell show....very interesting!
~Code

Though I'm leaning in the direction of the Constitution Party, I am going to keep my options open, including the Libertarian Party. (Louisiana also has a candidate seeking the LP's nomination whom I would also consider supporting.) Russo may be a big enough name to get media converage which is a key to the election.

I read something interesting involving third party voting last week. In 2000, Pat Buchanan only campaigned in states that were already decided towards either Bush or Gore as he did not want to take away Bush votes. Nader however campainged everywhere, regardless of how close each state was, and took away Gore votes, mainly in Florida. So I would suggest if your state is close, vote for the Republican or Democrat (opposite of whom you don't want to win) but if one candidate already has a solid lead in your state, than vote third party.

Also, it seems Nader probably will run this year, though as an independent rather than a Green. Nader has as much right to run as anyone else, but doing so will only take away votes from Democrats and Greens.

I agree 100% with Undeath. ANYTIME you vote for someone other than the person you really want, you've wasted a vote and might as well stay home.

I'm going to be happy with just about anyone who replaces Bush. As the primaries grew closer, I started thinking that it wouldn't be bad to have someone like Kerry in office. But I'm still voting for Kucinich.

If a ton of people vote for Democrats, we'll have a good president. Hell, we may have a good president if a ton of people vote for ANYBODY. As long as the total number of votes for anyone other than Republicans amount to more than 50% of the total votes.

What he says about wasting your vote echoes what i try to tell people voting for the lesser of two evils... Aaron Russo is the one i'm most convinced to vote for.