Interview with a "Mainstream Libertarian"

Eric Dondero, self-described mainstream libertarian, was kind enough to sit down figuratively with me via email today to discuss the state of libertarianism, Rudy Giuliani, the War on Terror, and the greatest threat to liberty in our lifetimes.

What has been your most significant contribution to the cause of liberty?

Founding the Republican Liberty Caucus.

What living person do you think has done the most to advance the cause of liberty?

Paul Jacob on the grass roots level. Dennis Miller, Neal Boortz, and John Stossell in the media.

Is the USA moving toward libertarian ideals, or away from them?

I think it's split. Some states, the Red States like Texas, Alaska, Georgia and most especially Florida, are becomming more and more libertarian, while Blue States like Michigan, New York, Maryland, and up in New England, are becomming more and more Socialist and Nanny-State Fascist.

What is the biggest threat to our liberty from within our country?

Nanny-state Democrats who want to ban smoking, socialize health care, and tax us all to death to pay for it all.

In one word: Hillary Clinton is the single greatest threat to our liberties in our lifetimes.

What is the biggest threat to our liberty from outside our country?

Islamo-Fascism

Is Islam compatible with liberty?

No, (Perhaps it could be twisted to be, but not in its original form)

Would you vote for a Muslim libertarian?

Yes. I have no problem with moderate Muslims, like the brave Kuwaitis who fought against Saddam, or the Tunisians who have just outlawed the burqa, or the Kurds, or Iraqi Patriots who want to bring democracy to their country. So long as they denounce the burqa and other restrictive Muslim practices, sure I could vote for them.

Is it ever OK for US government agents to use torture?

I'd say that the level of "torture" which should be used should be equal to what we Military guys had to go through in boot camp or training. For instance, it's common practice in Military training to have recruits go through water boarding for 20 seconds. When I was in training at Gitmo, I had to stay for 2 minutes in a gas chamber. And for the last 10 seconds they made us take our gas masks off, to see how truly awful it was. So, if it's good enough for Military guys, it's certainly fine for Terrorists. And that includes, loud heavy metal music being blared on speakers, push-ups and sleep deprivation.

We are aware of your support for Rudy Guiliani. What has Mr Giuliani done to advance the cause of liberty?

Cut taxes 23 times as Mayor of NYC. Drastically reduced the welfare rolls in NYC despite overwhelming Democrat opposition. Campaigned to help elect libertarian-leaning Republican candidates nationwide, like Gov. Crist in Florida, Mark Sanford in SC, et.al.

Established the notion that a "fiscally conservative yet socially moderate" Republican can actually win the Party's nomination despite the religious right, which opens the door for future socially tolerant Republicans.

But most importantly, told that Saudi Prince to shove his $10 million up his ass, after the Prince blamed 9/11 on "the Jews." By that one act, Rudy Giuliani established his credentials as a champion freedom fighter (with balls.)

If Mr Guiliani does not win the Republican nomination, will you support the Republican nominee? Even if, by chance, the nominee is your former employer Ron Paul?

No, I can no longer support Ron Paul for any office, given his oppositing to fighting Islamo-Fascism and his new-found association with Anti-Semitic groups. In fact, I will be voting for his opponent Chris Peden in the GOP primary for his Congressional seat, and I fully expect Peden to win.

Similarly, I'd have a real hard time supporting John McCain given his fiscal liberalism and old age (though I respect his Military service greatly), or Mike Huckabee given his very poor economic liberty ratings from Cato and Club for Growth and his strong social conservatism.

If Paul, McCain, or Huckabee were the Nominee I'd vote for the Libertarian candidate. Hopefully, that would be Wayne Root, but I'd even vote for Steve Kubby, and God help me - George Phillies, if by some miracle he won the nomination. Kubby strikes me as somewhat level-headed, more so than Phillies. But even so, I'd rather not have to make that decision to vote for Kubby or Phillies, or even my friend Wayne Root. I truly believe Giuliani, Thompson or Romney will end up winning the nomination. (I might could vote for the Constitution Party candidate if they were to nominate Tom Tancredo or Jim Gilchrist. I'd choose them over Kubby or Phillies, though not over Root.)

I'd support either Mitt Romney or Fred Thompson enthusiastically and without reservation, if either one of them beat Giuliani for the nomination. Thompson associated himself with the Republican Liberty Caucus early in the 1990s when he first ran. I didn't like Romney much until last July when he made an incredibly libertarian statement on pornography and allowing adults to decide.

Many of our readers (and some of our contributors) are Ron Paul supporters. What would you like to tell them about Ron Paul?

Hell, I could write a book. Can't answer that question in an email.

Are you more comfortable behind the scenes, or do you have plans to run for office?

I'm completely satisfied with working behind the scenes. But, you should know I am an elected official of sorts. I have a 20 year Federal Appointment to the US Selective Service Board for the Houston Region. And I did win elective office once, in 1992 in Tallahassee, Florida to the County Conservation Board of Supervisors. Had to resign after two years to move to Texas to help elect Ron Paul to Congress - definitely the very worst mistake I ever made in my life.

How will we know when the War on Terror has been won? In other words, what will constitute victory?

I think we've already won the War on Terror. Al Qaeda has been defeated. A top Iraqi leader pronounced that the other day, "Al Qaeda has been defeated in Iraq."

We got Saddam. We got his two murderous thug sons. We got Zarcawi. We captured Khalid Sheik Muhammed the master-mind behind 9/11. Bin Laden is hiding in a cave in Western Pakistan completely cut off and completely impotent.

We won the War in Afghanistan in record time. We won the War in Iraq with an amazingly low number of casualties.

I'm starting to think that it's time to "bring the boys home," and have huge parades.

We still need to defend our borders from future attacks. We still need to help the Europeans fight back against Islamo-Fascism in their countries. But we've pretty much won in the Middle East.

How can Giuliani's foreign policy be reconciled with the libertarian ideal of non-interventionism?

I don't accept your premise. I am an originalist libertarian. I hark back to the original libertarian movement founded by Barry Goldwater, Dana Rohrabacher and John Hospers in the 1960s. I don't subscribe to the mid-1970s Justin Raimondo/Murray Rothbard "brand" of non-interventionism libertarianism. So, I can't answer your question. You're question is simply incorrect in its premise. Libertarianism does not = non-interventionism. Rather, it equals strong on defense. So, I guess I'd answer by saying that Giuliani's foreign policy IS completely libertarian: Justin Raimondo's, Lew Rockwell's, Murray Rothbard's and Ron Paul's foreign policy is closer to fascism.

What do you think the first few months of a Giuliani presidency would look like?

Probably a tax cut of some sort. Probably some health care reform along free market lines, like MSAs. And I'm almost certain of this: Record number of libertarians appointed to top Administration posts. Expect to see libertarian favorite Steve Forbes as a top appointee.

Thank you again to Mr Dondero for taking the time to thoughtfully answer our questions.