For those who have been asking, here is a post updating you on Chuck Baldwin’s campaign as the Constitution Party nominee.  There is a story floating around (via Third Party Watch) that Baldwin’s campaign manager has been quoted saying things that would distance the campaign from the legacy of the Revolution, but the campaign swiftly swatted down any suggestion that Baldwin’s people were taking such steps.  It would have made no sense if they had tried to distance themselves from Paul and his supporters, since Baldwin is one of the obvious alternatives for Paul voters, especially those who are culturally and religiously conservative and can’t quite see themselves backing a Libertarian ticket (especially one with the ludicrous Wayne Allyn Root on it).  More important for the practical success of the campaign, there is a rumour that the alleged “Ron Paul billionaire” will provide a few million dollars to Baldwin to aid in ballot access.  According to the story, the funding comes on the condition that Baldwin keep hammering on the issues of sound money and the evils of the Fed, which should give our goldbug friends someone to support.  It’s not entirely clear to me that this is what the CP needs to make its priority, but then again Baldwin’s campaign has almost non-existent financial backing as it is.  In terms of visibility and media attention, Baldwin-Castle ‘08 unfortunately doesn’t have anywhere near the draw of Barr-Root or even the absurd McKinney’s Green ticket.

In other recent CP news, there is a candidate running for the House in New Jersey’s 2nd District, Peter Boyce.  The Republican incumbent, Frank LoBiondo, is in a district that is rated as safe Republican by CQ, so it’s possible that Boyce could have a decent showing and still not flip the seat to the Democrats.  However, LoBiondo’s margins of victory have always been large and the third party presence has been anemic at best.  The Libertarians managed to get 1% six years ago, and that is the best that any third party challenger has done.   

Update: Here is video of Baldwin talking about medical marijuana and foreign policy (via).

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