Of course Republicans count too. Get out and vote -- for me!

A Republican voter left a comment among the threads below about going to the polls on PRIMARY day, May 17, 2005. This is a primary and special election. I'm pressing the need for others, beyond the Ds and Rs to vote. But, I've seemed to overlook the ones with the best mascot, the elephant, in my rants about voting and voter eligibility.

Four years ago I was in the Republican Primary in a contested race for mayor. I got nearly 2,000 votes, as did my opponent. Our race, Rauterkus vs. Carmine, was the first contested primary in decades for the mayor's race. I had hoped we'd have set a trend. Oh well.

This time, in 2005, sadly, there isn't a contested primary. However, as a show of support, the lone Republican for Mayor, Joe Weinroth, does need to score some votes. He'll be doing well if he gets 4,000 to vote for him. Only Registered Republican voters can go to the polls and vote for Weinroth. He is just in the primary, unlike me who is in the special election.

It is a DUAL election!

In general, Republican voters often don't need to VOTE on primary days around here. Often the Republicans don't even need to go out and vote in the elections in the spring.

I want Republicans in the city and suburbs to vote for me, Mark Rauterkus, in the special election for PA Senate. There are many reasons why a vote for me, even as a Libertarian, is better than a registered Republican voting for a Republican.

Republicans can and will vote for me -- to some extent because:

I'm a positive message.

I'm calling for less government, not more.

I'm calling for an end to authorities, not more.

I'm calling for real efforts for our kids and parks.

I'm not happy with Act 72, nor gambling. I'd be a tireless watchdogs on those fronts.

I'm not a hunter, nor a gun collector -- but -- I'm the one with the best grip on the Constitution and understand rights, responsibilies, lawfulness, freedom and liberty.

I'm against corportate welfare, and for some Republicans that is a turn off while it is a turn on for others. Many Pittsburgh Republicans are more like "Roddey Republicans." "Roddey Republicans" are corporate Republicans and want "government money" to flow in their directions. The urban, grass-roots Republicans don't care for my frugal financial stances.

In the 42nd district, I think it is safe to say that few Republicans would describe themeselves as "Harrisburg Republicans." Some think Harrisburg knows best. They are in a tight minority and have a new leader now, Michael Diven.

I value the marketplace, free trade, and free travel among law-abiding citizens.

If you are a die-hard in terms of two, make or break issues, such as being 100% for right to life AND one that thinks the death penalty is okay -- vote for Diven, the new Republican.

If you think one-party rule in the city makes poor sense, it makes great sense to vote for me. I am the one candidate who ran for Mayor in 2001 as a Republican and did so without a nickle from Republicans in Harrisburg. I feel that the Republicans in Harrisburg don't know what's best for this urban center.

Note that the Republicans in Harrisburg have given Joe Weinroth, R, candidate for Mayor, 2005, the exact same support that I got -- zippo. Joe W is on the state GOP committee. Joe W gets squat. Joe has raised $250 in the mayor's race so far. He is already in debt by $1,500. When I ran for mayor, I ended the race with a little money in the bank and raised nearly three times as Joe has done.

I'm the one who really wants to build a team for opposition resons in these neighborhoods.

The clincher, IMHO (in my humble opinion), is Diven's present role. Keep him there. Diven is a member of the state house -- as a Republican now. Let Diven stay in the state house as a Republican. Diven can work with the GOPers in 2005 and 2006. If Diven is elected to the state senate on May 17, there is no (or little) net gain. Diven's departure from the state house makes an opening that is sure to be filled by a Dem -- and perhaps that Dem is Jim Motznik.

Let's see what Diven, the Republican, can do as a State Rep. He isn't on the back bench now.

Diven, R, can run for state senate (hopefully still as a R) in another year, as this special election is to fill a short term. This term expires in 19 months.

If I'm elected as a Libertarian, in the state senate, this sends a powerful signal to the world that the region is willing to make changes, willing to buck the system, willing to reward good ideas, willing to put the needs of our children at the top of the priority list, willing to heal itself with self-reliance and dodge envy.