Check this out, he even seems to diss free markets somewhat. Politico reports:
Koch also said he now considers himself a Republican first and foremost – rather than a Libertarian or a non-partisan supporter of free enterprise – despite a background in Libertarian politics and some views that are out of step with the GOP orthodoxy.
“The Libertarian Party is a great concept. I love the ideals, but it got too far off the deep end, and so I dropped out,” Koch said. “I think the Republican Party has a great chance of being successful and that’s why I support it,” he said, adding “but I believe in the libertarian principles.”
Background update:
Koch was the Libertarian Party's vice-presidential candidate in the 1980 presidential election.
When asked in 1980 why he ran, Koch replied: "Lord knows I didn't need a job, but I believe in what the Libertarians are saying. I suppose if they hadn't come along, I could have been a big Republican from Wichita. But hell—everybody from Kansas is a Republican."
He sits on the board of the Cato Institute and is one of its major funders.
Another (not so) young idealist that believes that the Republicans are Libertarian deep down. How quaint.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's time to say 'thank you' for acknowledging that he's not a Libertarian (big L). Now the Max Keisar's of the world will look ridiculous when they accuse libertarians (little l) of being in Koch's pocket.
ReplyDeleteAnother tired, clueless, old guy - hey, just like me... ;-)
ReplyDeleteGo get em kids!
I can imagine him saying "...everyone is against big government, until they own one."
ReplyDeleteEarth
DeleteNicely done!
>can imagine him saying "...everyone is against big government, until they own one."
ReplyDeleteThe 'State'-'Corporate' axis has consolidated and increased mightily sense his younger days, perhaps a time when he may have believed govt. regulation was not in his interest. Today, his interests are big enough to be a key component of this. Self-interest for the conversion to Statism in his case.
This isn't news really as his quote seems to refer to "Libertarian" as in the Libertarian party, not ideologically libertarian. But I do think it is fair to question his ideological credentials as a small "l" libertarian and the propriety of his continued membership on the CATO board. Clearly, "mainstream" Republican politics is his game these days, and I don't see much difference between him and your standard New York (i.e., moderate) Republican (for example, see related RW post on David Koch's support for raising taxes).
ReplyDeleteThe quote continues "or a non-partisan supporter of free enterprise". Which means he is ditching more than just the LP
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