1) Have YOU ever gone to the trouble (and, almost certainly, "expense") of ever running for office as a Libertarian? If not, it somewhat pisses ME off, when I see members of my own party trashing other members of my own party...especially when those OTHER members are out in the streets, fighting the good battle.
2) As for him "fitting in better" with the Greens or Natural Law Party, let's look at a debate between Mr. Copeland, the Libertarian, and the Green Party candidate (who used to be--I kid you not--the Socialist Worker's Party candidate for President).
Mr. Copeland, the Libertarian, called Libertarians "warriors of liberty" (very nice! the man's got some slogan talent!). According to the San Diego Union Tribune, "Copeland said government should exist only to protect property, public safety and national security. He called for guarding personal freedom, ending the drug war and dismantling the public education system."
Now, how exactly does THAT fit in with the Green Party or Natural Law Party? ;-)
Here's what the Green Party candidate advocated, "Camejo called for using renewable energy sources, boosting the minimum wage, ending the death penalty, universal health care and campaign finance reform."
San Diego Union Tribune account of Libertarian/Green debate
Gary Copeland sounds like a Libertarian to me. And considering that he's going to the effort and expense of representing the Libertarian Party, he deserves and gets my respect. (Though I wouldn't support him for President...or even necessarily Governor of North Carolina...unless no other Libertarian was interested.)
Mark (Libertarian, North Carolina)