“And libertarians effect political outcomes all the time. Have you heard of Ross Perot? How about Ron Paul?”
Ross Perot was no Libertarian, he was a populist. His IT and financial empire was built on stealing what he had been paid to develop for others, going into business using what he stole, making political friends to obtain exclusive government contracts for data processing using his ill-gotten software.
His followers were predominately NOT libertarians either.
As for Ron Pual’ he’s a nice guy, but not a force.
I know what he was. But his message of small government rang with every libertarian I know- nearly to a man, they all voted Perot. That isn't to say that others didn't too.
As for Ron Pual’ he’s a nice guy, but not a force.
I think you are wrong. He had a huge impact in the primaries, and many I know (and all the libertarian minded I know) are writing him in this November. Even in Pro-Life circles, where Keyes holds more votes than any, his name is coming up. Many people like what he had to say, especially in domestic areas.