Sam,
Sorry to hear it, and I wish Dan a speedy recovery. I've gotta say though, he doesn't sound terribly libertarian -- his issue page ( http://www.halloran2012.com/the-issues/ ) lists only four issues, two rather vague and feel-good ("Create Jobs" and "Cut Gas Prices") and his third plank definitely gives the impression that he's a supporter of militarism:
Defend America and Israel
September 11, 2001 was just eleven years ago. New York City remains the principle target of terrorists who wish to attack our country. They’re still out there – and they still hate our freedom and our way of life. Sadly, many politicians in Washington have forgotten this.
I lost my cousin, FDNY Lt. Vincent Halloran, in the Towers on 9/11. Like all New Yorkers, I will never forget. When I am in Congress, I will prioritize our national defense.
The American military is the world’s greatest force for peace. We must wield our influence in a way that spreads freedom and democracy. If, for example, the Afghan people can choose between free markets on one hand and growing poppy for warlords on the other, I know they will choose freedom, and this in turn will make for a safer world. [Doesn't he realize that free markets allow people to grow poppies?]
But other countries must know that while we prefer peace, we are no paper tiger. Military engagement is a final option – but it must remain on the table to prevent renegade states such as Iran from obtaining weapons of mass destruction.
When we speak of defending America, we must too speak of defending Israel. It is the only democracy in the turbulent Middle East, a beacon of freedom and democratic values, and a valued ally of the United States. Israel deals with the nightmare of terrorism on a daily basis, attacked by people who deny its right to even exist. By protecting Israel, we promote peace in the region and the world.
In fact the only place I can find the word "libertarian" on his website is in this line from his bio page, which reveals a seemingly tenuous connection to our party:
"Dan was elected to the City Council in 2009 on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Libertarian lines to represent the Queens neighborhoods of College Point, Auburndale-Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Bay Terrace, Douglaston, and Little Neck."
His bio further mentions that he worked in the NYPD as well as for two different district attorney offices, and represented NYPD officers for the "PBA" (presumably a police union). Kinda makes you wonder about his positions on things like Drug Prohibition, government employee pensions, and civil liberties in general.
I don't mean to be too harsh here -- it may well be that Dan Halloran is the best candidate on the ballot for the office he's seeking, all of the above notwithstanding. His fourth listed issue is opposing Obamacare -- no argument there. His bio also describes him as an active hunter (giving one hope that he is at least decent on gun rights at worst) and as "a leading voice for government transparency and reform, being one of the first Council Members to agree to disclose his discretionary spending online." And a blog entry reports that he was one of five New York City Council members (out of 50) to oppose a "living wage" bill.
It's only that when you mentioned we had a good chance to get a Libertarian elected to Congress, you got my hopes up that we could be looking at the possibility of sending someone else like Ron Paul to Washington, but with an "L" next to his name. Looking at Dan's website, I'm just not seeing it.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))