We had the chance to exchange a couple quick emails with Dr. Michael Beitler, the Libertarian candidate facing incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and challenging Democratic candidate Elaine Marshall in November’s general election.
qnotes asked Beitler his positions on repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Uniting American Families Act and his position on civil marriage rights for same-sex couples.
“From a pure Libertarian philosophical perspective, these are non-issues,” Beitler wrote in response. “I (and Libertarians) believe you have the right to do anything you want, as long as you do not infringe on the rights of others. Government should only intervene when somebody has infringed upon your rights. Government’s job is to defend individual rights (not to define or grant them). The rights are inalienable.”
Public Policy Polling’s latest polls show Beitler pulling 10 percent of support, compared to Marshall’s 33 and Burr’s 38.
Here are Beitler’s detailed responses on the issues:
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
This is about the right to serve. Period. All citizens should be able to serve openly, and their spouses should be treated the same.Defense of Marriage Act
I (and Libertarians) believe government should not be involved in marraige. Government has no place in defining marriage. Government should recognize marriages; it should be universal.Employment Non-Discrimination
I believe sexual orientation and gender identity & expression should be added to the federally recognized classes of people who cannot be discriminated against.Uniting American Families
Not allowing citizens to be united with spouses who are overseas is wrong. Period. Sexual orientation should not be a factor in immigration.Civil Marriage Rights
I support same sex couples. Adoption, visitation, inheritance, and all the legal recognition of marriage should be granted to members of the LGBT community.
You can see Marshall’s positions on these same issues in our story, “Primary pits two LGBT-friendly candidates.” Regarding Burr, our new “Senator No” (along with “Senator Big Oil Daddy Mac”), there’s no need to ask; you know his answers already, and they aren’t good.