Political Biography

My name is David Liebtag. I have spent most of my adult life as an independent and tend to distrust all politicians. I think of myself as a very liberal conservative. I believe in limiting government waste, but also believe the government's role includes protecting the environment and providing a robust safety net.

As background, here is my political history.

• In the 1976 election, the first for which I was eligible, I voted for Jimmy Carter. I believed a well-educated man with a background in science would be good for the country. I did not understand that his inability to work with Washington insiders would make him ineffective.
• I voted for Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. I naively believed his claims that trickle-down economics would help average people. I think I also remember believing Star Wars was a good idea; I had no idea it actually was not feasible with the foreseeable technology and budgets. I guess I was young and stupid.
• I don't remember whether I voted for Mondale or Reagan or not at all in the 1984 election. I think I may have been even more uninterested in politics than usual that year.
• I believe I voted for George H. W. Bush in the 1988 election. I do not remember why. Maybe Michael Dukakis didn't appeal to me for some reason.
• I voted for Bill Clinton in both the 1992 and 1996 elections. I believe he was an excellent president. During his administration I believed that the Republicans were spending an appalling amount of time and resources trying to discredit him.
• In the 2000 election, I voted for Al Gore and believe the Supreme court acted unethically if not illegally when they declared that George W. Bush won the election. George W. Bush's administration's behavior caused me to fervently oppose Republicans. I was appalled that they lied to the UN to start the Iraq war, squandered the world's good will after 9/11, used torture, and significantly limited the government's protection of civil liberties.
• I voted for John Kerry in the 2004 election. I made significant, for me, political contributions to Howard Dean's organization during this campaign.
• I voted for Barack Obama in both the 2008 and 2012 elections. I believe he has been an excellent president. I have been appalled at the obstructionist behavior of the Republicans.
• I would have voted for Bernie Sanders if he had won the Democratic nomination. However, I will vote for Hillary Clinton without any misgivings. I admire Hillary Clinton and think she is an excellent candidate for President.