Predictable and appropriate questions

• Why are you running for office?
• Why don’t you run as a Republican? Democrat?
• What will happen if your proposal is enacted?
• How would it work?
• Why is this your primary issue?
• Where are you campaigning?
• What groups are you speaking to?
• How much money will your campaign raise?
• How much have you raised?
• Will you be doing any advertising?
• Has your campaign done any polling?
• Where do you expect to get support?
• Who will vote for you?
• Are any groups actively supporting you?
• Has anyone endorsed you? Do you expect more/any endorsements?
• Have you run for office before?
• How will you get anything passed if you’re the only Libertarian?
• Are Ron Paul supporters supporting you?

Introductory distractions

• Why are you a Libertarian?
• How did you become a Libertarian?
• What do Libertarians believe about (fill in the blank with something unrelated to proposed Libertarian Solution)?
• What do you do for a living?
• What’s your view on (fill in the blank with an issue the media or your opponent is talking about)?
• What do you think about (Ron Paul, Rand Paul, some other politician)? Do you support him?
• Where did you go to college?

Credibility challenges and distractions

• No Libertarian has ever received more than 2% of the vote for this office. Is that what you expect you’ll get?
• Since you’re not going to win, isn’t voting for you a wasted a vote?
• Isn’t there a danger that your running will spoil the election for the [Republican/Democrat]?
• If you had to vote for the D or R, which one would you vote for?
• Do you think you have any chance of winning?
• Why is your opponent endorsed by every newspaper in the state – while none have endorsed you?
• Why are you running if you have no chance of winning?
• Do you have any experience in government?
• Do you think voters are ready for a Libertarian? Are you too radical for most people?
• Doesn’t your proposal go too far?
• Your opponents say this will (allegation of damage). How do you respond?
• How will you get Democrats and Republicans to go along with your agenda? How will you build bi-partisan support and get this passed?
• Isn’t it better for the district to keep our influential incumbent than to elect a junior (senator/rep/delegate) who will have far less influence?

Big Government assertions

• The government is already looking at a budget shortfall. Wouldn’t your proposal to cut taxes / spending just make things worse? How would we plug the gap?
• What can we do about unfunded government pension liabilities- the dark cloud hanging over our heads?
• This would reduce the state’s bond rating to junk bond status. Wouldn’t that be a disaster? Wouldn’t it raise our interest rates forcing taxpayers to pay more?
• There’s very little discretionary spending in the budget.
• This would force us to cut emergency services like police and fire – or to close schools.
• We need more funds to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, make our roads safe and stimulate the economy.
• Every person or group that spends money – including private businesses and households – waste money, not just government. This is normal and unavoidable.

Ridiculous and completely unrelated distractions

• How ‘bout them Ravens?
• Was your neighborhood damaged by the storm last week?
• What’s your view on Ron Paul’s tweet about veteran Kyle who was killed by a sniper? Did he go over the line?

Note: Many more examples can be gleaned by watching or reading just about any news coverage of government in any form of media – TV, radio, print, and the Internet.