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Libertarian Party Alliance

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Discussions > 2008 Elections

2008 Elections

6 replies | Latest reply: May 29, 2008 at 11:45 PM
  • May 29 at 2:07PM
    By Terry Kinder
    2008 Elections

    What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats, independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you could share?

    6 total replies | Latest reply: May 29, 2008 at 11:45 PM
    permalink
  • May 29 at 2:19PM
    By Austin Petersen
    (Alliance Leader)
    • Washington D.C. Libertarian National Committee Meetup
      98 Members
      Washington, DC, USA
    Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections
    Terry,

    I’d be glad to share this information with you, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about you. Can you provide me with a little background on yourself and what you plan to do with the information? I’m getting deluged with these types of requests and want to make certain of who I am speaking to.

    Thanks,

    Austin


    On 5/29/08 2:12 PM, "Terry Kinder" < [address removed] > wrote:

    What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats, independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you could share?


    -----------------------------------------------

    View the full discussion at: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/discuss/1230

    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Terry Kinder < mailto:[address removed] >  of The Cape Girardeau Bob Barr Meetup from the Libertarian Party Alliance.

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    Volunteer Coordinator
    Libertarian National Committee
    Ph: [number removed] x 232
    Fx: [number removed]

    “Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it’s realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy." -Ron Paul
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  • May 29 at 11:02PM
    By St. Louis LP Meetup Organizer
    • St. Louis Libertarian Party Meetup Group
      173 Members
      Saint Louis, MO, USA
    Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections
    Austin,

    I know you don't know me personally either, but I can vouch for Terry Kinder.  I met him last night.  He made a two-hour drive up to St. Louis to meet with Libertarians in the St. Louis area.  He is new to the party, but he is truly dedicated to advancing the cause of Liberty, and he is 100% behind Bob Barr.

    As for the other responses to Terry's inquiry, I am very disappointed.  Bob Barr has taken stands in the past that are clearly antithetical to Libertarian Principles, but he has recanted many of those positions.  As the LP candidate, Barr is presenting a campaign that will be palatable to much of the general public, and has chosen a niche in the political landscape that will generate publicity.  Is he the perfect "pure" libertarian?  Of course not (who is?).  But he is presenting a message of freedom and liberty that we should all support in principle.

    It is up to all of US on the grassroots level to do what we can to integrate the Barr/Root national campaign message into our local and state campaigns.  For every issue that Bob Barr punts to the "states rights" level, that gives us an opportunity to present our own views of the Libertarian message to our local constituencies.

    But if we turn our backs on this historic opportunity to see the word "Libertarian" prominently mentioned in the mainstream media, we will have squandered a powerful resource.  I suggest that we all work to use Bob Barr's candidacy to promote what we all believe:  America has turned away from the principles of our founding fathers, and the Libertarian Party is the last best hope to restore those values.

    If Terry Kinder's conversion to the LP is any indication, we are looking at the prospect of unprecedented growth in our cause and in our Party.  Are we ready for the big time, or do we just want to languish in principled obscurity until the United States becomes a country where we are not even free to express our political views?

    Yours in Liberty,

    Michael Pakko
    Former Chair, St. Louis County Libertarian Party
    Organizer, St. Louis Area Libertarian Party Meetup Group
    Organizer, St. Louis Bob Barr for President Meetup Group


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Austin Petersen <[address removed]>
    To: [address removed]
    Sent: Thu, 29 May 2008 1:20 pm
    Subject: Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections

    Terry,

    I’d be glad to share this information with you, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about you. Can you provide me with a little background on yourself and what you plan to do with the information? I’m getting deluged with these types of requests and want to make certain of who I am speaking to.

    Thanks,

    Austin


    On 5/29/08 2:12 PM, "Terry Kinder" < [address removed] > wrote:

    What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats, independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you could share?


    -----------------------------------------------

    View the full discussion at: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/discuss/1230

    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Terry Kinder < mailto:[address removed] >  of The Cape Girardeau Bob Barr Meetup from the Libertarian Party Alliance.

    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAIL
     Click here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs < http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs#comm >

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    Customer Service: [address removed] 632 Broadway New York NY 10012 USA


    Volunteer Coordinator
    Libertarian National Committee
    Ph: [number removed] x 232
    Fx: [number removed]

    “Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it’s realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy." -Ron Paul

    -----------------------------------------------
    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Austin Petersen of Washington D.C. Libertarian National Committee Meetup from the Libertarian Party Alliance.
    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAIL
    Click here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs
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  • May 29 at 11:45PM
    By Ken Wyble
    • Colorado Libertarians
      196 Members
      Denver, CO, USA
    Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections

    Great topic of discussion and I want everybody to know that here in Colorado its business as usual because we've established a very intense schedule of outreach events for the next few months. Only 4 out of 30 Delegates even on the final ballot voted for Barr yet we are shrugging that off and will give him a chance to earn our vote in November. Some of us will take that further and lend a hand wherever we can. Above all, we value each others interpretation and contribution to Liberty and work is getting done.

    I say the same thing I say every day. 'I can't wait to see what happens next'

    Best Regards out there!

    Ken Wyble
    Chair, Libertarian Party of Arapahoe County Colorado
    Organizer, Colorado Libertarians Meetup
    Organizer, Colorado Bob Barr Meetup
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723650709 please join me!

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Michael R. Pakko <[address removed]>
    To: [address removed]
    Sent: Thu, 29 May 2008 9:02 pm
    Subject: Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections

    Austin,

    I know you don't know me personally either, but I can vouch for Terry Kinder.  I met him last night.  He made a two-hour drive up to St. Louis to meet with Libertarians in the St. Louis area.  He is new to the party, but he is truly dedicated to advancing the cause of Liberty, and he is 100% behind Bob Barr.

    As for the other responses to Terry's inquiry, I am very disappointed.  Bob Barr has taken stands in the past that are clearly antithetical to Libertarian Principles, but he has recanted many of those positions.  As the LP candidate, Barr is presenting a campaign that will be palatable to much of the general public, and has chosen a niche in the political landscape that will generate publicity.  Is he the perfect "pure" libertarian?  Of course not (who is?).  But he is presenting a message of freedom and liberty that we should all support in principle.

    It is up to all of US on the grassroots level to do what we can to integrate the Barr/Root national campaign message into our local and state campaigns.  For every issue that Bob Barr punts to the "states rights" level, that gives us an opportunity to present our own views of the Libertarian message to our local constituencies.

    But if we turn our backs on this historic opportunity to see the word "Libertarian" prominently mentioned in the mainstream media, we will have squandered a powerful resource.  I suggest that we all work to use Bob Barr's candidacy to promote what we all believe:  America has turned away from the principles of our founding fathers, and the Libertarian Party is the last best hope to restore those values.

    If Terry Kinder's conversion to the LP is any indication, we are looking at the prospect of unprecedented growth in our cause and in our Party.  Are we ready for the big time, or do we just want to languish in principled obscurity until the United States becomes a country where we are not even free to express our political views?

    Yours in Liberty,

    Michael Pakko
    Former Chair, St. Louis County Libertarian Party
    Organizer, St. Louis Area Libertarian Party Meetup Group
    Organizer, St. Louis Bob Barr for President Meetup Group


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Austin Petersen < [address removed] >
    To: [address removed]
    Sent: Thu, 29 May 2008 1:20 pm
    Subject: Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections

    Terry,

    I’d be glad to share this information with you, but I’m afraid I don’t know much about you. Can you provide me with a little background on yourself and what you plan to do with the information? I’m getting deluged with these types of requests and want to make certain of who I am speaking to.

    Thanks,

    Austin


    On 5/29/08 2:12 PM, "Terry Kinder" < [address removed] > wrote:

    What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats, independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you could share?


    -----------------------------------------------

    View the full discussion at: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/discuss/1230

    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Terry Kinder < mailto:[address removed] >  of The Cape Girardeau Bob Barr Meetup from the Libertarian Party Alliance.

    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAIL
     Click here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs < http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs#comm >

    Terms and conditions < http://www.meetupalliance.com/site/terms >

    Customer Service: [address removed] 632 Broadway New York NY 10012 USA


    Volunteer Coordinator
    Libertarian National Committee
    Ph: [number removed] x 232
    Fx: [number removed]

    “Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it’s realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy." -Ron Paul

    -----------------------------------------------
    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Austin Petersen of Washington D.C. Libertarian National Committee Meetup from the Libertarian Party Alliance.
    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAIL
    Click here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs
    Customer Service: [address removed]
    632 Broadway New York NY 10012 USA

    -----------------------------------------------
    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Michael R. Pakko of St. Louis Libertarian Party Meetup Group from the Libertarian Party Alliance.
    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAIL
    Click here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs
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    632 Broadway New York NY 10012 USA
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  • May 29 at 2:31PM
    By James Babb
    • The Montgomery County Libertarian Party Meetup Group
      54 Members
      Norristown, PA, USA
    Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections
    I will not be doing anything to promote Bob Barr. I only support
    libertarian candidates.

    Jim Babb



    On May 29, 2008, at 2:08 PM, Terry Kinder wrote:

    > What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian
    > candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and
    > national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots
    > level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats,
    > independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you
    > could share?
    permalink
  • May 29 at 2:42PM
    By Wes Wagner
    • Libertarian Party of Oregon
      103 Members
      Portland, OR, USA
    Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections
    This is a major problem in electoral politics when people engage in "win at all costs" strategies instead of trying to build consensus. You win, but you have exactly the same resources you started with - because you didn't build any real support along the way. It is also a principle failing of democracy, and why the libertarian party should have never been a democracy in the first place. Democracy is a form of coercion and force and politics in this party will always devolve into this type of bickering and conflict so long as the structure encourages it.

    Barr left the convention with as much or less support than he had going in, because he had a traditional political victory. He got more votes in the end, but he didn't change anyone's minds or motivations. Also sometimes the costs of victory are higher than the spoils, and we rarely recognize it until it is too late.

    -Wes Wagner


    On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 11:31 AM, James Babb < [address removed] > wrote:
    I will not be doing anything to promote Bob Barr. I only support libertarian candidates.

    Jim Babb




    On May 29, 2008, at 2:08 PM, Terry Kinder wrote:

    What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats, independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you could share?


    -----------------------------------------------
    View the full discussion at: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/discuss/1230

    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY",your message will be viewable by everyone.
    This message was sent by James Babb < [address removed] > of The Montgomery County Libertarian Party Meetup Group from the Libertarian Party Alliance.

    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAILClick here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs#comm

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    http://www.meetupalliance.com/site/terms

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    --
    Wes Wagner
    http://www.riseupforfreedom.org/
    permalink
  • May 29 at 2:50PM
    By Dan
    • LaPorte County Libertarian Meetup
      0 Members
      La Porte, IN, USA
    RE: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections
    In Northwest Indiana we hope to play on Barr's strong points -- states' rights issues and fiscal policy.  We certainly welcome him here and would promote an event that plays to his strengths.  Contrasting that, however, since most of our delegation did not support his candidacy we feel it important to balance our party efforts to make sure our complete message is hi-jacked.  We feel we can really grow the party locally with this balanced approach while promoting the only clear choice we will have on our state ballot.

    We're going to take the lines of Kubby -- who was amazing at the convention! -- and grow from there.  This isn't lost everyone.  We have great opportunity with this candidacy and campaign; it just means we have more work cut out for us at the local and state levels.  Everything has its pros and cons.....let's come together and make the most out of this.

    -Dan Drexler
    Libertarian Party of Indiana



    From: [address removed]
    To: [address removed]
    Subject: Re: [LibertarianParty] 2008 Elections
    Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 11:42:58 -0700

    This is a major problem in electoral politics when people engage in "win at all costs" strategies instead of trying to build consensus. You win, but you have exactly the same resources you started with - because you didn't build any real support along the way. It is also a principle failing of democracy, and why the libertarian party should have never been a democracy in the first place. Democracy is a form of coercion and force and politics in this party will always devolve into this type of bickering and conflict so long as the structure encourages it.

    Barr left the convention with as much or less support than he had going in, because he had a traditional political victory. He got more votes in the end, but he didn't change anyone's minds or motivations. Also sometimes the costs of victory are higher than the spoils, and we rarely recognize it until it is too late.

    -Wes Wagner


    On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 11:31 AM, James Babb < [address removed] > wrote:
    I will not be doing anything to promote Bob Barr. I only support libertarian candidates.

    Jim Babb




    On May 29, 2008, at 2:08 PM, Terry Kinder wrote:

    What are you doing to promote Bob Barr and other Libertarian candidates? What are you doing to raise funds for local, state, and national campaigns? Any ideas on reaching out at the grassroots level to Ron Paul supporters, disaffected Republicans and Democrats, independents, etc.? Do you have any successful Meetup strategies you could share?


    -----------------------------------------------
    View the full discussion at: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/discuss/1230

    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY",your message will be viewable by everyone.
    This message was sent by James Babb < [address removed] > of The Montgomery County Libertarian Party Meetup Group from the Libertarian Party Alliance.

    Your setting is: RECEIVE ALL DISCUSSIONS VIA EMAILClick here to change your settings: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/prefs#comm

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    --
    Wes Wagner
    http://www.riseupforfreedom.org/
    -----------------------------------------------
    View the full discussion at: http://www.meetupalliance.com/LibertarianParty/discuss/1230
    Please Note: This discussion is PUBLIC to all viewers. If you hit "REPLY", your message will be viewable by everyone. This message was sent by Wes Wagner of Libertarian Party of Oregon from the Libertarian Party Alliance.
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