The Real Kramer Plans Run for New York Mayor
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Published for friends & supporters of the Libertarian Party / • •0 • • 0 , )0 , Iii • Libertarian National Committee, Inc. • 2600 Virginia Ave, NW, Suite 100 APRIL 2001 Washington DC 20037 ♦ Phone: (202) 333-0008 ♦ Fax: (202) 333-0072 newsletter The Real Kramer plans NEWS FROM AROUND THE USA SOUTH PARK CREATOR: LIBERTARIAN Trey Parker, the co-creator of the pol- run for New York mayor itically incorrect and foul-mouthed enny Kramer, the man Kramer, "I'm TV cartoon South Park, has announced who inspired the Cos- not kidding." that he is a Libertarian. K mo Kramer character Kramer, Parker, 31, made the revelation in on the hugely successful 57, has an April 4 Los Angeles Times article, Seinfeld TV series, has worked as a where he described himself as a "regis- announced that he is seeking stand-up tered Libertarian." ■ the Libertarian Party's nom- comedian Parker and creative partner Matt Parker: A ination to run for mayor of and manager Stone were interviewed by the newspa- Libertarian. New York City. ■ Kramer: of a British per about their new Comedy Central "I'm in it to win," said Not a joke. reggae band. show, That's My Bush!, a send-up of the Bush presi- Kramer. "With the success However, he dency and TV sitcom clichés. of Jesse Ventura becoming became famous because he Although it was the first time Parker has publicly governor, why can't I be- lived across the hall in a Man- claimed a Libertarian affiliation, it's not the first time come mayor?" hattan apartment building he's been tagged with that label: Last year, National Kramer will seek the from Seinfeld co-creator Review complimented South Park for its "extremely nomination at the state Larry David in the 1980s. amusing libertarian-minded political commentary." party's annual convention When David and Jerry in Manhattan on April 28. Seinfeld launched the Sein- NATIONAL REVIEW: THE LP THREAT There are no other candi- feld show, Kramer served as dates for the nomination, the inspiration for the "hip- A major political magazine says that Libertarian Party said New York LP State ster doofus" character, M candidates have cost Republicans control of the Chair Richard Cooper. Cosmo Kramer. U.S. Senate — but LP leaders say that if Republicans Despite the link to the Played by actor Michael kept their promises, they would also keep their jobs. zany Cosmo Kramer char- Richards, Cosmo Kramer On March 19, the National Review Online posted acter, Cooper said the real was known for his hyper- an article that claimed the "most underreported Kramer would run a serious kenitic physical comedy, political phenomenon [is that] Libertarian Party campaign for mayor — and outrageous schemes, and candidates are seriously hurting Republicans." focus on Libertarian issues. loyalty to his neurotic, amoral The article, written by John J. Miller and Ramesh sitcom friends: Jerry, George Ponnuru, noted that LP candidate Jeff Jared may have Not a joke Costanzo, and Elaine Benes. cost Republican Slade Gorton his U.S. Senate seat in "Kenny Kramer is not a Capitalizing on the Washington state in 2000, while Michael Cloud may joke nor is his candidacy," he Cosmo Kramer fame, in have knocked Republican John Ensign out of his U.S. said. "[He is] serious about 1996 Kramer created the Senate seat in Nevada in 1998. the problems of New York "Kramer Reality Tour," If not for those two defeats, Republicans would City and its oppressive, where he ferried tourists have a 52-48 majority in the U.S. Senate, instead of the overreaching government." around to New York City current 50-50 split with Democrats. In 1996, Kramer un- landmarks where the But instead of worrying about Libertarians, Repub- successfully sought the Seinfeld show was taped. licans should start worrying about their voting records, Democratic nomination for He has appeared on said LP National Director Steve Dasbach. mayor, which he acknowl- Access Hollywood, the "I hope we're drawing votes away from any politician, edged was a "publicity Oprah Winfrey Show, and of any party, who isn't working to reduce the size, power, stunt." But this time, said the Today Show. expense, and intrusiveness of government," he said. Liberty Pledge News ♦ April 2001 Libertarian Party offers dwelling for the politically homeless By Mike Rieman being heard. get the message out that there is a polit- Douglas Neighbor Staff Writer Calling for liberty and personal free- ical home for you," he said. dom, the Libertarians' beliefs also in- In their meeting earlier this month, After paying close attention to the clude a free market economy of abun- Raiford outlined some short-term goals impeachment process of former Presi- dance and prosperity and a foreign for the local party. dent Bill Clinton, Mike Raiford was left policy of non-intervention, peace and "We want a government that is limit- wondering if there was a political party free trade. ed to protecting our freedoms, not one out there representing his ideals and be- Raiford said a return to the Constitu- that's expanding its own budget at the liefs. tion is necessary. expense of family budgets. The limited "It was a game for both parties," he "I lean toward honesty," he said. "The role of government and self responsibil- recalled of the impeachment process. Libertarian Party believes that we ity are ideas which most voters in this- "When I realized what was going on, I should return strictly to the Constitu- country agree with," said Raiford. decided it was time to get out of this. I tion. If we need to change it, there is a In addition to outlining some short- had heard information on the Libertar- process to change it, but the Constitu- term goals in their meeting, the Douglas ian Party and I decided to get involved." tion is the law of the land." County Libertarian party also elected One call to the Libertarian Party state Furthermore, Raiford said downsiz- three new officials to their board. Bill office set the wheels in motion for ing government will allow citizens per- Hardin was named vice-chairman, Gail Raiford , who is chairman of the party in sonal rights and less interference in day- Gams was named secretary and Angela Douglas County. to-day happenings. Camp was voted in as treasurer. After an initial meeting with five at- "We believe that government and This year the Libertarian Party plans tendees, just two years later the party regulations should be minimal. We be- to have a float in the annual Fourth of has grown to a base membership of lieve government that works best does July parade through downtown Dou- more than 30 people. the least to interfere with peoples' glasville. Raiford said the exposure is a Raiford has now found a place for his rights." step in the right direction for the party. ideals and beliefs. He is no longer polit- Raiford said the Libertarian Party tar- The Douglas County Libertarian Par- ically homeless. gets the thousands of citizens who have ty meets the fourth Thursday of every Created in 1971, the Libertarian Par- become apathetic and have lost interest month. Party members plan to meet in ty is the fastest growing third party in the in the two-party system. different communities from time to nation. "We know we have supporters from time in a public outreach. Originally created to maintain Amer- both the Democrats and Republicans For more information, call Mike ica's heritage and freedom, the party is and the independent voters. We want to Raiford at (770) 489-5523. A Tim Douglas Net:nbbor, Douglasville, Georgia, March 14, 2001 Libertarian Party objects 10. Rocky Fork Enterprise, Gahanna, Ohio, March 8, 2001 V Tbe Denver Post, Denver, Colorado, March 9, 2001 to city expenditure for YMCA Franklin County Libertarian. Party chairman recreation facilities that pay their own way with- Rick Sargent has called the use of tax money to out asking for tax handouts," he said. *VERN SOP supplement the construction of a Y branch in McGregor, however, disagreed. "I do think town a "gross misuse." it is inappropriate to do this whole project with Libertarians file complaints Sergeant, in a press release, said he has public funds," McGregor said Tuesday. "But as MONTROSE — The Western Slope Libertarian protested the expenditure of $2-million for the a city, we use money to fund a lot of private or- Party filed complaints Thursday with tIcaTetfrary Y branch to Gahanna Mayor Jim McGregor. ganizations." of state alleging the city of Montrose and Montrose "City tax dollars should never be used to fund He pointed to financial assistance provided Memorial Hospital have violated election laws in private development or to open such facilities," to The Olde Gahanna Sanctuary board to allow an upcoming vote on smoking regulations. he said. it to purchase that building, street repairs on The Libertarian Party is alleging the city unlaw- Sergeant said McGregor responded to his South High Street around the Gahanna Histor- fully demanded the Libertarian Party register as a protest with an email message in which he re- ical Society buildings and the purchase, prepa- political action committee because the party has peated his statement, made at Gahanna City ration and maintenance of soccer fields that are been campaigning against an ordinance that would Council meetings, that having a Y branch in used by the Gahanna Soccer Association as good ban smoking in many indoor places in Montrose. That ordinance will be voted on April 3. town is a better than asking voters to approve a uses of city money. The Libertarian Party also alleges the Montrose tax levy to fund a recreation center.