The Liberty Pledge News

December 1988

Dear Pledgers, Hi - Sharon Freeman here. Remember me? I worked at the national office in Houston from November '85 until December '87, and was involved in the production of 19 issues of Liberty Pledge News before leaving the staff and focusing on my responsibilities as an At-Large member of the National Committee. I've recently relocated to DC, and now my top priority is to get the Pledge back on schedule ASAP. As a member of the INC Finance Committee, I'm not interested in just the newsletter, but the Pledge program as a whole. If you have any advice, comments, complaints, and/or suggestions, please contact me care of the national office. Enough of that for now. I want to talk about this Pledge issue. The LP was mentioned in over 1200 newspaper articles in the month of November, and several themes emerged: 1) The Democratic and Republican parties have very little to offer the voters. (We already knew that, but the papers treat it like news.) 2) The media (who own the News Election Service) are involved in the falsfication not only of the election process, but the results as well; their role is denounced even by their own editors. 3) Ballot access laws have to be changed before we can seriously 00!,!Jndnt. p,,2-c.ies on the national 4) Meanwhile, we can continue to make real inroads on the local level. If the rest of the headlines and articles in this month's Pledge make you as mad as they did me, remember, your continued support of the Pledge program allows us to: * start planning now for '90 and '92 (when we may face a Republican incumbent saddled with an economic crisis and a Democratic party irreconcilably split); * set aside funds for a professional media campaign and the ongoing court/petition battle for ballot access.

In financial news, figures show that in '88 the LP spent only 20% of the money brought in bringing it in - which works out to a savings of $20,000 over projected usable income in '88. Accounts payable were down to $4000 as of December 3, and we could be completely out of debt before the New Year. On that note, I'll close and wish you all: Happy holidays.

The Liberty Pledge News is produced monthly for members of the National Libertarian Party's Pledge Program, Independ- ence '88 and the Torch Club. It is also distributed to State Party Chairs and National Committee members in appreciation of their contributions and to make availible information on Headquarters activities and Libertarians in the news. Clippings and other items of interest are greatly appreciated.

Libertarian Party Headquarters * 1528 Pennsylvania Ave., SE * Washington, DC 20003 Can we be of help? Want to raise your pledge? Call 1-800-682-1776.

s .)tin Jose Mercury News 14A Saturday. enereinocr ICAMPAIGN : 174 Liberty Pledge News November 1988 Ballot includes surprises For Libertarian, recognition is elusive Libertarian, New Alliance parties By Thomas-Farragner man from Texas who. is spending $3 mil- Paul, a physician from Lake Jackson, mantle Social Security and legalize drugs Mercury News Staff Writer lion in a campaign_dependent largely on _Texas, said he expects Vice -President — has become the political home' to "hip-_ Edward Winn as president with pies" and businessmen, and erstwhile fol- By ROY WOOD The final indignity comes Tuesday night the free microphones of radio talk shows George Bush to be elented Tuesday by a Bristol Press Barry Porster as vice president. Ballots: — via satellite. from Bangor to Bremerton. comfortable margin — an achievement lowers of two preachers, liberal Democrat . Larry Holmes as president with Not only is he about to be.drubbed at the The National Election Service, which that, Paul said, will be just deserts for his Jesse Jackson and conservative Republi- Voters may not recognize some Gloria LaRiva as vice president. polls, but Libertarian Party presidential compiles election returns for the TV net- fellow Texan. can Pat Robertson. of the political parties on this . To become registered as "People should be left alone," said Paul, Who's candidate Ron Paul is going to be snubbed works and newspaper wire services, has "He deserves it because the price is year's ballot, let alone some of the write-in candidates, those seeking by the real heavyweights of.the American rejected Paul's personal appeal to have his delivering his equivalent of a sound-bite- candidates representing those the presidency each had to name going to be paid during his administration sized version of his party's philosophy. " political process — network anchors votes included in the national tabulations. for eight years of Reagan administration parties. • and get signatures from a vice Boxed Out? named Rather and Jennings and Brokaw. Still, Paul said his campaign is more .. The government should exist for the Among the lesser known can- ' presidential candidate as well as economic policies," said Paul, who quit the protection of liberty — making sure that Paw, wno Friday brought his frugal than an academic exercise or the novel GOP in January 1987. "George Bush is not didates are Ron Paul, a presiden- signatures from eight candidates campaign to Stanford University's Hoover ingredient in a mudslinging race. people don't kill each other, or hurt each tial hopeful running on the Liber- for elector. F WE HAVE 329 PEO- Ronald Reagan, and it's not just going to other or steal from each other." ple running for Presi- tarian ticket. Paul's vice Write-in votes for candidates Although his name won't appear on elec- presidential pick is Andre Marron. dent, why aren't they all ic tote boards that will be flashed other than those who are regis- on the ballot? How can we The Liber4arian party, broadly tered with the secretary of the Third party could improve quality of canipaigns-nd the country on election night, Paul speaking, believes in little gov- make an informed choice if __ that once the Libertarians hold the state's office aren't counted. we don't know what our ernment involvement in the af- choices are? Well, it's finally over. The Jackson would force candidates to deal with real problems margin of difference between major party fairs of citizens. • In the Senate race, Libertarian candidates, they can no longer be ignored. The most serious problem less-than-heartening 1988 The New Alliance Party, gener- • Howard Avery Grayson Jr. and "We're answering the questions of the for minor candidates, says presidential campaign is now election that we, the elec- broader, less-deliberate focus ally considered to fall to the left of New Alliance party candidate Sharon Snydet, assistant torate, have become all too for the national election by day mainly because we're the only ones the Democratic Party on the Melissa M. Fisher have joined one for the record books, with Tim asking the questions." Paul said. press officer for the Federal George Bush officially the familiar with in recent years dealing directly with primary poltical spectrum, has a presiden-' " Democratic state Attorney Gener- Elections Commission, "is victor. Maybe it should be the watered-down issues, in turn forcing the tial candidate, Lenora Fulani. al Joe Lieberman in trying to ballot access. You might noted with an asterisk, presentation of two candidates Hare Democratic and Republican Bush, Dukakis Fulani's running mate is Joyce unseat GOP Sen T ^wall We.;,.1.-- signifying that the election too fearful of voter backlash to presidential candidates to Dattner. and appear on tl and campaign by both the seriously address the issues at the campaign when Michael answer and contemplate or Libertarian? In addition, three write-in Bristol Mayor `Republicrat' majority reigns Democratic and Republican hand. Dukakis was obviously crucial issues. presidential candidates have ren- Jann-F J. Wien! candidates was one of the Perhaps the apati.y of man. lagging in the pni is. . . the "Republicrat" majority has suc- most banal ana discouraging American citizens toward What is the answer? It's ceeded in silencing the collective voice of political charades in recent presidential elections is not hard to say. But perhaps one a significant minority - those that do not Third-party candidates face u hill battle support them. First, they refused to allow memory. entirely incomprehensible. alternative is the establish- But short of a miracle, the ment of a major third party. ()40 "none of the above" on the ballot. Now, It was a campaign marked By John P. McAlpin people from political parties future is not much brighter for That's not an easy task. John ihree they have enticed the press to further by the vague political agendas Staff Writer other than the two largest have Med presidential elections. The Anderson was a legitimate dim the light of contrast by not reporting of both candidates; the their intent to run for the lone Senate of any ballots cast in opposition. presidential candidate in 1980, bloating of events irrelevant power-brokers behind the It's hard to ride somebody else's spot open in this election. Thz. Big Press has been more than to the fate of this country (the scenes of both major parties but still only garnered about coattails when you don't even have a Rcn Paul . . . "If only radio talk-show listeners "They (the voters) are looking for happy to piny along with Republicrat are not about to release their 61/2 percent of the vote. Pledge of Allegiance - as 'a shirt of your own. were voting, we'd win the election." an alternative that we have to offer," hypocrisy; to glach1- accept tax-dollar -.); a control in helping to select Likewise, the Libertarian campaign issue? Please That is the problem facing can- said Thomas Fiske, a Senate can- subsidies by running politie,:a advertise- barrage of often-inaccurate "safe" candidates with Petty, despite increasing didates who are not the name-brand ments, all the while editorially bene,an. oversimplified, non-challeng- didate from the Socialist Workers ing the cost of today's political cam- charges and countercharges; gaThseln recent years, has only Republican or Democratic variety. Party. the buckling of the media — ing agendas who adhere to the slowly struggled toward mass • established mainstream. Look particularly television — to acceptance. Many of those who are running for sway others to their ideology rather ship said he has run four times before "The the simplistic nature of both at how Jesse Jackson was What is needed is a major offices and are affiliated with or- than winning votes. for the House of Representatives in make th campaigns; and, 'as always, summarily brushed aside by third party, led by a ganizations like the Populist Party of "We're not a nut bunch — some the 1st District against popular De- the polii RES IDEN his fellow Democrats —That is the presence of big money to charismatic figure, than not America or 'the Socialist Workers fringe group. We're not a mcicraticincumbent James Florio. of Newt. until his fellow party mem- only addresses the concerns of guide the entire campaign. Party have to fight prejudices and fly-by-night organization," said Jerry the theo. bers realized that his help was a large block of the electorate, On New Jersey's ballot, nine In short, it was the classic economics in their uphill battles. Zeldon, the Libertarian Party can- enter into yesent-day presidential needed in the final weeks of but could help shape a people are gunning for the top elected )ses, candidates are didate for Senate: office in the country against George message, hoping to Mr. Zeldon of Gloucester Town- Bush and Michael Dukakis. • • More than the presidency Doing a number on third pat

By JOE ROSATO ernment, a libertarian educational day and Wednesday. NES, Bee staff writer organization based in Fresno. owned by the major televis, is hanging on your vote Fritz said the misrepresentation works and news services, r A "mathematical trick" was used was done by assigning Democratic vote totals to media outlets By JOANNA FIRESTONE The 2nd District, which includes cc mben t state Supreme Court Justo ignore the vote percentages re- presidential candidate Michael Du- litical parties. Gannett News Service Ann Arbor and Jackson, is consid- tices Charles Levin and JameSeiv si by Litartar-i-Ern and other kakis and Republican rival George In addition to Dukakis anc ered the tightest race. Republica-, Brickley for re-election to theiiihird-party candidates in Tuesday's Bush whatever vote percentage ac- ballots in most states in. As any horse layer will tell you Michigan voters have been ro- Rep. Carl Pursell of Plymouth is $100,000-a-year positions on tteelection, according to Marshall Fritz tually was earned by Libertarian third-party presidential cant manced by Michael Dukakis and battling state Sen. Lana Pollack, seven-member high court. of Fresno. and other third-party candidates. such as Libertarian Ron Paul - George Bush for three months, but an Ann Arbor Democrat who has He blamed the News Election Alliance Party standard-beare. . long shots do come in dozens of other candidates are anLevin incumbent arid Brickley,designation who on careth• Instead, their ercentagesp were Service, the nation's principal vote- pressed a fierce and well-financed fn„.„8 ora Fulani, the National Economic hoping for a nod of approval Tues- campaign against him. ballot. are heavily „,1 „ given to the Democratic and Renub- day, too. Libertarians take a cue from Ignored candidate Garbo, vote to he left alone BIG WATER, Utah (UPI) — The New York Times endorsee.' runs against media Democrat Michael Dukakis; the Washington Times declared for Republican George Bush;• but the Big Water Times is backing which he answers the questions Libertarian Ron Paul because it "wants to be left alone." LOS ANGELES (AP) — This Publisher Alex Joseph, 52, backed Paul in an editorial in the was going to be it. Finally, after a posed to George Bush and Michael current edition of his tiny, twice-monthly paper, which has a Dukakis. He also has sent videocas- year's campaigning, Ron Paul circulation of 1,800. would get noticed. settes of speeches to supporters. Used to bucking the.tide, Joseph's nonconformism isn't limited On his last election stop of 1988 "Everybody knows that televi- to his presidential preference. In addition to being a newspaper ails weekend, the Libertarian candi- sion is the most powerful of all the publish'ef, he is mayor of what-di billed as the only Libertarian- " date for president hoped to meet tools and we have to learn how to controlled town in America. He also has nine wives. with ABC News, the Los Angeles use it," Paul said. "If the networks - "George Bush is going to take Utah in a cakewalk, and your vote Times, the Los Angeles Herald don' t4ccept us, I think we have to is just not going to matter unless you vote for Paul," the editorial Examiner, the Orange County figure out innovative ways of using read. "Ron Paul needs to be elected president of the United States Register and a local radio station. it. " in this town." But the only journalists to cover • Still, Paul, a 53-year-old physi- • All five members Of the Big Water Town Council and Mayor Paul's speech in the nation's No. 2 cian, remains largely unknown. Joseph are Libertarians — following a mass defection from the media market were some guy from Last Friday., William Waller, a Republican Party in 1986. Canada and a student writer from security guard at Los Angeles Inter- Big Water residents like the party's philosophy because "they UCLA's Daily Bruin. The rest, like national Airport, spotted four Paul like being left alone and they liked the no property tax mandate always, didn't 'show. supporters waiting for their candi- coming down from the town council" in 1986, Joseph said. Ignored by newspaper reporters, date in the United Airlines terminal. The tax relief and hands-off style of government has been a boon neglected by television crews and "Who are you here for?" Waller to the remote southern Utah town of 430, near Lake Powell, said denied a debate platform, the four- asked the group. "Oh," he said. Joseph, an excommunicated Mormon. term congressman's weaving drive "I've never seen him on the news." for the White House magnifies the What Paul has seen in his exhaus- crucial role free media play in the tive campaign (400 cities, 100 col- End of the line presidentfal race. leges) is that the way the media look "We don't get the national televi- at it, if you're not in the Democratic Republican. vice presidential time — one day a flag factory, sion news, which is the big thing," nominee Dan Quayle paid us a visit another the Boston Harbor or a or Republican party, you're not in Friday, stopping for about 15 Paul said Friday. 4So we make a lot helmeted candidate riding in a tank any party at all. minutes on the Auburn University — until the images, not the message, of use of radio and we rely on it. We campus, long enough to lead a few becamemost important. know exactly where all the "Everybody is trained and edu- cated in the same two-party politi- cheers, long 'enough, too, to remind And Bush played the TV game 50,000-watt radio stations are. And us what a frustratingly empty cam- better than Dukakis, littacking the they always .welcome us because- cal philosophy," Paul said. And paign year this has been. goverhor relentlessly,. about rais th•:. other two,. candidates.: won't -the media: responds -tO power: If Who can remember a time when . Volidies as goVernor 'of ',-niher doing it. you're not gonna win, who are yo,i the pcblic was so dist-frayed With the •- Massachusetts'', This forced Dukakis "We have a joke in the Liberta- I've been covered by as much fore- candidates running for the nation's to respond, and quite feebly it turns. ign press as I have here. (The fore- highest elected office. Even news- • out, rather than continue with rian party: If only radio talk-show papers themselves have been turned listeners were voting, we'd win the ign reporters) are much more open message-of-the day campaign. to alternative parties." away. Many papers, including the election." Washington Post, have decided not ' THE MEDIA, WE are sorry to Although Paul may draw 1 mil- Especially frustrating' for Paul to endorse a presidential candidate admit, have not been.at their best. lion votes Tuesday, chances are the and his entourage is that Libertarian this year — not that newspaper en- People have been polled to death majority of Americans have never. theory — advocating a small, dorsements are worth anything. this year, bombarded with mean- heard of him. And the election news benign federal-government — has ingless numbers on a daily basis. If service pool will not rent third- become increasingly popular. THE TWO CANDIDATES (Are polls really meant inythirig, how party presidentipl —ate totals elec- Ronald Reagan, Paul points out, you aware there are others? Ron come Dukakis had a 17-point lead tion night. desptte Paul's presence was elected on a strongly Liberta- Paul, the Libertarian; for instance.) after the Democratic National Con- 47 state ballots. rian platform in 1980. are not be the most dynamic leaders vention? Have that many people :-e- "You know, it could be a close we have seen. Indeed, "You're no ally changed their minds since then? "I think the media should be Jack Kennedy" might be the most election in California," Paul said. more objective," Paul said. "If they We doubt it. "We might make the difference. Is memorable line of the entire cam- . The media have treated the ca m- were satisfied to report Ronald Rea- paign because surely, like the paign like a horserace rather than a that not newsworthy? gan's getting government off our much-maligned Quayle, neither forum for issues. We have seen polls "We've been around 17 years back, why don't they point out the George Bush nor Michael Dukakis is on not just the candidates, but which and we have 100 people in elected fact that the government isn't off a Jack Kennedy. of the four is most qualified, whether office nationwide," Paul said of his our back? And why don't they cov- • -But if that element of charisma is Quayle is fit to be vice -president, Libertarian paqy. "We have more er somebody who has an alternative slacking, it would seem likely that the ••whether voters would 'prefer some- candidates running for Congress in view?" campaign would -plunge- full steam -one else to be running and the best, Alabama than Republicans. Those The news stories that Paul does into the issues. But this is the televi- . whether people think there are too: sion age and the candidates have many polls. kinds of thingS are deserving of receive tend to focus on some of the used television -like no other cam- more news attention." more unconventional Libertarian . : Although his spirits seem to haVe paign before. been lifted in the days after Dukakis With scant Media interest and a positions — the aboTindri Of income This is the year voters came to • admitted he was . a liberal, This campaign budget of only $2 mil- tax, the legalization of drugs and learn about sound bites, handlers, message of change ; remains un- lion, Paul and his staff have been prostitution— and the small size of spin doctors, etc., etc., until we all focused or least, unappreciated. He forced to develop alternative means Paul's campaign. realized just how programmed and simply has not given enough people of communication. Paul remembers the day he spent packaged the campaigns were. enough good reasons to change Paul has appeared on cable tele- with a newspaper reporter, whom Taking a page from Ronald course. During a time of peace and' vision's C-SPAN, the Cable News he refuses to identify. "Ninety-nine Reagan's book, Bush and Dukakis prosperity people wanted more than percent of everything I said that day relied on prepared statements to get competence. Dukakis did not Network's "Inside Politics" and the their messages to the voters, state- . Public Broadcasting Service's "Fir- had to do with issues," Paul said. deliver. ments that were designed to fit into So, more than likley, we are left ing Line" with William Buckley "Ninety-nine percent of his article a 30-second "sound bite" on the .1 to deal with what kind of car I with Bush. r's aides have been crit- and "The MacNeil-Lehrer 1..?, network news. It would be the theme • icized for beaig dirty but praised for NcwsHour." was in and what I had for lunch and of the day, one impression planted in running a brilliant media campaign. At other times, Paul has staged the fact that I happened to have a the minds of the viewers. There For better er for worse, It seems satellite-delivered "debates" in hamburger. That kind of junk."' would be a different backdrop every that is how a pre.ciripra is