Published for friends ei supporters of the Libertarian Party

Libertarian National Committee, Inc. • 2600 Virginia Ave, NW, Suite 100 Washington DC 20037 ♦ Phone: (202) 333-0008 • Fax: (202) 333-0072 JULY 2002

CAMPAIGN 2002... NATIONAL CONVENTION.. LP passes halfway mark Delegates pick new Chair; to 2,002 candidate goal change the LP Platform he Libertarian Party has passed the halfway mark in its ibertarians emerged from their Nation- ambitious effort to run 2,002 candidates this year, LP al Convention with a new chair and TPolitical Director Ron Crickenberger announced. significant changes to the LP Platform. As of mid-June, about 1,100 Libertarian candidates declared The convention, held July 3-7 in Indian- their intention to run for local, state, and federal office, he said. apolis, Indiana, drew more than 600 dele- "That's already more than we've ever run in a non-presidential gates and about 800 total attendees. During year!" said Crickenberger. It's also closing in on the record-setting the four days: slate of 1,400 LP candidates in 2000. ■ , past Texas LP State Chair, In addition, the party has crested the 200 mark for candidates was elected national chairman. With 45.8% for the U.S. House — "putting us close to our goal of challenging a on the first ballot, he bested Massachusetts majority of Congressional districts for the second time," he said. LP State Chair Eli Israel (31.2%) and Massa- To reach the goal of 2,002 candidates, a number of states have chusetts activist George Phillies (21.6%). After ■ Geoff Neale: Wins announced their largest-ever slates of LP candidates: Israel withdrew from the race, Neale's win on second ballot. ■ Florida: Thanks to Operation "Full Slate," the state LP is was confirmed on a voice-vote second ballot. fielding candidates in 86 races for State House — which is just ■ Delegates approved a new "Executive Summary" for the seven shy of the 93 Republican candidates, and 19 better than the Platform, which adds a one-sentence overview of the party's 67 Democrats who are running. It's also the largest third-party position on each issue. Also, for the first time, delegates approved slate in Florida since the 1920s. a plank endorsing proportional representative voting. ■ Alabama: 61 Libertarians have been nominated for public ■ Cato Institute President was presented with the office — including John Sophocleus, the first Libertarian candidate Champion of Liberty Award for his role in founding the influential for governor in two decades. "This ensures voters will have think tank. In a gracious acceptance speech, he said, "There is only another option," said State Chair Mark Bodenhausen. one party that cares about the essence of America, and I'm very ■ North Carolina: The 144 Libertarians running for office proud to accept an award from that party this evening." include candidates for a majority in both houses of the General ■ New Mexico Republican Governor blasted Drug Assembly, said state Executive Director . "Wow!" he said. Prohibition, saying it "is tearing this country apart." In addition, he "Only the two older parties have ever done anything like that." applauded Libertarians for "what you've done for this country." Libertarians work to pass FlJA Amendment in South Dakota Libertarian-led organization has launched a Legally titled "Initiated Constitutional Amendment A," the campaign to pass a FIJA constitutional amendment measure allows defendants to present evidence to a jury that Ain South Dakota this November. laws under which they are charged are flawed, or have been Led by longtime LP activist Bob Newland, Common Sense wrongly applied, or that the statutory punishment is too harsh. Justice is working to try to convince voters to add Fully Informed The measure would be a powerful weapon to fight against Jury Amendment (FIJA) language to the state constitution. unfair "victimless crime" laws in the state, said Newland, who is If the measure passes, it will "effectively enact a significant also the LP's candidate for attorney general. portion of the Libertarian Party's national platform" in South Supporters of Amendment A submitted about 35,000 Dakota, said Newland. signatures in July 2000 to qualify the measure for the ballot. Liberty Pledge News • July 2002 Party helps keep others 'honest' By PAT HAMMOND "Ken Blevens will decide Sunday News Staff whether a Democrat or a Republi- Libertarians, accustomed to can goes back to the U.S. Sen- being political outsiders, may be ate," Gorman said. startled to learn that some New "Do you think we (the Libertar- Hampshire party leaders credit ian Party) are not going to get them with holding the major par- calls from the Democratic and ties true to their own convictions. the Republican National Commit- That may come as a surprise to tees? Of course we are," Gorman the voting public, too — at least said. "This isn't never-never land, those who have heard of the party this is real." whose standard-bearers are fre- Libertarians, though generally quently barred from candidate considered to be more allied to debates and even less frequently the Republicans than the Demo- win elections. crats, actually share common And though Libertarians may ground with both parties, anal- be having an impact in shaping ysts such as Burling observe. issues, they make up only a small "The Libertarians are not radi- part of the New Hampshire vot- cal-right Republicans, they are ing public -- far fewer than the not Republicans hiding out as voters who file as "undeclared." Libertarians," Burling said. "The Libertarians somehow KEN BLEVENS HOWARD WILSON "I think, in the larger sense, a help keep Republicans focused pale shadow of libertarian philos- on their free market principles," ophy is occasionally abducted by former state Sen. Jim Rubens the right wing of the Republican said. "By being a competitive party and used for their own pur- party among whose core philoso- Who's running for what poses, but I don't think the right phies are free market, limited wing of the Republican party are government and limited taxation Here's a list of Libertarian candidates seeking office in New true Libertarians," he said. "They they remind Republicans Hampshire. tend to be much more mean-spir- through the power of competition Ken BieVelle, U.S. Senate. ited than the Libertarians in the to stay focused on our own adher- Dan Belforti, U.S. Representative District 1. House ever were." ence to the principles," the Etna Rosalie Babiarz: U.S. Representative District 2. Burling said his views have conservative said. John Babiarz, Governor. also been shaped by areas in "They sharpen up the Republi- Carmine Smith, State Senate District 2. which the Libertarians and the can party to remember its princi- Brad Dorsey, State Representative Merrimack District 06. Democrats overlap, such as re- ples in the same way that the Frederick A. Strong, State Representative Coos District 1. productive choice and the rights Green party, during competitive Howard L Wilson, State Representative Merrimack District 1. of people facing drug forfeiture. elections, reminds Democrats of William Discipio, State Representative Rockingham District 11. "I was able to find the libertari- their principles — the core phi- Rhonda M. Keiper, State Representative Hillsborough District 15. an philosophical support for the losophy of bigger government notion that if You are going to use and more government services," Leonard Epstein, State Representative Rockingham District 18. Robert Kelley, State Representative Merrimack District 22. civil law to take over someone's Rubens said. property, you should at least have New Hampshire House Demo- Greg A. Sears, State Representative District 26. Rich Tomasso, State Representative Hillsborough District 29. in place minimal civil rights pro- cratic Leader Peter Burling re- tection and, to a certain extent, members when there were as Phil Greazzo, State Representative Hillsborough District 46. Richard B. Kahn, Executive Council District 4. proportionality — meaning let many as four members of the Lib- the punishment fit the crime. ertarian Party in the House, back Howard L Wilson, Andover selectman. "In large part, it was a joint ef- in the last decade. fort involving (then Attorney "The Libertarians we used to General) Jeff Howard, myself, have were thoughtful, capable New Hampshire. Data from the year 2000 reflect Libertarian members of the people who brought a very differ- "I don't see them as players," 240,000 undeclared voters, 230,- House and some of the Demo- ent perspective to the Legislature state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro said. 000 ' Republicans and 167,000 crats on the Judiciary Commit- and focused all our attention "Maybe the libertarian philoso- Democrats, he said. tee," he said. quite appropriately on the ques- phy goes into both parties in Libertarians claim 427 dues- Burling said his view was tion, what does government do terms of 'less government is good paying members in New Hamp- shaped by the "polite, thoughtful well and why does it do anything government,' " the Manchester shire, but Libertarian candidates approach" brought by the Liber- else?" Burling said. Democrat said, "but the Libertari- have received thousands of votes. tarians in the House. "The Libertarians were very Democrats and Libertarians close allies of mine in the drug ans as an entity have no base of John Lewicke, for one, a virtual support." unknown running against Repub- differ on fiscal policy, Burling asset forfeiture fight of 1993 and' said, but not on social policy. 1994," he said, "but I think we D'Allesandro said the number lican Charles Bass and Democrat- of voters who declare themselves ic incumbent Dick Swett, in the Both Democrats and Libertarians would have differed fundamen- agree that government power in tally over the Claremont rulings "undeclared" is of far greater sig- 2nd congressional district race in nificance in New Hampshire poli- 1994, gaineied 2,986 votes (1.8 shaping social decision-making is and education funding." to be avoided, he said, and that "The real Liberatarians, the tics than the Libertarians. percent), even after he withdrew from the race and endorsed Bass, individuals should exercise ones who understood it as a phi- "That body moves," D'Allesan- choice as much as possible. losophy, really had an important dro said, referring to the unde- who subsequently won. Rubens thinks this scenario Gorman said the Libertarians' thing to offer — the constant clared, "sometimes to the left and adherence to the Constitution is questioning of what we choose to sometimes to the right. That sen- could take place again, when Lib- critical to understanding them. do through government power," timent has grown dramatically in ertarian Ken Blevens faces Gov. "Probably the biggest effect we Burling said. "And I am pleased New Hampshire in recent years. Jeanne Shaheen and either U.S. have in this state," he said, "is we to say guys like (former state They don't want to be declared Sen. Bob Smith or U.S. Rep. John continually point to the Constitu- Rep.) Don Gorman never hesitat- part of a party but they do want to E. Sununu in the elections for tion as the bedrock of all the laws ed to admit that they were some- vote." U.S. Senate in November. that are being created in the times conflicted by their Secretary of State Bill Gardner "A Libertarian candidate can State House. If it's not constitu- positions." said undeclared (sometimes Also rarely win," Rubens said, "and tional, it shouldn't even happen." Some party activists disagree referred to as independent) vot- certainly Ken Blevens isn't going Sometimes a Libertarian sees a that Libertarians are playing a ers now outnumber the voters in to win. But if you have an ex- -solution before his counterparts meaningful role in politics in each of the two major parties. tremely close race the Libertarian in the other parties do, Gorman candidate should be cognizant of said. that and, in my opinion, throw his Blevens, testifying on state ed- support behind the Republican, ucation funding, proposed that particularly when we have a con- the state zero-budget education A The Union Leader servative running against a liber- by declaring zero adequacy. al." "Ken's argument was 'go to Manchester, New Hampshire Gorman, a Libertarian trainer zero,' " Gorman said. "It fills the June 2, 2002 and strategist who has run semi- mandate of the Supreme Court. nars in many states, acknowl- And they laughed him out of the edged Blevens' potential room. usefulness to the Democratic or "But now," Gorman said, "we Republican candidate, and went have legislators promoting that one step further. zero-based idea." • Liberty Pledge News • July 2002 OpEdge Libertarian Party holds QUOTES AND STATS TO MAKE YOU THINK

nominating convention Texas Libertarians rising MITCHELL (AP) — Mem- tion to legislative attacks on While the Texas Republicans meet bers of South Dakota's Liber- the Bill of Rights. in convention this week in Dallas, a tartan P held their state But not all members of the group that could cause them problems convention this weekend at a party are so pessimistic about will convene a couple miles away. restaurant in Mitchell. their chances of winning. 4 The Rapid City No, not the Democrats, though they Though only 25 people At the top of the ticket are Journal, are indeed the Republicans' biggest attended to nominate candi- a few candidates running for Rapid City, competitor. The Democrats meet a dates and approve ballot ini- federal office who are not will- South Dakota, week later in El Paso. tiatives, Libertarians called ing to say that they are run- June 17, 2002 The potential saddleburr for the the convention a success. The ning only to make a point. Republicans is the Libertarian Party. It number is five times as many U.S. Senate candidate II* Fort Worth will hold its nominating convention people who attended two Kurt Evans, a Wessington Star-Telegram, Ft. Worth, Texas, several blocks away in Dallas while the years ago. Springs teacher, and House June 3, 2002 GOP, which holds every statewide elec- Outgoing party chairman candidate Terry Begay of tive office, hears from state and Nathan Barton of Rapid City Volin, a retired corrections V News-Dispatch, national officials. and other members acknowl- officer, think they have a Michigan City, While the Green Party is a potential Indiana, edged that putting Libertari- chance to win. drain from the Democrats, by drawing June 23, 2002 ans on the ballot for state "It's a long shot, but I would off environmentalists and others to the offices is mainly an exercise not rule it out," Evans said. Democrats' left, the Libertarians_llank in party building and getting "Tell the truth, and trust vot- the Republicans on bOrtifre'riat and name recognition. ers to make the right decision." left. "Of course, I'm not going to Evans ran unsuccessfully They want minimum government be elected attorney general," for the House in 1996. regulation of industries, few subsidies Bob Newland of Hermosa said. Begay had planned to run to businesses and individuals, and little But Newland said that as a as a Democrat but became a government involvement. candidate for state office, he Libertarian in January when "Libertarians are about individual could be in a better position he decided he did not want to _Eigh ponsibilities more than to push a ballot initiative that be bound by the Democratic anything else," said Geoffrey Neale of would permit lawyers to party line. Austin, the Texas party's chairman. argue to juries that they have South Dakota Libertarians But that includes keeping govern- the right to consider whether are drawn to the party by its ment out of people's personal lives, a law is legal, whether it is philosophy of minimalist gov- and their bedrooms - while the Repub- misapplied in individual cas- ernment. The party not only licans officially condemn homosexuali- es and whether punishment draws former Democrats and ty, and want to outlaw the current provisions are excessive. Republicans but also people right of most Texas women to choose New party chairman Brian such as Eric Nace of Mitchell, whether to abort a pregnancy. Lerohl of Fairview said his who said he leaned toward Dave McNeely, main goal for the Libertarian anarchism before joining the Austin American-Statesman Party is to have it call atten- Libertarian party. Metheny to run for LaPorte County sheriff

hope voters will get informed about BY JEFF TUCKER keep it clean if you'll keep it clean." Porte County" LaPorte County Council's 3rd District our candidates and take advantage of The News-Dispatch Arnold said Thursday he was open The sheriff's race will mark Methe- seat and Walter Hurt will run for the to the proposal. ny's eighth election attempt, all un- Council's 2nd District seat. this opportunity to send a message to Those candidates join Doug Barnes the old parties this fall." The ,Lilertarian Party of LaPorte "I consider it an honor that he would successful so far, including a 1998 run and Don Heichel, who were nominat- Kelver also noted Libertarians plan County has announced it has slated invite me and I will seriously consid- for the Democratic nomination for state ed in April to run for the council's 1st to run candidates for state represen- more candidates for the fall election, in- er appearing on his representative and seven attempts for and 4th district seats, respectively. tative seats as well. Presently, state cluding nominating local cable televi- program," the Michigan City Area Schools school Local Libertarian Party Chairman Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, sion host Dennis Metheny for LaPorte sheriff said. board. The fall election will be the first Greg Kelver noted while Heichel is and state Rep. Mary Kay Budak, R-La- County sheriff. Metheny, who time Metheny has run as a Libertari- running against Democratic incum- Porte, are unchallenged in the fall elec- Metheny, 54, will face incumbent lives in Coolsprixig an. bent Ann Spevak for the 4th District tion. Kelver said Libertarians plan to Democrat Jim Arnold and Republican Township just out- "I just felt that the Democratic Par- seat, no Republican ran for the seat in announce a candidate for Indiana's 2nd challenger Mark Ludlow in the Nov. 4 side Michigan City, ty and I no longer were on the same said one local law level," Metheny explained, saying he the May primary, although the local Congressional District race as well. election. "As we run more candidates and enforcement pro- had been an active Democrat since GOP met in a caucus in LaPorte "I think it's time that we bring fiscal voters learn about the principles of gram he'd seek to 1988 before leaving the party last year. Thursday night to fill ballot vacan- responsibility back to the sheriff's de- the Libertarian Party, it really is in-. partment. I want less government and nix as sheriff 'The LaPorte County leaders don't cies. Kelver said filling so many vacancies evitable that Libertarians will start I want a more constitutional govern- would be the en- METHENY seem to be working for the people." forcement of Indi- Most recently, Metheny *as defeat- creates a historic election for the third winning elections throughout Indi- ment," said Metheny, host for 6 112 ana," Kelver said. years of the sometimes controversial ana's law requiring passengers of ve- ed in the May primary when he sought Party. "We have now slated candidates for The Libertarian Party selects can- show 'Time to Blow the Whistle" on lo- hicles to wear seat-belts. an at-large seat on the board of trustees all County Council races in LaPorte didates in conventions and does not cal public access television. 'Tm against this seat-belt pullover," for the Michigan City Area Schools. County," Kelver said Wednesday in a run candidates in the primary elec- Metheny said he has invited Arnold he said. "I think it's an infringement on Metheny finished third of three candi- news release announcing the latest tions. The Libertarians will convene to be a guest on his show to debate the our constitutional rights and I'm going dates, garnering 1,156 votes, or 24 per- Libertarian candidates. "For the first their national convention July 3 in In- issues. to do everything possible as sheriff to cent of the votes in the race. time ever, LaPorte County voters who dianapolis. The party's state conven- "I've told him I haven't attacked get the law removed. In this county, The local Libertarians have also believe in smaller, less intrusive gov- tion was in April in Inchanapolis. Next anybody that has come on my show to they pick up more than a thousand filed other candidates to fill other bal- ernment can cast their vote for local year's state convention will be held in discuss anything," Metheny said. "He people every three months. That's $25 lot vacancies. Libertarian candidates. We sincerely LaPorte County. told me to keep it clean and I said I'll a ticket and all that money leaves La- William R. Fennell will run for the Liberty Pledge News • July 2002

800 Libertarians hold spirited meeting Tout small victories amid lack of resources, recognition

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —The way Congress on the party label. elected, you don't get the power, you many Libertarians see it, they have In 2000, repeat presidential can- don't get the money, and it's going to come a long way since their party's didate got only 0.04 be that way for the lesser-known po- Libertarian humble beginnings in a Colorado percent of the vote. 'Aventy years litical parties," she said. living room in 1971. earlier, according to the convention On Saturday, the convention chose The disenchantment of a few over guide, "waged the most Geoff Neale, a software company proposes big the Vietnam War and President successful national Libertarian president and consultant from Nixon's wage-and-price controls has campaign in party history" by get- Texas, to lead the party's push as its grown into what they say is the na- ting about 1 percent of the presi- national chairman. He promised to budget cuts tion's best-organized and most suc- dential vote. cessful third party. "They spread their resources so work to get the party's message out SALEM (AP) — Tom Cox, the "Other parties come and go," said thin by running a large number of to more people and provide the only candidate seeking the Liber- David Nolan, considered the party's candidates to give the appearance of party's candidates better profes- tarian gubernatorial nomination, founding father. "The reason we being bigger than they are, and then sional training. said the state can solve its budget have staying power is that we are with no resources they get crushed Lack of money didn't keep spirits problems without raising taxes or consistent." and that reinforces the loser image," down at the convention, a smaller taking more money from schools. The Libertarian Party has about said Paul Hager, who quit the party version of the red-white-and-blue Cox has proposed nearly $1.8 bil- 25,000 dues-paying members, ac- and became a Republican after los- hoopla of the Republican and De- lion in reductions by cutting a num- cording to press secretary. George ing his bid to be nominated for In- mocratic conventions. ber of services and eliminating Getz. About 800 of them were in In- diana secretary of state. When a platform statement was some departments. dianapolis over the weekend for the Some at the convention, including adopted condemning gerrymander- Cox said Wednesday that tax Libertarian National Convention, the party's first presidential candi- ing in drawing up new political dis- increases would kill the economic touting their candidates and their date, , did not dis- tricts, dozens of delegates hollered recovery and borrowing other funds principles of individual liberty, agree. and did high fives. Others carried T- was a reckless idea. smaller government and free trade. "It's just a small aggregation of shirts touting their views: One The Libertarian called for elimi- It was also a showcase for their people in a lot of different places at showed a donkey and an elephant nating the Economic and Commu- small political victories — in large the same time, but it doesn't amount pointing guns, with the donkey say- nity Development Department, the part because those are the only ones to one huge thing in any one place:' Department of Agriculture and a they can celebrate. said Mr. Hospers, who got about ing "Your money!" and the elephant saying "Your rights." number of small commissions. Cox Libertarians hold nearly 500 3,900 votes in the 1972 presidential said he thought both departments elected or appointed offices nation- electioh. "We are not a personality-driven party," Mr. Nolan said. "We are not were unnecessary because they wide, but most are at the local level: "What we don't have is the money, largely subsidize business activi- city or town councils, park boards the power and the recognition," said a party that follows a George Wal- ties. Cox also said he would elimi- and school boards, airport districts Gail Lightfoot, who is running for lace or a Ross Perot or a Ralph nate all state support of drug and and justices of the peace. There are secretary of state for a second time Nader. We are a party of people who alcohol treatment, Oregon Public no Libertarian state legislators, and in California this year. believe in consistent steps in prin- Broadcasting and the Oregon His- nobody has ever been elected to "It's a Catch-22. Without getting ciples." torical Society. His largest reductions would come in the state's main human- service programs and in the state Corrections Department. He called for cutting more than $850 million from the Department of Human Services by making heavy reduc- tions in the Oregon Health Plan and in other social services. A The Washington Times • Washington, DC • July 8, 2002

► The Grants Pass Daily Courier Grants Pass, Oregon • June 13, 2002

V The Sioux City Journal • Sioux City, Iowa, June 15, 2002 Libertarian candidate brings gubernatorial campaign to city fense attorney from Iowa City. Noyes, solve problems from the bottom up." said. Cleveland said he would establish By Kate Thempsee also a Libertarian, is running for attor- Cleveland, who now lives in Fair- Republicans and Democrats alike performance-based standards for gov- Journal =limier ney general. field, Iowa, says the reason he can win care more about maintaining their own ernment. When that was done in New The title of the book is "Restoring the the governor's race is because of inde- power than they do about people, he Zealand, the country moved two-thirds Clyde Cleveland wants to be gover- Heart of America: a return to govern- pendent voters. There are 700,000 reg- said. of government employees to the private nor of Iowa. As the libertarian candidi- ment by the people." That's the theme istered independent Iowa voters and "The only way we can change things sector. ate, some would say he has no of 52-year-old Cleveland's only about 500,000 each who are Re- is if we elect someone who is not tied to "If we are going to save the state of chance of winning. But don't campaign for governor as well. publicans and Democrats. those institutions," he said. "If I get Iowa and keep our children from leav- tell him. His running mate is Richard "There is a huge, deep well of discon- elected, it would be a pretty strong mes- ing, we can't continue to be one of the "I really believe we can Campagna, a professor at the tent with the major parties," he said. sage that change is being required by highest-taxed states in the country," he change things, that we can University of Iowa. He also points to the success of Min- people in Iowa." said. "We need to start doing things dif- win," said Cleveland. "We're "The first few chapters of the nesota governor Jesse Ventura. If elected, Cleveland said his first ac- ferently, putting more things under local really serious. The bottom up book lay out our philosophy of "Enough people took him seriously," tion will be to cut his own salary by 30 control and local responsibility." concept resonates with people." returning power and resources Cleveland says. percent Then he intends to cut the rest When he's not running for governor, Cleveland will visit Sioux to local communities because He's counting on his book to give him of state government by 30 percent Cleveland runs a marketing company, City at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the that is where we can solve prob- the kind of celebrity status that drew at- within four years. Puremark Inc. He's also a public Wilbur Aalfs Public Library aerehed lems," Cleveland said. "The rest tention to Ventura, he said. "In the last 20 years, the size of gov- speaker. He has a Web site for addi- with copies of the book be has of the chapters look, on an "We've already been on national ernment has tripled and population has tional information on his ideas at written with Ed Noyes, a criminal de- issue-by-issue basis, at how we can radio to an audience of 23 million," he remained the same," he said. www.clevelandforgovernor.org.