I wanted to pen my thoughts on my recent experience with the Smither Campaign. I was reluctant to do so at any point until this time as I still am suffering from burnout. With the debate raging as to whether the LP can be successful at running candidate, I have decided once more to enter the fray and voice my opinion. I hope this will lead to a more educated discussion with regard to success versus failure in future endeavors.
I find it troubling that one of the founders of the party, Mr. Nolan, felt obliged to denigrate those in the party who work towards making the LP a relevant faction of the American Body Politic. I dislike the notion of being at odds with one of the founders of the political party which I belong, yet felt compelled to refute the position which he is promoting. We all know that there are elements within the libertarian movement who would relegate activities based solely upon spreading philosophy. Likewise, another faction would have us work solely on electoral success. I contend that it will take both in order to gain any success whatsoever.
What I find very puzzling about Mr. Nolan’s position is his apparent contradiction. Mr. Nolan proposed at the Ohio Libertarian Convention in June 2006 that the mission statement should read as such:
