This is why Barr isn't catching on.
http://www.christinesmithforpresident.com/
The LP as "The Party of Principle" is DEAD
by Christine Smith
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The LP as "The Party of Principle" is DEAD
by Christine Smith, May 27, 2008
I have given several interviews (television, radio, internet, and to print journalists explaining my thoughts about Barr receiving the LP nomination-with every reporter asking why I cannot support the Barr/Root ticket.) It is obvious: I cannot support someone for the LP presidential nominee who is former CIA, a federal prosecutor responsible for incarcerating people for laws we as libertarians oppose, a supporter of the Patriot Act, voted for the unjust invasion of Iraq, author of The Defense of Marriage Act, supports foreign aid, one whose stances are un-libertarian to the core - on immigration-gay equality-the drug war (research what he wants to do currently in Columbia and in Latin America in general--this is not a libertarian who wants to end the drug war--this is not a non-interventionist candidate). He would have much to prove, over time, before a libertarian such as myself would trust him enough to support him to hold any LP office. I cannot support Root for the LP VP as he is someone who endorsed John McCain, defines marriage as only between a man and woman, supports foreign aid, and believes war with Iran would be the right war. Now saying a few of the "right words" suddenly does not, for me, make either one a libertarian. As I told CSPAN during an interview after my initial remarks, I think Barr is a wolf in sheep's clothing (and I view Root as a counterfeit libertarian). However, to clarify, I do not think he nor Barr has deceived Libertarians so much as Libertarians know exactly what these men are - but they just do not care.
The libertarian principles which made this this the party for me have been abandoned. The party has become an end in itself, but I believe the cause of liberty trumps any party. Barr's campaign will certainly attract more interventionists, more anti-immigration and more anti-freedom conservatives like himself to the LP, so the delegates may get their growth (and perhaps increased vote counts in November) they so eagerly seek, but the cost is that true libertarians now have no political home since the LP chose as its standard bearer a man who is the antithesis of libertarianism. No matter how the LP delegates and Libertarians who supported this may rationalize it to themselves, they sold out their libertarian principles.
What I saw at the LP convention disgusted me. My illusion that a political party existed which represented libertarian principles is gone. I thought Libertarians actually believed in libertarian principle and that would always be their highest priority. I was wrong. I gave them far more credit due to their espousing of libertarian solutions and ideals, that was based on their words and their past- but their behavior and choices during such a critical election prove otherwise. Obviously, the majority of Libertarian delegates cared nothing about libertarian principle when they chose Barr and Root over several real Libertarian candidates. Sunday was a tragedy as we lost the political party I, and others nationwide, had hope in.
The LP as "The Party of Principle" is DEAD.
My heart is filled with deep appreciation to the true libertarians I have met throughout my campaign. You brought me to this point, and I am grateful. We are not alone...and meeting and receiving your support during the last year and half gave me strength despite what I became aware of was happening within the LP. I wish all of you well as you choose your path to advance liberty. (I also wish to express that the coming together of the supporters from several campaigns for the good of getting a few libertarians into the debate was heartening. Healing and cooperation among true libertarians did occur this weekend. And though we may each decide different ways to continue toward our common goal, I believe each of us can become stronger because of our experiences. The resolve to fight for what we believe is within many of us, though how we choose to channel that energy may differ. )
For those of you who have asked: I am leaving the LP. I think the party is a waste of time and resources for anyone who actually wishes to join with others whose priority is freedom (some advances are made on the local level which I think are very good-but as a whole I think the LP is unworthy of the participation of anyone with integrity, ethics, and character--that is my conclusion after witnessing what occurred at the National LP Convention this weekend.) Though some true libertarians will choose to remain in the LP, from the emails and phone calls I have received, I believe many will leave. Each true libertarian must make the choice that is right for him or her; my choice is to fight the battle for liberty in other ways. As for me, I want no part of an organization that could put Barr and Root as the 2008 Presidential/VP candidates. Their choice to do so is, in my opinion, a tragic mistake for the LP. The LP now stands for nothing different than the two major parties - it is a meaningless party as it has become what it always condemned; it no longer offers an alternative choice or voice for liberty at the highest level as should be represented in its presidential candidate. The resulting damage to the party as a means to advance liberty and to attract liberty-minded individuals has been done. No true libertarian would support (or defend) the selection of Bob Barr. (For those who choose to remain in the LP to try and repair it, it will take many years to even return to the place the party was a few days ago.) The hope and enormous potential the LP, as "The Party of Principle," had in 2008 was enormous - now that has been destroyed.
It was my devotion to libertarian philosophy that led me to join the LP, and it is the reason I must leave.
