It finally sinks in that the national Libertarian Party now sees individuals running for president not as candidates, but as cash cows to be milked as thoroughly as possible.
I have criticized the bizarre Liberty Decides quasi-auction of the party nomination from the very beginning (and give credit to George Phillies for refusing to participate).
Now, I learn from Crazy for Liberty [a new and interesting blog, but one that could profitably employ Nancy Willing as a proofreader] that the Libertarian Leadership Conference in Nevada is charging the candidates $500 each to participate in the presidential debate.
Christine Smith, whom I take seriously because Becky (the Girl in Short Shorts) does, has refused to play ball:
I'm with you on this one, Christine.
I have criticized the bizarre Liberty Decides quasi-auction of the party nomination from the very beginning (and give credit to George Phillies for refusing to participate).
Now, I learn from Crazy for Liberty [a new and interesting blog, but one that could profitably employ Nancy Willing as a proofreader] that the Libertarian Leadership Conference in Nevada is charging the candidates $500 each to participate in the presidential debate.
Christine Smith, whom I take seriously because Becky (the Girl in Short Shorts) does, has refused to play ball:
I was disgusted when I was informed of this exploitation of LP presidential candidates and I am not attending because of it.
I regret not being there because I was so looking forward to meeting many Libertarian activists, state chairs, and other Libertarian officers and candidates....
Never have I (or anyone else I've spoken with) heard of such an outrageous requirement.
I am sorry I will be unable to meet those of you who are attending from across the country, but I am not going to allow my campaign to be exploited. I am very disappointed, but look forward to meeting more Libertarians nationwide at other Libertarian/libertarian events and conventions who know how to hosts presidential candidate forums/debates in a respectful appreciative manner.
I'm with you on this one, Christine.
Comments
Doug www.crazyforliberty
PS I am link to you site when I am done here
PS I am Linkingto your site when I am done here :)
Normally, in an auction, the high bidder pays the amount of his bid, and receives the item being auctioned. The other bidders pay nothing and get nothing.
It would appear that this is not an auction, but rather sale of advertising space on the lp.org web site. Does my analysis seem wrong to you?
In a pure sense you're right: it's not precisely an auction but there is a direct connection between how much money you raise for the party and where the party places you on the site, with a veiled implication that those who don't play at all (George Phillies) are denied exposure.
I find the whole process bizarre and distasteful.
I could actually accept some model based on the tradesports wagering model, in which potential voters put up their own money and wagered on the "futures" of the candidates.
But what really bothers me is that the Libertarian Party has converted the already quixotic pursuit of the presidency by people who know they can't win, but who are investing their time and their own efforts in the pursuit of principles they hold, into a fund-raising exercise for the national party.
Sorry, but to me that's offensive. Hence my continuing derisive references.