I realize this is a bit of a “dog bites man” headline for those who have followed Susan’s criticism of LPHQ and the current LNC over the last few years, but Susan is running for LNC At Large this year, and has specifically referenced this as a reason for running. If other LNC candidates would like their positions on issues of party management covered, let me know in the comments.
New LP press release: Fear-mongering – oh, the irony!
Re: the latest LP press release – available here:
http://www.lp.org/media/article_555.shtml
I think the LP really needs to concentrate on spreading the positive word about the LP and the LP's candidates, not on ankle-biting or heel-snapping at various members of other political parties who are engaging in their own primaries. Yes, the Republican race is full of bozos. So is the Democratic primary. We know that. If we’re going to start running an ad-critiquing service, we should just give up the political party facade and call ourselves the Libertarian Institute. What next – will the LP will critique the fear-mongering anti-immigration ad of another Republican candidate? Somehow I think that is not likely to happen.
I'd like to see the LP stop acting like the dissident wing of the Republican Party and instead focus on powerful positive messages of our own. This release says … well, I guess I was going to say it said nothing positive about the Libertarian Party, but on a second read – it says nothing about the LP at all.
Really! Observe these lines from the release and tell me you don’t see the irony:
“It’s morally repugnant,” says Libertarian Party National Media Coordinator Andrew Davis, “That’s all there is to it. Scare tactics are what Americans are trying to leave behind with the Bush administration—not continue for another four years.”
“… This should be a good indication of the society we’ll live in should Giuliani be elected as President. It will be a society where war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength.”
What exactly is that second paragraph if not 'scare tactics'? If you find it 'morally repugnant', don't engage in it – though I really don't think it rises to anything more than simple political hackery, and that 'morally repugnant' should be a term reserved for actual policy proposals – like restricting the free and peaceful movement of people across borders or saying that bombing a city is an option that should be 'on the table'.And, of course, the LP evidences its impeccably poor sense of timing. Attacking Giuliani is rather pointless right now, it seems.
Mostly, I just want to see the national staff talking about the Libertarian Party and its messages. A release – or, better, a statement from the Chair – describing the LP's positive message of peace and freedom would be miles above an attack that can only be described as irrelevantly hypocritical. We missed a golden opportunity to call for an end to interventionism and empire on the heels of Bhutto's death. This frustrating lack of leadership regarding staying on message and focused on libertarianism rather than pretending to be Republican Lite or Republican Classic is one reason I am running for a seat on the LNC.
In other news, Susan would like you to know that she is not Daniel Imperato’s friend, is not happy with
LNC (Southeast US) Region 4 Representative Bob Barr donating money to various Republicans running for Congress and President through his PAC last year, and that she is for the children.
Less
aynrkey
bostonteapartygoer
Kenn Jacobine
mattdharris
Mike Seebeck
Miche
paulie
Jim Davidson
ponggod
Stuart Richards
Steven Greffenius
Todd Andrew Barnett
My main concern with Susan’s LNC candidacy is, quite frankly, that she doesn’t work and play well with others.
That being said, I do agree with her that the LNC should not be promoting a Republican, that Bob Barr should not be on the LNC because he has a PAC which supports mostly Republicans, that Girl Scout Thin Mints are yummy, that Daniel Imperato is a wackjob, and that the Ron Paul ad in question is odious at best.
Gawd, I hate it when I agree with Susan Hogarth.
However, because I do agree with her on some very important issues – and despite the fact that I’d prefer to shove bamboo sticks under my fingernails than deal with her – I will not actively support, nor will I actively oppose, her candidacy.
Bamboo sticks, eh? Is that ‘play’ or ‘work’ for you?
Since we’ve never played nor worked together – or even tried to – I think you must be getting your opinions secondhand. I’m really quite personable, though I do have my moments.
But I guess I’ll have to accept your neutrality, and thank my stars that you’re not committed to the bamboo routine.
I’ll vouch that Susan is nice in person the times that I have met her.
My opinion came firsthand, when you called me a “pathetic stalk blogger” without knowing anything about me.
Nevertheless…. On the subject of the LNC, do you by chance know which LNC members supported the Ron Paul actions, and which ones did not support them? Or were those actions supported by all?
The vote was unanimous.
And the discussion was off the record (executive session).
I’ll admit that I did not understand at the time that you were engaged in a sort of performance art
I’m glad that you now understand my eccentricity.
About that LNC vote …. was it unanimous as in everyone voted for it, or unanimous as in a large majority voted for it?
Has any information leaked out on the off-the-record discussion?
Completely unanimous, no one voted against it.
I’m not aware of any leaks.
Thanks, Paulie.