Topic: Libertarian History
The Irrepressible Mr. Imperato If Daniel Imperato is not the best-known candidate in the Libertarian Party presidential nomination race, that's not for lack of trying.by George Dance
(Libertarian)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Daniel Imperato may not be the best-known candidate in the race for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination. If so, that's not for lack of trying.
Imperato's biography is somewhat unusual for a Presidential candidate. Born in Boston in 1958, he claims to be descended from the Emperor Nero. According to his website, he is a Papal Knight of the City of Rome, a Knight of Malta, and a Chaplain of the Latin/African American Chaplains Association of New York. This busy man also heads up the Imperato Foundation, which provides "business and financial advise [sic] along with prayer to American troops overseas."
Imperato is also a knight in the Orden Bonaria,, a Spanish Catholic charity. In Sep. 2007 he was named the Orden Bonaria's Grand Prior for the United States and Canada by the order's head, Prince de Septimio-Bathzabbay of the House of Tadmur, himself; which prompted Imperato's press service to tell the world:
Based upon i1connect's research, this would be the first time that someone of a noble appointment such as Grand Prior, is running for President in [sic] the United States."
Not only that, but "Mrs. Imperato also received her noble appointment as the Lady of Zenobia."
Imperato does have some political credits. He was 2004 Honorary Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee's Business Advisory Council. He has also been awarded the Ronald Reagan Gold Medal and the NRCC Order of Merit. Imperato does not emphasize that these Republican titles and awards can all be purchased through donations. He bought them all.
Apparently he also bought his way into the Libertarian race, by donating over $6000 to the LP for ballot access drives (making him the second-highest donor to the LP's Liberty Decides ballot access fundraising campaign). Only that explains his presence in those debates, given that he is campaigning as an Independent, not a Libertarian, and that there is nothing explicitly libertarian in his platform.
Imperato previously sought both the Green and Reform Party presidential nominations. During the Green debates he was criticized for, not only running as an Independent, but listing all the other Green Party candidates on his website as "Independents Across America." Imperato refused to change that title, prompting accusations of a "lack of interest in helping to grow the party." However, he must have shown some interest in donatng to Green ballot access drives, as well, as he has subsequently spoken at other Green events.
Imperato claims to be especially popular with Hispanics. In Mar. he addressed the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Conference in Washington, DC (an event of which he was also a "leading sponsor"), where he came out in favor of "increased trade, better labor relations, attention to health care concerns and energy efficiency."
Imperato also claims to have spent $2 million of his own money on his presidential run. He may have loaned his campaign that much (a la Mitt Romney). However, according to his FEC filings, he has contributed just $33,000. That is not a insignificant sum, given that the campaign raised exactly $33,150, but not millions.
Whatever the actual amount, though, the results have not been all that encouraging. One 2007 survey, for example, showed Imperato supported by 0.6% of Libertarian Party members, and none of the delegates to its May 2008 Convention, "A Better Choice for America."
independent explosion that is about to erupt in America. Leading this movement is Daniel Imperato (www.imperato2008.com), a Bostonian, and a man of means with mutual respect and global knowledge second to none ... an explosive, energetic, fresh face to lead the Independent movement. As the major parties continue to bicker and ruin this country, they only add fuel to the fire of Imperato and the movement."
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The views expressed in this
article are those of George Dance only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. George Dance is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
"Imperato does have some political credits. He was 2004 Honorary Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee's Business Advisory Council. He has also been awarded the Ronald Reagan Gold Medal and the NRCC Order of Merit. Imperato does not emphasize that these Republican titles and awards can all be purchased through donations. He bought them all."
Hell, they give those out in HOPES that the recipiants will donate money. It's like "you may already be a winner" mail from Publisher's Clearinghouse.
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