Seeking Truth
columnist: Christine Smith

I will accomplish outreach to millions of Americans with the message of liberty, sharing how libertarian principles applied to real world political and social issues will improve everyone's life. I will focus on the most important issues of the day: foreign policy and the economy. We have a wonderful opportunity in 2008: the American people are ready for radical change. No longer are the majority content with 2-party politics as usual. I will hold high the banner of liberty - boldly taking our message and solutions to all Americans. I'm not going to make a prediction to vote totals, but I will say this: I believe that I, more than any other candidate seeking the LP nomination, will reach the greatest number of Americans, and that will certainly be reflected on election day. I will reach women, minorities, young people, those struggling financially, as well as more men, as no other LP presidential candidate has done before. Because libertarian solutions will benefit all, I will go to all. We need a charismatic, articulate, strong, knowledgeable true libertarian as our 2008 LP Presidential candidate; I will be honored to serve the cause of liberty in this way.

- During your campaign for the nomination, do you feel you have helped the party with its recent growth? If so, how?

Absolutely! My campaign has received more media coverage (as of March 31, 2008) than any other candidate seeking the LP nomination; I have appeared on numerous AM-Radio talk shows nationwide reaching millions of Americans (many of the shows were on 50,000-watt AM stations reached 20-38 states themselves each time). When I saw the increase in membership by end of last year, I knew it was in large part due to the many times I had shared the LP and the LP website on national and large-city radio shows throughout 2007. My campaign has also been in receipt of letters from life-long Democrats and Republicans who let us know they changed party affiliation, now becoming a Libertarian, due to finding and being inspired by my campaign.

- In the event that you do not win the presidential nomination, will you assist the presidential nominee and other Libertarian candidates around the nation? If so, how?

I will always focus on doing activities which I feel best promote liberty in this nation. Taking a look at the other current LP presidential candidates, no, I'm not going to be involved in such a campaign. I believe I am the superior candidate to be the spokesperson for the Libertarian Party in 2008, if I did not believe this I would not be running. If there were someone running that I believed would do a more effective job than what I know I can accomplish then I'd already be supporting them. But there is no such person. Thus, if I do not receive the LP nomination, I will focus all my energies into my writing, public speaking, and humanitarian work as I always have. I devote myself to being part of helping achieve greater liberty in this nation, and will give all my efforts to working for liberty not only through my writing, but by also joining with others (whom I've had the pleasure of meeting during this campaign) whom I believe are sincerely devoted to libertarian principle. Yes, I'm willing toassist other Libertarian candidates around the nation, but not just "Libertarian," I willassist any candidate (regardless of political party affiliation) or political cause/issue which is consistent with and adheres to the genuine libertarian principles I believe in.


- Given that the vice presidential nominee is selected independently, after the presidential nominee is named, do you intend to seek the vice presidential nomination in the event that you do not win your bid for the presidential nomination?

No. I will not be the VP to any of the other candidates currently seeking the LP presidential nomination. My goal is advancing liberty: I think I would be able to much more effectively work for liberty through my own political activism (and joining with others who share the same goal) than sacrificing those months serving as a LP VP candidate. I am willing to serve as our LP Presidential candidate (which will provide the greatest platform to speak toAmericans nationwide) and I will be highly effective, otherwise I feel my abilities will be more productive for liberty doing other political activism during those months.


- With the exception of one presidential cycle, the Libertarian Party has enjoyed significant growth during presidential election years. Are you confident that you can continue this trend if chosen as the presidential nominee? Do you believe it is reasonable goal for the LP to reach its all-time membership record as a result of your campaign efforts?

Yes.

- Do you feel that you would be able to attract significant media coverage as our nominee? What coverage has your campaign generated thus far?

I think I will attract far more media coverage than any of the other LP presidential candidates because I'm passionate about my politics. I sincerely love communicating libertarian solutions clearly and boldly. My campaign has already generated greater media coverage (as of March 31, 2008) than all of the other LP presidential candidates combined. Just visit [link edited for length] and view the media and video pages.



- Five years from now, what role do you see yourself having in the Libertarian Party?

The real question is not what role do I see myself having in the LP five years from now, but will there even be a Libertarian Party (as we know it) five years from now. We call ourselves "The Party of Principle," and it is those principles I will always devote myself to - the principles that excited me when I read our former platform and which motivated me to join the LP. There is no reason for any of us who dedicate our lives to advancing liberty to be involved in the LP if it ceases to be "The Party of Principle." I'm sure the LP will likely always go on as a political social club, but if it abandons its core principles for the perceived sake of political expediency, it will cease to be worthy of participation by those who sincerely wish to advance liberty in America. Such activists who sincerely devote themselves to advancing liberty aren't content to be part of a mere social and debate club; true libertarians will use their talents and strengths through otherways in society to advance liberty. There will always be libertarians who work diligently in this nation, but unless something is done in Denver at the National LP Convention in May 2008, I'm not sure there will be many true libertarians supporting the LP for much longer (so many have left already). I've met many who tell me they feel the LP is leaving them...I say it's time for all true libertarians who wish to see the LP remain "The Party of Principle"to make a stand for our political party now or else the LP will be libertarian in name only. So the key is to restore and save the LP right now, so that five years from now, together, we will be stronger in number, activism, and elected Libertarians and achievement of libertarian solutions in politics and society nationwide.

--Christine Smith

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