Hold High the Banner - the day the LP committed suicide

[RickSp]

As is often the case it helps to start with a bit of history. In the late 70s the Libertarian Party was growing by leaps and bounds. It was no threat to the powers that be was something to be watched closely. In 1978 the LP candidate for governor, Ed Clark, won a remarkable 5.5% of the vote. Clark was nominated and ran for president as the LP candidate. That year the LP managed to get on the ballot in all 50 states, the first time a third party had accomplished that since the Socialist Party in 1916.

Ed Clark and his campaign manager Ed Crane argued for what they called "Reasonable Radicalism". Clark referred to himself as a "Low Tax Liberal." This is not the best definition of a libertarian that I have ever seen but it is by far the very best three word definition I've ever heard. Clark and Crane understood the need to communicate with the media and the importance of speaking in terms non-libertarians could understand.

This drove Murray Rothbard, who many still consider a minor libertarian saint, absolutely crazy. He called Clark a traitor and an opportunist among other things. Murray was an academic, a control freak and an absolute purist. The LP adopted a Resolution on Strategy for the Libertarian Party, Adopted by the National Committee, October 2, 1977 . It was taken almost verbatim from Rothbard's book, For a New Liberty. It is the perfect road map for turning a burgeoning political party into an ineffectual debating society.

The Clark Presidential campaign of 1980 initially continued with their "Reasonable Radicalism" until by mid-campaign Rothbard was in full attack, slashing at Clark from behind. I know the sense of betrayal that I felt. I was the Connecticut Clark for President chairman. We were working our asses off for the campaign only to have LP "leaders" supported by Rothbard attacking our own candidate in the ugliest terms. Who needs Republicans and Democrats if Libertarians will stab you in the back?

Ed Clark received slightly over 1% of the vote or just under a million votes. Three years later Rothbard and his faction drove out Crane, Clark and also David Koch, Clark's wealthy running mate, contributor and founder of the Cato Institute. A number of other long standing libertarians left as well. A year later, the LP candidate Dave Bergland was on the ballot in only 40 states and won 1/4 of one percent of the vote. Since then the LP Presidential candidates have averaged about 300,000 votes. Rothbard is dead and so effectively is the Libertarian Party.

For a perspective on this bit of history from a pro-Rothbard viewpoint consult The Importance of the Caucus by the LP Rothbard caucus.

[Morgan_Freeman]

Good one Rick. I posted that up on my group's web site. Who should I credit it to?

[Osborn F Enready]

Great post, and good link. Thanks Rick.