On the vote for the LNC Chair

Much has been written in the press and in social media about the fight for the LNC Chair position and most of it negative. Even late on Saturday, a well-meaning delegate who was new to the party, took to the microphone to call for an end to the in-party squabbling.

In my opinion this fight has made the party stronger, more unified, more principled, and, at the same time, more electable at the polls in November. More principled because however crazy it might have looked to an outsider, the availability of NOTA, “none of the above,” as an option on every ballot did exactly what it was supposed to do – it compelled the body to find a better candidate that appealed to the majority of the membership and not just to one faction. We, current members of the party, owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us who had the wisdom to make NOTA part of the rules. It worked!

Granted, there were some delegates on the floor who viewed it as a slow painful train wreck. Let me predict that in years to come, it will be looked on as one of the party’s finest hours. A time when our principles were adhered to, yet at the same time, it created a stronger and better outcome.

Sometimes you don’t want to see the sausage being made.

I believe the National Libertarian Party has truly turned a corner.  I believe we are beginning to embrace the genius of the AND and not succumb to the tyranny of the OR. We are become a philosophical debating society that can also win elections.

My congratulations to Geoff Neale, the once and future (I guess actually present) Chair and to all the candidates and delegates of every race and state. You have all made me proud to be a Libertarian. Thank you!