Libertarian National Convention
The Libertarian National Convention is held every two years by the United States Libertarian Party to choose members of the Libertarian National Committee, and to conduct other party business. In presidential election years, the convention delegates enact a platform and nominate the Libertarian presidential and vice-presidential candidates who then face the nominees of other parties in the November general election.
While most delegates to the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention are tied to particular candidates, delegates to the Libertarian National Convention are free to choose, as was previously the case for the larger parties. Accordingly, Libertarian National Conventions place less emphasis on festivities and spinning the press, though some of each may be found. The complete convention is televised by C-SPAN with additional broadcast television coverage of the presidential nominating process. Perhaps the most interesting difference between Libertarian National Conventions and those of the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States is that the Libertarian Party has not and refuses to accept taxpayer money to pay for its convention.[citation needed] This is in keeping with Libertarian principles that taxation is coerced (i.e. not voluntary) and, therefore, theft; it is considered an "ethical violation" for a good Libertarian who adheres to the Non-Aggression Principle to knowingly commit theft.[citation needed] None of the above is always an option on all ballots.
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[edit] Past Conventions
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[edit] 1972
The first Libertarian National Convention was held in 1972 in Denver, Colorado[citation needed]. John Hospers and Theodora Nathan were nominated presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively[citation needed]. They received the first electoral vote won by a woman, cast by Roger MacBride[citation needed].
[edit] 1974
The 1974 Libertarian National Convention adopted the Dallas Accord which sought to accommodate supporters of both anarcho-capitalism and minarchism[citation needed].
[edit] 2000
The 2000 Libertarian National Convention was held in Anaheim, California[citation needed], from June 30 to July 4[citation needed]. Harry Browne was again chosen as the party's presidential candidate[citation needed], beating out Barry Hess, David Hollist, and Don Gorman[citation needed], and becoming the first Libertarian Party candidate to run twice for President of the United States. Speakers included[citation needed]:
- Harry Browne
- Barry Hess
- Don Gorman
- Dave Hollist
- Jacob Hornberger
- Gary Nolan, syndicated talk radio host
- Russell Means, Indian Rights advocate
- Jack Gargan, former Reform Party National Chairman
- Carla Howell, Massachusetts candidate for U.S. Senate
- Neal Boortz, national syndicated radio talk show host
- David Nolan, Libertarian Party founder
- Michael Cloud, U.S. House Candidate
- David Bergland, then-Libertarian Party National Chair
- Dean Akmand
- Barbara Howe, Libertarian candidate for Governor of North Carolina
- Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute
- Mark Skousen
- David Thibodeau, author of A Place Called Waco: A Survivor's Story
The theme of this convention was "America's Future: Liberty, Responsibility, & Community."[citation needed]
[edit] 2002
The 2002 Libertarian National Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana[citation needed], from July 3 to 7[citation needed]. Speakers included former Libertarian Presidential candidate, Harry Browne[citation needed].
[edit] 2004
The 2004 Libertarian National Convention was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia[citation needed] Memorial Day weekend, May 27 to May 31[citation needed]. Michael Badnarik was chosen as the party's presidential candidate, beating out Gary Nolan and Aaron Russo on the third ballot[citation needed]; Richard Campagna was chosen as the party's vice-presidential candidate over Tamara Millay[citation needed], and Michael Dixon was elected chair of the Libertarian National Committee[citation needed]. Speakers included[citation needed]:
- Michael Badnarik
- Gary Nolan
- Aaron Russo
- Ron Paul, former Libertarian Presidential candidate and current Republican Congressman
- Neal Boortz, national syndicated radio talk show host
- James Bovard, author of Terrorism and Tyranny
- anti-Brady Bill Sheriff Richard Mack
- David Nolan, Libertarian Party founder
- Michael Colley, retired United States Navy vice admiral
- Dean Cameron, actor
- James P. Gray, judge of the Superior Court of Orange County, California, author of Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed And What We Can Do About It
- Dr. Mary Ruwart, author of Healing Our World in an Age of Aggression
- Ed Thompson, 2002 Wisconsin Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate
- Jimmie Vaughan, musician
The theme of the convention was "LIBERTY Works!"[citation needed]
[edit] 2006
The 2006 Libertarian National Convention was held at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon[citation needed], June 28 to July 3[citation needed]. Delegates chose (in a "retain or delete" vote process) to eliminate about three quarters of the specific planks in the party's platform[1] and to essentially overturn the Dallas Accord by inserting statements in the platform recognizing the legitimacy of government's role in protecting rights. This turn of events was referred to as the "Portland Massacre."[2]
The theme of the convention was Uniting Voters[citation needed]. According to the Libertarian Party, "Over the past year (or more), American voters have been breaking away from the two major parties and looking for a new home[citation needed]. At this year's convention we are highlighting this political migration while offering a new home to these 'dislodged voters.'" Speakers included[citation needed]:
- Michael Badnarik, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (TX-10) and the 2004 Libertarian Presidential candidate
- Judge John A. Buttrick, Maricopa County (Arizona) Superior Court Judge, 1994 Arizona gubernatorial candidate, 1998 Arizona House of Representatives candidate
- Megan Dickson, an eighth-grade honors student who spoke about libertarianism
- Patrick Dixon, city councilman, Lago Vista, Texas
- Bill Lynn, Alderman, Davenport, Iowa
- Tonie Nathan, former Libertarian Vice-Presidential candidate, and the first women to receive an electoral vote in U.S. history
- BetteRose Ryan, at-large LNC member
- Rev. Anthony Williams, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (IL-2)
- Former Congressman Bob Barr, who currently serves as the chairman of Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances
- Andrew Neil, founding chairman of Sky TV, former publisher of The Scotsman, former editor of The Economist and former editor-in-chief of the Sunday Times
- Christopher J. Farrell, member of the Judicial Watch's Board of Directors
- Greg Nojeim, associate director and chief legislative counsel for the ACLU
- Krist Novoselic, founding member of the grunge rock band Nirvana, founder JAMPAC (Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee), author of Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy
[edit] 2008
The 2008 Libertarian National Convention was held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (formerly the Adam’s Mark Hotel) in Denver, Colorado[citation needed] (the same city as the very first convention in 1972), May 23-26[citation needed].
[edit] 2010
The 2010 Libertarian National Convention was held in St. Louis, Missouri from Friday May 28 to Monday May 31.
[edit] List of Libertarian conventions
The following is a list of United States Libertarian Party Presidential nominating conventions.
| Year | Location | Presidential Nominee | Vice Presidential Nominee |
| 1972 | Denver | John Hospers of California | Theodora Nathan of Oregon |
| 1975 | New York | Roger MacBride of Virginia | David Bergland of California |
| 1977 | San Francisco | N/A | N/A |
| 1979 | Los Angeles | Ed Clark of California | David Koch of Kansas |
| 1981 | Denver | N/A | N/A |
| 1983 | New York | David Bergland of California | James Lewis of Connecticut |
| 1985 | Phoenix | N/A | N/A |
| 1987 | Seattle | Ron Paul of Texas | Andre Marrou of Alaska |
| 1989 | Philadelphia | N/A | N/A |
| 1991 | Chicago | Andre Marrou of Alaska | Nancy Lord of Nevada |
| 1993 | Salt Lake City | N/A | N/A |
| 1996 | D.C. | Harry Browne of Tennessee | Jo Jorgensen of South Carolina |
| 1998 | D.C. | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 | Anaheim | Harry Browne of Tennessee | Art Olivier of California |
| 2002 | Indianapolis | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 | Atlanta | Michael Badnarik of Texas | Richard Campagna of Iowa |
| 2006 | Portland | N/A | N/A |
| 2008 | Denver | Bob Barr of Georgia | Wayne Allyn Root of Nevada |
| 2010 | St. Louis | N/A | N/A |
