The Little Brown Reader

Ferguson: Nolan/ Badnarik in 2004!

I'm reprinting this opinion piece by Mike Ferguson in full because I'm not certain that his commentary, which is posted directly on his main home page, will remain available at that location.

Nolan/ Badnarik in 2004!

This month's Libertarian National Convention is sure to be eventful, as our Presidential campaigns have all developed both staunch supporters and opponents. I have met all three of the top-tier candidates and will admit that I struggled for a long time over which candidate - Gary Nolan or Michael Badnarik - would get my support for the nomination.

After being involved with this race, first in my role with the LP Presidential Straw Poll and most recently in my role as a Libertarian candidate for statewide office I have come to the conclusion that we need both Gary and Michael on our ticket.

Gary Nolan should be the Libertarian Party's nominee for President of the United States this year.

Gary is the highest profile candidate we have when it comes to public name recognition. Despite the constant assertions from the Aaron Russo campaign to the contrary, Gary Nolan is better known to the general public.

Consider this for a moment for a moment: who is certain to have more name recognition, the candidate who has spent years at the microphone on a nationally-syndicated radio program that bears his name or the candidate who developed a career working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry?

Gary Nolan tackled the issues of the day and has taken the message of freedom to the airwaves in dozens of markets throughout America during his time on the air. In addition to his work in radio, Gary has also logged plenty of time in real world politics. Anyone can talk about the way government should operate but not everyone backs it up by being involved in Washington politics. Gary's experience as the President of Capitol Watch and as a board member of Free the Eagle (an activist group that fights tax increases) is important to the Libertarian Party in this election cycle. It gives Gary the working knowledge of the issues Americans care about and the political credibility we need at the top of our ticket.

In addition to his impressive resume, Gary is a man of integrity. His passion for freedom is more evident to me every time I speak with him. Gary has put his personal and professional life on hold for well over a year now in order to present the message of freedom, Constitutionally-limited government and the Libertarian Party to anyone who will listen to him.

Gary is an excellent spokesman for our party and for our message. He has the right background, the right communication style and the right image to be an effective Presidential nominee.

Speaking of image, it is appropriate to address the importance of presenting a "Presidential" image and the controversies surrounding Aaron Russo's erratic behavior during this campaign. Like it or not, image is important. Our Presidential nominee will represent the Libertarian Party, our state and local candidates, our membership and our philosophy to the public. We must not take the risk of nominating someone who presents a realistic risk of harming our efforts at all levels of activism with a Libertarian "Howard Dean moment" like the one that fatally derailed the former Vermont Governor's credibility and bid for the Democratic nomination.

After hearing and reading about some of the actions in question, I decided to call some people who attended the various state conventions and were present to witness them. What I was told by those who saw the events first hand troubled me. The people I contacted are not on the Nolan campaign staff. I wanted independent confirmation of what happened. Here is what I learned:

At the New York convention, an attractive woman was about to ask Mr. Russo a question. Before she could ask, he joked "No, I won't sleep with you." At the Florida convention, Mr. Russo held up a bottle of beer and declared "This is my passion" in response to a political topic of discussion.

Of course, there is also the now infamous "belt buckle incident" at the Maryland convention. When being questioned by Carol Moore, who is a vocal Russo critic, he stepped off the stage while reaching for his belt buckle. Russo moved toward Moore and asked her to "help" him with the buckle

I am the first to acknowledge that Ms. Moore can be abrasive and disrespectful to those she does not agree with. During the course of the LP Presidential Straw Poll, I have also been the target of her criticism on more than one occasion.

The Russo campaign has worked hard to spin the story as either a complete misunderstanding, saying he genuinely needed help with his belt buckle (an explanation that insults basic human intelligence), or as a harmless joke blown out of proportion by someone who is working against his campaign. Either way, this is not the behavior and image we want to present to the public.

Being able to conduct yourself with class in the face of those who attack you is critical for someone who hopes to lead a political party as a Presidential nominee. The public needs to hear the real solutions we have to the issues they care about. That message will not be heard if the messenger himself is a distraction. That is why we need Gary Nolan at the top of our ticket. His engaging approach to communicating the message of freedom makes people want to listen to him.

So, what about the second spot on the Libertarian ticket? We have our man for that job, too

Michael Badnarik is the ideal choice for the Libertarian Party's nomination for Vice President of the United States.

To question Michael's passion for the Constitution, for liberty and for building the Libertarian Party would be a waste of time. His quest for our nomination is truly a labor of the love of freedom. He began this campaign as a locally-known activist in Texas and has now established himself as a devoted campaigner, a hard worker and a genuine expert on the U.S. Constitution.

Michael's aggressive, yet dignified, style of public speaking is exactly what we need in the V.P. role. The Libertarian Party needs to keep him on the campaign trail.

While Michael Badnarik is still running for our Presidential nomination, he has already publicly stated that we will accept the Vice Presidential nod. The fact that Michael is still "Lighting the Fires of Liberty, One Heart At a Time" after a year and a half of constant travel and shoestring budgets is a testament to Michael as a person and as a candidate.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to know both Gary Nolan and Michael Badnarik. Both men have proven their ability and willingness to live on the campaign trail. Both men have proven their ability and desire to use their campaigns to support statewide and local Libertarian candidates. I have personally campaigned with both men and look forward to continuing to work with both Gary and Michael as I run for Missouri Lieutenant Governor this year.

Neither Gary nor Michael is basing his campaign on grandiose promises. Their campaigns are based on hard work, personal integrity, an understanding of reality, the realization that respect is to be earned, not demanded and a dedication to personally delivering our message all over the United States.

Gary Nolan and Michael Badnarik, in that order, is an effective top of the ticket team for the Libertarian Party. I hope our delegates recognize this in Atlanta this month