The Libertarian Party National Convention Fundraising Banquet is held at every party convention–so it is held every two years. The average amount of money raised at these events on non-presidential years is around $30,000. This year’s fundraising, run by Libertarian National Committee at-large member Mary Ruwart, netted $54,905. If anyone has records of past year’s totals, please share them in the comments–it’d be interesting to know if this is a record.
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Well, if you had searched through that 1998 document for ‘1994’, you would have found this:
“Dasbach said that about $30,000 was raised at the banquet and that this is comparable to the prior off-year (1994) convention.”
And yes, that ‘1994’ convention was actually in 1993.
I think it’ll be a landslide, unfortunately
I’ve heard the theory expressed that since party-aligned voters will be voting in the primary that it will be voted on, it means support will be lower than among the general public.
Has anyone polled likely primary election voters?
I know it’s necessary to fire up the troops, but I thought the latest poll data presented at the convention were misleading. While it is encouraging that some people have shifted from Yes to Undecided, the NO numbers are essentially unchanged. If you can spare a few minutes this last week, wherever you are, please sign on to LibertyManager.org and make some phone calls. The script and the software do all the hard work for you. And don’t forget to contact all your fdriends, relatives and acquaintances in CA regardless of what party they’re in. Remember that ALL 6 ballot qualified parties oppose Prop 14.
FYI – The $54,905 figure is before small donations were counted. I figure the final total is $1500-$2000 higher than that.
I’m pretty sure the “1994” convention was actually in 1993, that it was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, that its keynote speaker was L. Neil Smith, and that a teenager made a credible run for national chair.
Not to be pickin’ nits, but I clicked on the 1994 report out of curiosity. Curiosity because there was no convention in ’94!
The link to 1994 goes to 1998.
PEACE
Thank you to the reporters and contributers who have updated on the events at the LP National Convention. Those of us who could not attend this year really appreciate the articles. And congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to all of the other candidates who were willing to serve our party. I am encouraged by the large amount raised at the banquet. Lets pull together for peace, prosperity and liberty.
I was so tired, I almost blew off the banquet. I am so glad I went.
I agree with Less
“But last night was real, and that is immensely inspiring.”
Oh, if they were only half as concerned about ethics as they are about money …….
“I don’t read it that way, Trent, because the undecideds are steady in the 20% range. That’s a big unknown.”
Not really. That ~20% would have to break ENTIRELY to the anti-side, which is unlikely considering over half of voters are currently for Prop 14. I think it’ll be a landslide, unfortunately.
It was a really fun event. Well planned and certainly well executed. The bidding on the alphabet soup agencies to rip up the signs was very funny. Dr Ruwart did a great job of doing the “beg” for funds. Fantastic evening.
I’m guessing you’ll have to go back to 1981 to find a non-presidential convention banquet that raised more money, and that Charles and David Koch are the only reasons you can’t go back to the founding. Ah, for the good old days, when we could pretend fundraising was easy because a couple of billionaires were bankrolling the LP.
But last night was real, and that is immensely inspiring.
I don’t read it that way, Trent, because the undecideds are steady in the 20% range. That’s a big unknown.
The question that needs answering is why an 8 point tank on the pro-side in a week or so with little anti-side advertising.
It’s going to be damned close, that’s for certain. But if we can come up on the outside and eke it out at the wire, we’ll still take it. If it wins, it goes nationwide, and then the trouble really starts beyond CA.
I approved your comment Marc. Thanks for the info! I hope someone can fill in the blanks RE: 2008 and 2004.
Either way, this was the biggest take in an off-year since at least 1992.
I supplied this with links to show a source for each figure, but it’s stuck in the moderator’s queue. Here is the data without the links:
1994 $30,000
1996 ?
1998 $30,000
2000 $137,000
2002 $29,951.98
2004 ?
2006 $17,646
2008 ?
2010 $54,905
2012 ? Up to you!
1994 $30,000
1996 $——-
1998 $30,000
2000 $137,000
2002 (From emailed Treasurer’s Report) $29,951.98
2004 ?
2006 $17,646
2008 ?
2010 $54,905
2012 ? Up to you!
Congrats to the Convention Committee!
Ralph,
You and Nicholas Sarwark’s recollections differ by 60k or so. “’04 Badnarik raised about $40,000”
Marc,
So this is at least the highest off-year banquet total since 1998.
Michael,
I expect that Prop 14’s support has eroded, but not by nearly enough. Polling 52% to 27% (or whatever the second number is) is not great–indeed it spells doom for Anti-Prop 14 people. Their only hope is exceptionally high turnout by third party voters and partisan Democrats/Republicans.
2006 $17,646
That’s just amazing.
In other news, according to the LA Times and Ballot Access News, support for Prop 14 has eroded to 52%…
2002 $ 29,951.98
Wow. I hope someone can give us other numbers.
I believe the 2000 Convention did $100 K or so.