Alexander George
Alexander George, former LPF State Committeeman, Considering Joining Florida Gubernatorial Race
Former LPF State Committeeman May Challenge LPF Favorite Son Adrian Wyllie. Mr. George Calls for “Unity” and “Responsible Leadership”. “Our Citizens Need A Governor of Florida, NOT A Governor of Party Labels”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Sep. 4, 2013 – OCALA, Fla. — Earlier today, former LPF State Committeeman Alexander George met with supporters in Gainesville. He is exploring the possibility of a run for the office of Governor of Florida. Mr. George, a former Republican senatorial candidate and political consultant, joined the Libertarian Party of Florida five years ago. He is a strong defender of state’s rights. George feels that the two major parties have failed the electorate and buckled to lobbyists.
“We need a Chief Executive who will defend the Constitution of Florida and the Constitution of the United States” said George. He feels that too many elected and appointed officials have forgotten about the 10th Amendment. George asked our leaders to “remember”, by quoting a very important sentence: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
During his service with the Libertarian Party, as a State Committeeman and County Chairman, Mr. George met with thousands of voters. He vehemently emphasized the fact that as Americans, we have the right to control our future. “My message has never changed” said George. “Indeed, I was a Republican. I could have been a Green. Who cares? We have the right and obligation to make our own choices without interference from the federal government!”. George feels that Washington is “out of control” and that “The Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves”. He intends to enforce state’s rights and work with Americans to “reduce the size of the federal government”.
George went on to express his distaste with unelected political “leaders” who control the actions of elected officials. “If I do run” said George, “I will be the Governor of Florida, not the Governor of party labels. Public office is a sacred trust. The man, or woman, holding office must make all of the decisions”. Over the next three months, Mr. George will be meeting with voters throughout the Sunshine State. He will announce his intentions in early December.
— End —
Previously, George hinted about a possible entry into the race and also criticized the Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF) state leadership in two articles on his blog.
The Majesty of Democracy: The Bright Future of the Sunshine State
September 3, 2013
We have many great leaders, from numerous parties, lining up for the job. Governor Scott must answer to the voters of this state. That, my fellow Floridians, is the “Majesty of Democracy”.
Most polls show that Governor Scott will be defeated. Voters no longer trust him and his inner circle. That is not surprising. How can you trust someone who has reversed his positions on so many major campaign promises? Whatever happens, I am confident that Mr. Scott will be a one term Governor. As his “era” comes to an end, we must look to the future.
We have several viable alternatives. The question we must ask now is who can unite our electorate? Who would make a competent Chief Executive? Who will defend our civil liberties? We need someone who will reach out to all voters and become Governor of Florida.. Not Governor of Special Interests.
Early this year, after my resignation from the State Executive Committee, I wholeheartedly endorsed then- LPF Chairman Adrian Wyllie for the office of Governor. At the time, I felt this was a good decision. Unfortunately, my party has disappointed me. I am a staunch believer in the primary election process.
Mr. John Wayne Smith, one of the LPF’s founders, was also a candidate. I watched in disbelief as most members of the Executive Committee attacked him and his character. This made me switch my allegiance.
I believe that we must have an open primary that is not influenced by the officers and leadership of the party. I was happy to see that a great LP activist, Mr. Steve LaBianca, recently threw his hat in the ring.
I expressed my opinions… I was praised and vehemently attacked. I thank my supporters for the kind messages, and also thank the naysayers. Indeed, the kind messages were well received. However, the attacks were somewhat inspiring.
Frankly, the libelous garbage launched by the top four officers does not bother me. Their opinions amuse me. Our young and inexperienced State Treasurer called me a liar. Our State Chairperson issued a similar statement, followed by a borderline illegal decree. The Vice Chairman used his usual four letter words, and the State Secretary… well, she used her “sweet charm” to decimate my character.
Sadly, the mudslinging does not stop with me. Our “leader”, the Chairperson, has attacked other patriots who have opinions. Her attacks against Vicki Kirkland and other party members are disgusting. Ms. Cummings has a lot to learn about leadership. I forgive her as she is young and easily influenced. We all make mistakes. She can quote Benjamin Franklin all she likes, but that does not make her a leader.
I love my country, my state, and my party. I am saddened by the fact that the stewardship of the LPF is in the hands of such irresponsible individuals. Their conduct is unacceptable. Worse, if Mr. Wyllie is elected Governor, these four people would help lead the state of Florida. I cannot let that happen to the Sunshine State. I cannot let that happen to my home…
In that spirit, I hereby announce that I am strongly considering entering the race for Governor of Florida. After all, when he declared, didn’t Mr. Wyllie suggest that other Libertarians should seek the office? The voters deserve a choice. We have an opportunity to unite this state in 2014. We live in a democracy! We must reach out to everyone!
Florida Governor’s Race: “Primaries Are Stupid. We Should Select Them..”
“What the point? We need Adrian..”
I’ve been thinking a great deal about the Florida gubernatorial election. I initially endorsed former LPF Chairman Wyllie. I did so because I believed, and still believe, that Mr. Wyllie is a man of honor. He would make an excellent Governor.
Frankly, I do not have one bad word to say about Mr. Wyllie. He is a good and honorable man. However, I am a big believer in primary elections. Voters have a right to choose their party’s nominee.
We must reach out to all Floridians, not just Libertarian voters. During the final weeks of my service on the LPF Executive Committee, I openly questioned the “Wyllie Only” stance. One party leader, Mr. John Wayne Smith, was also a candidate. Some members of the Executive Committee declared him a “maniac” who must be ignored. I asked why? After all, we cannot ignore someone who has pulled 20 to 30 percent of the vote in several elections. I felt and still feel that one of the founders of the Libertarian Party of Florida cannot be ignored.
The LPF State Secretary, Lynn House, answered my question: “We need Adrian. Adrian will be the nominee for Governor and no one can stop that… primaries are stupid. WE should select them..This is OUR party“. OUR party? This bothered me then and bothers me now. “Them” of course, means all LPF candidates..
This includes Mr. Franklin Perez…. A man who has selflessly devoted his time and resources to his campaigns for State Representative. Mr. Perez secured more votes than any state level LPF candidate in 2012.
I respect and admire Mr. Wyllie and Mr. Smith equally. However, the official LPF stance forced me to changed my mind. I switched my endorsement and decided to support John Wayne Smith for Governor. The primary must be open! The primary must be fair and free. NO party officers have the right to take away the ballot box!
We have the right to select a nominee that will participate in the general election. We must take our message to ALL Floridians! At this point, some officers of the LPF Executive Committee fail to recognize that fact.
I’m pleased to learn that Mr. Steve LaBianca has entered the race. He is a good man and a true Libertarian. Our party members are wise. They will select the best candidate.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I am keeping my options open. I sincerely appreciate the messages of support and criticism. Indeed, my latest post created unexpected reactions. I’m truly inspired.
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From the LPF Platform plank on education – “We support individual and community based decision-making ” . . . I DO NOT support community based decision making! I support decisions for education made as totally voluntary, market decisions, by individuals, or in the case of education, (usually) the TWO individuals who brought the person to be educated into the world. The community is simply a coercive collective, which is usually somewhat local in nature. Can anyone say Hillary Clinton and “It Takes a Village”?
However, such statism, even when locally administered, is NOT libertarian. This is just one of the many reasons why Mr. Wyllie’s libertarian credentials are suspect.
Below is the LPF’s platform position on education. I support it.
IX. EDUCATION
1. Education is a parental responsibility and best handled at the most local level.
2. Because parents/guardians are best situated to decide what is in their own children’s best interests, we support all measures that enhance the educational choices available, such as charter schools, vouchers or tax credits for private school tuition, and home schooling. We support individual and community based decision-making where people and entities freely decide what is best for their students or children.
3. Compulsory attendance and truancy laws should be repealed. Students cannot be forced to learn, and teachers should not be forced to act as juvenile delinquency officers.
4. All individuals, regardless of age, are entitled to the protections of the constitutions of the United States and Florida. Random drug tests, locker searches without probable cause, censorship of student publications, or any similar actions violate those rights.
Jill . . . I cannot run under a statist LPF Platform. The truth is, Mr. Wyllie, who calls for community control of education is FAR more commensurate with these statist positions than I am.
Mr. Wyllie does in fact, represent the LPF platform plank on education. I however, represent the “traditional” libertarian position of complete separation of education and state, which it seems quite clear to me, is no longer the position of the LPF.
LOL! Adrian Wyllie characterizes himself as a “a traditional Libertarian”.
I suggest that if Mr. Wyllie is true to those words, he’ll speak to and address as strongly, “leftist” concerns, as he does for “Tea Party” concerns.
I welcome the challenge from Alex George, and I encourage him to run. Since Alex just ran for U.S. Senate in 2012 as a Republican, he has the experience necessary to run an active statewide campaign.
A hard-fought primary battle for Governor of Florida will generate interest in libertarian ideas and the Libertarian party.
And, since he is a right-leaning Libertarian, and I am a traditional Libertarian, it will give primary voters a clear contrast in philosophies.
I’m disappointed you won’t be running, Steve.
While I am certain that Mr. George is . . . to put it kindly a lightweight libertarian in terms of his dedication to the NAP, I say, run.
I will NOT be running; the main reason being that the LPF Platform on education is statist in that it calls for “community decision making” in education. My position is complete separation of education and state, and that education belongs in the free market, where each and every individual who participates in market activity does so without state, or even “community” control.
“I expressed my opinions… I was praised and vehemently attacked. I thank my supporters for the kind messages, and also thank the naysayers. Indeed, the kind messages were well received. However, the attacks were somewhat inspiring.
Frankly, the libelous garbage launched by the top four officers does not bother me. Their opinions amuse me. Our young and inexperienced State Treasurer called me a liar. Our State Chairperson issued a similar statement, followed by a borderline illegal decree. The Vice Chairman used his usual four letter words, and the State Secretary… well, she used her “sweet charm” to decimate my character.
Sadly, the mudslinging does not stop with me. Our “leader”, the Chairperson, has attacked other patriots who have opinions. Her attacks against Vicki Kirkland and other party members are disgusting. Ms. Cummings has a lot to learn about leadership. I forgive her as she is young and easily influenced. We all make mistakes. She can quote Benjamin Franklin all she likes, but that does not make her a leader.”
Valid points – and 100% true.