9:20 Ballot access hero Richard Winger spoke on Top Two to a highly-interested audience. He cited the majority Democrat 31st congressional district in which 2 Republicans beat 4 Democrats, disenfranchising the majority party in the November ballot. He cited LPCA RegLib increase from 109K in Nov 2012 to 112.5K in Mar 2014, and pointed out that RegLib numbers are up in 21 out of 25 states that register Libertarians. California’s increase of 3.5% is 20th out of those 21, just ahead of Oregon’s 3.4% increase to 16K. The next two states with the most RegLibs were: #8 Pennsylvania up 25% to 45K, and #10 Arizona up 20% to 27K. Winger endorsed Californians For Electoral Reform, which helped him when a state court ordered him a some co-plaintiffs to pay opponents’ attorney fees.
10:20 Dave Curtis, Green candidate for Secretary of State, spoke for a few minutes about his campaign, saying he hoped to represent all alternative parties in the race.
10:30 Treasurer Brian Darby announced that Art Tuma had generously donated $1000 to the LPCA.
10:30 There was informal discussion about how to count how many delegates had (per convention rule 3.3) registered for today’s session.
10:35 2012 LP Presidential candidate Gary Johnson spoke via webcast. Enthusiastic about new California marijuana freedom. He said Libertarians don’t win elections, but our issues are winning: marijuana, gay marriage, non-intervention. Our America Initiative is suing the presidential debates commission to force inclusion for any candidate registered in enough states to win the electoral college. 90% of the four years spent running for President was “wasted time”, so he’s not repeating those parts of his efforts. Media is hungry for the libertarian perspective, but need to be corrected that libertarians are not a kind of conservative. “Libertarians are flaming liberals when it comes to civil liberties.” Starchild questioned the hundreds of thousands paid to Ron Nielson by the Johnson Campaign. Johnson said Nielson’s firm lost hundreds of thousands on the campaign. His Fair Tax plan would cut federal spending by 25%. If he were dictator, he could cut the 60% of federal spending required by replacing the income tax with nothing.
11:00 Convened with 46 delegates registered. Convention rule 3.3 was suspended and presence on the floor was considered signification of registration for the day. (Matt Barnes objected that a non-debatable rule suspension was being combined with a debatable rule change, but he seems to have mistakenly thought that the rule change was permanent.)
11:12 Ted Brown nominated attorney (and Attorney General candidate) Jonathan Jaech for Southern Vice Chair. Elected by voice vote with one dissent.
11:24 ExCom voting. Top 5 win 2-year ExCom terms, 6th finishes a 1-year vacancy, and 7th and 8th become alternates.
2:30 ExCom results announced:
- 39 Antoine Hage – founder of new California college libertarians group
- 38 Leon Weinstein – fundraiser; active in the Russian community
- 37 Kevin Duewel – Ron Paul activist, San Mateo County vice-chair
- 36 Jim Hoerricks – appointed incumbent; elected water board member
- 32 Jose Tovar – from Fresno; bilingual
- 31 Dana McLorn – championed college libertarians; not happy with current LPCA energy
- 25 Flavio Fiumerodo – worked on web site and Sacramento office; wants to make electronic newsletter more frequent
- 24 Stephen Blakeman – Yolo County chair
- 19 Jose Castaneda – long-time LPLAC and LPCA activist
- 16 David McDonald – will keep county chairs informed; we are the party of capitalism
2:40 Video tribute to Stephen Collette (1954-2013)
2:45 Judicial Committee nominees: Ted Brown, Aaron Starr, Jill Pyeatt. Accepted by acclamation. They will have to appoint two other members.
2:50 LNC representative: Dan Wiener re-elected 32-25 over Dave Jones. (Many voters may have thought they vote for both while ranking them, however rankings did not matter.)
3:30 LNC alternate representative. Mark Hinkle nominated LPCA Secretary Janine Kloss. Gale Morgan nominated incumbent Scott Lieberman.
4:15 Results: Lieberman defeated Kloss 25-20 on 40 ballots cast.
4:20 42 party members were chosen to be delegates to the LPUS convention in Ohio, out of the 120 delegate slots allocated to the LPCA.
4:30 Hinkle proposed a resolution to limit future conventions to San Diego, LA, Orange counties, and the SF Bay Area. Failed for lack of 5 seconders.
4:35 Jose Castaneda proposed a resolution declaring that “running Libertarians as Libertarians is an essential function of the LPCA.” LPCA has 1 statewide candidate, while Greens have 5, and Peace And Freedom has 3. Resolution fails
4:48 Endorsed
- Jonathan Jaech for Attorney General
- Jose Castaneda for Board of Equalization
- Michael Stogner for San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
- Jedediah Biagi for Nevada County Board of Supervisors
4:57 Kelly Mordecai moved to suspend the rules for a straw poll.
5:00 Adjourned
🙂
I realized Wednesday night that the Region that I’m chairperson of, Pasadena/Glendale, had 6 of our members attend the convention. That means that our group represented more than 10 % of the total delegates! Wow! I’m so proud of us!
Some people thought the radicals won control of Californa in 2007, but they appear to have been mistaken.
It is worth reminding everyone, yet again, that there is and has been a dominant faction in California that has also been promulgating their policies into the national party with similar results and were the people who also backed the attempt to keep their puppet regime in power in Oregon.
It is all related.
“they should be attractive”
Should read, “they should be attracting…”
The Libertarian Party of California was able to attract around 300-500 plus people to its conventions 9-15 plus years ago, then it is not a stretch to say that they should be attractive 1,300 plus people to its conventions today. I believe that the Libertarian Party should always be growing and always be advancing in the fight for liberty. If the party is shrinking rather than growing, then that is a sign that things are not being done right. Libertarians in California have obviously not been doing things right since the party is shrinking there rather than growing.
“paulie April 1, 2014 at 12:09 am
‘I think that even if we actually achieved a libertarian society, there would still be a need for one or more libertarian organizations to exist, to make sure that we could keep a libertarian society.’
Sure, but not political parties per se.”
If we achieved a libertarian society, the Libertarian Party could morph into such an organization.
“Jim Hoerricks March 31, 2014 at 8:53 pm
I voted no to Jose C’s proposed resolution due in part to its wording as to the ‘essential function’ of the LPC”
So in other words, you voted no way Jose.:)
“– not because I believe that the LPC shouldn’t support Libertarians running for office.”
I agree with Jose. The main purpose of the Libertarian Party is to run Libertarian Party candidates for office.
Sure, but not political parties per se.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zHeRq6DdxHE
I prefer Buck Owens, but he’s dead. I haven’t met him in dreams so I don’t know if he agrees with me.
Great song CLC. I think Dwight Yoakam and Marianne Williamson could be a good functional PLAS presidential ticket in 2016. That would hopefully lead to growth in the CA Libertarian Party.
Jose is an excellent activist. He is consistent and very principled. He’s also fairly quiet in his personal demeanor, which is why the state party undervalues him. They just don’t know him. If he had a visible spot on the EX Com, everyone would have a chance to get to know him.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=t5P6zdlPJ34
I voted no to Jose C’s proposed resolution due in part to its wording as to the “essential function” of the LPC – not because I believe that the LPC shouldn’t support Libertarians running for office. I don’t believe his summary of the very spirited discussion is accurate. As far as I know, the LPC Candidate Support Committee gave money to all ballot qualified candidates who asked.
California should be split into four states. Homotopia, Tittiesville, Redwoodland, and Bakersfield.
“José C March 31, 2014 at 8:41 pm
As to the resolution I proposed the balloting shows 45% of the delegates do not believe the Party should have Libertarians running as Libertarians for public office. I mentioned the fact that the Green Party has five candidates and the Peace & Freedom Party has three candidates and the Libertarian Party has only one candidate for state wide office is unacceptable. The facts show 45% of the delegates find it acceptable that the other parties have candidates for state wide office and we only have one.”
This is an example of why the Libertarian Party of California has been going down the drain.
“If their view of the world is correct then Ed Clark should not have run for Governor in 1978 and those candidates that ran in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 should not have run for public office. I cannot and do not accept that view.”
I agree with you, Jose. Maybe you should run for State Chair.
“paulie March 31, 2014 at 5:53 pm
Actually they should have zero people by now because we should already be free and not need an LP by now. But other than that, yeah.”
I think that even if we actually achieved a libertarian society, there would still be a need for one or more libertarian organizations to exist, to make sure that we could keep a libertarian society.
“José C March 31, 2014 at 8:23 pm
There were only 44 attendees on Sunday not 60. We used to have 100+ attendees to our conventions. I have asked over the years (the last four conventions) why our attendence has dopped and the officers do not have an answer to that.”
The LP of CA State Convention that I attended in 2005 had several hundred people in attendance.
Attendance has been going down because the LP of CA has not done much of anything in years. LP affiliates should be constantly striving to get ahead. Most people do not feel inspired to get involved with an organization that does not do much.
As to the resolution I proposed the balloting shows 45% of the delegates do not believe the Party should have Libertarians running as Libertarians for public office. I mentioned the fact that the Green Party has five candidates and the Peace & Freedom Party has three candidates and the Libertarian Party has only one candidate for state wide office is unacceptable. The facts show 45% of the delegates find it acceptable that the other parties have candidates for state wide office and we only have one. If their view of the world is correct then Ed Clark should not have run for Governor in 1978 and those candidates that ran in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 should not have run for public office. I cannot and do not accept that view.
There were only 44 attendees on Sunday not 60. We used to have 100+ attendees to our conventions. I have asked over the years (the last four conventions) why our attendence has dopped and the officers do not have an answer to that. The Treasurer once said he has an opinion why our attendence had dropped but he would rather not say.
Actually they should have zero people by now because we should already be free and not need an LP by now. But other than that, yeah.
True dat!
True as well.
Libertarian Party National Conventions should have several thousand people in attendance as well by now.
Well then they couldn’t have them in Visalia, so what fun would that be?!
“Jill Pyeatt March 31, 2014 at 4:24 pm
I agree with Andy. CA LP conventions should have thousands by now.”
California is a big enough state to where if the LP of CA had continued on its growth course from the 1990’s to early 2000’s, the LP of CA State Conventions would have attendance in the thousands by now.
I don’t think Visalia has any hotel with a room for a convention that size 🙂
I agree with Andy. CA LP conventions should have thousands by now.
I agree.
“Michael H. Wilson March 31, 2014 at 12:53 pm
I don’t mean to throw cold water on this effort but it looks to me like maybe 60 people attended. In a state the size of California that is not a good sign. I hope someone will begin by asking why and how the turnout can be increased. After 30 so years in existence it would seem that maybe a few hundred should be expected. Sorry to be so negative but I find this frustrating.”
“paulie March 31, 2014 at 1:33 pm
A few hundred was standard in the 90s and early 2000s.”
The Libertarian Party of California should be attracting a few thousand people to its state conventions by this point in time.
Hard to say. The article said they picked a little over 40 delegates but they are entitled to over a hundred so they may fill some spots later.
How Many of the CA LP delegates will attend the LP National Convention in late June in Ohio? LP CA has over 100 seats.
Scott L.
9:50 AM (4 hours ago)
to lnc-discuss
The award for the best line spoken at the Libertarian Party of California Convention this past weekend goes to LPC member Kelly Moredecai.
He said – the Federal Government has three branches: Moe, Larry, and Curly.
Scott Lieberman
_______________________________________________
Lnc-discuss mailing list
[email protected]
http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-discuss_hq.lp.org
Michael, trust me, the low number of attendees has not gone unnoticed. Between the two threads of the CA convention, there’s discussion as to some of the reasons. As far as what to do about it, that’s a little more problematic, but at least there are some new people in the list of At-large members.
A few hundred was standard in the 90s and early 2000s.
I don’t mean to throw cold water on this effort but it looks to me like maybe 60 people attended. In a state the size of California that is not a good sign. I hope someone will begin by asking why and how the turnout can be increased. After 30 so years in existence it would seem that maybe a few hundred should be expected. Sorry to be so negative but I find this frustrating.
In fact, the entire officer team resigned or quit in a 4 month period. I was last man standing. Call me insane for staying? Time will tell.
Ohio Chair Kevin Knedler. Started in July 2007, when previous chair suddenly resigned. That was a “fun” Summer–NOT.
EW, what utter nonsense. There is nothing Democrats, Libertarians or anyone else can do to prevent someone who “prefers” their party from mucking up the One Statist Party candidate elimination event. It can’t be called an election since it can’t elect anyone. The openly stated purpose of this statist exercise is to eliminate any and all non-establishment candidates from being considered in the real election. As a result, Libertarians and other non-establishment candidates mostly don’t even spend the time and money to participate in the elimination event, and write ins are not even allowed either.
http://www.calnewsroom.com/2014/02/14/in-statewide-debut-top-two-primary-blocks-third-parties-from-june-ballot/
Which is exactly the intended purpose.
Democrats and Republicans continue to be on the ballot, although in some districts the majority of the population is thwarted as in the case(s) Richard Winger presented, but everyone else – including non-establishment Democrats and Republicans – is eliminated from the real election. The only exception being a few independents in two way races, but they can’t build a ballot brand that means anything beyond their individual race. A very, very perverse and rigged game, and it is that way on purpose, which is why the big money establishment interests and scumbag politicians love it so much.
That’s great news about the runoff system in California shutting down the DNC! just abnother sterling example how the nonpartisan runoff has the power to crush the evil central party committees. A great win for independent politics.
If the commie rats in the DNC don’t want it to happen again, maybe they should pay for their own damn private primary election or convention and agree among themselves who to nominate
The thing about both CA and Texas is that they’re both so big. Anyone wanting to be Chairperson would need to have the time, money and inclination to travel a lot. Most people can’t or won’t do it.
I could be wrong that they are the longest, but I don’t think there are any others that long, particularly in large active states like CA, OH and TX.
I believe Kevin K was chair in 2007 also when I was getting signatures in OH.
Kevin was Chair by 2008 because I remember him from Denver Convention.
Longest-serving contemporary chairs (also our three largest states) are Pat Dixon in TX (ten years), Kevin Takenaga in CA (seven years) and Kevin Knedler in Ohio (I think six, but could be more).
These guys deserve quite a bit of gratitude for doing a very difficult job so long.
Web search says Ted Brown was chair in 1988-89 and one for Hinkle says he was elected 4 times for 6 years so I guess they used to have one year terms.
I know that Ted Brown was chair for a while, but that was before I was involved, so I don’t remember.
I think Kevin was first elected in 2007 so this would be his fourth term. I think Mark Hinkle was chair for 6 and then Aaron Starr for 6? Then Takenaga. Dunno before Hinkle.
Thanks Jill.
I knew it was two years, but thought it was even not odd years.
So Kevin is in his third two-year term now, right?
Have there been others who served as long? Four as Chair of a large state is a long time, six is really long and ten (Pat Dixon in Texas) is beyond credulity.
No, Mark. He has one more year on his term.
For those who wanted new blood on the excom, you got it!
I missed something–Was Kevin re-elected Chair????
First, congratulations to Jill on the JudComm nomination.
Second, I think Hinkle has the right idea regarding LPCA conventions, though it seems foolish to exclude Sacramento from the list. Then again, I have no idea what the actual motion said. That said, I think that makes more sense as an unofficial policy than something written in stone.