| As Libertarians mark the 2 year anniversary of State sanctioning of Oklahoma's Libertarian Franchise, the new party is preparing their 2nd State Convention. There have been significant growing pains for the group, and some continual shifting of message and method. On March 31st, the 2018 Libertarian Party State Convention will convene in Shawnee, OK. They will elect party leadership and get to know their slate of announced candidates. There currently is no official state party platform. But in order to be a delegate, an Oklahoma voter must be registered in the Libertarian Party (a simple voter registration card from any county election board or voter registrar location). In addition, a Libertarian voter must file a pledge of fidelity to the party's 'golden rule', the Non Aggression Principle... Libertarians oppose the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals. They reject “first-strike” force, fraud or theft against others; they only use force in self-defense. Those who violate this “non-aggression principle” are expected to make their victims whole as much as possible. |  |
The first year of the current Libertarian organization in Oklahoma was marked by enthusiasm and mis-steps. Their inaugural convention in Stillwater was dominated by strong personalities and social justice warriors. Even as many of their national delegates were split on which presidential candidate to nominate, they seems less focused on the fiscal message of keeping liberty through limiting the size & power of govt.
Party leaders were almost always present at any LGBTQxyz parade, march, or rally. But they resisted expressing their voice in state fiscal policy.
Many state party leaders focused on chasing out any social conservatives who previously supported Congressman Ron Paul, in the 2012 GOP presidential primaries. Dr. Paul is a former Libertarian Party presidential nominee.
The OLP decided to let any independent voter participate in Libertarian primary elections. That backfired when Dax Ewbank was defeated by a fellow Libertarian who only filed so Ewbank could have his name on the June primary ballot. Independents overwhelmingly selected Murphy; who had intended to focus on working for the Gary Johnson presidential campaign.
The Memorial Day national convention had a silly embarrassment captured live on C-Span coverage. A young nut from Michigan decided to throw his hat in the ring to become the new national party leader. What the world was treated to was a near-total striptease dance by the 300+lb slob.
Libertarians were compromised by the social policy of the Johnson campaign when he refused to support a merchant's right to refuse a business contract to provide service for an event he's morally and religiously opposed to.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma legislature granted the party a big boost when they lowered the mandated electoral threshold for continuance from 10% of election returns to just 2.5%.
The Trump/Clinton presidential ballot provided enough remorse that Johnson easily surpassed the 2.5% threshold.
Since then the party rank & file have revolted against the Social Justice warriors who'd been chasing out religious conservatives. The state committee chose to close their primary elections again. Now a voter needs to be registered with the party in order to vote in the primaries.
Participating in the state convention on March 31st is easy enough. By just registering with the state election board and signing the NAP, any voter can show up at the convention and vote in the highest ruling body of the state Libertarian Party.
There are 3 announced Libertarians running for the Libertarian nomination. Two of them are serious, substantive, and dedicated to the race. A university professor of accounting is announced for the office of State Auditor & Inspector. Some others have announced for legislative offices.
Party leaders were almost always present at any LGBTQxyz parade, march, or rally. But they resisted expressing their voice in state fiscal policy.
Many state party leaders focused on chasing out any social conservatives who previously supported Congressman Ron Paul, in the 2012 GOP presidential primaries. Dr. Paul is a former Libertarian Party presidential nominee.
The OLP decided to let any independent voter participate in Libertarian primary elections. That backfired when Dax Ewbank was defeated by a fellow Libertarian who only filed so Ewbank could have his name on the June primary ballot. Independents overwhelmingly selected Murphy; who had intended to focus on working for the Gary Johnson presidential campaign.
The Memorial Day national convention had a silly embarrassment captured live on C-Span coverage. A young nut from Michigan decided to throw his hat in the ring to become the new national party leader. What the world was treated to was a near-total striptease dance by the 300+lb slob.
Libertarians were compromised by the social policy of the Johnson campaign when he refused to support a merchant's right to refuse a business contract to provide service for an event he's morally and religiously opposed to.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma legislature granted the party a big boost when they lowered the mandated electoral threshold for continuance from 10% of election returns to just 2.5%.
The Trump/Clinton presidential ballot provided enough remorse that Johnson easily surpassed the 2.5% threshold.
Since then the party rank & file have revolted against the Social Justice warriors who'd been chasing out religious conservatives. The state committee chose to close their primary elections again. Now a voter needs to be registered with the party in order to vote in the primaries.
Participating in the state convention on March 31st is easy enough. By just registering with the state election board and signing the NAP, any voter can show up at the convention and vote in the highest ruling body of the state Libertarian Party.
There are 3 announced Libertarians running for the Libertarian nomination. Two of them are serious, substantive, and dedicated to the race. A university professor of accounting is announced for the office of State Auditor & Inspector. Some others have announced for legislative offices.
