By Bob Gough These pages often encourage the reader to run for office in order to strengthen the Libertarian Party. Libertarians, just as everyone else, are complex and different from each other. We differ in our political enthusiasm, our financial resources, our time, our energy, our spouse's support, our egos, and our willingness to allocate a portion of our resources for the Libertarian cause.
Many Libertarian pros advise potential candidates to start at the grass roots.
Get on the planning commission, city council, and become known in the community. Collect IOUs and followers, and then, and only then, run for Assembly or higher offices. These pros say that just putting a Libertarian name on the ballot for Congress is a waste of resources and brings chuckles from the general public. The Libertarian viewpoints on these issues are about as popular as Bill Clinton at an NRA meeting. A Libertarian candidate reduces the number of votes with every candidate debate event.