What's In A Name
The State of the Takeover
2021 has turned into one of the most exciting intervals of Libertarian Party inner politics, in spite of not being a major election year. State conventions are happening across the country, attracting an unusual amount of attention, and a proportionate amount of tension. Although the National Convention is still a year away and the next Presidential race is in three years, one group of party members is working overtime to lay the groundwork for success.
Started in 2017, the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus has expanded from just a few people to over 200 organizers nationally. The Caucus PAC boasts tens of thousands of dollars in donations to local candidates, affiliates spread across the states, and an impressive social media presence including an 8,000 member Facebook group that grew by 132 this week. In California alone, social media interactions have generated nearly 900 potential leads. The National Party member roll has dropped fifty percent in the last fifteen years without a solid plan to attract either new or old prospects. The LPMC is focused on creating a viable third option to the American political system by bringing the liberty movement to the Libertarian Party.
As far as the language controversy, LPMC National Coordinator Jeff Douglas said "In states like Nevada utilizing the word takeover made sense since leadership needed a complete overhaul but mainly this is a take back. We've seen the numbers declining and we want to reinvigorate the party with with the remnant from the Ron Paul r3VOLution and its working. We are seeing incredible growth as people are ready for a change in the LP." Pointing to the success and fervor of the Ron Paul campaign, he asserts people need something to rally around and the caucus is becoming just that. But fixing the Party’s image and messaging is bigger than just one caucus so Jeff is optimistic about coalitions between Mises and the Radicals, and anyone who is willing to help restore that excitement.
So, how has the caucus fared so far? The LPMC already has an influence in Connecticut and New Jersey, and have supported the Radical caucus in Tennessee and Kansas. Chair and a majority of the other positions were won in Washington, along with raising $15,000. In several states, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Rhode Island, the caucus won all positions except one. Missouri and Alabama now have a LPMC majority, and Maryland and Minnesota saw several victories in board elections. It hasn't been all positive, with some states having a small number of Mises members in attendance, but one state’s results stand out above the rest. Former Nevada leadership went on the offensive, attacking and smearing Mises, resulting in the caucus taking the Chair position in a 62-18-18 vote along with every single other position.
Several more conventions are scheduled later in the year with three happening this weekend, May 14-16. The Mises Caucus is hosting separate speaking events in California, featuring Thaddeus Russell and Bryan Sharpe (“Hotep Jesus”) and in Pennsylvania (the TakeHumanAction Bash) featuring Dave Smith, Jeff Deist, Scott Horton, Michael Rectenwald, Antony Sameroff and more.