Libertarian Party Convention 2016: Candidates Debate The Issues As Party’s Platform Gains Momentum
From the archive: published May 29, 2016, 10 years ago. Details may have changed since.
From all around the country, over 1,000 people gathered at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, for the 2016 Libertarian Party National Convention this Memorial Day weekend. Attendees of the event get to meet and talk politics, strategize, and join seminars with themes on how to reduce the size and scope of government.
However, most of all, Libertarians will choose the candidate that will represent them in the 2016 presidential race. There are five men competing for the opportunity, including former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.
Howell and many other Libertarians think Americans are more receptive now, more than ever, of the party’s platform. Much of their agenda includes marijuana legalization , reduction of government surveillance, and lessening military involvement in foreign affairs.
“There is no question to those of us who do retail politics, who talk to voters, they want what Libertarians have been advocating for a long time,” Howell says.
Another reason more people are taking the Libertarian Party seriously for the first time in years is likely due to the current widespread discontent with the Republican and Democratic parties. A recent poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News revealed a whopping 47 percent of Americans would consider voting for a third-party candidate this year.
Denise Cranford, an active Libertarian and convention delegate, isn’t surprised by the poll. She believes many people simply do not like the current presidential nominee front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
According to officials with the Libertarian Party, dues-paying members have jumped 30 percent so far this year. In addition, media attention has been higher this election cycle than ever before.
On Saturday night, the five Libertarians competing for the nomination spent more than two hours debating how they will implement the party’s agenda should they be elected to the nation’s top job. Much of the sparring was about current political topics like same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization.
During an energetic exchange with Johnson, candidate Austin Petersen said he supported a complete “separation of marriage and state.” While partially agreeing, Johnson countered by reminding everyone that an idea like that comes with too many obstacles. The government’s acknowledgement of same-sex marriage was much more feasible in Johnson’s view.
“I don’t need any kind of marriage license. I don’t need a marijuana grower’s permit. I have a Constitution. What I need is a government that honors it and doesn’t ask for licenses or permits and certificates for things that are none of the government’s business.”
Johnson, the party’s 2012 presidential pick, may not have the fundraising capability of rivals Clinton and Trump, but intends on using multiple news media appearances to boost name recognition. If chosen as the party’s nominee, he plans to go after supporters of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders for votes.
“Those same Bernie Sanders supporters… are going to find themselves philosophically siding with me more than they do with Hillary Clinton,” Johnson said.
Sunday night, delegates attending the 2016 Libertarian Party National Convention will select their presidential nominee. While most expect Johnson to be picked again this year, also in the running are cybersecurity entrepreneur John McAfee and magazine editor Darryl Perry.
Given the growing popularity of the party and the increasing dissatisfaction of mainstream choices Trump and Clinton, Libertarians have much to be excited about this November, as their nominee will be the only third party choice on the presidential ballot. No other third party has ever before accomplished this achievement.