5 Ways:: Libertarians Need to Change if they ever expect to Win

#5 Its not a us against them battle

Most Libertarians find their identity in what they aren’t. Most Libertarian ads tell of how Republicans and Democrats are old politics and how they spend so much money. For Libertarians to succeed though they must grow past this idea of just pulling others down to lift themselves up. Instead of focusing on how Republicans and Democrats are getting it wrong why not focus on what they as Libertarians will bring to the table. Most people already know the current system is broken and failing so telling them that isn’t anything new. People want to know where politicians stand on specific issues, so tell them that. Libertarians should tell of how they would vote, what they believe. Just saying they are different isn’t enough, because different isn’t always good. Tell of how by voting for libertarian politicians it’s a vote towards independence.

A big part of this is to support fellow Libertarians. It seems as though many Libertarians have this us against them mindset even within their own party, this is major mistake if they ever want to win any office (well other than maybe Soil and Water Conservation).

#4 Libertarian Politicians need to focus on their campaigns and not just what it means to be libertarians

In almost every Libertarian candidates commercials it seems to less of a mention of the candidate and more for the party. Instead of focusing on what party they are a part of focus on how they, as a new candidate, can being fresh breath to Washington. Not just more party fighting but truly new ideas.

#3 Take it Seriously

If Libertarians want to actually have a chance in hell of winning they have to act like it. Sure you can have fun, joke around, but then its time to get serious. Most Libertarians I know don’t even take their own party seriously so why should the rest of the country.

There are so many videos, websites, and newsletters from the Libertarians that well make fun of themselves. It reminds me of the kid in school, you know the one, which does stupid things just to bring attention to themselves. That’s what the Libertarians seem like sometimes. They have ads where they blow up piggy banks and have people wearing masks to the national convention. This is no way to have people take you seriously! Sure the Democrats and Republicans have fun at their conventions too, but people already don’t take the Libertarians seriously so they need to work double time to prove that they can be serious and that their candidates can actually do well for America. They can still have the loud music, the occasional celebrity endorsement, and the occasional joke but they need to have a serious time too. They need to be prepared ahead of time for the National Convention; they need to be united together, not fighting. By not preparing before a convention, a debate, or an interview the Libertarian candidates show they aren’t really prepared at all.

#2 Be prepared and Professional

This is by far one of my personal biggest pet peeves with whole Libertarian party! I spent countless nights searching the internet for information on the Libertarian party, on specific candidates and on local chapter meetings (for multiple chapters along the Interstate 4 Corridor and in South Florida). I found little information that I was looking for. Most of the candidate’s websites, that is if they even had one, was poorly designed. Most of the websites, including the national website had out dated information on it. Since they I have joined some Libertarian mailing lists. I am emailed information that’s no longer up to date, sent email invitations to events that happened weeks before, and was snail mailed information that wasn’t even important to my area or my voting precinct.

The sad thing is I know it just not me. I know a friend who at one time was Libertarian himself, due to the lack of professionalism and preparedness he has since left the Libertarian party for one of the big two.

If Libertarians want to be successful, if they want people to know what they are and what they stand for, they need be better prepared and they need to be more professional. Sorry a blog should not be a candidates official website, any candidate!

The websites (especially the official national website) need to stay current. Libertarians need to stop using MySpace, Yahoo, and the like as official websites and groups. Instead have a Libertarian version of them or all use one, either way have a better updated and more informative directory that easily found on the national website.

Embrace technology and then brag about it. Both of the major two candidates use Twitter but only to tell of where they are and repeat what they are saying. Instead the Libertarian candidates should use it to tell how they are feeling, what they think, etc. This will help show a real personal aspect of the candidates. And if a candidate chooses to use a site like Plurk, Twitter, Brightkite, etc they should strive to keep it updated on a regular basis (at least once every other day!).

The candidates need to have professional looking (which can be made by a 15 yr old anymore) videos able to be downloaded on their websites. These videos need to also be in places like YouTube and DailyMotion. I have searched Youtube numerous times for Libertarian videos, few are professional and even fewer are recently made.

If the Libertarian Party wants to become a true third party they need to embrace the internet. That is where people will go to research the party and their candidates.

Another major issue is how they look. Few Libertarians look professional when they go on TV. The sad truth is many Americans vote based on looks and style of dress. When a guy wears a bowtie or a pinstripe suit with a dotted tie it makes him and who he represents look like a group of outdated clowns. That’s the sad, albeit unfortunate, truth of the American mindset. It doesn’t cost that much to have a focus group to discuss issues like slogans, songs, clothes, and the like. Sure these things are silly when compared to the huge issues of true politics but sadly these are the things that help sway the votes. Ask for volunteers for the focus groups, have polls on the websites, have phone polls, these things cost very little and can have huge impacts.

The party as a whole needs to be prepared when hosting a convention and when other conventions are happening. Again I harp on unity among the party because this will help make it look more professional and in return help the party grow.

#1 Truly believe in it!

I think deep down inside most Libertarians while they agree with the ideals of the Libertarian party few actually think the party has a chance to win. I have worked with both Republicans and Democrats and personally know multiple elected officials in both parties. I have sat at dinner with Congressman and listened to the passion they have for their party, this passion overflows all the way down to the least of these. On the other hand I have spoken to many Libertarians, albeit few actual politicians within the party, but many card carrying members. They seem to be lacking the passion I find in those who are a part of the big two. This lack of passion seems to permeate all that the Libertarians do. The Libertarians have some big name supporters yet you never see them publicly speaking about the Libertarian party. The Libertarian party has big businesses that support it yet you never see these businesses saying that. The party needs to encourage more public discourse.

The Obama campaign was completely built upon the grassroots efforts of a few individuals, soon this grassroots effort become one of the biggest and most historical campaigns in the history of our great nation. The Libertarians can see a similar wave if they believe in what their party and candidates stand for and then they help individuals take a part in the rise of the Libertarians.

By taking pride and believing in it the overall look of the Libertarian Party will be improved. The 80’s looking logo will be updated, the websites will be kept up, the candidates will get out and be in the public eye more, there will be Libertarian house gatherings and more media attention.

If the party truly believes in what they say, and they vote accordingly, it wont be long before a third party is an actual true option in the country. And that my friends will be the best change to come to Washington in many many years!