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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Mr. Katz’s post below
is a candidate for LNC-Business e-mail of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>I agree with 99% of
what he wrote, but the point is that he is very much on topic for this e-mail
list.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Figuring out how to
advise our affiliates on “positioning” their candidates so that they win
elections, or at least that their candidates markedly increase the number of
donors to the LP, is infinitely more important than making sure our
videoconferencing software is working correctly, or issuing press releases on
Federal-level issues when we have no Federal-level elected officials.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>The boards of
non-profit organizations are supposed to be playing chess: looking 4 or 5
moves ahead so that the organization is continually increasing the number and
degree of positive changes that it is achieving in the outside world.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>It would be really
great if someone on this board other than Mr. Katz is willing to pick up the
ball and start a discussion on how this board can improve its performance in
this area.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><br>
Scott Lieberman<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>PS – My only disagreement
with Mr. Katz is that I get the impression that he thinks our 2016 efforts
should be 95% electing Libertarians and 5% ballot access retention. In 2016, I
think the emphasis should be 60% electing Libertarians and 40% ballot access
retention, but for 2017 I pretty much agree with the percentages I assume to
Mr. Katz for 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Lnc-business
[mailto:lnc-business-bounces@hq.lp.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On
Behalf Of </span></b><st1:PersonName w:st="on">Joshua Katz</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, February 02, 2015
10:17 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">lnc-business@hq.lp.org</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Lnc-business] 2016
Libertarian Presidential Campaign - a model for our Nominee?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I found at least one major take-away that we Libertarians should be
mindful of, in my opinion: You need people to like you if you want to
win. I know that sounds simplistic, but I mean it seriously. We too
often try to win on our ideas. That 11% who support both Walker and Obama
clearly are not supportive of both based on their ideas. They're
supportive of both based on liking the people.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Walker</span></font></st1:place></st1:City>
knows this, and can consistently win votes of those who do not agree with his
ideas. That's why he sees no value, I'd suggest, in moderating his ideas
- he knows that his beliefs aren't the basis of his votes anyway, so why
bother? All he'd achieve would be alienating his base - it wouldn't
change his appeal to the "low information voters" Dr. Lieberman mentioned.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Libertarians, though, often think that we should campaign primarily on
our ideas. Of course, those come up - you can't campaign without talking
issues, and if someone lets you, you shouldn't take them up on it. But
having the best ideas is not enough for us to score wins. We have a far
larger hurdle to overcome than any candidate from the GOP or D parties, and
ideas will not do it. They're necessary but not sufficient (sorry, been
studying for the LSATs for the last few weeks.) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>So why is <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Walker</st1:place></st1:City>
electable, to the point where he wins in a state that Obama wins while doing
arch-conservative things? I agree with the <st1:City w:st="on">Walker</st1:City>
comments on that from the WSJ (it's probably one of the only things I agree
with <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Walker</st1:place></st1:City>
about.) He says that leadership is what makes him electable. I
think he's right. People have heard lots of ideas - and any idea we can
put forward, our opponents can co-opt, despite never following through in
office - and voters who pay attention only at election time will see no compelling
reason to vote for us. What turns heads is the person of the candidate -
yet we as a party spend a lot more time vetting people on ideas than on
candidate-ness. Of course, we need both - we don't want some likable
non-libertarian candidate, and even if such a person won, it would hurt us in
the long-run precisely because, that person may look like a leader, but the
party would appear to have no clear direction. (Note that, for this
purpose, I'm not talking about some disagreement on some issue of note largely
to political wonks - I'm talking a full-on non-libertarian. The shades of
grey can all be sorted out separately. Personally, I like to ensure that
any candidate will be reliably libertarian within the scope of the office
sought and will be reliably libertarian in their messaging - without going to
the mat on every jot and tittle of libertarian philosophy.) But a balance
will always need to be struck in choosing candidates, and I think we lean very
far towards ideas and treat elect-ability as an afterthought. But having
candidates who are persuasive and charismatic leaders is not only important for
the purpose of winning. It is important because the majority of elected
officials serve on boards and commissions - so, after winning, they can't use
Obama's "phone and pen" methods. After they've won, their job
of convincing others to embrace libertarian views on each issue begins.
Ron Paul may be famous for voting against the majority, or by himself, so many
times, but ideally you cast courageous, libertarian votes - and carry the
decision also. It is also important, even in executive offices, because
it means that we, as voters and as Libertarians, can believe that the official
will do as they say. A person who cannot credibly claim to be a leader
who manages to win an election is unlikely, even as an executive, to do much to
move public policy - their actions will be meek and indecisive, they can be
easy swayed by pressure groups - even at the local level, where a pressure
group may be the homeowners on a particular street. Even if they do move
policy, their impact is less likely to last if the changes are remembered as
those instituted by "oh, that guy."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>But there is a problem here. The LPUS runs two candidates (and,
arguably, we don't even really run those; we ask our affiliates to run
candidates for a different office who will vote for the candidates chosen at
our convention for two offices.) So what can the board do about selecting
and promoting the types of candidates I'm talking about? I'd suggest
three things.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>First, we can lead by example. The more each of us strives to
demonstrate the personal traits of leadership that <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Walker</st1:place></st1:City> talks about, in our party dealings and
elsewhere, the more we demonstrate the value of this within the party. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Second, we can make resource decisions. We can look to the
leadership and other traits of candidates when assisting with ballot access or
litigation - ultimately making our decision on many variables centered on the
success of this party, such as ballot access retention and improving the
electoral environment overall (particularly when it comes to litigation) but at
least always asking about this sends a positive message, regardless of our
final decision. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The third is harder to define, and might be contained in the previous
2, but in my mind, the primary purpose of any leader, and in particular of
boards, is to transmit a vision in a way that inspires others to try to advance
that vision. I think the more common phrase here is "buy-in"
but I hate business talk. Anyway, I think that's a far more important
part of what a board can do than any sort of direct action to get a particular
result.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I will disagree with Dr. Lieberman slightly regarding NOTA. I'm
sure he agrees with me on this, but it's a difference of emphasis - Dr.
Lieberman emphasized improving post-election ballot access. I agree, but I'd
emphasize winning more elections first - such as, say, doubling the number of
local elected officials in the party. If asked to choose between those
two goals, I'd favor both over a Presidential campaign (and I recognize the
elasticity arguments often made about this, I just happen to hold a different
set of beliefs about the particular elasticity of our donations, membership,
and other support than those making the arguments) but I'd favor more offices
over more ballot access retention.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
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<div>
<div link=blue vlink=purple>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font>Joshua A. Katz<font
color=black><span style='color:black'> </span></font>Westbrook CT Planning
Commission (L in R seat)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
color:black'>GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>This 2
page article shows how Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker won over the crowd at
the Iowa Freedom Summit last week.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>
<a
href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/scott-walker-win-iowa-electability-no-compromise-to-democrats"
target="_blank">http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/scott-walker-win-iowa-electability-no-compromise-to-democrats</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Even if
you are like me and you support NOTA for the 2016 Libertarian Presidential
Nomination, the article still makes for good reading.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Scott
Walker obviously has very good street cred with conservatives for not only
talking the talk, but also walking the walk.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The
article demonstrates how important it is to present political ideas not only in
a way that makes your base voters feel good about themselves, but mainly in a
way that gives your base voters hope that at least some “low-information
voters” will actually vote for you.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>And for
my fans who will read this e-mail on the LP web site: I support NOTA for
2016 because it is a much better use of Libertarian’s time, talent, and
treasure in 2016 to pass as many vote tests as possible so that we end up with
40 state ballot access in December 2016 instead of wasting time on a Don
Quixote Presidential campaign. Far too many LP members pretend that
the Libertarian presidential campaign will increase the number of donors that
the Libertarian Party has, </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>when in
fact the main purpose of the Presidential campaign is to make LP members feel
good about themselves without having to actually increase the number of donors
to the Libertarian Party.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>
Scott Lieberman</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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