Delegates to California Convention Deal Upset Win to Firebrand Over Front-Runner

Attendees to the 2004 Libertarian Party of California convention expressed their preference for "rough around the edges" Hollywood producer Aaron Russo in a straw poll that turned the March primary results upside down--at least for one day. Delegates will only end the suspense when they convene again in Atlanta for the Libertarian Partys national presidential nominating convention.

SAN JOSE, CA (PRWEB) March 18, 2004 ---- The three major candidates for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination came to California this weekend to debate and to court the support of fellow Libertarians at the partys state convention, held here.

Candidates Michael Badnarik, Gary Nolan, and Aaron Russo debated Friday in a session moderated by the partys founder David Nolan (no relation to Gary). Sunday the candidates met at the podium again to give speeches to the convention, followed by a poll of the delegates. PBS filmed the speeches and the roll call vote for an upcoming special on third party candidates.

Badnarik, who teaches a course on the United States Constitution, spoke first on Sunday drawing a distinction between rights," which are inherent to an individual, and privileges," which can be granted or denied by a higher authority. Government should not infringe the inherent right to defend ones self, or the right of individuals to marry, by requiring licenses for guns or marriage." He continued: The last time I checked, gays were individuals. They should have the right to marry as they choose."

Nolan, a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host, pointed out the opportunity Libertarians have in this election. In the years before the last mid-term election Republicans made excuses that the reason government grew was because they didn't control the House, they didn't control the Senate, or because they didn't control the White House. With Democrat and Republican gridlock, government spending was growing at two to three percent. Now that the so-called party of limited government controls the Presidency and both Chambers, government spending is growing at seven to ten percent per year, excluding defense. The Republicans have nowhere to hide."

Russo claims Bush and Kerry are the same person. They both are for more spending, they both believe in NAFTA and GATT, they both believe in the welfare state (just differences of degree), they both were for the war in Iraq, they both were for the Patriot Act. I want to bring our troops back from Iraq and the rest of the world, and abolish the Patriot Act." Russo has produced Emmy and Tony award winning shows, as well as such movies as the Oscar-nominated The Rose," starring Bette Middler.

Although Nolan easily won the California Libertarian primary election held earlier this month with over 58 percent of the vote, the delegates at the state convention apparently preferred Russo's fiery oratory 51 to Nolans 42 percent, Badnarik trailing with 7 percent.

Both the primary and the convention straw poll are non-binding: Delegates to the national Libertarian Party convention to be held in Atlanta during the last days of May choose the party's Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees. The favorite candidate of the California delegation selected to go to Atlanta is still unknown, as are the delegates themselves. As the convention closed on Sunday the vote on delegates for the 226 seats allotted to California were still being counted.
   
The Libertarian Party of California has over fifty public officeholders statewide. Libertarians believe in personal freedom in both social and economic spheres, and in minimal government to protect those freedoms.

###

-Richard Newell (with Edward Bowers)

NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
14547 Titus Street, Suite 214
Panorama City, CA 91402-4935