Author Archives: bw

News Release: Chickens Come Home to Roost in US Senate Race

Title:
Chickens Come Home to Roost in US Senate Race
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
9/12/2000
Year:
2000
Article:

9/12/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
313-562-5778
248-591-3733

WESTLAND. “Too bad Spence Abraham doesn’t steal our political ideas instead of just our campaign ideas,” lamented Chris Pellerito, campaign manager for Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate, Michael Corliss.

He was referring to Abraham’s ploy of sending someone dressed in a chicken suit over to Democrat Debbie Stabenow’s campaign headquarters to illustrate his opinion of her reluctance to join an October 16 debate at the Economic Club of Detroit.

The LP’s 1994 candidate for this same senate seat, Jon Coon, sent two “chickens” to follow his major party opponents around the UM/MSU football game when they refused to face him in a debate before that election. Then Democrat candidate, Bob Carr, took the jibe in good humor and ultimately consented to debate Coon. Abraham, apparently forewarned, managed to elude his “chicken” pursuer and, likewise, steadfastly refused to face the Libertarian in debate — at least until a judge prohibited the PBS sponsored event from going forward without Coon being included.

“Spence avoided our chicken man,” Pellerito continued, “but obviously got the idea. “That’s fine,” he added. “We’re delighted to see that Mr. Abraham now understands the true nature of a political candidate who refuses to debate his opponents.”

Corliss’ campaign manager said his candidate is not just willing but actually eager to take on both Abraham and Stabenow in any forum, whether broadcast on radio or TV, or merely staged for the public to attend in person. He said Michael Corliss will accept an Economic Club of Detroit invitation to debate without any conditions.

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News Release: Libertarian Presidential Campaign Comes to Michigan

Title:
Libertarian Presidential Campaign Comes to Michigan
Author:
Jim Babka
Date:
9/18/2000
Year:
2000
Article:

9/18/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jim Babka (Browne2000)
(703) 236-5202
Tim O’Brien (LPM)
(313) 562-5778

DEARBORN. Libertarian Party presidential candidate, Harry Browne, will bring his campaign to southeast Michigan early next week, according to campaign press secretary Jim Babka.

“Mr. Browne has accepted an invitation to address the Economic Club of Detroit at a luncheon on Monday, September 25,” Babka said, “and will be campaigning and doing media interviews both Monday and Tuesday, September 25 and 26.

The Libertarian presidential candidate will then hold a special rally beginning at 7:00 pm Tuesday evening at the Westin Hotel 1500 Town Center (Northwestern Hwy. Service Drive off of 10 Mile Road) in Southfield where he will meet with supporters and the general public. “We have been sponsoring these free events across the country from Los Angeles to Atlanta,” Babka said, “and they draw hundreds of people.”

Michigan LP officials expect a large turn out here, as well. “The growing popularity of the Harry Browne for President movement is the best kept secret we’ve been trying not to keep,” LPM executive director Tim O’Brien wryly observed. “Major national polls such as Zogby and Rasmussen now have Browne at 3% to 4% in several key states — including some crucial battlegrounds in the midwest. It’s hard to understand why the media continue to cover Buchanan who has dropped below 1% and won’t even be on the ballot in Michigan,” he added, “while ignoring the candidate who may well control the outcome of the election.”

Highlights of the Southfield evening will include a preview of four new, eye-opening television commercials produced by the Browne campaign as well as an appearance by Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Michael Corliss.

The Libertarian party is the third largest political party in the United States, with 166 elected office holders — more than all other third parties combined. Nationwide, there are more than 1,500 Libertarians running for office this year (110 in Michigan) and 236 for US House seats — 18 more than required for a majority, which makes the Libertarians the first third party in nearly a century to contest a majority of congressional seats. The Libertarian Party will also become the first third party in more than a century to have a presidential ticket on the ballot in every state for three consecutive elections.

The press is invited to the Tuesday night rally and need not confirm in advance. For more information or to schedule a personal interview contact Browne press secretary Jim Babka at (703) 236-5202.

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News Release: County Clerk Candidate Left Off Ballot by County Clerk

Title:
County Clerk Candidate Left Off Ballot by County Clerk
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
9/19/2000
Year:
2000
Article:

9/19/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778

DEARBORN. “What more proof do we need,” asked Nancy O’Brien, Libertarian Party candidate for Wayne County Clerk, “that we desperately need a competent person running the clerk’s office in Wayne County?”

She was referring to the fact that that very office left her name off the ballot for the November 7 election as a candidate for it.

“Of all of the Clerk’s responsibilities,” she continued, “what could be more important than accurately preparing the election ballot?” The question was clearly rhetorical.

The oversight came to light when the LP candidate, wondering why she had not yet received a proof ballot prior to its printing for absentee voters, went to her hometown clerk’s office in Allen Park and inquired about the status of the process. A call by an assistant there to the Wayne County Clerk’s office got a listing of all the certified candidates. Ms. O’Brien — who brought along documentation of her nomination by the Libertarian Party of Michigan for Wayne County Clerk — was surprised to discover that she was not considered a candidate for that office by that office. But not very surprised.

“How exquisitely appropriate,” she remarked with no small appreciation of the irony of the situation. “Wayne County is so completely dominated by incompetent Democrats that they apparently considered the election over after the primary. The fact that the Democrat candidate is a respiratory therapist with a degree from a correspondence school and no experience in government whatever is, for them, entirely beside the point. The Democrats have made their choice,” she observed, “so, who cares about the general election?”

A follow-up call to the Bureau of Elections in Lansing revealed that O’Brien had not only been left off the ballot entirely, but in at least one district another party’s candidate had been listed on the Libertarian ballot line.

“Like most everyone else I had often heard about the incompetence in Wayne County government,” she concluded, “but you really can’t appreciate just how absurd it is until you actually get involved and try to do something about it.”

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News Release: Meet Harry Browne in person!

Title:
Meet Harry Browne in person!
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
9/25/2000
Year:
2000
Article:

9/25/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778

Who: Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Harry Browne

What: Political Rally

Where: Westin Hotel 1500 Town Center in Southfield (Northwestern Hwy. Service Drive off of 10 Mile Road)

When: Tuesday, September 26, 2000, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Why: Meet Harry Browne in person!

Highlights of the evening will include a preview of four new, eye-opening television commercials produced by the Browne campaign as well as an appearance by Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Michael Corliss.

Harry Browne will be available to greet supporters and meet with the media following the event. To schedule an interview with Harry Browne during the day, contact Robert Brunner, Deputy Press Secretary (703) 236-5060 or robertbrunner@harrybrowne2000.org.

For more information on Harry Browne’s campaign visit: www.HarryBrowne.org.

The press is invited to the rally and need not confirm in advance.

The Libertarian party is the third largest political party in the United States, with 166 elected office holders — more than all other third parties combined. Nationwide, there are more than 1,500 Libertarians running for office this year (110 in Michigan) and 236 for US House seats — 18 more than required for a majority, which makes the Libertarians the first third party in nearly a century to contest a majority of congressional seats. The Libertarian Party will also become the first third party in more than a century to have a presidential ticket on the ballot in every state for three consecutive elections.

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News Release: Candidate Appeals Being Denied Place on Ballot

Title:
Candidate Appeals Being Denied Place on Ballot
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
10/9/2000
Year:
2000
Article:

10/9/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778
(248) 591-3733

DEARBORN. “We’ll go all the way to the Supreme Court if we have to,” vowed State Board of Education candidate Jon Coon as an appeal to the Michigan Court of Appeals was filed on behalf of both him and the Libertarian Party he represents.

The appeal arises out of a ruling by the Bureau of Elections barring Coon from appearing on the November 7th general election ballot because he refused to sign a new form stating under penalty of perjury that he is in full compliance with every detail of campaign finance law.

“We are challenging the constitutionality of this new ballot access requirement,” said party executive director Tim O’Brien. “The legislature is empowered by the constitution to regulate the ‘time, place and manner’ of elections in order to ensure that the process is orderly,” he continued. “They do not have the lawful authority to deny an otherwise qualified candidate, properly nominated by a bona fide political party, the opportunity to appear on the ballot at all as a method of enforcing an essentially unrelated law.”

But isn’t campaign finance related?

“No,” O’Brien answers. “There may be good and compelling reasons why candidates should be required to disclose the sources and amounts of their campaign funding. But that is about how — and on behalf of whom — they conduct their campaigns. It has nothing to do with regulating ‘the time, place and manner’ of elections,” he reiterated, “which is the only constitutional authority of the legislature in the area of elections.”

Both Coon and the LP were undaunted by an August 23, 2000 ruling by Ingham County Circuit Judge Michael Harrison that upheld the Election Bureau’s decision.

“The sum and substance of Judge Harrison’s ruling was that the new law merely requires that candidates swear that they have filed every form, not that the information they provided is true and complete. That is a strained, if not just plain silly distinction,” he concluded with more than a hint of exasperation.

“I expect,” said attorney Ghazey Aleck, “that the case will be remanded to Judge Harrison to rule on our main contention that the new law unconstitutionally makes compliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act a qualification for running for office.”

The appeal is expected to take months to complete and will not get Jon Coon back on the November 7th ballot.

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News Release: Browne Pulls Even with Nader in Michigan

Title:
Browne Pulls Even with Nader in Michigan
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
10/16/2000
Year:
2000
Article:

10/16/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778

DEARBORN. Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne has pulled even in Michigan with Green Party candidate Ralph Nader according to the latest EPIC/MRA poll.

The poll of 600 likely voters, conducted on October 11 and 12, shows both candidates at 2% and has a margin of error of 4%.

The combined votes for the two “minor” party candidates is greater than the difference between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George Bush, who stood at 45% and 42% respectively. If the relative numbers hold until election day, the Libertarian and Green candidates will hold the balance of power in one of the closest and most hotly contested states in the country.

“With well over a hundred candidates — many of whom are running very active campaigns — we’re not surprised,” said state chair Stacy Van Oast. “We are an actual political party,” she continued, “not just a political personality cult with a celebrity at the top of an otherwise nearly empty slate.”

As further evidence Libertarian Party of Michigan executive director Tim O’Brien pointed to a similar rise in the polls of the party’s US Senate candidate, Michael Corliss. An October 12 Rasmussen survey of 885 likely voters (with a 3% margin of error) put Corliss at 2% — tying him with Reform Party senate candidate Mark Forton. Green Party candidate Matthew Abel trailed both at 1%.

Another factor that may be contributing to the growing prominence of both LP candidates is advertising that has been airing on “talk radio” stations throughout the state since the end of last month.

“There’s no question that broadcast advertising goes a long way both in terms of raising our profile and giving credibility to our candidates,” O’Brien said.

“Unfortunately,” rejoined Ms. Van Oast, “the media seem so blinded by celebrity that we continue to be ignored no matter how well we do. Harry Browne,” she observed, “is a perfect case in point. Despite doing just as well in the polls, his campaign gets a tiny fraction of the coverage given Mr. Nader. Indeed,” she concluded, “Browne gets far less coverage than Pat Buchanan. And Mr. Buchanan isn’t even on the ballot in Michigan!”

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News Release: Libertarian Party Plans Election Night Victory Parties

Title:
Libertarian Party Plans Election Night Victory Parties
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
11/3/2000
Year:
2000
Article:
11/3/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778
(248) 591-3733

DEARBORN. The Libertarian Party of Michigan will be holding election night victory parties on November 7 beginning at 8:00 pm at two different locations:
Libertarian Party of Michigan Headquarters
619 E. Nine Mile Road
Hazel Park
248-591-3733

Old Kent Building
University Club — Athletic Dining Room (basement floor)
111 Lyon Street
Grand Rapids
616-456-8311

Both events will be open to the press.

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News Release: Libertarian Party Plans Election Eve Campaign Caravan

Title:
Libertarian Party Plans Election Eve Campaign Caravan
Author:
Tim O’Brien
Date:
11/6/2000
Year:
2000
Article:
11/6/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tim O’Brien
(313) 562-5778
(248) 591-3733

DEARBORN. The Libertarian Party of Michigan will be taking its message to the streets on November 6 with a giant, rolling billboard that will roam the metro Detroit area the entire day.
The specially built 24,000 lb. vehicle features billboards on both sides comprised of 18,400 lights, as well as a 5,000 watt stereo system.

“We will be reminding voters that tomorrow is election day,” said spokesperson, Barbara Goushaw. “And, of course,” she quickly added, “that there is an alternative on the ballot to the two old, ossified political parties.”

“We’ll be promoting the campaigns of our presidential candidate, Harry Browne, and our US Senate candidate, Michael Corliss,” continued LPM chair, Stacy Van Oast, “and all the rest of the more than 100 LP candidates up and down the Michigan ballot.”

“We will be making a point,” added executive director Tim O’Brien, “to stop by all of the major media outlets. Perhaps,” he added with tongue planted firmly in cheek, “we will park the truck directly across their front doors and suggest at about 150 decibels that we won’t be in the way since they can simply continue to pretend that we’re invisible. It should be easy for them,” he concluded with a sly grin. “They’ve had lots of practice.”

Various Libertarian Party candidates will travel with the election eve Campaign Caravan at various times throughout the day, meeting with voters and distributing literature.
The planned route and schedule is as follows (times are approximate):

6:00 AM – 9:30 AM:
Dearborn
– Rouge Plant – Gate 4 overpass, 3001 Miller Rd., 1 mile south of Michigan Ave.
– Ford Engineering – About 1 mile east of Telegraph off of Michigan Ave.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM:
Downtown Detroit
– Detroit News – 615 W. Lafayette
– Free Press – 600 W. Fort St.
– WDIV/Channel 4 – 550 W. Lafayette
– WJR – 3011 W. Grand Blvd.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM:
Wayne State University
– Campus
– John Lodge Expwy & W. Warren
– WDET FM – 4600 Cass St

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM:
Drive towards Southfield via Woodward Ave.

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM:
Southfield
– WJBK – Fox 2: 16550 W. 9 Mile Rd.
– WXYZ – ABC 7: 20777 W. 10 Mile Rd.
– WKBD – UPN 50: 26905 W. 11 Mile Rd.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM:
Drive towards Pontiac via Telegraph

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM:
Pontiac
– GM Truck & Bus plant
– Oakland County Complex – 1200 N Telegraph
– Oakland Press – 48 W. Huron

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Auburn Hills
– Daimler Chrysler Tech Center

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM:
Drive towards Royal Oak via Woodward Ave.
– Loop through Birmingham
– Observer/Eccentric – 805 E. Maple

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Royal Oak
– Daily Tribune – 210 E. 3rd St.
– Downtown Royal Oak

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News Release: Libertarians Honor Republican L. Brooks Patterson

Title:
Libertarians Honor Republican L. Brooks Patterson
Author:
Date:
1/16/2001
Year:
2001
Article:
1/16/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Communications@LpocMi.org

HAZEL PARK. The Libertarian Party of Oakland County (LPOC) voted over the weekend to give special recognition to Republican L. Brooks Patterson. They will present the Oakland County Executive with an “Oakie” — their annual award to the individual who made the greatest contribution to building Libertarian Party membership in Oakland County in the preceding year.

“Mr. Patterson’s recent pronouncement that he wants to ‘reign in the far right’ in his own party” observed LPOC Chair Gary Bora, “may be the best news we’ve had since our excellent showing in the last election. The people that Mr. Patterson calls the ‘far right,'” he continued, “are really just average citizens who know a pandering politician when they see one. It’s no surprise to us that Republican support is eroding.”

The LPOC chair added that he already felt indebted to Patterson for having driven former Oakland County Republican Paul Champion out of the Republican Party and into the Libertarian Party in the summer of 1999. Champion joined the LP after receiving a letter from Patterson calling him “an asshole” for even suggesting that it was not proper for the Oakland County Executive to be attempting to derail legislation (then still before the legislature) making it easier for sane, law-abiding citizens to get concealed carry permits.

“I’ve never understood why those of us who respect the U.S. Constitution — including the 2nd Amendment — are considered ‘far right,’ Champion said, “but, in any case, the Oakland County Executive considers us ‘assholes’ who are not welcome in his gun-controlling Republican Party.”

Champion, who ironically ended up becoming the LP candidate for Patterson’s job in the 2000 election, noted, “the reason fewer and fewer people in Oakland County are voting Republican is obvious. Public officials like L. Brooks Patterson and John Engler are being held up as model Republicans. Voters who want genuinely smaller government and aren’t yet aware of the Libertarian alternative, are simply staying home.”

The LPOC presents their annual “Oakie” award at their January general membership meeting, this year being held on January 24, 2001, 7:30 pm at Sila’s restaurant in Berkley. County Executive Patterson has not yet announced whether he will attend in person to receive his award for having made the greatest contribution to building Libertarian Party membership in the preceding year.

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News Release: Stop Angling to Limit Anglers Say Macomb Libertarians

Title:
Stop Angling to Limit Anglers Say Macomb Libertarians
Author:
Diane Barnes
Date:
1/22/2001
Year:
2001
Article:
1/22/01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Diane Barnes
(810) 774-1625

EASTPOINTE. “If the consequences weren’t so dangerous to both our wallets and our liberties,” observed Macomb County Libertarian Party chair Diane Barnes, “we’d probably just laugh at the antics of our government officials.”

The Macomb Libertarians are particularly vexed with two local pols for recent attacks on both ice fishers and taxpayers.

“First, U.S. Representative David Bonior (D-10th) gets a $100,000 appropriation of taxpayer’s money to buy a special air boat — so that authorities can more efficiently come to the aid of ice fishers in the rare instances when they become stranded,” Barnes observed. “Then State representative William Callahan (D-St. Clair Shores) proposes legislation to fine anglers who have to be rescued using the expensive, new boat.”

Other local officials have joined in the paternalistic call to restrict the freedom of ice fishers for their own good. Harrison Township Fire Department Captain Robert Knapp said he supports legislation that gives local agencies authority to “order people off the lake” during unsafe conditions.

“Obviously, for that circumstance to arise there would have to be a difference of opinion as to whether or not conditions are unsafe,” added Macomb LP member and avid ice fisherman Mike Jablonski. “Knowing how government authorities think,” he added, “we just might be permitted to enjoy our sport for about three days in the middle of February… when the ice is at least two feet thick.”

“I am not, myself, an ice fisher,” added Barnes, “but I can certainly appreciate the frustration of adult citizens who are not permitted to use their own judgment about the relative hazards of their leisure time activities.

“On the other hand,” she concluded, “I am a taxpayer. And this situation is a perfect example of the ongoing assault on my wallet by do-gooder politicians. First, they spend a lot of tax money to prepare for highly unusual situations, then they restrict everyone’s rights in order to prevent the very circumstance they claimed justified the expenditure.”

Although it is apparently too late to save the taxpayers’ $100,000, the Macomb County Libertarian Party vowed to stand up for the rights of ice fishers not to be legally prohibited or fined for doing nothing more than engaging in their favorite pastime.

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