Libertarian Party

Libertarian presidential nominee hopeful Wayne Allyn RootLAS VEGAS—Las Vegas’ very own presidential candidate, Wayne Allyn Root, learned last week that his race for the Libertarian Party’s nod for the presidency has gotten a bit harder.  Announcing his resignation from the Democratic Party, former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel has cast his lot with the Libertarians and is now seeking the nomination that until recently seemed headed Root’s way.

Root, reached for comment today, sounded unconcerned about Gravel’s entry and even optimistic about what it could mean for the Libertarian Party.

“[Gravel]’s not a Libertarian,” said Root.  “There’s nothing about him that is Libertarian.  I don’t think the Libertarian Party has any interest in a senator that was defeated twenty-five years ago who doesn’t believe in anything that resembles Libertarian philosophy.”

In this video from Feb. 15, Las Vegan Wayne Allyn Root discusses his presidential bid and takes a few shots at the prospective Democratic and Republican nominees.

Party Platform 101: Libertarian leaders discuss writing a state platform with party founder David Nolan (near left) and Colorado chair Travis Nicks (near right).Henderson- The Libertarian Party, one of the United States’ longest-enduring and most pervasive third parties, held its annual leadership conference in Henderson this weekend at the Sunset Station Hotel & Casino.  The event drew party leaders and activists from around the country and featured training workshops on topics like filing with the Federal Elections Commission, planning a state convention and communicating with the media.

“It’s an opportunity to learn more about the trade, about raising money, about campaigning,” said Shane Cory, executive director of the national Libertarian Party, “the nuts and bolts of running a political party.”

With so many of the Libertarian faithful on hand, it was also an opportunity for Libertarian presidential candidate hopefuls to woo potential delegates to the party’s national convention in May.  Seven of the party’s fourteen announced candidates attended the conference and were scheduled to debate Saturday evening including Las Vegan Wayne Allyn Root, winner of the Missouri Libertarian straw poll, and George Phillies, winner of the unofficial Arizona Libertarian primary.