In an article “Libertarian Party Secretary Files Lawsuit To Remove Party Chair Angela McArdle” by Brian Doherty, Reason magazine covers Caryn Ann Harlos’s suit as Libertarian National Committee, Inc., to remove Angela McArdle as National Chair. The article also reports in detail “The Libertarian Party National Committee, meanwhile, is seeking to remove the Secretary.” The article notes in particular the falsity of claims that the LNC can block Harlos’s suit by removing her as Secretary.
I’m an old school Ron Paul guy who used to be in the GOP. I joined the LP because I believed Mises Caucus was finally going to help get the party to a place of being effective by focusing better on winnable local elections (like municipals with no party registration on the ballot), stronger civil liberties and anti-war messaging, and making the LP a welcome place for culturally right-leaning or Ron Paul types of libertarians (in addition to its historic appeal to culturally left-leaning and more beltway libertarians).
I saw there were some bad actors in MC (e.g., Adrian Malagon, Jeremy Kaufmann, etc.), and I didn’t like some of the aggressive messaging and anti-immigrant stances, nor the LNC’s lawsuit in Michigan. But most of the people I interacted with in rank-and-file and even state MC leadership seemed pretty reasonable. After all, there were plenty of bad actors and poor messaging on the opposing side as well. And while I certainly thought Rectenwald and the LNC didn’t criticize Trump enough, never did I believe the narrative that the MC master game plan was to help MAGA Republicans. It certainly wasn’t my intent in joining the MC, and I didn’t see it as anyone else’s.
But what I’ve witnessed since the national convention has been nothing short of appalling. It started with the flagrant credentials abuse. Then the ludicrous (and dare I say, snowflake-like) NOTA attempt against Chase Oliver on the final presidential ballot. But all of that pales in comparison to the manipulative, abusive, and outright scandalous behavior that this LNC, in coordination with various actors in MC leadership, have conducted since May.
This LNC is easily, without a doubt, just as corrupt and shameful as the GOP leadership that steamrolled the Ron Paul supporters long ago. Angela McArdle is the LNC equivalent of Reince Priebus. We may as well all start referring to her as Angela McPriebus. The tactics, lies, and abuse are right out of the same playbook. The difference is that at least Priebus had something to show for it at the end: Romney crushed Paul, and a few years later Priebus became White House Chief of Staff and then returned to a lucrative private sector career.
McArdle and the other LNC/MC brass had better hope Trump wins next month and helps them pivot themselves out of this. With their record of corruption, if Trump wins and kicks them the curb, or if Harris wins and the McArdle/MC faction get purged at the 2026 convention, they’re all going to be in a world of trouble professionally. Absent some serious and very public admission of fault and proof of change (like Harlos has admirably been doing), what sensible person would ever hire any of them in the private sector ever again? Which is also ironic, since they frequently mock others as being losers and ineffective, while their own professional records are a complete joke.
I still resonate more ideologically with the general, original idea of MC than I do with most prior LNC leadership. But I’d rather stand side-by-side with someone I agree with 60-70% of the time but trust is at least a genuine person, than someone I agree with 85-90% who is a snake. The snake is always going to bite you in the end.
I don’t know if the LP can be saved or, even if it savable, if it’s even worth it to do so. But what I do know is this corrupt LNC has made a mockery of libertarianism and the legacy of Ron Paul. Making them sweat by throwing a wrench into every one of their shady tactics and plans is worth the lulz.
See you in Grand Rapids.
See you in Grand Rapids.
@J, I think you speak for a large number of Mises Caucus members who thought they were bringing a positive change but have found that the new LP leadership is incompetent at best and nefarious at worst.
Big surprise! Angela went back to her old standard of calling everyone who opposes her a Fed. LOLOLOLOL
It seems everyone is running in differnt partys now-a-days, Trump is A Democrat pretending to be a Republican Angela is a Republican pretending to be a Libertarian to help the Democrat Pretending to be a Republican and Harris is pretending she knows whats going on. Angela needs to resign and the American public needs to realize their two party/uniparty structure has squeezed all their freedoms out.
What Angela McCardle has done to us delegates and steering money questionably, I’ll put bluntly – wire fraud, as in civil RICO predicate offense wire fraud. She needs to resign so we can move forward and stop the bleeding, NOW.
PS – If she calls this libel, tell her to sue and hire the lawyer she likes the least. This is deplorable what she has done, selling us off to Trump, RFK and other highest bidders piece by piece…
You know this stuff, I don’t very well. You should pursue it.
===The article notes in particular the falsity of claims that the LNC can block Harlos’s suit by removing her as Secretary.===
The fact that she keeps falsely trying to influence votes by saying that is yet another thing to add to her long list of breaches of fiduciary duty. The way she keeps strengthening my case, you’d think I was paying her.
She’s in trouble.