The 2000 Election — Myths in Ruins

Myths in Ruins

The election outcome did, however, crush several myths about Libertarian Presidential strategy:

Myth #1. If we run a celebrity we’ll get substantial vote totals, five or ten percent of the vote, and become a major player.

In 2000, the Green Party did this. They ran Ralph Nader, who is about as well known as you can get for a politically serious celebrity not already tied to one party or the other. They ran a well-supported campaign with big rallies. They got less than 3% of the vote.

Myth #2. Elections are won at so many dollars per vote. If we were to really sacrifice, raise lots of new members who would all contribute, and put together a $20 million campaign instead of a $2 million campaign, we would get five or ten percent of the vote and be a major player.

In 2000, the parties of the Christian Right did this. Pat Buchanan qualified for $12 million in Federal campaign spending, and spent a similar amount of his own first. The Christian Right vote total did go up—from 0.2% to 0.6%. A vast increase in money out the door netted a very small number of additional votes. On the other hand, Howard Philips spent a tiny amount of money, around a twentieth of what Browne spent, and received a quarter of Browne’s vote totals.

Myth #3. Vast media spending will break us through from 0.5% to 5.0% of the vote.

In 2000, the parties of the Christian Right tried this. Buchanan’s FEC reports show spending in million dollar chunks going to advertising placement firms. Friends who listen to family-oriented radio stations report being swamped in radio ads for Buchanan. Buchanan made his vast media expenditures and received his one half of one percent, barely enough to beat Browne.