Next summer, the Libertarian Party will have its national convention in Washington, DC.
Even now, there is significant financial information present. Some number of convention packages have been purchased, some number of rooms have been reserved in the hotel, etc. This information is critical to the Libertarian National Committee (LNC), because major financial losses at the convention could cripple the Party.
Historically, these numbers have gone to the LNC Convention Oversight Committee on a weekly basis and to the National Committee on a monthly basis. Our sources on the LNC tell us that no such reports have been given either to the National Committee or to its Executive Committee, either in an open meeting or in executive session. We gather that the National Chair knows the numbers, and infer that the Convention Oversight Committee Chair may know the numbers, but it seems that the information has gone no further.
I was going to say this feels like you’re being baited and the numbers are probably fine, but then I checked lp.org and saw that four of the convention packages are being discounted:
Essentials $225 -> $175
Market $350 -> $290
Entertainment $600 -> $450
Premier $715 -> $600
The one that is not discounted:
Presidential $1,500
I still suspect the final numbers will be fine, though. It just feels like a set-up, where they are secretive about the numbers, wait for the non-MC people to say they are hiding bad numbers, and then they will surprise with normal numbers and use that to try to discredit the opposition.
Given the stakes (>25% of the annual budget rides on the convention funding, up from <10% in 2020) and the assumptions in the budget (convention is supposed to somehow pull at least 95% of 2022's convention income* and nearly double 2020's) I think a reasonable person would presume a pending disaster.
* ~75% the membership numbers of 2022, no Takeover in Progress to motivate MC attendance, Mises PAC income is down and expenses are up (IE less funds for compensating member travel expenses), no motivating presidential contenders on tap, felt economic conditions are worse so people intuit having less disposable income….what positive element exists to suggest that the projected income is marginally likely in light of all the obvious implications otherwise?