Classical Liberal Caucus Advises LNC

Two years ago, in the lead up to the DC convention, the Classical Liberal Caucus created a series of Twitter polls targeting LP National donors.The most popular poll for “all donors, past and present,” received 198 respondents (excluding “show results;”) the least popular had 145.

We rounded fractional results mathematically, instead of using the poll result percentage, to exclude “show results” votes.

133 LP donors (86%) overwhelmingly cited the LNC’s personal and professional conduct as a reason to reduce donations, while only 7 said it’s a reason to increase donations, with 14 unaffected.

They weren’t happy with the MI lawsuits (67%: 134 to 8, 56 unaffected,) the chair’s partner’s salary (82%: 130 to 4, 23 unaffected,) social media messaging (76%: 124 to 18, 21 unaffected,) ballot access efforts (59%: 89 to 16, 45 unaffected,) treatment of staff (68%: 102 to 9, 38 unaffected,) and affiliate/candidate support (70%: 102 to 6, 38 unaffected.)

Ballot access (11%) and social media (11%) had the highest numbers of respondents saying that those are reasons to increase their donations.

The Michigan lawsuits (28%,) ballot access efforts (30%,) treatment of staff (25%,) and affiliate / candidate support (26%) had the highest numbers of respondents saying it didn’t impact their donations either way.

Economic issues, which had been blamed for the downtown in donations, had no effect for 91 respondents (61%,) while 20 were more likely (13%) and 38 were less likely (26%) to donate.

55 former donors (52%) would donate to this LNC again if these policies were changed. 14 would donate again, but these policies aren’t the ones impacting that decision (13%.) 37 refused to donate to that LNC (35%.)

Of 109 respondents who stopped donating, LP National only reached out to 18 of them (13%,) and only asked 9 why they stopped (7%.)

The CLC is reaching out to encourage donors to resume donations. We have already had one member purchase a lifetime membership as a result of your election. But there is also a sense that it is not enough to be passively not doing bad things; the LNC must be actively doing good things.

To that end, I specifically make the following recommendations:

Strictly enforce the ethics bylaw with complete transparency. If there is a controversy, address it publicly rather than bury it on the email list. While the list is public, many do not find it easily accessible, and items can easily get “lost in the scroll.”

End the lawsuits against affiliates. Many of you made that campaign promise. Thank you.

Find a new communications director, one who aligns with the values of the Libertarian Party, and will NOT have on their team individuals whose views are contrary to the Bylaws and Platform. (My personal recommendation is Keith Thompson.)

These are things that can be done immediately. The issues with treatment of staff and affiliate/candidate support will take time to show results. I would encourage this LNC to formally adopt a resolution apologizing to Ms. Michelle MacCutcheon and other staff who were abused by previous officers.

Thank you, and I look forward to even greater success in advancing liberty in our lifetime.

Michael Lopez

Communications Director, Classical Liberal Caucus