Substituting Wayne Root with Ron Paul

[KCUF Media [ Mike Blessing ]]

Chair, LPNM wrote:
> LPNM CenCom Members,
>
> As the below email came from Russ Verney, I would tend to believe the
> article is accurate. I will include this as an item for discussion on
> the Agenda for this Sunday's CenCom meeting. Please review the below
> email and the two links at the bottom of the article, and be prepared to
> discuss this. Also, if you have anything else to include on the Agenda,
> please be sure to email me about it by Friday. Thanks.
>
> JAY VANDERSLOOT
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: "Russ Verney, BobBarr2008.com"
> To: jayvand...@yahoo.com
> Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 12:57:36 PM
> Subject: Bob Barr Shows Leadership to Unify Liberty Movement
>
> *Bob Barr Shows Leadership to Unify Liberty Movement*
>
> *Asks Paul to Run as his Vice President*
>
> Atlanta, GA - Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party nominee for president, has
> invited GOP Congressman Ron Paul to be his running mate in the upcoming
> election. In a letter sent to Paul, Barr called Paul one of the "few
> American patriots" who exist in today's society, and asked him to
> "seriously consider this final offer as an opportunity to show true,
> lasting leadership beyond party politics."
>
> Barr cited Paul's 1987 letter to then-GOP Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf, in
> which Paul stated that, "after years of trying to work through the
> Republican Party both in and out of government. . . concluded that
> efforts must be carried on outside the Republican Party."
>
> Though recognizing Paul's personal investment in the Republican Party
> and his recent attempts to reform the party from inside, Barr said he
> disagreed with Paul's strategy. "Better options remain that will carry a
> message of liberty onto the ballot in November and beyond," Barr stated,
> adding at a news conference called today at the National Press Club,
> that "change in politics and public policy in America cannot and will
> not be done from within the current, two-party system."
>
> Barr continued, "'The status quo will not change the status quo' and
> impact comes entirely from gaining votes in the General Election." That
> is why Barr said he would remain focused on the Libertarian Party's
> electoral effort and clear message, and why he invited Paul to join him.
>
> "While you declined my offer to seek the Libertarian presidential
> nomination many months ago, I ask that you seriously consider this final
> offer as an opportunity to show true, lasting leadership beyond party
> politics," Barr stated in his letter to Paul.
>
> Barr's running mate, Wayne Allyn Root, expressed support: "As the
> Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee, I believe in one thing
> above all else - principle. There can be no compromise on the ideals of
> limited government, lower taxes, lower spending, and more freedom for
> the American people. Those are the principles to which I've dedicated my
> life. The GOP and Democratic candidates only give lip service-at best-to
> these ideals and principles. It is only an act at election time every
> four years."
>
> "I want to end the charade once and for all," Root continued. "I am
> willing to sacrifice anything to advance the cause of liberty, freedom,
> smaller government and to enable the American taxpayer to keep more of
> their own money and property. Understanding Dr. Ron Paul's reputation
> and name recognition in the freedom movement, I am willing to step aside
> as Libertarian vice presidential candidate if he would be willing to
> take my place. I will pledge to work day and night, just as I have as
> the vice presidential nominee, to support Dr. Paul. I believe this is a
> wonderful opportunity for the Libertarian and freedom movements. I
> encourage Dr. Paul to accept Congressman Barr's offer. The campaign is
> making this offer because we believe there is no sacrifice too large
> when it comes to improving the lives of the American people and American
> taxpayers."
>
> Barr's letter to Paul can be found here
> <http://cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?1RN5-27Dd-61BIF0>.
>
> Paul's letter to the GOP can be found here
> <http://cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?1RN5-27De-61BIF1>.

Both of these links come as "404 Not found."

Here's Barr's letter to Ron Paul --

http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/09/10/text-of-bob-barrs-letter-to-ron-paul/

As for substituting Paul for Root as the VP candidate, I can see
some potential problems --

1. The substitution of Root with Paul requires the consent of 2/3 of
the National Committee, as per the bylaws (Article 12, Section 3).

http://lp.org/files/pdfs/bylaws-2008.pdf

I'm not assuming this as a slam-dunk of any sort, considering recent
squabbles on the National Committee.

2. Pending the National Committee's approval, it then becomes incumbent
upon Ron Paul to accept this nomination. Considering that Paul could've
had the LP's nomination just by asking and didn't go for it, and recent
potshots at Paul from the LP side, this isn't a slam dunk, either.

http://www.lp.org/blogs/andrew-davis/to-our-supporters-and-volunteers

(I personally am NOT taking EITHER side in this.)

3. ASSUMING the approval of the National Committee AND Paul's consent,
the sooner it happens, the better.

-- Mike Blessing / http://xanga.com/kcufmedia