From Eric Dondero:

There's been a growing controversy this past week over Libertarian radio talk show host Neal Boortz and his longtime relationship with the Libertarian Party. Boortz was a keynote speaker for an LP National Convention in the late 1990s. He often boasts of a longtime membership and friendship with the Georgia LP. But a Texas Libertarian sent out a press release the other day, saying that he had been "booted" from the upcomming LP National Convention for St. Louis in May. It was titled "Libertarian Party Boots Boortz."

Boortz strongly disputes this claim on his website, "Not that I care..."

From Boortz:

Sorry Mr. Butler, but you have this a bit wrong. Last week I instructed Belinda (photo) to inform the Libertarian Party that I would be unable to keep this speaking engagement for personal reasons." According to Butler The Libertarian Party "removed me" from the schedule because of comments I made regarding voting for a 3rd party this November.

Whatever, Mr. Butler. If you want to say that I was "booted" from the schedule, have at it. It's your credibility that suffers, not mine.

He then goes on to explain his view in detail, that local LPers running is just fine. But he's concerned about upper level races such as Congress.

Continuing from NealsNuze:

By the way .... I have an email from a top-ranking official in the Libertarian Party who, after listening to my comments regarding voting for a 3rd party in November, is going to resign his position. Why? Because he felt that what I said made sense. We cannot afford a 3rd party effort this year if it is going to leave one single Democrat in office who otherwise might have been removed. I still plan to vote Libertarian in local elections .. but I simply cannot afford the luxury when it comes to the Congress.

Editor's Comment - I disagree slightly with Neal on this. There are tons of Libertarian Party members who wouldn't come out to the polls otherwise. They'd simply choose to stay home. Having a Libertarian Party candidate on the ballot motivates them to vote. And given Libertarian's general tendency to vote Republican as a second choice, this could help GOP candidates in races where no Libertarian is listed.