by Eric Dondero

Oldtimer Libertarians might remember the 1991 Libertarian Party National Convention. It was the first LP National Convention covered in its entirety by C-SPAN, gavel to gavel. Ron Paul had run for President on the Libertarian ticket in 1988, with fmr. Alaska State Rep. Andre Marrou as his VP. The ticket had gained a great deal of national media exposure, but never really cracked through. Of course the entire Libertarian Party was excited about the prospects of this "coming out" to America through the relatively new medium of C-SPAN.

And it promised to be an exciting convention. California LP activist Dick Boddie, a Black American and motivational speaker from California was running for the nomination for President against Marrou. During the nominating speeches, Boddie's father, a 70+ year old Baptist preacher gave a rousing speech for his son. The older Boddie, a veteran of the Civil Rights movement, was unfamiliar with his son's chosen political party. In front of live TV he repeatedly referred to his son as seeking the nomination of the "Liberation Party." It was a cringe moment for convention goers, and Libertarians nationwide watching the proceeding on C-SPAN.

Now, a promiment polling firm appears to have made a similar freudian slip, broadcast to the national media, no less, a day before an exceedingly important election where all eyes are focused on Massachusetts.

From the Merriman River Group (affiliated with the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership) at InsideMedford.com:

Brown supporters focused most on pocketbook issues, Coakley supporters on healthcare reform, undecided voters split

A poll conducted by the Merriman River Group (MRG) and InsideMedford.com indicates that Scott Brown leads Martha Coakley 50.8% – 41.2% in the contest to fill the seat of the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Liberty Party candidate Joe Kennedy pulls in just 1.8% support, while 6.2% of voters are still not sure. Brown and Coakley both have most of their supporters locked in. 98% of both candidate’s supporters say they are definitely or probably going to vote for their candidate. In contrast, 22% of Kennedy’s supporters are just leaning toward him, suggesting that Brown and Coakley may both want to take aim at swaying those voters.

Such an error would be understandable 10 to 15 years ago, when the LP was a lot less popular. But given the fact that Libertarian candidate Joe Kennedy has received write-ups in the NY Times, Fox News page, and USAToday, you'd think his proper affiliation would have been noted, particularly from an institution that is connected with Harvard.

Certainly neither Joe Kennedy nor the Libertarian Party is to blame here. Once again, it's a case of liberal elites at an academic institution, unfamiliar with libertarian ideals and not at all familiar with the Party that represents those beliefs.

CORRECTION

From the Editor: Turns out we were wrong. Joe Kennedy does indeed have the ballot access designation of "Liberty Party." This, despite his campaigning under the Libertarian Party banner. Apologies to the Merriman Group.