Unfortunately, matters did not end as favorably as might have been wished, and I was not the Libertarian Party's 2008 nominee.
First my concession speech; then some cross notes. The speech:
Fellow libertarians!
Thank you very much for the last two years. It’s been a wonderful time.
I’ve already given you my advice.
I’m disappointed to note that not one person has asked me to endorse someone they wanted to lose.
Well, that’s true.
I will not speak ill of a fellow Libertarian.
I will thank and acknowledge Senator Mike Gravel who, when he was a Democrat, gave our *party* the courtesy of debating a Libertarian. I will thank Wayne Allyn Root for entering and giving you time to take his measure and see if he was good or bad.
I will express — I think it’s the gratitude of many of us — very good things to Mary Ruwart and to Bob Barr for entering the race to do what they thought was best for the party.
Now, I have two things to say, one as state chair, and one to the audience as much as to anyone else.
And the thing I must say as state chair, because I would be remiss not to say it, is that a voting majority of my state committee is neopagan. I have to make that point. Those of you who know why, know why I have to do it.
Now I want to make the important point:
The enemy is not here. The enemy is out there.
The enemy is not our fellow Libertarians.
The enemy is the far left Democratic Party of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and — let’s get it right for once — Lyndon LaRouche.
The enemy is not our fellow Libertarians.
The enemy is the conservative death policy of George Bush, George Wallace, John Sununu, and Lester Maddox, the conservative bigotry philosophy that is against our country.
We are the Libertarians. We are the party of the future.
Fro my current activities in politics http://LibertyForAmerica.com .
However, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire did petition to put a Presidential candidate on the ballot. They did that petitioning last winter and spring using my name. Substitution of Presidential candidates, once the nominee's name is known, is not permitted in New Hampshire. Barring various legal maneuvers, I will be on the ballot in New Hampshire.
Also, the Libertarian Party of Massachusetts had begun petitioning, with the agreement that the named candidate would be replaced on the November ballot. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, who had last Fall said that the proposal was legal, has since changed his mind, and says that substitution is not allowed. Barring various legal maneuvers, I will also be on the ballot in Massachusetts.
Here I Stand
My core message to the American people:
- End the war
- Restore fiscal sanity
- Save your freedoms
End the War
If elected, I will immediately end our occupation of Iraq. Our forces with their supplies and equipment will move as rapidly as possible through peaceful Kuwait to await shipment home.
The Republicans started the war. They want to keep fighting. The American people gave the Democrats control of Congress so they could end the war. What did the Democrats give us? More War!
To end the war, there is only one choice: Vote Libertarian. Vote Phillies.
Restore Fiscal Sanity
The first step to a prosperous America is restoring fiscal sanity to Washington.Uncle Sam is 9 trillion dollars in debt. In Fiscal 2006, the on-budget Federal Budget Deficit was $484 billion. General Accounting Office simulations show that by 2040 interest on the national debt will consume the bulk of Federal taxes. If we go on like this, we will become a third-world banana republic.
Our only hope is a President who points at Federal program after Federal program, corporate welfare scheme after corporate welfare scheme, and says the same four words "We can't afford that."
Those words got our grandparents though the Great Depression. Those are the words that will restore fiscal sanity to our Republic.
To restore fiscal sanity, there is only one choice: Vote Libertarian. Vote Phillies.
Save Your Freedoms
The Bush administration illegally listened to phone calls and read emails of millions of Americans, probably including you. Those warrantless searches were crimes. I'll do my best to ensure that everyone who committed these crimes goes to prison.
I will vigorously encourage Congress to repeal the Military Commissions Act, which violates the right of trial by jury, the so-called "Patriot" Act, the RealID act, and other laws that endanger your freedom.
I will order all Executive branch employees to comply enthusiastically with all Congressional requests for documents and testimony.
Torture is a felony. Under a Phillies Administration, torturers will be despised prison convicts, not honored Federal employees.
I want Uncle Sam out of your bedroom and out of your private life. Uncle Sam should care whether his soldiers shoot straight, not whether they are straight. Uncle Sam has no legitimate role in the abortion issue, and neither does your state government.
To save your freedoms, there is only one choice: Vote Libertarian. Vote Phillies.
America is in deep trouble. We are on the wrong track.
America needs answers.
Only the Libertarian Party has those answers: Answers true to our traditions. Answers that will bring us Peace, Liberty, and Prosperity.
To bring the Libertarian message to the American people, we need the right candidate: A candidate with a sound Libertarian message. A candidate with solid credentials. A candidate with an effective campaign. A candidate who is proud to campaign as a Real Libertarian.
Who is that Candidate?
George Phillies
