Whenever I go to social events beyond political concerns nowadays, somebody invariably asks me if I put up that Ron Paul sign on such and such street or bridge. Unfortunately the same thing that keeps me from joining the Paulites out in the streets ( mainly small children, an old house -circa 1870- and a one/two man business operation ) also kept me from joining my compatriots in Charleston this last weekend where the Libertarian National Committee just met. The other thing that has kept me from the Paul campaign has been my membership on the board. I do feel that being a big 'L' libertarian is just as important as being a small 'L' one. While I'm chagrin to go into the purist/pragmatist dialectic, maybe all things won't lead back to the same position like Sisyphus' rock. 
Bob Barr was the Congressman who pressed the case for impeachment against Bill Clinton. He's got proven cojones. He recently joined the Libertarian National Committee and introduced the resolution whereas Ron Paul was invited to seek the nomination of the Libertarian Party should his attempt to get the Republican one fail. While I am privy to the conversation amongst LNC members, I can openly say that Bob does not get down into the nitty gritty issues of management, nor do I think he should. There is a certain element of elder statesman with regard to Bob and that is to be respected regardless of your position in the political or moral spectrum. I also understand why my colleagues did this, yes even Angela, my fellow anarchist on the board.
My first vote for President was cast for Ron Paul. If they had the Internet at the level we understand and use it today, I surely would have been involved in that campaign. The Howard Stern incident brought the party back on my youthful radar and I actually lived through the recent Weld debacle. He's following Willard around now. The temptations of ballot access and a fairer fight are strong motivations for anybody in any third party. The system is geared toward their inevitable failure. There can be only one (two if your rich enough). Sigh.
Decent, normal people do seek alternate solutions after sometimes a lifetime of disappointment and defeat when attempting to agree upon the standards and norms of a 'good society'. In politics, romanticism, hope, the struggle for justice, all intermingle in a jumble of people, places, ideas, interests and possibilities. It's all terribly emotional, intellectual and frustrating, the greatest minds can disagree on the same matter. To be an anarchist is to simply retreat into thought and offer only consideration of possibilities than realities to the common sensibilities. In business this is simply not possible. The rules and how do we deal with them as we proceed with our goals and transactions, please, press on. I get that. I still entertain and maintain the idea that these things can all be voluntary.
As someone who was drafted by their delegation for the LNC position, I took it as a burden before acknowledging it as flattering. Whatever my ideological underpinnings, I view my responsibility as an alternate to provide input when necessary, representation as appropriate and advocacy as effective. I view the proceedings of the board as confidential (when not in public session) and ultimately stand by their decisions once made. As someone who has run a business with gross annual revenues occasionally approaching that of the annual LNC budget, it's hard to watch as fifteen people review the Quickbooks report. I may have offered different counsel in regard to the timing of the Paul invitation, but it is ultimately not irresponsible. While my attendance as an alternate has been just that (alternating meetings - saving for Vegas now), I have great respect for every member on the board and feel that this LNC has acted as a concerned and focused body for the membership with an eye towards legitimate growth.
America's quest for the Presidency has always fascinated me since I was a boy, despite coming into awareness as Nixon resigned. Like Ulysses strapped to LP mast, I've only been able to observe and interact sparingly to the Ron Paul Revolution. Even maintaining a no preference attitude amongst the current crop of LP seekers has been difficult. Make no doubt, I will vote for the LP nominee even if it were Lucifer himself. The voice of protest should always be heard amongst the din. I have avoided the booths at the county fair, accepted my wife's own donations to the Paul campaign as her own (mainly as a result of a bad TSA experience - I just stood still in Baltimore when my tripod shut the place down and three to four heavily armed men questioned me after the November 2006 LNC meeting in Alexandria) and I have even made a video of RP supporters as part of a bigger production.
It's hard to watch the Liberty train go by and not jump on board. To see young enthusiastic people spreading the message of Liberty that a former nominee of the LP once held as our own. They are making songs, have inspired videos and gatherings. They thrive in a vacuum of hope rather than the brass tacks of politics (but still do well in that regard). It is wonderful, it is free and it's bringing people together. Hopefully they will stay together. Run for Congress Paulites, keep it going.
Places like the Mises Institute, Cato and Reason Magazine have all given up on electoral politics being successful. They exist in the mush of pluralism and brand of advocacy ( interests too)that has always been American politics. They laugh, they cry, but they rarely go out and get signatures. Will the average member of the LP be happy with a Paul nomination ? Most likely.
Every American has the chance to make their case for liberty to the party whose main principle/purpose is just that. You can run for President with the best case, or as the best candidate for liberty, you just have to convince the most hardcore and ballot effective people who comprise the LP. It's always a matter of persuasion. Last time it was an unemployed programmer with a burning desire to communicate the message. In 1988 is was Dr. Paul. Every boy and girl in America should know that even if you are shut out of the process, shunned or denied your liberty or ideas for it, there is a party that still understands your deepest hopes for freedom and liberty in a world where time is stacked against you. I would invite Dr. Paul as I would every American to seek the nomination of the only Party always touting freedom and liberty.
Please note that the following members of the LNC were not in attendance; Jeremy Keil (At-Large), Tony Ryan(1), Steve Damerell(5), and Nancy Neale(6) and myself.