Libertarian Signs of the Times


Michael Hampton checked out the location. It looks like a good use of donor money to me.

posted Apr 12th, 2006 by Stephen Gordon
  • DAP

    “It looks like the majority of [Badnarik's campaign spending] has been spent on dinners out, cruise tickets, and other crap. Almost none of it’s going towards actual advertising or outreach.”
    -Stuart Richard

  • DAP

    *Richards, my bad

  • disinter

    Finally! I feel much more comfortable about resuming my contributions, even if the campaign manager is a lunatic.

  • disinter

    Have they considered making their website 100% usable since they are advertising it on their billboard?

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Hi Mike,

    Your favorite lunatic here.

    No, actually, it’s never occurred to me to actually make the website functional.

    But seriously, wouldn’t it be more constructive to ask a reasonable question? Such as, why is the website broken? That’s one I could answer. I’d tell you, Well, we had to change providers without notice, ended up on an unstable brand new machine, and are in the middle of a redesign. It’s raining so much in California that it dumped a little on us, I guess.

    But anyway, since I know you’ll continue to monitor our progress, I’m confident you’ll become more happier as time goes by.

    Thanks for your interest and support.

    -0-

  • Sandra K

    They had hosting problems and had to resuscitate the whole site. We’re talking major overtime, here. The “lunatic campaign manager” is sleep-deprived and had to cancel his trip home last week.

    A team is working on a new one, as well. So, keep those contributions coming–they’ve got lots of work to do and they’ve only got until November.

  • Devious David

    Awesome location! Good to see some progress. More money is on the way.

    Don’t yall think that you have to be a bit of a lunatic to work in politics to begin with?

  • Stephen Gordon

    DD – I thought being a lunatic was a prerequisite :)

  • disinter

    Allen,

    I see nothing un-reasonable about my question. Please explain. Am I to presume you considered fixing the website? Escpecially since it hasn’t worked properly since…. let’s see… the Presidential campaign?

    I’m glad to see you are still capable of insulting your supporters. Keep up the good work.

  • artusregister

    But seriously, wouldn’t it be more constructive to ask a reasonable question?

    Absolutely. Let me give this a shot: Why is the website never functioning? I understand that parts of it function, and those only occasionally. But if I were a pissed off, politically homeless voter looking for someone different to support and saw the billboard (nice job, BTW) I would likely visit the website. And, as it doesn’t look very good at all and doesn’t function, I’d likely assign the campaign to one of unprofessional quackery. I would likely consider Libertarian candidates a joke, henceforth.

    It is just stupid to advertise a website that is worse than useless (in its present form).

  • http://www.foraaugusta.com Stuart Richards

    DAP, cry me a river, build me a bridge and get over it. :)

    I offered up a legitimate criticism, and it was fully investigated and the Badnarik team was found to be largely doing the right thing. With that resolved, donors are actually more likely to donate to that campaign.

    Anyway, is this the only sign or are there more? And is this in a location where many people will see it everyday?

  • Stephen Gordon

    Stuart — it’s a great location.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Mike,

    How is “Have they considered making their website 100% usable since they are advertising it on their billboard?” NOT a ‘when did you stop…’ question? Look at it. It’s provocative and condescending in that it presumes that we haven’t thought about the obvious. Why would you even ask a question like that in that way unless you were trying to insult someone. Which, with other things, makes me amazed that you of all people presume to criticize me for insulting anyone. Unless you think it’s insulting to receive the same type of suggestions and criticism you dish out, in which case, all I can say is, Poor Baby.

    At the least, you could stop turning a poke-back aimed directly at your comment into a generalization covering all supporters.

    Anyway, My promise of the last exchange stands. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t trow stones. Now would be a good time for you to abandon your vendetta and become constructive.

    -0-

  • Devious David

    Dude, look at the map. Unless there is a dump truck parked in front of it where MB is standing in the picture and it’s facing away from the street, people are going to see it. A lot.

  • disinter

    Allen,

    You did not answer my questions:

    Am I to presume you considered fixing the website? Escpecially since it hasn’t worked properly since…. let’s see… the Presidential campaign?

    Regarding the insult stuff… You have consistently belittled many supporters, not just me, on this blog and others. I can find the links and provide them if you like.

    Vendetta? Constructive criticism is not a vendetta.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Artus,

    Could you do a little better than, “Why is the website never functioning?” and “doesn’t function” and “parts of it function, and those only occasionally”?

    Every one of those statements is untrue. If the website never functioned, you wouldn’t know about it.

    “…worse than useless (in its present form)” is just your opinion, and is in contrast to the people in our district and elsewhere who do make use of it to find our phone number, mailing address and office, and to find out a little about our position.

    ‘Nuff said. You guys are going to do what you’re going to do in pursuit of your own agendas, and I don’t need to argue with you every time you step out and make yourself look stupid by calling other people stupid when they’re doing something while all you’re doing is talking.

    What goes around comes around; everyone can see you, so how about showing us you can do more than gripe?

    Glad you like the billboard!

    -0-

  • DAP

    Hah. I think that Allen is doing a great job, but I recommend that he higher a PR guy to blog for him in future campaigns, because he definitely likes to quibble. Perhaps this is because libertarians tend to be a bit sarcastic. Nonetheless, it is unprofessional, even if other people provoke him.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Hi Stuart,

    There are definitely more in the works. Art is already done for the next two, the first of those is contracted and the other is signed and ready to submit. And I met today with another agency to discuss more.

    The traffic numbers are 110,000 impressions per day:
    - Southbound Airport boulevard, 60,000 per day;
    - Eastbound Koenig, 55,000 per day

    -0-

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Hi Dap,

    Unfortunate that you call it “quibbling”. I’d prefer to think of it as educating, but then, one can’t educate those who already know it all.

    So here’s to having faith in the object lesson.

    -0-

  • DAP

    Allen, hasn’t your mother told you, “its not what you say, but how you say it.” It is unprofessional to “educate” in a sarcastic way (ie, calling your supporters “know it alls”). People, especially those you want money from, are more receptive when they are talked to on the same level.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Mike,

    “Am I to presume you considered fixing the website? Escpecially since it hasn’t worked properly since…. let’s see… the Presidential campaign?” does have a question hidden within it, but the editorializing set the true tone and renders the communication unworthy.

    “Regarding the insult stuff… You have consistently belittled many supporters, not just me, on this blog and others. I can find the links and provide them if you like.” Go all the way back to the private communications you sent me when you volunteered to do research for the campaign, started making strategy suggestions (a good thing overall), and took offense when you replied that one of them required a legal caution.

    “Vendetta? Constructive criticism is not a vendetta.” Not all criticism is constructive, and most of yours isn’t. And it s a vendetta when you have to keep dredging up the past to justify trying to even the score on your feelings being hurt.

    -0-

  • artusregister

    Sorry, Allen. I have been unable to locate my Allen Hacker’s Guide to Allen Hacker Approved Blog Questions. No portion of your inane response addressed my serious concern about would-be voters visiting a website than looks awful and scarcely functions. Better?

    “…worse than useless (in its present form)” is just your opinion, and is in contrast to the people in our district and elsewhere who do make use of it to find our phone number, mailing address and office, and to find out a little about our position.

    Really? Is it my opinion? Who else’s opinion would it be?
    I’m honestly glad that people were able to use it to “find out a little about [your] position.” But the sad reality is that they probably wanted to find out a little more about the positions but couldn’t because that portion was, again, not functioning.

  • artusregister

    It is a poor reflection on LP candidates everywhere when a site is broken and appears unprofessional. Functionality should have been a priority and it clearly wasn’t.

    If you had put forth as much attention to detail in building and maintaining the website as you did in nit-picking your responses to valid complaints about it here, it would have been fixed long ago.

    As it is, the Blog is inaccessible, the ads section is still filled with 2004 presidential commercials and when someone finally got around to replacing the “As your President” lines in the issues area, they inserted the Pennsylvania Dutch-sounding “Michael Badnarik in Congress will …”

  • artusregister

    Don’t get me wrong, Allen, I’m glad that into the ring he threw his hat, I’m just making the point that the site that apparently functions just fine needs to work and look better. If I’m somehow unaware of the fact that you don’t need anymore votes, I apologize. But I was assuming you would wish potential voters to access good information in a presentable fashion. So how about in, Allen? Will you address the site issues so we can “become more happier as time goes by?”

  • disinter

    does have a question hidden within it, but the editorializing set the true tone and renders the communication unworthy.

    Nonsense. Those were two very legitimate questions, which have yet to be answered. Your red herrings are not working.

    Go all the way back to the private communications you sent me when you volunteered to do research for the campaign, started making strategy suggestions (a good thing overall), and took offense when you replied that one of them required a legal caution.

    Another red herring. Are you denying that you belittle supporters?

  • disinter

    Not all criticism is constructive, and most of yours isn’t. And it s a vendetta when you have to keep dredging up the past to justify trying to even the score on your feelings being hurt.

    I’ll admit, indicating that you are a lunatic isn’t necessarily constructive on the surface. However, it is constructive in the sense that you have proceeded to prove my point with your responses.

  • http://www.libertyfilter.com putrimalu

    Nice billboard.

    Why no mention of party affiliation?

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Hi DAP,

    I know you’re a friend, and you’re trying to help, but consider these points.

    - What goes around comes around. Except when I flat misunderstand something (this has happened) I tend to respond at the level of the originator of a public communication. As I explained last time, I have found that if I don’t respond at all, it just escalates, and if I respond from higher ground, the true agenda of bringing down all things good and true becomes even more pronounced.

    - There are semantic distinctions that are beyond some of the writiers here, either because they are incapable of comprehend them or because they don’t want to because it would spoil their sick fun. When I’m elucidating those, I am not educating the offenders, I’m hoping to provide bystanders an articulation of what’s really going on. This is because one of the reasons people don’t get it is because they got duped into stupidity by the government schools. Not their fault.

    -0-

  • disinter

    putrimalu,

    I think leaving “Libertarian” off the billboard is a rather smart strategy.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Hi putrimalu,

    “Why no mention of party affiliation?”

    Strategy. But sorry, not an open topic for discussion. (This is part of the “secret strategy” that some find disturbing, but that’s just the way it is in politics.)

    Just watch the way everything unfolds, all will be revealed to those who will see.

    -0-

  • artusregister

    There are semantic distinctions that are beyond some of the writiers here, either because they are incapable of comprehend them or because they don’t want to because it would spoil their sick fun. When I’m elucidating those, I am not educating the offenders, I’m hoping to provide bystanders an articulation of what’s really going on.

    I guess I’m incapable of comprehend them. Lesson learned.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Mike,

    There’s not going to be much more “discussion” beween you and I here because the framework from which you originate is flaeed and counter-productive, as I explained to DAP. You stand accused, and accuse in reply. That’s a waste of both of our time, so how about you give it up while you still have some standing with somebody?

    -0-

  • disinter

    I don’t think omitting “Libertarian”, for fear of scaring people off prematurely, necessarily needs to be a top secret campaign strategy. Of course, I could be wrong about the reasoning behind this.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Artus,

    Move on down here to beautiful Austin, and fix the site for me, will you? I trust that you are qualified to meet your own standards, so you’re probably just the guy Ive been looking for.

    -0-

  • disinter

    Allen,

    More red herrings. Unable to answer simple questions are we?

    I really don’t need “standing” with you. What makes you think I do?

    The framework from which I originate is flawed? How so?

  • http://chrisbennettfromillinois.blogspot.com/ Chris Bennett

    Just remember those who have secret plans really don’t have plans at all!

    The Badnarik campaign has raised 200,000 dollars so far? where has that money gone? I forgot they have a billboard and a disfunctioning website to show fo ir. Once again Libertarians are being taken for a ride.

  • Devious David

    Mike and Artus need to go and found the Whiners and Complainers Party. I am sure you will have great success.

  • Sandra Kallander

    There’s no need to put “Libertarian” on the billboard.

    I work in the movie industry. In order to get your name “above the title,” it has to have market value above and beyond the value of the acting.

    Since the purpose of this billboard is to elect Badnarik, “Badnarik” is the key piece of information (i.e., the movie title). “Libertarian” is a supporting player that, at this point in its evolution, does not have market value sufficient to go on a 20 word ad.

    “Walt Disney’s Fantasia” has a meaning that “Columbia Pictures’ Fun With Dick and Jane” does not. On the latter picture, you’d put “Jim Carrey” on the billboard.

    The proper place for “Libertarian” is on the website and other more detailed marketing materials, as appropriate. No way can we explain what “Libertarian” means to the average voter in 20 words or less on a billboard.

  • http://www.libertyfilter.com putrimalu

    I think leaving “Libertarian” off the billboard is a rather smart strategy.

    I quite agree. But it’s a point that deserves being brought out into the open.

  • disinter

    Sandra,

    SHH!!! You are giving away top-secret super-duper classified Hacker intelligence.

  • Sandra Kallander

    It’s no secret whatsoever that Badnarik is a Libertarian. It just isn’t the point of having a billboard.

    I like that the date of the election appears to let people know that they have plenty of time to investigate the candidate. Those interested in politics will do so now and those who aren’t will wait until they start getting stuff in the mail or seeing yard signs.

    In the meantime, it does a great job of starting to make sure that the name on the ballot will look familiar and professional when the time comes to vote.

  • disinter

    Sandra,

    I agree. They did a very nice job on this billboard.

  • artusregister

    Move on down here to beautiful Austin, and fix the site for me, will you? I trust that you are qualified to meet your own standards, so you’re probably just the guy Ive been looking for.

    Sorry, Allen, I don’t do computer work, but there are millions of people in the country who do–perhaps you should contact one of them instead of sitting on this blog trying to be clever. Or, barring that, you could address the site issue.

    Mike and Artus need to go and found the Whiners and Complainers Party. I am sure you will have great success.

    It is only my interest in success that compels me to complain when something isn’t right, David. Would you sooner we all cheered incompetence and heaper praise on inability?

  • disinter

    Move on down here to beautiful Austin, and fix the site for me, will you? I trust that you are qualified to meet your own standards, so you’re probably just the guy Ive been looking for.

    Yea, and if you really haven’t flushed all that $200k down your belly, Artus should be paid nicely for his work. No?

  • http://www.lpgeorgia.com Trevor Southerland

    I tell you what – lets play a game!

    Everyone who knows Allan Hacker is such a moron, do me a favor…

    Go get some guy (a nutjob like Badnarik) and run them for Congress.

    When you’re done lets compare:

    a) votes earned
    b) money raised
    c) publicity gained

    Whoever wins gets named Libertarian Campaign Manager of the year! I’ll personally print out a pretty little form with your name and mail it to you, USPS Third Class.

    Okay – GO!

    Come on – GO!

    STFU and DO SOMETHING!

  • http://chrisbennettfromillinois.blogspot.com/ Chris Bennett

    Trevor go play with yer good buddies on the incompetent LNC and leave us to criticize Allen when it’s warranted. Geez!

  • artusregister

    Hey, Devious One! Don’t forget to give Trevor a ration of shit and relegate him to the new Party Mike and I are supposed to found.

    We’ve got a real shot to elect a stated Libertarian to the House of Representatives and Trevor starts yelling and throwing things and insulting the candidate and challenging us all to silly games and promising us customized forms. Nice, huh?

    Well, enjoy it while you can, Trevor. It isn’t so much fun once Devious David starts taking you to task. I know Mike and I learned our lessons.

  • Stephen Gordon

    Come on, guys. I certainly wouldn’t run a campaign totally the way Hacker has, but he’s in the driver’s seat — we aren’t. The view certainly looks different from that perspective.

    On the website stuff, I can verify that they did have to move servers and such, as I ended up in the middle of that issue. Hopefully, they’ll be able to fix the rest of the website soon.

  • disinter

    Trevor,

    I prefer the “let’s see how much of an asshole Hacker can be instigated into making himself” game myself. Thanks though.

  • http://www.cmlc.org George Phillies

    STFU — I shall not translate — was the byline of the folks running the prior-to-2004 Presidential campaign in an effort to silence examination of their financial practices, which involved spending most of their money on salaries and little of it on publicity. It’s a byline for covering up corruption, as a practice, though it may or may not be in this case.

    With respect to the word ‘Libertarian” not appearing, some people would add “Good!”, because it reduces the extent to which Mr. Badnarik’s bizarre political opinions as expressed in his book are likely to be attached to our party’s name. Of course, if you want to known as the political party that says you do not need need a license to drive a car in Texas, you do not need to file income tax returns, the Federal Reserve (America’s Central Bank) is privately owned, and the President is not Commander in Chief of the Armed forces during times of peace (all in his book), you may differ.

  • artusregister

    You’re right, Stephen. But driving doesn’t raise you above reproach (unless your last name is Kennedy). But instead of addressing that abortion of a website (the problem is way beyond some server issues), he smugly suggests that anyone who doesn’t like it come fix it themselves.

    I think Stuart Richards might need to do some more investigative journalism. There’s something rotten in Denmark.

  • http://chrisbennettfromillinois.blogspot.com/ Chris Bennett

    I just don’t like they way Allen promotes this so-called secret plan. And those who are donating to the Badnarik campaign are being duped into this secret plan? Is Hacker the best Badnarik could get? If Michael doesn’t do well, we can pin it all on Hacker!

  • http://www.libertyfilter.com putrimalu

    Here is (I think) a zoomed in, satellite view of the location of the billboard.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Hey, Guys!

    I knew the job was dangerous when I took it!

    :-)

  • http://www.foraaugusta.com Stuart Richards

    Hi Stuart,

    There are definitely more in the works. Art is already done for the next two, the first of those is contracted and the other is signed and ready to submit. And I met today with another agency to discuss more.

    The traffic numbers are 110,000 impressions per day:
    - Southbound Airport boulevard, 60,000 per day;
    - Eastbound Koenig, 55,000 per day

    That’s actually quite good, then. Can you give away cost estimates at this time, or no? And do you have any other plans in the works regarding media outreach?

    I think Stuart Richards might need to do some more investigative journalism. There’s something rotten in Denmark.

    Since the main gripe here seems to be accessing the site, I’ll give it a look-see and report on what I find. If there truly is something rotten in Denmark, it’ll be exposed… if not, that’ll be shown too.

  • http://www.foraaugusta.com Stuart Richards

    I also think SG’s right, guys. Obviously more tact should have been used on all sides, but at this point we’re just getting into pointless, timewasting crap.

    Everyone, take the high road. Hacker might not’ve been tactful in the past… but if he gets shit done, whatever. Let him be.

    Allen, just go get shit done. Take the high road too. Methinks the complaints of a few guys on a blog-even one as big as HoT-is not going to change anything. The more you respond to them, the worse you tarnish your image. Just let it go, I’m sure there’s bound to be important stuff going on at BFC HQ that requires your attention, at least moreso than this. Hell, getting some rest would probably do you and Badnarik more good than participating in online flamewars.

    I’m pretty sure we all can agree that Badnarik becoming a Congressman would be a good thing, right? So let’s get on with it.

  • artusregister

    That’s not really my gripe. I’m just stunned that such a huge sum was collected, billboards being erected and there is still a terrible-looking, oft-unfunctioning website.
    I mean a new and functional site could have been paid for many times over and I wonder where the money is going if not to fill obvious needs such as that.

  • Sandra Kallander

    Website design takes huge amounts of time. Especially when the content has a political marketing purpose. No amount of money will get the content prepared any faster even with a crew of programmers.

    The content takes time to formulate. I heard Badnarik went on a listening tour. He listened (gasp!) to the voters. That took weeks, and then the information has to be applied.

    I’m not at all worried. The last website I bit my nails for finally came up six months after the date promised, and it had nothing to do with politics or a one-day sale on liberty. When’s the primary? Has it even happened?

    If he’s able to raise money at this point in the campaign, and the site hasn’t stopped him, then the site is not a problem. Most (non-libertarian) people are not thinking about November. (Libertarians, of course, see the future clearly. ;)

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  • http://libertarianyouth.blogspot.com Nigel Watt

    Badnarik has already been nominated by for the position. We get things done in Texas.

  • Kyle

    That is an AWESOME location! I certainly participated in the questioning about the spending, but for the first time I feel really good and optimistic about the campaign. I was concerned that the new campaign manager’s strategy was going to mean less advertising, and none of the excitement that was created during the presidential campaign with the nationwide commercials that stimulated donations, but I’m glad to see things are on track.

    Now let’s get that message out there! Throw more wood on the furnace, donors!

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Stuart,

    Cool words, Man. I’m listening.

    Anyway, we paid $8819.00 for the first billboard (pictured above) through Nov 7th; it will be seen by 110,000 people several times a day or week for 6 months. That’s $0.0005 per view.

    The next one will be north of Brenham on 36, viewed by 6100 people per day, already paid for, $3950.

    The third is directly on Highway 290 centered between Austin and Houston just west of Burton (12 miles west of Brenham). $5250 paid for tomorrow for the campaign period and in the face of every person who drives from Austin to Houston or lives in the neighborhood.

    As you saw, the website is not as bad as some people say. They are coming in from bookmarked pages from 2004 and clicking links that are no longer extant on the current site, so they are seeing phantoms. The deprecated items aren’t visible on the real site.

    Stay tooned, there are greater laughs to come….

    -0-

  • Stephen Gordon

    Allen, you might try some sort of redirect for the deprecated pages. At least 404 them back to the home page or something.

    Also, I hope you can restore the old blog somewhere. There is a lot of history there which was ignored by the MSM.

  • George Whitfield

    I am glad to see that billboard. The location is great. I will be sending my next contribution in early May. I am going to make copies of the billboard photo to give to the members of my Libertarian Party Meetup group tommorrow night. Keep up the great work Michael and team.

  • Stephen Gordon

    George, you have an LP Meetup in Korea? Cool!

  • Bob Thompson

    I see a lot of talk about the web site. Instead of complaining, why don’t one of you HTML experts step forward and help fix it?

  • http://www.electpaulireland.com Paul T. Ireland

    Nice billboard. I wish I was as good at raising money as you guys. I’m in a very good position with no Republican running against me and I’ve only raised about $600 so far. I need to raise $2,000 more soon so I can buy a decent package of yard signs, road signs, bumper stickers, business cards, etc.

    I’ve gotten a bit behind on my website too. I’m the only one working on my campaign right now, though 4 people have signed up as volunteers from my website (2 of them were serious).

    I would really love to get Magic Johnson’s endorsement. This would really prevent Maxine Waters from using her nearly worn out race card against me.

    Anyway, you guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!!

  • disinter

    I was concerned that the new campaign manager’s strategy was going to mean less advertising, and none of the excitement that was created during the presidential campaign with the nationwide commercials that stimulated donations, but I’m glad to see things are on track.

    Let’s hope they learned from the Presidential campaing and begin television advertising much sooner than one month before the election. He didn’t start getting television interviews until they started spending money on ads, which makes sense. However, one month before the election is too late to sway voters in my opinion.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Paul,

    Thanks!

    What you need is an irrefutable iron-clad stand-alone self-explanatory 15-word 5-second sound-byte you can parrot calling her a racist every time she plays the race card.

    (Whew! How the hell many compound adjectives IS that?!)

    Something like:

    “Anyone who lumps strangers into a skin-color sterotype and thinks evil of them is racist.”

    Like it? It’s yours.

    -0-

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Mike,

    Your thought is appreciated, but there’s no cookie-cutter solution.

    -0-

  • http://chrisbennettfromillinois.blogspot.com/ Chris Bennett

    Allen,

    Stop wasting campaign donations by spending your time riling up support from those here on HOT and go walk a few precincts! You’ve got the fanny pack, get a bottle of cheap cold water and hit the pavement!

  • http://www.foraaugusta.com Stuart Richards

    Anyway, we paid $8819.00 for the first billboard (pictured above) through Nov 7th; it will be seen by 110,000 people several times a day or week for 6 months. That’s $0.0005 per view.
    The next one will be north of Brenham on 36, viewed by 6100 people per day, already paid for, $3950.
    The third is directly on Highway 290 centered between Austin and Houston just west of Burton (12 miles west of Brenham). $5250 paid for tomorrow for the campaign period and in the face of every person who drives from Austin to Houston or lives in the neighborhood.

    That’s good, then. What about the opponent? Does he have anything up? He may be able to outraise you but the ultimate measure of success is not how much you’re spending, but whether it’s more than the other guy.

  • http://www.foraaugusta.com Stuart Richards

    As you saw, the website is not as bad as some people say. They are coming in from bookmarked pages from 2004 and clicking links that are no longer extant on the current site, so they are seeing phantoms. The deprecated items aren’t visible on the real site.

    I do think that there is a valid point to some of the website criticisms given thus far… but I know VanDyke has a good handle on web design. If you’re not doing so already, and if he’s interested and has the time (I know he’s offered to help in the past), it might be worth it to check in with him on a redesign. Maybe your site is good enough now and doing the job you need it to, but a better-looking site will only encourage donors even more, can be seen by just as many people as a billboard if not more, and costs far less. Or maybe you know someone else… the point is that success is only measurable against the opposition, and right now the opposition has a better site.

  • http://www.electpaulireland.com Paul T. Ireland

    I wish I could afford to bring Michael Cloud out here or get Dave Ruprecht to throw a fund raiser for me. They are pretty good at the high pressure fund raising, but the trick is to get a bunch of well-to-do libertarians in a room at the same time.

    Even if I could raise the $2,000-$2,500 I need for signs and stuff, I’d need more than that to throw a carne asada in the park (my district is mainly hispanic & black), mailings, etc.

    I wish I could get Drew Carrey, Penn Jilette, and a few others to help out. I’m sure they could help me get to $10,000 in no time.

  • Stuart Richards

    Paul, talk to Ian Bernard. He’s the host of “Free Talk Live” and he may be able to help publicize your campaign if it’s winnable.

    Oh yeah… I checked out your site and the design is beautiful.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Stuart,

    The opposition has nothing up. The Democrat has come out swining on the bump he got from winning the runoff Teusday, but he doesn’t have any money. The incumbent doesn’t think he needs to worry. (Sshhh!)

    -0-

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    !!!

    “Swin[g]ing: The democrat has come out swinging….

    :-(

  • http://www.foraaugusta.com Stuart Richards

    Very good… this looks good. How about the website, though? Any plans in the works for it?

  • http://wesbenedictforlnc.blogspot.com/ Wes Benedict

    It’s great to have a strong candidate like Michael Badnarik here in Austin, Texas. Allen, I recommend ignoring the few and minority of Texans who are whiny do-nothing losers and the know-it-alls from elsewhere with nothing but online pissing to add.

    “HOT Common sense shoved up your . . .” Should be “HOT Common losers sitting on their . . . in front of their computers.”

    Although Austin is known for its liberal slant, the hippies, queers, geeks, losers, jerks, and slobs that post on Hammer of Truth are just wasting our time and aren’t the type of people that appeal to voters, even in Austin.

    Doing my part to keep the Libertarian Party in the news here locally.
    http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/13place2.html

    [This ought to deflect some of the destructive energy my way and away from our Libertarian candidates like Badnarik doing their best. I've got a high tolerance for libertarian losers and their whiny ways.]

  • http://chrisbennettfromillinois.blogspot.com/ Chris Bennett

    If you don’t like what is said on HoT then by all means don’t come back. From what I hear from those who have been Texas LP members for years you’re a good-for-nothing Executive Director. I’ve seen your stupid rants about how the Texas party is going to fail because we are not recieving their welfare UMP checks. BOO HOO!!!!!!! How the F**K did state parties survive without it or were you not around during the pre-UMP days? I’ll f**king criticize Hacker or any other person til they prove me wrong. I just feel sorry for those who have contributed to Michael’s campaign only to find out they have been duped. I feel sorry for the Texas LP for having a s**t stain like you. I hope they see the light and cancel your contract!

  • michelleshinghal

    Wes,
    I am very offended.
    Michelle

  • http://wesbenedictforlnc.blogspot.com/ Wes Benedict

    Except for the Collin County Chair who is a HOT contributor. She would appeal to voters. ;-)

  • Stephen Gordon

    Hey, Wes — that was pretty low. I thought we were friends, too.

  • artusregister

    It is nice to know that certain people and their actions are above reproach. I didn’t get that fax.

  • http://wesbenedictforlnc.blogspot.com/ Wes Benedict

    Oh, except for Stephen also. He’s HOT too.

  • michelleshinghal

    Now I am really offended.

  • disinter

    Wes Benedict, ladies and gentlemen, is the “Executive Director” of the Libertarian Party of Texas.

    And people seriously wonder why the LP goes nowhere?

    I am not sure whether to cry or laugh anymore…

  • Stephen Gordon

    Dude, you crack on queers then call me HOT (wiggling ass giddily right now). Getting a bit confused here, now. :)

    Good luck on your race.

  • Stuart Richards

    Wes, that was rather unprofessional of you. You have a responsibility to represent the LPTX well in your capacity as Executive Director, and… well, you’re not. Do you think Karl Rove, for all his many faults, would be stooping to petty namecalling on a blog? Don’t let the majors show us up in the professionalism arena. Making exceptions for individuals after you went ahead and generalized is also rather unprofessional; I think an apology is in order. There is a way for an executive director such as yourself to take exception to posted opinions on this site while maintaining respectability, if indeed you have time to do so.

    Which, may I add, amazes me. The LPTX is running a full slate of Congressional candidates, right? Plus whatever’s being run for local races… I would think that a state party executive director should be fairly busy right now. Unless, of course, you don’t take your job seriously enough to support your candidates? They’re more important than some blog; go worry about them and come back when you can give a positive impression for your state.

    As for Hacker and HoT, it seems we’re ironing our issues out quite well, thank you.

  • http://wesbenedictforlnc.blogspot.com/ Wes Benedict

    See! It’s working! Now there’s a “wiggly ass” from Alabama blogging at me instead of at Badnarik. Stephen, if it makes you feel better, I think you’ve got a HoT “wiggly ass!” (at least compared to the chicks at whatever that place was called in Pheonix–would take a Caterpillar to wiggle those).

    While I’m on the subject of smooching HoT posters, Stuart, nice sexy beard (ASSuming I remember which picture was your–no I’m not gay, but I do respect gay freedoms). Not as thoughtful looking a beard as Allen’s, but I’m sure it serves you well.

    Can’t think of anything nice to say about Michael Nelson lately. He continues to be an exemplary whiny bitch online–although I heard he made a nice contribution for Libertarian T-shirts. Wish he could stick to productive activities.

    If I’ve inappropriately offended any other hippies, queers, geeks, losers, jerks, or slobs, please let me know and I’ll think of something nice to say about you.

    I’m great at apologies.

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Guys,

    Don’t be so defensive, you’ll look worse than you think I do.

    Remeber, the more radical gay-rights people in the San Fransisco area do refer to themselves as queers.

    If it’s okay for gays to call themselves queers, and blacks to call each other nigger, then the words cannot be taboo for everyone else: no double standards.

    And, BTW, Wes is working harder than you might imagine. He’s been there completely every time I’ve called upon him. Can’t blame him for taking a one-minute break now and then to poke the dragon.

    -0-

  • http://wesbenedictforlnc.blogspot.com/ Wes Benedict

    HoT Cross Bums:

    When you’re on the Jerry Springer Show you’re supposed to pull hair, rip open shirts, show bras, make fat jokes, and talk about sex. This Hammer of Truth blog is to the Libertarian Party what Jerry Springer is to TV.

    If I’m ever on the Jerry Springer Show, I’m going straight for the buttons and hair. Great for ratings!

    http://www.rhymes.org.uk/hot_cross_buns.htm

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  • disinter

    Gee Wes, I guess this makes you one of the trailer trash participants of the show. No?

  • vforvandyke

    Wes, you’re so right about us being entertaining and brash. I mean, how far did the philosophizing and hoary circle-jerk debating get the LP?

    If we’re ever going to have a decent political movement, it’s HoT’s job to ensure that we reinvigorate our ranks with people who are young and hip (online communities).

    We try to keep ourselves balanced between advocacy, newsmongering and pointed criticism. If you don’t like it, it’s a free market and you’re more than capable of starting your own site.

  • http://wesbenedictforlnc.blogspot.com/ Wes Benedict

    VanDyke said: “If you don’t like it, it’s a free market and you’re more than capable of starting your own site.”

    I think you miss my point. I enjoy the bickering on this sight and I would enjoy being on the Jerry Springer Show. I think there’s a time and place for childish bickering and I can compete with the best.

    Lighten’ up and have fun. Austin Marley Fest is this weekend. Come relax.

    http://www.austinreggaefest.com/

    Camel will be in town this weekend. I hope to avoid jail.

    http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2003-01-17/cols_postmarks.html

  • http://articulatecampaigns.com Allen Hacker

    Second billboard is up.

    This one’s more rural, out near the center of the district. It’s on the major connector between Brenham and Somerville (both in the district). All traffic coming from Somerville or home from the lake to Brenham will see this one clearly for at least 200 yards. Daily traffic is 6100 cars, and the cost through the elecion was $3950.

    -0-

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  • ray

    I think the billboard idea is a good one as I tried to get the national party to do the same thing using billboards along the interstates of many major cities during the last presidential election. I would like to see one that challenges the two major parties to stand up and debate the libertarian candidate during the next election. Lets have an in your face challenge to the democrats and republicrats. Lets do it publicly.

  • ray

    Whether the dems or republicrats like it or not, all people have a voice and mine just happens to be Libertarian…….Thats the american way……..To be represented by candidates of your choosing……The two party system is a thing of the past……It was a major injustice in a so called fair election process to see how the two major parties shut mr badnarik out of the presidential debates during the last election and this injustice must not be allowed to happen again.