> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://goodoil.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Art of the Deal - URL: https://goodoil.news/the-art-of-the-deal/ - Published: 2024-06-12T01:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-06-11T21:58:05.000Z - Author: Reproduced with permission - Tags: Politics, USA Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-06-28 02:24 *While always avidly following politics and culture, James Hol was not politically active until the overreaction to Covid. In a matter of months, James gained invaluable insight into all levels of government, being heavily involved in Federal, state and local election campaigns.* --- US Libertarians met for their National Convention in Washington DC late last month, where they heard from a range of speakers and selected their presidential candidate. However, this was unlike any other Libertarian National Convention – in fact, it was unlike any prior political party convention in US history. **MAKE AMERICA LIBERTARIAN AGAIN** The headline speaker for the Libertarian National Convention was the 45th President of the United States and presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 Presidential Election, Donald Trump. Never before in US history has a rival political candidate addressed a political party convention. While much of the Trump-hating media described the speech as being met with a chorus of booing and heckling, that was not entirely accurate. While Trump certainly faced one of his most hostile crowds, there were several points where he managed to draw cheers from the libertarians. One of those moments probably marks the biggest [political win for libertarians](https://libertyitch.com/2023/12/11/argentina-elected-a-libertarian-leader-and-it-could-happen-here/?ref=goodoil.news) in history. > US Libertarians have their biggest opportunity to meaningfully influence the political landscape, ironically by running fewer candidates. **THE THREE PERCENT** During his speech, Trump gave Libertarians an ultimatum: continue wining a meaningless three percent of the vote or [join me and win together.](https://libertyitch.com/2023/01/17/the-tree-of-liberty/?ref=goodoil.news) Along with promising to free Ross Ulbricht, the founder and operator of Silk Road, Trump pledged to appoint libertarians to his cabinet and senior positions of government. And while there are genuine questions regarding the trustworthiness of Trump’s word, he is absolutely right. The Libertarian Party, particularly within the US electoral system, will [*never* win](https://libertyitch.com/2022/12/22/the-f-word/?ref=goodoil.news) a single meaningful election. In over 20 years, the Libertarians have only won *one* of the possible 8,161 seats available in *any* federal, state or territorial congress. Having libertarians in Trump’s cabinet and senior levels of government would be a far more politically successful outcome for Libertarians than anything the Party has ever been able to achieve in its 53-year history. The “The Party of Principle” needs to consider whether it is time to start putting principles over partisanship and accept that sometimes supporting someone else is the greatest force for liberty. > Trump pledged to appoint libertarians to his cabinet and senior positions of government. **THE PARTY OF PRINCIPLE** Unfortunately, most of those in the room that day missed the boat, choosing to boo the former President for no other reason than that he is a former President and has an “R” next to his name. While I understand being derisive when non-libertarian policies are advocated at a Libertarian Convention, booing Trump for merely entering the room and approaching the podium is simply childish. Never have I been more embarrassed to be a libertarian. Instead of embracing Trump’s offer, the Libertarians decided to nominate Chase Oliver: someone who publicly gushed over his favourite type of mask and virtue-signalled about how COVID-safe his family’s Thanksgiving dinner was. With a woke candidate, as well as Robert F. Kennedy Jr siphoning the protest vote, the Libertarian Party, faces an existential crisis. When Trump asked whether Libertarians would continue to be happy with three percent of the vote, he was being generous: the Libertarian Party will be lucky to achieve even one percent of the vote in this presidential race. **TAKING THE L** US Libertarians have their biggest opportunity to meaningfully influence the political landscape, ironically by [running fewer candidates.](https://libertyitch.com/2023/07/05/the-liberty-coalition-is-finally-there/?ref=goodoil.news) Hopefully those within the Libertarian Party – and the “small-L” libertarians – can put their pride aside and see where this opportunity truly lies: alliances and influence. Libertarians (both big and small-L) need to decide what [matters more](https://libertyitch.com/2024/03/30/geopolitics-and-the-non-aggression-principle/?ref=goodoil.news) to them: clinging on to a meaningless three percent of the presidential vote (if they’re lucky) or having libertarians in the White House and senior government positions. It seems like an obvious choice to me. Thank you for your support. To help us in our battle to protect liberty and freedom please click[ here](https://libertyitch.com/donate/?ref=goodoil.news). This article first appeared on [Liberty Itch](https://libertyitch.com/2024/06/07/the-art-of-the-deal/?ref=goodoil.news). [If you enjoyed this article please share it using the share buttons at the top or bottom of the article.](#) [If you would like to access exclusive Member content or just remove the ads to make your reading experience more enjoyable click here to browse our Membership options.](https://thebfd.co.nz/subscription-plans/?ref=2)