In the Race:a personal memo

Well, I’ve done it. I stood on the precipice surveying the landscape, and then I stepped over the edge. My sanity, my energy and my commitment will be challenged as I campaign as a Libertarian for the office as Secretary of State for Ohio. We’re in the embryonic stage now as we structure the committee and solicit signatures on our petitions. One huge advantage for this race at this time is that those who sign our petitions do NOT have to be registered Libertarians. The LP will be on the primary ballot, and my name will be in the SoS slot, but because the party has not had ballot access in the recent past, there is currently no registration designation for “Libertarian.” So, R’s, D’s and I’s can sign my petitions without being legally challenged or required to forfeit their party affiliation. This opening may close for future campaigns because after this year’s primary, there will be a registration designation for Libertarians, and candidates will (unless the law is changed) be forced to secure signatures from party members only in order to qualify for the party nomination on future ballots.


So, why have I chosen to jump back into the election arena after a 26 year sabbatical? After all, it is much easier to sit on the sidelines and lob written spitballs at present-day political goings-on. Running for a statewide office is no picnic…Ohio is roughly 240 miles by 210 miles, and I live in a corner of the state…not the center. There are roughly 11 million people in Ohio, although the real population may be lower because of people relocating after losing their jobs. There are 88 counties, six or seven urban centers (depending on the criteria used), miles of country roads that wind through hills and valleys, and miles of country roads that pierce the prairies of the western portion of the state. There is a very strong (but shrinking) union presence in Ohio and a strong but diminishing corporate/business environment. In many respects our state is a microcosm of the nation.

My reasoning for deciding to pursue the office of Secretary of State for Ohio followed five paths: principle, pragmatism, political, punitive and personal.

My decision to become a Libertarian was based on principles. I had been a conservative Republican for several decades, but had become increasingly frustrated with GOP officeholders as they appeared to be complicit in the massive expansion of government. I had been a significant contributor to the party in years past, but had stopped doing so when the party apparatus (including President W) endorsed (snarlin’) Arlen Spector over Pat Toomey in 2004. The Republican Senatorial Campaign also dedicated significant resources to the election of Lincoln (actually a Yugo) Chaffee. I knew, and every sentient observer knew that both of those endorsed candidates were statist, big government liberals, and yet, the party saw fit to promote them AT THE EXPENSE of solid small government challengers. At that point I began to contribute directly to candidates rather than official party entities. It wasn’t enough, however because when those Republicans that I supported were elected, they were often marginalized by the party leadership …or they became dealmakers and compromisers in order to preserve their political lives. So, I chose to align myself with a group from the Land of Misfit Toys who proclaimed and passionately promoted three basic principles for governing: Smaller government, lower taxes, more (personal) freedom. As someone with a knapsack full of personal biases and preferences, I determined that my failure to join the Libertarians at an earlier stage in my political development was because of my unease with that “personal freedom” thing. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that there were many Libertarians whose personal preferences were radically different from mine. I finally concluded, however, that “personal” preferences of any sort are meaningless if the power of the state is supreme and restrictive. When the light bulb of understanding flickered in my resistant mind, I realized that we should unite and fight to restore smaller government and lower taxes, and then we can argue about those pesky personal freedom things later. If we don’t have smaller government and lower taxes (taxes fund big government), then personal freedom in all probability becomes a moot issue. The principles of smaller government, lower taxes…and more freedom are driving me to run for statewide office.

The pragmatic basis for my running for Secretary of State is grounded in the duties of the office. As a constitutional position, the Secretary of State is administratively responsible for overseeing elections in Ohio and business registration and licensing. There are other sundry duties and responsibilities, but those two are the big kahuna’s. As a Libertarian, or third-party candidate, I can wield power and influence to assure that our elections in the Buckeye State are free and fair. Because the Libertarian Party, as of now, is small, we do not have the resources to cheat and affect electoral outcomes in various venues throughout the state. The two Old Parties do …and have. Pragmatically speaking, I can force them to obey the law and toe the line. If anyone tries to corrupt the electoral process in Ohio, I will drop the big hammer. For example If ACORN, or any organization similar to them, tries to register the dead or Mickey Mouse, there will be “Crushed Nuts (acorns or whatever) in Ohio.” People who attempt to vote in other states and Ohio will be forced to choose or to be prosecuted. Precincts that have more votes than registered voters will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. The business registration procedures will be streamlined so that new start-up small business can begin functioning with minimal delay. We need jobs in Ohio.

Politically the Secretary of State slot made the most sense for me. The gubernatorial campaign is going to be a high-visibility, high-dollar affair. Ken Matesz, the Libertarian candidate, has to contend with an incumbent Democrat and a Republican challenger who has very high name identification. Good luck, Ken. Steve Linnabary is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate. That race, also, will be a high-dollar, high-energy bloodbath.

I’m not all that great with spread sheets so Auditor and Treasurer didn’t appeal to me. Having served in the minority in the Legislature a quarter century ago, I recall how frustrating it can be when one battles an entrenched power structure. So, I wanted an under the radar type of office that could favorably impact the citizens of Ohio. The present Secretary of State is running for U.S. Senate. It’s an open seat. Because of the high-level of scrutiny associated with the other statewide races, the SoS contest could present an opportunity for disgruntled citizens to vote for a third party candidate without feeling that they might be risking or wasting their votes. Given the environment generated by the Tea Party/912/Liberty groups, they clearly are seeking alternatives, but do not want to pursue pipe dreams. My political calculus is that my race offers them a safe and primary vehicle to upset the status quo.

My punitive reason for running for a statewide office is to blow a portion of my children’s inheritance. Seriously, I want my grandchildren to have some chance for personal freedom. They will not have any meaningful personal choices if government continues to grow. So I’ll forfeit my genteel lifestyle on my little patch of paradise here in Wood County, my children will relinquish some of their inheritance, and perhaps, just perhaps, my grandkids can harvest some benefits.

My personal justification for this Don Quixote-like foray onto the political battlefield is that I must be crazy. As a crazy person, I’m probably incapable of recognizing my own insanity. Therefore (using progressive logic) if I can’t detect it, it must be so (think of the global warming argument as a parallel). There’s nothing wrong with being crazy. Some of my best friends are crazy. If the sane people have been running the country and the state all these years, and have managed to screw them up so badly, isn’t it time for the crazy people to give it a shot. Vote for me because I must be a raving madman.

I have tried to explain why I have decided to engage in something that may be beyond my grasp. Then again, there’s a little voice that says “we can do this (don’t forget I’m crazy).” If you want to join me on this journey, there is room for you on the bus (I’ll never throw you under it). If you don’t want to join in, then your votes, your cheers, your dollars and your prayers are welcome. Dear reader, regardless of your relationship with my campaign, you’ll always be my friend.

Please comment or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com
earl4sos@gmail.com