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Our Presidential Endorsement
by L. Neil Smith
lneil@netzero.com

Publisher and Senior Columnist
The Libertarian Enterprise

Many folks have asked me who I endorse for the Libertarian Party's 2008 Presidential nomination. Up front, although I will be in Denver, it will not be as a member of any delegation, I'll be there instead, representing Big Head Press and the projects I have going with them. I'm also looking forward to seeing and visiting with a lot of old friends.

And a few old enemies, as well.

It embarrasses me to confess that, until recently, I was extremely torn between two particular candidates. In different ways, each has paid his proverbial dues many times over. Each has stood up for what's right in an extremely principled and thoroughly libertarian way, despite unimaginable pressure to the contrary. This is more than I can say for any of the other candidates, some of whom have been a sad disappointment.

I don't mean that the two are identical or interchangable, simply that they both fit my personal criteria for a good LP candidate, at an excruciatingly critical time when a good LP candidate is very badly needed.

In the end, what it came down to is that one of the candidates explicitly asked for my endorsement and the other did not. Having made my mind up, I then consulted with my colleagues at The Libertarian Enterprise; to my personal recommendation, I can now add that of our publication.

We are very pleased (and, I might add, grateful) to endorse Dr. Mary Ruwart for the 2008 Presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party.

Mary is everything any true libertarian could possibly want in a candidate: smart and at the same time wise; principled and at the same time kindly to those who don't yet understand; pretty (I don't want to hear a word from any of you afflicted with the disease of political correctness), but with a depth of character behind those shining eyes that casts desperate terror into the hearts and minds of the evil and unprincipled.

Just look at who opposes her within the LP.

Mary is naturally gentle but has learned to be tough, a complement to those of us who seem to be naturally tough and have had to learn to be gentle. We were the first political party to secure an electoral vote for a female candidate for Vice President; it is long past time that we showed the entire world that we can field a female candidate for President—and not one who is a shrill, hysterical, fascist bitch.

The other candidate we like is Steve Kubby and, although this is not the place to sing his praises, he has our greatest respect. We would not presume to map out strategy for these two heroes, but it is our hope that they can reach an accommodation that will benefit all of us.

This is the year on which the next hundred years will surely pivot. We must act boldly now, or see the death of liberty in our own lifetime.

Four-time Prometheus Award-winner L. Neil Smith has been called one of the world's foremost authorities on the ethics of self-defense. He is the author of 25 books, including The American Zone, Forge of the Elders, Pallas, The Probability Broach, Hope (with Aaron Zelman), and his collected articles and speeches, Lever Action, all of which may be purchased through his website "The Webley Page" at lneilsmith.org.

Ceres, an exciting sequel to Neil's 1993 Ngu family novel Pallas was recently completed and is presently looking for a literary home.

Neil is presently working on Ares, the middle volume of the epic Ngu Family Cycle, and on Roswell, Texas, with Rex F. "Baloo" May.

The stunning 185-page full-color graphic-novelized version of The Probability Broach, which features the art of Scott Bieser and was published by BigHead Press www.bigheadpress.com has recently won a Special Prometheus Award. It may be had through the publisher, at www.Amazon.com, or at BillOfRightsPress.com.

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