Shakin' Hands Flu

Sooner or later, I knew this would happen. If you shake hands with 1,000 people on any given day, you run the risk of picking up a cold. The law of averages finally caught up with me, and I now have Candidate Flu. Fortunately, I do not have any events planned for the next two days, so I can rest. The upside is that I have time to fill out more candidate questionnaires.

Fort Wayne Notes

Another day, another garage sale. This time, the Allen County Libertarians staged a sale at Foster Park. Turnout was very heavy with many deadly serious bargain hunters at work. I was able to talk politics with many inbetween finding deals.

TV-15 WANE sent a camera to cover the event, and aired segments in the afternoon and evening.

Jack Evans ran an excellent kitchen! I bought some of his homemade blueberry-lime jam!

Many thanks to Doug Horner, Jack & Hilary Evans, Mike & Karena Sylvester, and Mike Stacy for inviting me to this event!

Hagerstown Report

Rex & Susan Bell hosted their fifth annual garage sale this weekend, and it was another large event. The areas on and around SR 38 through Henry and Wayne Counties have huge garage, yard, and barn sales, and the Bells take part, with the whole extended family.

With Hannah and Grandpa Rex Bell. Love Hannah's onesie!

I was relieved of cotton candy making duties this year, and left just to greet bargain hunters and discuss Libertarian politics with those so inclined.

Many were so inclined. Many cited disappointment with the Republicans since Mitch Daniels took office. They repeatly expressed the expectation that taxes would be lower. Many pointed to the big cash windfall from Major Moves and the eagerness to spend it, rather than return it to the taxpayers. I spoke less here than at any event in recent weeks. I didn't have to. I just kept listening and nodding in agreement.

Actually speaking, with folks from Henry County. Thanks to Rex for the picture.

The Wayne County Libertarians have always done well at the ballot box. I expect that will continue this November, with their best returns ever.

Big thanks to Rex & Susan, Ross, Gayle Bond, Cheryl & Marvin Heacox, and everyone else. I appreciate the consistent effort of the Wayne County folks, and appreciate their support of my campaign as well!

Campaign Issues

Naturally, I use this blog to state my positions on many things. Some relate to my campaign for Secretary of State, many do not.

For the most concise look at my positions that relate to my campaign, please go to my Campaign Issues blog.

At that location, I have definitive posts on issues regarding the duties of Secretary of State and the policy directions I would take towards being accountable and responsible with taxpayer dollars. There are several issues I would champion as the state's chief elections official towards having elections with the utmost integrity.

These will be updated through the remainder of the campaign, so be sure to check the page regularly!

The Difference Between Libertarians and Republicans

Sometimes people ask me what the difference is between Ls and Rs. Both claim to be fiscal conservatives, so what would a Libertarian do different if elected to a position such as Secretary of State. After all, that office is not legislative. It cannot raise a tax.

That is true. What is also true is that the office has a budget, so it spends tax money. The Secretary of State interprets its' statutory obligations and sets policy accordingly. The current Secretary of State is a Republican. I am a Libertarian candidate for Secretary of State.

My objective would be to consume only 90% of the budget allocated to me, and to return the remainder to the taxpayers. I believe this should be the goal of every elected official who heads a department and commands a budget.

Also, as chief of the Securities Division, I would never have authorized publication of a 12-page glossy booklet called, "Money Skills For Newlywed Couples". While the info contained is sound, (it is essentially a reprint of a lengthy Kiplinger's article,) and it is plainly a good idea for married couples to have financial goals and plans, it is not the proper role of our state government to provide this kind of service. This is where Libertarians and Republicans differ. The booklet was produced under a Republican.

The booklet notes that, "The Investor Education Program and the creation of this brochure were funded with proceeds from investment fraud legal settlements".

I believe that the proceeds from investment fraud settlements should go entirely to those defrauded, not towards producing glossy booklets with the office holder's name prominently displayed. Investor education is the responsibility of the investor.

Republicans may talk about being fiscal conservatives, but when the rubber meets the road, they expand the scope of government and its' activities, which is the antithesis of fiscal conservatism. SOS press release for the booklet.

To be fair, I've never heard the Secretary of State describe himself as a fiscal conservative. Maybe it's not on his radar.

So, if you want the Secretary of State to contribute to smaller government, there are two choices out there- Republicans and Democrats. Those who want smaller government need to vote for me, Mike Kole, for Secretary of State.

Finding A Way To Survive

I was in Franklin, the Johnson County seat today doing business and I picked up a newspaper for my lunch read. I noticed the headline immediately and began to read the story about Don & Dona's, a restaurant that became a private club in order to continue to allow their patrons to smoke. I knew where I would be eating lunch.

I'll always eat where the 'Don't Tread On Me' flag flies!

The owner, Mary Barnaby, concluded that Franklin's smoking ban would severely damage her business, so she looked for ways to survive. She decided to change Don & Dona's to the D&D Club, a non-profit, private club. From the Johnson County Daily Journal report (paid subscription required):

The restaurant is incorporated under Indiana's nonprofit statute, which would be evidence it is a private club, city attorney Rob Schafstall said.

It looks like Barnaby hired a Libertarian as a design consultant. The striped "Don't Tread On Me" flies outside the entrance and is for sale inside. Quotes from Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson on freedom line the walls and display cases. Barnaby gets that this is a property rights issue.

"So, the future looks bright. All of our members are like-minded people. They get the picture, and it's called free enterprise," Barnaby said.

I joined the Club. Here's my card. I don't smoke. I give my support.

Barnaby knows her business and her customers. She made a decision that would help her survive. If only the town councils would fully consider the effects their laws have on small business owners!

Smoking bans have swept Indiana this year and last, with laws being passed in Franklin, and also Bloomington, Greenfield, Greenwood, Carmel, Indianapolis, and others; and considered in Fishers, Angola, Jefferson City among others.

The health aspects of smoking are not in dispute. The right of the property owners to set their own policies within their four walls is in dispute. I favor the owner's right to decide. The patrons and employees also have the right to decide whether or not to work or eat there. Republicans and Democrats alike are enacting these bans in disregard for the property rights of the owners.

Next time you are in Franklin, stop by the D&D Club. I had their huge pork tenderloin. Show your support for small business and property rights!

Debate Season Underway

I have learned that the first debate for Indiana Congressional District 9 wil take place tonight in Bloomington. It's a closed event, but you can see Libertarian candidate Dr. Eric Schansberg mix it up with Mike Sodrel and Baron Hill. Kenn Gividen and the other candidates for Indiana Senate 41 are working to stage a debate at Franklin College.

As for myself, there is a Secretary of State candidate forum- not exactly a debate- scheduled for September 26 in South Bend. Kole's September calendar.

Trail Photos

I recently stopped at IUPUI for a student community involvement event. Civic groups and campus groups such as the IUPUI campus Libertarians participated.

Dan Drexler & I gave the World's Smallest Political Quiz to see where students plotted on the political spectrum. IUPUI is a commuter school, so we weren't terribly surprised to see that fewer students placed in the left/liberal area, and more centrists. Plenty of Libertarians, most of whom signed up for the campus organization.

Thanks to Ben Rubin for the pics, and to prof Cindy Kirkpatrick for her work with the IUPUI students and the invitation!

Election Follies, Part 13

Didn't think the Attorney General could get involved in wacky behavior regarding elections, that it was the domain of the Elections Division and the Legislature? Think again. Apparently everybody wants a piece of this action.

A pronouncement has been made regarding automated phone calls from political parties and candidates: they're illegal. From the Indy Star report:

Attorney General Steve Carter warned the political parties today not to make automated phone calls to voters -- a traditional election year practice by both Republicans and Democrats.

Carter, a Republican who ran for attorney general in 2000 and 2004, said the practice violates a 1988 law prohibiting automated calling devices.

What I thought I knew was that the ban was not extended to political calls, as there would not have been broad Statehouse support, and that it would certainly bring a Constitutional challenge.

This important news to me, because I was considering using automated calls myself. My plan was to use them as a get-out-the-vote tool with Libertarian Party members, supporter, and contributors, along with Kole Campaign supporters and contributors.

So, how did I learn of this important news? From the Elections Division? From the Secretary of State's Office? From Attorney General Steve Carter?

No, I learned it from Mary Beth Schneider, in her Indy Star report:

Carter said he sent a letter on Aug. 22 to the chairmen of the state Republican and Democratic parties to inform them of the law. He did not send the same warning to businesses, he said, nor to the Libertarian Party.

Asked why he singled out the two major political parties for this kind of warning, Carter cited the upcoming election season as well as increased public concern about telephone privacy.

What was keeping Carter from sending a message to the Libertarian Party? Did he run out of stamps? Maybe the printer ran out of paper or toner? Did someone cut his phone line? Maybe Carter should look into that and then learn how many political parties are on the ballot in this state. Here's a hint: It's slightly more than two.

First, I want to see the law. I'm not convinced that any of the laws on the books apply to political parties or candidates. Show us the law.

Then, I want to know how the kole Campaign sending automated calls to Kole supporters violates the privacy of people who want me to be in contact with them, and who gave me their phone number so that I could do so.

Lastly, I'd like an explanation on how the First Amendment doesn't apply to political phone calls. Political speech is crucial to a free society.

Update 8-30-06: I was reacting to Mary Beth Schneider's preliminary report. She followed up and included my comments in her subsequent report:

While Carter sent a letter to Parker and Clark warning of the 1988 law, which carries a penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, he did not send a similar warning to other political parties.

The Libertarian Party, he said, didn't have the resources in his experience to pay for such calls.

Actually, we do. It was also Carter's experience in 2004, 2003, and 2002 that the parties were making automated calls. Why the sudden interest? He's been on the job six years. More:

That surprised Mike Kole, the Libertarian candidate for secretary of state. He'd planned to use such calls to encourage people to vote for him on Election Day.

"I cannot imagine that my supporters and contributors would feel violated by these calls," Kole said. "Who exactly is this supposed to protect? The people or incumbents?"

This is like taking auto-nailers away from framing carpenters. Sure, you can go back to hammers, but it is more time consuming and costly that way.

Maybe that's what Carter really has in mind.

Katrina Anniversary

I know this is nothing to do with Secretary of State, but sometimes significant evetns warrant discussion whether or not the office being sought has anything to do with it. Certainly people ask me about things that have nothing to do with SOS more than to do.

Much is being made in the media about Hurricane Katrina having happened a year ago. Much should be made about it. This is a classic example of huge numbers of citizens not taking responsibility for the choices they make in their lives.

If a home's ground floor elevation is below sea level, and the area has a hurricane season associated with it, the only reasonable expectation is that disaster will that home.

I do not think that living in such areas should be banned, as some are calling for. I hold that anyone can build and live where they choose, so long as they accept full responsibility for that choice. One who chooses to live in such conditions had best get a solid insurance policy and have a solid evacuation plan. Anything less is poor planning.

The people of the region are victims, but mainly of their own poor planning. The unheralded victims are the people who live outside the Gulf. These are the people who are paying, via FEMA, for the poor planning and lousy decisions made by too many in the Gulf.

It's getting worse. Notice how with Ernesto, a weak tropical storm so far, FEMA and governors around the Gulf are over-reacting. They don't want any part of the negative PR FEMA and the President took last year.

In fact, this was an opportunity for the President to be an advocate for self-responsibility and fiscal conservatism. It's understood that people buy land without thinking of all the possible consequences. But with Katrina, there was a real example, and a chance to change FEMA's role forever.

The President could have, and should have said to the country, "We will pay for you to rebuild a home. If you build it where it once stood, you take full responsibility should disaster strike again. We will not rebuild these areas a second time. FEMA's role is to assist in disaster, not to justify and forgive bad decision making, and certainly not to relieve anyone from thinking and planning. Choose carefully this time. This is the last FEMA bailout, ever. If you live in other hurricane magnet areas, in tornado alley, on a steep cliff where the waves are undercutting, or any other place with obvious risk, it's time for you to get insurance and to make a plan."

Alas, President Bush and the Republicans are just as committed to the perpetuation of big government as the Democrats.

Travel Log

Very early on, I thought I should keep a milage log. I wish I had. It would be interesting to see the numbers at this point, as I began campaigning in September 2004, first working to secure the nomination of the Libertarian Party, then to reach the voters of our state.

Thus far I have visited 27 counties, reaching the corners of the state, including all nine Congressional Districts. I have visited many of these locations on multiple occasions, with some of the furthest counties from home being the places I seem to land the most, such as LaPorte County, and also Allen and Wayne.

With 70 days left, this exceeds the reach of any previous statewide Libertarian campaign. In the remaining 10 weeks, I'll visit plenty more counties and meet many more voters. I'll look forward to meeting you on the trail, too!

September Calendar Filling Up!

I've been promised a busy home stretch into Election Day by my campaign manager Rob Place, and it's definitely getting there. We're filing the calendar with solid events.

Thus far, there are nine events on eight dates, taking me to Wayne County three times, and also up to South Bend. That's not a huge number, yet, but the events are excellent. It seems we add two every day!

Three of these events will have winning an endorsement in mind. Another will put me in front of TV cameras. There is even a Secretary of State candidate forum, which was somewhat unexpected given that there weren't debates for the candidates in 2002.

It is not too late to schedule an appearance. County Chairs and supporters should contact Rob Place to make the appointment. In the meantime, check the schedule like they vote in Chicago- early and often.

Kole Campaign Schedule

Kind of a skinny week, which is okay, as there are many big events coming up in mid-September, and it frees me up to make the necessary fundraising and team-building phone calls.
This week's events include:

Tuesday, Aug 27, 11:30-1:00pm: IUPUI Fall Service and Involvement Fair. Libertarians will have a booth, and I will stop by. The fair gives students the opportunity to find meaningful extra-curricular activity, and it's hard to top working for liberty.

Saturday, Sept 2, Noon- 2pm: LP of Wayne County's 5th annual garage sale. The Rex & Susan Bell give Libertarians the opportunity to part with unwanted stuff, and the good people of Wayne and surrounding counties to buy same at bargain prices. They had me make cotton candy last year. No telling what they might put me up to this year! Event runs all day Saturday and Sunday, at 17059 State Road 38, Hagerstown.

Pink sugar. The kids love it.

Great Indy Star Editorial on Restricted Ballot Access

The Indianapolis Star made note again today of how Indiana's election laws stifle participation in the electoral process, by beating down qualified and eager candidates, thus reducing choices for the people of our state. From the Star editorial:

State officials take pride in efforts they've made to tighten the gears of the election process, and they've had plenty of incentive by way of mandates and funding under the federal Help America Vote Act.

Unfortunately, a couple of little-noticed tweakings have cost voters some choices in the November balloting.

This should prove to be a temporary hitch. However, ballot access will remain an issue in Indiana as long as the state retains one of the nation's highest barriers to third-party participation.

Eleven Libertarian Party candidates for Statehouse offices were denied certification by the Indiana Elections Division because their party failed to state in writing with 10 days' notice that it intended to fill vacancies on its ticket.

The ongoing writing of new election laws, essentially more meaningless hoops to jump through, assures that some candidates will be barred from the ballot, as happened here. Observe that election law is written by Republicans and Democrats. Think maybe they have a motivation to keep some Libertarians off the ballot?

Given the dearth of interest and competition in the electoral process, it's a shame to see a dozen aspiring public servants sidelined. Hopefully, lessons have been learned and the T's will all be crossed in future elections.

Meanwhile, though, a much larger problem, the prohibitively high number of signatures required to attain ballot status, continues to be accepted by Democrats and Republicans alike. This means security for the two big parties; intense pressure on the Libertarians to fixate on the secretary of state's race, which determines who stays on the ballot; discouragement of other parties and independents; and reduced selection available to citizens. Why not add that big job to the election fix-up list?

So, yes, Libertarians have learned some lessons. We'll probably nominate all our candidates for Statehouse office at conventions from now on, and we'll hire legal counsel to review election law every year for new hoops to jump through. While the public did clamor for election reform, this is what you got. Is this reform, really? Does anyone feel that they were in some way protected from shady behavior?

Unless the public begins to clamor for fuller ballot access, election reform will merely amount to increasing mountains of paperwork and bureaucratic snarl, which only prevents little guys from running. The Ds & Rs can afford to burn dollars attending to this nonsense.

I am grateful that the Star has taken notice and is pointing out what Libertarians have been saying for years- the Ds & Rs act like two business giants engaged in a relative duopoly, and are guilty of collusion, and actively work to exclude other competitors. It's illegal in business, and should also be in our elections.

Voting for me will help send the message to Ds & Rs that you want more choices on the ballot. See my campaign website for more positions on elections.

Putting The 'Fun' in Fundraising

Big thanks to Todd Singer for hosting a fundraiser for me at the Taj Majal of bowling alleys, Pinheads in Fishers. We bowled in a private four-lane suite with theatre screen TVs, sofas and easy chairs, and a cool musical selection. Supporters came from Marion, Hamilton, and Hendricks Counties.

Two favorite moments- We badgered LPIN State Chair Mark Rutherford long and hard into bowling, mainly because we wanted a picture of a guy bowling in a business suit. Wouldn't you know Mark threw a strike! No warm up, just dead-eye accuracy.

Like Barry Bonds after a home run, Rutherford admires his strike.

Alex cracked everybody up with his calculated five-bumper strike. Here's the suite with the giant TV screens above the pins.

From left: Jo Coleman, Eric Barnes, Todd Singer, Mike Kole, Mark Rutherford, and bowling champ Kevin "Jerry" Hood


Marion County Treasurer Eric Barnes presented me with a check for $500

I appreciate the support from the bowlers and non-bowlers who attended tonight, and again, thanks to Todd Singer for a great event!

Campaign Calendar

Here are the upcoming events. If you are in Central Indiana, or Southern Indiana in the Lousiville area, these will be of great interest to you!

Thursday, 6:30pm, Fishers: Bowling fundraiser at Pinheads- 13825 Britton Park Rd, in the southwest corner of 141st & SR 37. $30 for an individual, or $100 for a foursome. Don't worry if you didn't RSVP for this- just show up! Family fun in a smoke-free environment... policy by owner's choice! Big thanks to Todd Singer for putting this event together!

Saturday, 2:00pm, Corydon: Art Fair in Corydon, Harrison County. I'll be shaking hands and talking politics. Come out and say hello and meet Harrison County Chair Dennis Stork.

Saturday, 4:30pm, Sellersburg Celebrates event: Libertarians will have a booth, and I'll be there for the usual campaign activities with Greg Hertzsch and other Libertarians. See us there!

Be sure to check the Kole Campaign calendar for events near you. If you would like to host an event, please contact Rob Place to schedule it!

Election Follies, Part 12

I think every Hoosier wants our elections and their process to have integrity. That's not going out on a limb. So, it's bothersome to find a lack of integrity and injustices throughout the electoral process.

Part Twelve is a follow-up to Part Seven, from LaPorte County. This one follows the Orwellian "all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others".

In my original post, the LaPorte Libertarians pointed out that in 2006, as in 2003, the Republicans failed to even file a CFA-4 form, as required by law. To be fair, the Dems also failed to file the required CFA-4 in 2003. It is worth recalling that the Republicans and Democrats wrote the law that requires a CFA-4. It is also worth recalling that the Indiana Elections Division is refusing to certify eleven Libertarian candidates this year, because even though forms were filed, and on time, a procedural step was missed.

Greg Kelver, in front of the Libertarian booth at the LaPorte County Fair

So, the Libertarians filed a complaint seeking the maximum fines to be imposed on the GOP. The fines are $50/day late, with a maximum of $1,000. As the forms were roughly 150 days late, it would be a $1,000 fine.

So, was the maximum fine imposed? From the Michigan City News Dispatch report:

LaPORTE - The LaPorte County Republican Party on Monday will not be penalized for not filing a pre-primary campaign finance report by the April 17 deadline.

The Board of Election Commissioners took no action in a brief meeting at the county courthouse. The meeting was called after the LaPorte County Libertarian Party complained that the Republicans had not filed its report.

So, why wasn't a fine imposed?

Election Commissioner Gary Davis said he thought it was good the Election Board was meeting to address the issue.

“I really feel like, if it's an intentional thing, then certainly that would be a different issue, but it's a mistake that both parties made last time,” he said.

and

The local GOP leader promised no repeats of the oversite.

“I guarantee it will not happen again on my watch. We're guilty; there's no question about it, but it was not intentional, we're volunteers and we're doing the best we can,” Pendergast said.

So, when the GOP mistakenly flubs on the basis of doing the best it can, that's treated with kid gloves. When the LP mistakenly flubs on the same basis, that warrants a death sentence because the law is the law. Also, if one party makes a mistake, the others are justified in future mistakes.

Anyone see an injustice here? How about a complete lack of integrity?

I call upon the Indiana Election Commission to do one of two things:

1. De-certify all Republican candidates who were not filed properly in Indiana
2. Certify the Libertarian candidates who were not filed properly in Indiana

Whatever the Commission stands by, it must be consistent. Otherwise, the Commission lacks integrity and stands for injustice.

Update, 8/24/06: The Michigan City News Dispatch ran my letter, along with one from Karen Wolf, about the unequal treatment. It also ran an editorial taking the LaPorte County Election Board to task for the kid gloves treatment. Curiously, neither of these features are available on the paper's website. Greg Kelver of LaPorte advises me that he will send a scanned pdf file of these items.

News Release

I was pleased that Pat Bauer brought up the idea of putting the BMV under the authority of the Secretary of State. Naturally, I have thoughts on the subject, and have issued a news release with my statements on the subject. It is as follows:

August 22, 2006 Contact
For Immediate Release Rob Place 317-776-1042


Mike Kole Interested in Bauer’s BMV Proposal

Direct Accountability to Voters is Good Government


Fishers, IN- Libertarian candidate for Secretary of State Mike Kole found his curiosity piqued by Pat Bauer’s recent proposal to place the BMV under the direction of the Secretary of State’s office.

“There is a lot of dissatisfaction with the BMV right now, and when that’s the case, people notice that there isn’t direct accountability to the voters,” said Kole of the appointed position of BMV chief.

Kole considered that the idea that this might merely be an election season stunt.

“Even if Mr. Bauer is just making an issue in a known sore spot like the BMV’s recent performance, it’s a fact that the more accountable government can be, the more efficient its service will be. I think it’s always worthwhile to look at how services are administered, and if we can make the BMV directly accountable without adding any new bureaucracy, it’s worth considering,” said Kole, adding, “I don’t think it would be that great a burden for competent management to add the oversight of the BMV to the oversight of elections, business services, and securities.”


Kole was amused at the source of this concept.

“I didn’t know Pat Bauer was the Democrat running for Secretary of State,” he quipped.


Mike Kole’s campaign themes are Integrity, and Accountability.

#####

A high-resolution headshot photo of Mike Kole is available upon request.

Mike Kole is available for comment. Call Mike directly on 317-709-3874 to set up an interview.

Mike Kole’s media presence includes his campaign website: www.mikekole.com, and his blog, “Kole Hard Facts: www.kolehardfacts.blogspot.com.

Pat Bauer, BMV, and Secretary of State

An interesting missive was issued by Pat Bauer and the Indiana Democrats today. From the press release:

House Democratic Leader B. Patrick Bauer today called for the operation of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to be placed under the direction of the Secretary of State instead of under the Governor’s Office.

Bauer explained his rationale during a Monday afternoon press conference at the Virginia Avenue BMV branch in Indianapolis.

“Our neighboring states of Illinois and Michigan already have placed operation of the BMV under the constitutional office of the Secretary of State, and I propose Indiana follow suit,” Bauer said.

You know, because Illinois and Michigan lead the way. Scary.

Anyhow, I like the idea of a BMV chief that is accountable to the voters, although right now, if you don't like the BMV, you can un-elect the Governor. In the Indy Star report, the incumbent SOS blew the idea off:

Secretary of State Todd Rokita, a Republican, dismissed the minority leader's plan as election year antics.

I found Bauer's stunt interesting. At first blush, you would guess that Bauer was trying to give the Democratic SOS candidate a little fuel, because he's been pretty much invisible. That hasn't changed- Bauer didn't even name their SOS candidate in their release, and didn't quote him either. Quite a team in blue.

Update 8/24/06: The confusion that seems to define Democrats- the same party that couldn't even field a candidate for US Senator- was noticed by the South Bend Tribune. From the Tribune report:

Whether Bauer's proposal helps fire other Democrats' campaigns as they seek majority status in the House of Representatives is unclear.

Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend, said it's an "interesting idea" that he'll have to investigate further.

But he said Bauer had no obligation to coordinate the plan with Pearson, even though Pearson will top the Democrats' statewide ticket in November. "I don't know that Pat Bauer is campaigning for Joe Pearson," Dvorak said.

Pearson himself expressed no complaints about Bauer's strategy or timing, whether or not it sends an inadvertent message about party unity.

I think Bauer was trying to help Bauer, but a party that can't even be bothered to coordinate amongst itself can't be counted on to communicate with the electorate, either. This is some kind of ineptitude.

What Value Secretary of State

A frequently asked question posed to me about running for Secretary of State is why the Indiana Libertarians put so much effort into it. For what it's worth, many friends of liberty find themselves uninspired by some of the issues associated with the office. It isn't legislative, so the spectrum of issues SOS touches is narrow.

The answer is that Indiana's election laws tie each political party's ballot status to the statewide outcome in this race. I've never received a good answer from any ranking Republican or Democrat as to why they wrote the laws that way, but we play by the rules.

As a minor party, the Libertarian Party candidate for Secretary of State always has to be mindful of at least retaining automatic ballot access, while striving for major party status, along with victory. The struggle of the Green Party shows us the value.

Bill Stant struggled long and hard to get the Green Party on the Indiana ballot. The method was to petition for enough signatures so that he could be on the ballot as a candidate for Secretary of State. Once that was achieved, he would try to get 2% statewide, thereby earning automatic ballot access for the Green Party for the next four years.

Unfortunately for Bill and his supporters, they failed to secure the required number of signatures, so he will not be on the ballot. Thus, the Greens will not have automatic ballot access. If persons wants to run as a Green Party candidate, each will have to petition individually to get on the ballot.

I have great sympathy for Bill Stant. I have done petitioning work in Ohio for the Libertarian Party. It is tiresome work and feels unrewarding, because all you are doing is getting signatures and not even talking your issues. Besides that, I believe in a fully open ballot. Let the voters decide, not the entrenched parties.

The Libertarian Party has close to 100 candidates this year. Imagine the unrewarding effort each would have had to undertake securing petition signatures if the LPIN did not have automatic ballot access. Most assuredly, there would be significantly fewer Libertarian candidates, just as there are almost no other Green candidates. Indeed- there are only six Green or independent candidates for statewide or legislative office. This shows how effective petitioning requirements are in keeping independents off the ballot.

Brad Klopfenstein once told me that the value of the petitioning effort is $80,000. To the Greens, though, I bet ballot access would be priceless.

I have made it my goal to raise $100,000 this year. I want to make sure that Indiana Libertarians should never have to worry about ballot access again, as we break through to major party status.

Even if the issues I campaign on for Secretary of State do not interest you, my success will allow about 400 other Libertarian candidates to do exactly that in the full election cycle until 2010.