This was taken off of Christine Smith Website, What do you think ? Her website is www.christinesmithforpresident.com 
Why as Libertarians do we have a hard time supporting our candidates ? I like Ron Paul a lot and I will give his campaign some money on Dec. 16 ( Boston Tea Party), but I have also given money to an L.P. candidate (Phillies). If we had gotten this excited in 1988 we would be in a better postion today as a political party.







Update from Christine Smith, December 9th, 2007

Since a number of you have asked what is disturbing me: fundraising is only part of it (though significant), it is also my general feeling about the LP itself, the LNC, and the LP's Executive Director Shayne Cory (for whom I have no respect based on my personal experiences). As a 3rd party candidate, I am willing to fight the system, but I shouldn't have to constantly fight my own party which I've had to do since my campaign began.

A quick update from Christine Smith, December 8th, 2007

I have received over 100 replies to my December 6, 2007 message.

Approximately 95% of those are from individuals who have left the LP (most of them current Ron Paul supporters) or are current members who are experiencing similar disillusionment with the LP as I have; with many sharing personal stories of the reasons they left or are thinking of leaving. The other 5% of messages have come from LP members asking me to stay in the race and be a leader in the LP, but few of them cared to contribute to help me be the leader they say they want in the LP.

My goal is advancing liberty and joining only with others who share that commitment. I thank each of you for taking the time to write and share so much with me; my suspicion about the LP is being confirmed.

I have quite a bit to ponder as Dec. 31 approaches (it is the date I will decide to withdraw or not from the LP presidential race).

A message from Christine Smith, December 6th, 2007

Why did Ron Paul leave the LP as a means to advance liberty as a candidate? I'm asking this of myself over and over. Is the reason because he saw the LP as a futile path? A waste of his time and energy? No place for an individual who really wants to be part of achieving liberty in America now? For myself, as someone who is devoted to advancing liberty and sharing libertarianism, I am having serious doubts as to whether the LP deserves individuals willing to give of themselves so selflessly. Perhaps Ron Paul's experiences brought him to such a point and decision. I know my experiences with the LP are pointing that way.

Every several days, it seems I learn of yet another individual I respect who has left the LP, and always for reasons I now more completely understand than ever before.

They are individuals who achieve progress in advocating liberty. They are the truest libertarians I have ever met. And they left the LP.

These are all individuals who tried to make a difference within the LP and finally made the decision that the LP was unworthy of their continued support and participation, that the LP did not deserve what they offered to give, that they could accomplish much more good work for liberty outside the LP rather than within it (and they've done it!).

I am at a point where I am seriously questioning whether the LP is a political party to take seriously at all or is it primarily a place for those who merely sit around and talk and argue but never actually do anything of substance? Is it a place where winners (those who actually work hard to achieve progress and success in advancing liberty in our nation) find themselves surrounded by losers (those whose priority is not liberty but who use the cause of liberty for other agendas)?

I have been reluctant to follow that line of thinking until now.

Because now, the more experiences I have, the more I wonder if all those who left the party are right.

I know it was the right choice for themselves because I see them joyfully doing good work which makes a difference, and now I also am thinking that maybe they are right about the utter failure of the LP as a means to make meaningful progress toward liberty...maybe it is a waste of one's time.

Since writing 'I Will Not Compromise - An Open Letter to libertarians,' I have obviously become even more discouraged, and even more disillusioned about the LP.

I am yet undecided, and though I yet am making a conscious choice to believe there is yet hope and yet a possibility that the LP may be a viable vehicle to advance liberty, I am uncertain. I am discouraged. I am wondering...and I am watching.

Meanwhile, my appreciation goes to Ron Paul (and his supporters) for doing more to advance liberty in this nation than anyone has ever done in the political arena before.