Document:LP News 1972 April Issue 5

The fifth issue of the LP News publication speaks about the First National Conference of Libertarian Political Activists. It details what will take place at the conference as well as inviting members to come. There is an article about the results from a poll on what media sources members read for the purpose of reaching out to potential new members. There is an article showing the influence of George McGovern and George Wallace in the selection of the Democratic Party Presidential Nomination.

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National Conference re-set for June 15-18; 150 LP Members expected to attend

Imagine: the leading activists in the libertarian movement all getting together to plan the first concerted large-scale attack on the bankrupt statist ideology that has stultified social and economic progress in America for the past 60 y ears.

Imagine: the synthesis of the best elements of the “left” and “right,” into a single political movement.

Imagine: the first tule new social and political movement in over a century, emerging from its cocoon and bursting forth like a jewel-bright butterfly in a world of grays and browns.

It is going to happen. In Denver, Colorado, on June 15-18, 1972. At the First National Conference of the Libertarian Political Activists. And you can be part of it.

There will be those who will say that we cannot change the world — that surrender, or retreat, or “boycotting” the real world is more rational and honorable than taking action against our oppressors. These are the neutralizers, who m outhitting freedom-words while promoting servility and copout-ism.

And there will be others who will say that it is too late for political action, urging us towards revolution and sabotage. These people only serve to give the rulers an excuse to clamp down even harder.

Ignore them. We can act — peacefully, within the political system — to save our freedom. And we will.

the first National Conference of Libertarian Political Activists will last four days. In th one four days, we will raft a platform, draw up strategies, choose candidates, and re-enforce each other’s enthusiasm for the biggest undertaking in the history of the libertarian movement — an undertaking which will enable us to carry our message to more people than we have ever reached before.

If it is humanly possible for you to be there, you should be. The Registration Fee has been set at $25, which a $5 discount if you pre-register by May 31. this fee covers the costs of the Conference facilities, plus two large brunch-style breakfasts. another $50 will cover your remaining meals and room expenses. Total: $75, to be part of the most important and exciting libertarian event of the year… perhaps of the decade.

The Conference will be open to all members of all LP organizations — local state and national. So recruit a couple of libertarian friends, and make it to Denver. A group of four can drive here for less than $25 each, from anywhere in the United States.

Make it for the whole four days, if possible. If you can’t do that, at least be here for the Friday evening Libertarian Libation, and the Saturday and Sunday sessions. But make it.

A complete Conference Schedule, information on accommodations, and reservation forms are enclosed. The rest is up to you.

John Zeigler, Inc. to handle LP’s advertising campaign

It is our extreme good fortune to announce that John Zeigler, president of John Zeigler, Inc. has offered his agency’s services to the Libertarian Party for the coming campaign.

John Zeigler, Inc. specializes in “cause” and environmental advertising, and their ads h ave appears in numerous national publications. You may have seen their ads urging repeal of the draft and abortion laws, or others promoting organizations dedicating to protecting the environment.

Mr. Zeigler is a staunch libertarian, and, as such, turned down opportunities to handle ad campaigns of two of this year’s P?residential aspirants. His creative ability, extensive contacts with persons of influence in the national media, and firm dedication to the ideals of individual liberty make him an invaluable ally, and all libertarians owe him a tremendous vote of thanks.

Progress Report

As of the time this Newsletter reaches you, LP membership should have reached the 500 mark, counting both state an d national members. We now have members in 38 states, plus the District Columbia, and have State Chairmen in 10 states.

Over 15,000 pieces of LP literature have been distributed, including 3,500 copies of the Temporary Platform. Ads will appear in five publications ink the next 30 days; the combined circulation of those five is 14,000, so we should get at least 300 to 400 new members from these ads alone.

The UPI story we mentioned two issues ago went out to papers all over the country on April 2nd; we’re still getting phone calls two weeks later. We now expect to have 1,200 members by June.

U.S. News, Playboy top media poll; Human Events has highest reader ratio

Last month, we asked you to tell us what magazines you read, in order to get some idea of where we should advertise, in order to reach other libertarians, and people who are likely to be sympathetic to libertarian ideas.

Over 100 responses were received, but to simplify the analysis of results, we took the first 100.

The 100 respondents named a total of 144 different publications, but 84 of these were mentioned only one time, and only 21 were were mentioned often enough to merit study. The results on these 21 are shown below, but a few broad-stroke results might be of interest.

A total of 513 mentions were made, indicating that the average libertarian (if there is such a beast) reads about five publications, not counting "movement" magazines and daily newspapers. Of the five, one is a weekly newsmagazine, one is a "right-wing" magazine, one is a business or financial publication, and two are special-interest publications.

The top 21 accounted for 308 of the 513 mentions. They are listed, in order of popularity, immediately below. After each publication, there are three figures. The first is the number of mentions received by that publication, the second is the approximate circulation of that publication, in 100,000's, and the third (and most important) is the ratio of responses per 100,000 circulation.

U.S. News	31	19	1.6
Playboy	31	53	0.6
Time	30	43	0.7
Newsweek	29	26	1.1
Human Events	26	0.9	29	***
National Review	25	1.1	23	***
Barron's	13	2.4	5.4	***
Intellectual Digest	13	4.0	3.3	***
TV Guide	12	153	0.08
Reader's Digest	11	178	0.06
Business Week	10	6.7	1.5
Life	10	85	0.1
Wall St. Journal	10	12	0.8
National Observer	9	5.2	1.7
Fortune	8	4.0	1.4
National Lampoon	8	2.5	3.2	***
American Opinion	7	0.4	17	***
The Freeman	7	0.5	14	***
Analog	6	4.0	5.4	***
Road & Track	6	3.3	1.8
Stereo Review	6	3.0	2.0

Not surprisingly, the four publications with the highest proportion of readers of libertarian inclination are the four "conservative" standards. Of these, Human Events to be the best bet for us.

Thus, we will run an ad in Human Events, as soon as we raise enough money to for an ad that's large enough to tell our story and also large enough to create an impression of strength.

A full-page ad in Human Events costs $900, which is very reasonable for a publication that reches 90,000 people. a half-page ad costs $490, and a quarter-page costs $265. Less than a quarter page would not be enough to do the job.

Because we just plain don't have $900 to spare out of operating revenue, we are therefore asking every member to contribute whatever or or she can afford towards this project. Every little bit helps; $2 from each of you will pay for a full-page ad, and even $1 will help. If you can afford $5 or $10, or even $25, we would be extra appreciative, as larger amounts will offset the people who do not contribute.

So, please, contribute whatever you can -- and indicate that the money is designated for the Human Events ad specifically; we will use whatever we get to buy as large an ad as it will pay for. The money will not be diverted to any other use. We want to get the ad in by the third week in May, so as to get as many new members as possible before the National Conference, so we need the money by May 1. Send whatever you can afford today, even if it's only a dollar.

Looking beyond Human Events to other publications, our best bets appear to be Analog, Barron's, Intellectual Digest, and the National Lampoon. If all goes according to plan, we will be able to start advertising in one or more of these publications this summer. The results of this survey have been turned to our ad agency John Zeigler, Inc., for further analysis, and they should have some recommendations and ad ideas for us within a month or so. We want to break out of the old conservative sphere into new territory, so we will not be advertising in any other "right-wing" publications besides Human Events. The four magainzes mentioned above should enable us to reach new people.

Platform poll shows most LP members are Objectivists, Isolationists

The ideological poll which we conducted last month to serve as a guideline in putting the Platform Committee together, yielded the results below. The Platform Committee will be balanced accordingly.

CIVIL LIBERTIES
Minimal Restrictions	50%
No Restrictions	47%
Undecided	3%

ECONOMICS
Conservative	3%
Objectivist	72%
Anarcho-Capitalist	25%

ECONOMICS
Pacifist	2%
Isolationist	50%
SemiIsolationist	35%
Containment	4%
Rollback	8%
Undecided	1%

To assure that all planks in the Official Platform will have strong support, a two-thirds vote will be required for approval on the floor. Planks will be reported out in order of degree of support (unanimous first, etc.).

3 Ways to get an attractive Libersign Pin

Display your commitment to libertarianism; set yourself apart from the collectivist herd by wearing a solid 14K gold Libersign pin! You can get one by any of the three following methods…

1. BUY ONE — for only $4.95, from Frantonia Specialties, Warren, R.I. 02885. 2. BECOME A LIFETIME MEMBER of the LP, and we’ll send you one in appreciation, or 3. ACCUMULATE 10 MEMBERSHIP POINTS, and rip off a freebie!

Act today; supply is unlimited! No well-dressed libertarian should be without on of these attractive 3/8” doohickies; may be used as a tie-tac, lapel pin, scarf pin, thumbtack, or secret weapon (supply your own curare)! Such a deal!