National Convention 1972

1972 Libertarian National Convention
Convention
Dates:	June 15—18, 1972
Location:	Denver, Colorado
1973 →

The first Libertarian Party National Convention was held June 15 - 18, 1972 in Denver, Colorado. The original dates selected had tentatively been June 4-7, 1972. The convention was open to all Libertarian Party members at a cost of $25. There were 89 delegates in attendance representing 23 states. The original Statement of Principles was adopted unanimously at this convention.

Presidential and Vice-Presidential Nomination

John Hospers was chosen as the Presidential nominee on the first ballot by a three-to-one margin over his only competitor, James Bryan of Oregon. Other candidates were nominated, but declined.

Tonie Nathan was chosen as the Vice-Presidential nominee with a large margin over her only competitor, Diana Amsden, the temporary chair of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico.

Following the nominations, a motion was made to make them unanimous, which failed. However, a resolution was later brought by those that voted against this motion expressing their support for the ticket. This resolution passed unanimously.

The ticket went one to receive an electoral college vote cast by faithless elector Roger MacBride of Virginia making Tonie Nathan the first woman and the first Jewish person to ever receive an electoral college vote.

Tentative Agenda

Using the previously scheduled dates. The actual convention happened later in the month.

• Sunday, June 4 -- Open hearings by platform and constitution committees.
• Monday, June 5 -- Closed committee sessions, workshops, first session of the convention (to vote on rules, constitution and by-laws). Evening open for caucuses of various groups who wish to hold them.
• Tuesday, June 6 -- Second session of the convention (to vote on platform).
• Wednesday, June 7 -- Third and final convention session (to elect Party's officers for 1972-1974, and to nominate a President and Vice-President of the United States). Big bash in the evening.
• Thursday, June 8 -- Brief open session of the newly-elected Executive Committee, to deal with such matters are necessary.

Election of Officers

• Susan Nolan was elected as National Chair.
• Ed Clark was elected as National Vice-Chair.
• Diana Amsden was elected as National Secretary.
• Pipp Boyls was elected as National Treasurer.
• David Nolan, James Bryan, D. Frank Robinson, and Pat Lowrie were elected as At-Large members.

D Frank Robinson served as the convention parliamentarian.

Committees

• Platform Committee

Convention Materials

• 

Audio Recordings

• Tape 1, Side 1
• Tape 1, Side 2
• Tape 2, Side 1
• Tape 2, Side 2
• Tape 3, Side 1
• Tape 3, Side 2

Recollections

First-person accounts provided by convention participants.

• Mickey, Me and the LP D Frank Robinson's personal account