The peak or future greater peaks?

When we look at the years 2016-2020, it’s clear that this era stands out as a high point for the Libertarian Party (LP) when measured by electoral success, public attention, and membership growth. But the critical question is whether this period was the peak of our movement or simply a peak on a path to greater achievements.

The 2016 presidential campaign brought unprecedented success, with Gary Johnson and Bill Weld securing over 4.4 million votes (3.27% of the national vote)—the highest ever for a Libertarian ticket. During this time, the LP also achieved ballot access in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., a milestone for any third party. Membership and fundraising surged, fueled by political polarization and dissatisfaction with the major parties. Notably, the period saw state legislators alongside Justin Amash, the first Libertarian member of Congress, join our ranks. We also celebrated Marshal Burt’s election as a Libertarian to the Wyoming House of Representatives.

But now we must ask ourselves: Was this era our peak, or could it have been the foundation for something even greater? Unfortunately, we’ve seen setbacks since then. We’ve lost these elected positions, our presidential vote totals have declined, ballot access has eroded, and our membership and fundraising numbers have dropped significantly. The upward trajectory of 2016-2020 has given way to stagnation and decline.

This brings us to a crucial crossroads. Should we stay the course that has led to measurable declines in every key area, or should we revisit and build upon the strategies that brought us our earlier successes? Do we want a party that continues on a downward slope, or do we want to chart a new path—one that not only regains what we’ve lost but drives us toward even greater peaks?

The choice is ours. Let’s decide wisely.

Honor Veterans with repeal of AUMFs

This Veterans Day let’s honor our Veterans by ending their wars by repealing the 1957, 1991, 2001, and 2002 AUMFs.

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As we approach Veterans Day, we reflect on the sacrifices our service members have made in service to our county. One of the most solemn promises a nation can make to its veterans is to use military force judiciously and only when absolutely necessary. However, several outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) remain active, giving the executive branch far-reaching authority to engage in military action without the explicit approval of Congress. The 1957, 1991, 2001, and 2002 AUMFs are still in effect, providing broad justifications for military engagements that allow the President to strike targets at will.

To truly honor our veterans this Veterans Day, we must push for the repeal of these outdated AUMFs, restoring constitutional checks on the executive’s power to wage war and ensuring that military action is only pursued with clear and current defensive justification.

The Legacy of the AUMFs

  1. The 1957 AUMF: Passed during the Cold War era, this authorization was a product of intense geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Designed to counter potential Soviet expansion in the Middle East, it granted the president broad authority to use military force to protect U.S. allies in the region. While the Cold War has long since ended, this AUMF technically remains in effect, though rarely invoked in modern times.
  2. The 1991 AUMF: Passed in the lead-up to the Gulf War, the 1991 AUMF gave President George H.W. Bush the authority to use military force to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The Gulf War ended decades ago, and Saddam Hussein’s regime is no longer a threat, but the 1991 AUMF remains on the books.
  3. The 2001 AUMF: This is perhaps the most well-known and widely abused of the AUMFs. Passed just days after the September 11, 2001, attacks, it authorized the use of force against those responsible for the attacks and any associated forces. However, its vague language has led to a nearly boundless interpretation, allowing it to be used as a justification for military actions across the globe, from Afghanistan to Yemen, often with little connection to the original target of the authorization—al-Qaeda.
  4. The 2002 AUMF: Passed in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, this AUMF was designed to remove Saddam Hussein’s regime from power. While Saddam has been gone for over 15 years, the 2002 AUMF continues to be used as a justification for military action, often far beyond the original scope of its intent. In fact, the Trump and Biden administrations both invoked the 2002 AUMF in unrelated military operations.

Why Repeal Is Essential

Restoring Constitutional Balance: The Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, a vital check on executive overreach. However, these lingering AUMFs have effectively transferred much of that power to the executive branch. Presidents from both parties have used the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to engage in military actions without seeking updated congressional approval. This undermines the democratic principle that major military engagements should only occur with the consent of the people’s representatives in Congress. Repealing these outdated AUMFs would restore the proper constitutional balance, ensuring that the decision to go to war is thoroughly debated and scrutinized.

Preventing Perpetual War: The 2001 and 2002 AUMFs, in particular, have enabled a state of perpetual war, with military actions justified in countries and regions that had no connection to the original authorizations. Repealing these AUMFs would force a reassessment of current military engagements and demand a renewed focus on diplomacy and conflict resolution. Veterans who served in these prolonged conflicts have frequently expressed frustration with the seemingly endless nature of these wars. By repealing outdated AUMFs, we send a message that military force is not an indefinite solution and that there is a clear path to peace.

Honoring Veterans’ Sacrifices: Every time the United States engages in military action, it asks its service members to risk their lives. Veterans, many of whom have served multiple tours in conflicts authorized under the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs, deserve to know that their sacrifices are made in the service of clearly defined, lawful, and necessary missions. Leaving outdated AUMFs in place not only dishonors their service but risks further entanglement in conflicts with murky justifications. Repealing these authorizations would be a powerful statement that the U.S. government is committed to using military force sparingly, with the full weight of congressional approval.

Aligning Military Action with Today’s Realities: The world has changed drastically since 1957, 1991, 2001, and 2002. The Cold War is long over, the Gulf War is a distant memory, and the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has shifted considerably. Continuing to rely on these outdated AUMFs leaves the door open for military action that is detached from current realities. If new threats emerge, Congress should debate and vote on new authorizations tailored to those specific challenges, rather than relying on antiquated justifications.

A Path Forward

In recent years, there has been bipartisan support for repealing these outdated AUMFs. In 2021, the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the 2002 AUMF, and there have been efforts to repeal or replace the 2001 AUMF. However, these efforts have not yet been fully realized. As Veterans Day approaches, there is no better time to renew the push for repeal.

Veterans fought and sacrificed for our country. By repealing these outdated AUMFs, we ensure that military force is used only when absolutely necessary and with full democratic oversight. This is how we can truly honor the sacrifices of those who have served and ensure that future generations are not sent into harm’s way without clear and current justification.

This Veterans Day, let us recommit ourselves to protecting the rights and freedoms our veterans have fought for—by restoring constitutional limits on the use of military force.

Messaging

Should the Libertarian Party concentrate on professional messaging or bold messaging? This question, while important, misses the mark. The real issue at hand is why the party isn’t prioritizing candidate-focused messaging.

If we view the Libertarian Party as a business, our candidates should be seen as the product, with the LP itself representing the brand. Often, our efforts are centered on promoting the brand rather than highlighting the individuals who embody it. To improve our outreach and impact, we need to seize every opportunity to showcase our candidates—not just those running for President, but also those running at the local level.

In politics, local issues often resonate most strongly with voters. By drilling down into these issues, we can leverage quotes, audio, and video clips of our candidates to effectively communicate their positions and ideas. Our candidates can also play a crucial role in this process by creating and sharing content, tagging or sending it to relevant affiliates.

The key takeaway is that when we shift our focus to candidate messaging, we highlight what truly matters to the party. This approach not only promotes individual candidates but also strengthens the overall appeal and effectiveness of the Libertarian Party.