As Trump joked, let them keep getting their 3% of the vote… to understand who this man is and how he will take ZERO votes from Trump… see this clip
To top EVERYTHING else off, Libertarian party nominee Chase Oliver is also a BLM supporter who advocated for defunding the police.
It just gets better and better 🤣 pic.twitter.com/34gLpr9fQ5
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 27, 2024
At its recent convention, the Libertarian Party chose Chase Oliver, a political activist, as its presidential nominee, overlooking notable figures such as former President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Oliver won the nomination in the seventh round of voting, receiving nearly 60% of the votes, thus surpassing the required 50% threshold. His final rival in this round was the “none of the above” option, emphasizing his strong endorsement by the party.
In 2023, Libertarian Presidential nominee Chase Oliver railed about "Cop City" — which was subject to violent Antifa protests and resulted in 61 indictments.
He talks about marching in the George Floyd 2020 protests, and calls them “peaceful."
They nominated a radical leftist. pic.twitter.com/QHRyb9aK4Y
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 27, 2024
Initially trailing behind Michael Rectenwald, a professor-turned-podcaster, Oliver ascended to the forefront in the latter stages of the voting process. Rectenwald, who had led the initial five rounds, was eliminated in the sixth round, setting the stage for Oliver’s final push. This shift in the voting dynamics occurred after Mike ter Maat, another contender, endorsed Oliver following his own elimination in the fifth round. This endorsement was pivotal as ter Maat was then chosen as Oliver’s vice-presidential candidate, consolidating further support for Oliver among the delegates.
In his victory speech, Oliver emphasized his commitment to spreading a message of liberty, targeting not only self-identified libertarians but also those unfamiliar with libertarian principles. The Libertarian Party, known for advocating minimal government intervention and maximal individual freedoms, opposes extensive federal policies and interventions like the War on Drugs, the death penalty, and pandemic lockdowns, while supporting rights such as gun ownership, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of expression.
Libertarian Party Nominee Chase Oliver says 99% of drag queen story hours are fine for kids. He also says he would drop off his kids at drag queen story hours and leave them there.
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) May 27, 2024
The convention also witnessed participation from Trump and Kennedy, with starkly different receptions. Trump, the GOP nominee, faced boos during his address at the convention, reflecting a significant disconnect with the Libertarian delegates. His attempt to garner support did not translate into significant votes, as he received a minimal number of write-in votes.
Kennedy, speaking at the convention as an independent seeking Libertarian support, criticized both Trump and President Biden for their pandemic responses. Although he articulated alignment with libertarian values, his appeal only converted into a modest count of votes in the initial round.
Oliver, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, has positioned his campaign on substantial federal reforms. His agenda includes balancing the federal budget, abolishing the death penalty, closing overseas military bases, and ceasing military support to nations like Israel and Ukraine. Moreover, he advocates for pardoning figures such as Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Ross Ulbricht, signaling a strong stance on civil liberties.
His political influence was previously noted during the 2022 Georgia Senate election, where he was a significant factor in forcing a runoff. His win at the Libertarian convention represents a notable shift, challenging the influence of the Mises Caucus, a right-leaning faction within the party that had supported Rectenwald and facilitated Trump’s appearance at the event. Oliver’s nomination underscores a potential redirection for the Libertarian Party as it prepares for the upcoming presidential race, emphasizing a commitment to its core principles and independence from mainstream political movements.
Major Points
- Chase Oliver won the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, defeating high-profile candidates including former President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Oliver secured nearly 60% of the votes in the seventh round of voting, overcoming the “none of the above” option.
- His victory followed endorsements and strategic alliances, notably receiving support from Mike ter Maat, who was then selected as Oliver’s vice-presidential candidate.
- The convention featured speeches from Trump, who was booed, and Kennedy, who received a warmer reception but garnered limited votes.
- Oliver’s platform includes major cuts to the federal budget, ending the death penalty, closing overseas military bases, and pardoning notable whistleblowers like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
