It has been 12 months of both success and frustration. First, let's review our success:
We renewed our ballot access through 2008! And, we did so by having two statewide candidates clear the 2% threshold in four-way races. We put campaign ads on radio stations throughout the state for the first time in Missouri's history and we saw both new and renewed activism at the county level.
We've also allowed internal controversy and personality conflicts to lead to factionalism within our party.
This is the time that we, as a political party, must be looking and planning ahead. We have local elections this year. We have dozens of local and legislative elections, nine Congressional elections and two statewide elections next year. We have five statewide elections and ballot access to protect in 2008 and we do not have time to wait to plan for any of them.
But, before we can effectively look ahead, before we can move forward and grow we have to stop, look back at the conflict of the past 12 months so we can root out the causes, deal with the problems and bury them forever.
So, let's use our time wisely today. Let's talk about some things that may make us uncomfortable.
Let's talk about the communication breakdowsn that resulted from strained personal relationships. Let's talk about the factions that have, tragically, taken shape. Let's talk about the breakdown of trust between some of our activists. Let's talk about the accusations, lies and innuendo that have been targeted towards activists and candidates.
Let's talk about it because we are not big enough to have the luxury of ignoring it and still succeeding with these on our collective backs.
This - what we do...why we are here today - is not about us. It's not about me. It's not about you. It's not about a philosophy. It's not even about our political party. It's bigger than all of us and all these things.
It's about making Missouri, and America, the freest, safest, most prosperous place possible. It's about having a positive impact by making government smaller, less intrusive, less expensive and properly restrained by the Constitution. We simply will not have that impact on government - and, as a result, on society - unless we succeed as an organization.
So, let's use this convention, this meeting, today, right now to unify our party and bury factions forever.
We must refocus our energy as a group on our common goal: the personal and economic freedom of Missourians.
We don't always have to agree with one another. We should tolerate disagreement. In fact, we should expect and even harness the benefits that come with spirited, honest debate and from diversity of thought. However, we should not tolerate character assasination and accusations of ulterior motives that have all too often been the reaction to disagreement over the past year.
No, we don't always have to agree. Heck, we don't even have to like each other. Not everyone in this party likes me personally.That's OK. I'll admit that I don't personally like everyone in the party, either. And that's OK, too.
No, we don't have to agree with or like each other all the time, as long as we remember that we are on the same team and share a common goal.
That being said; being the "Party of Principle" also means we must hold people accountable for actions that harm our party, our efforts and - yes - our image to the public.
We must demand personal responsibility, lest we become hypocrites. We must demand ethical behavior, lest we become just like our competition. We must respect individual thought and honest dissent, lest we betray our core values. We must also accept that good people sometimes hold differing views that are formed in good faith. We must demand that conflicts be dealt with honestly and proactively if someone's actions harm our efforts, our legitimate candidates, other members or our public image.
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Disagreements happened over the past 12 months. Disagreements will happen over the next 12 months and, guess what? Disagreements will continue to happen in this political party the year after that.
So, we have a choice: we can pretend that we are big enough to survive as a group, and be an effective political party while the chasm of factionalism widens; or we can rebuild bridges. We can get everyone in this party on the same page, because the goal we share is bigger than we are, anyway, and become the political force that we are capable of being.
Without a doubt, mistakes have been made over the past year. Some by me.We cannot change that fact but we can resolve to do better.
For my part, here is what I pledge to you: I will work harder when it comes to complementing the efforts of fellow Libertarians, even those I may disagree with on occasion about issues or strategy. I will remember that we are all on the same team. I will step back and out of the way, as opposed to engaging in infighting, if I find that I simply cannot work with someone in the party. In other words, I will not impede the efforts of others who are working for Liberty.
I will always remain ethical and honest in my actions. I will continue to accept responsibility for my actions - even the unpopular ones. I will also expect the same accountability and personal responsibility from other members of the "Party of Principle".
We have the solutions that will make Missouri a better place. We have the answers to the problems America faces today. We have the talent to impact Missouri right here in this room!...if we can focus it on effective, practical political work.
We must heal our party..in an age of aggression...so we can accomplish the goals that we sacrifice our time, money and sweat for. That leads me to the privilidge I have have of introducing our first speaker.
Dr. Ruwart's writings and her work with the Advocates for Self-Government are familiar to us all. Her experience in the academic, medical, business and political fields make her uniquely qualified to inspire us both individually and collectivelly.
And, she already has experience in leading unity efforts in libertarian circles - since she did it at the 1987 Libertarian National Convention. If you think about it: successfully asking a bunch of individualists to unite may be her most impressive accomplishment!
Her ability is beyond question. Her passion for freedom is unsurpassed and her value to the Libertarian Party has made her part of the very fabric of our Party's history. I am thrilled to introduce Dr. Mary Ruwart.