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The state Libertarian Party assembled for its annual convention in Flushing last weekend with the party’s heavy-hitters looking for support in their presidential bids.

Those in attendance elected state party officers and heard from various presidential candidates. Former Democratic Senator Mike Gravel of Alaska is seeking the Libertarian presidential nomination and former Republican Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia is also considering a run. But it was Wayne Root, a Las Vegas-based Libertarian, who won an informal straw poll on who should gain the presidential nomination. Barr came in second and libertarian speaker, writer and activist Mary Ruwart took third.

“[Root] went to Columbia, so that may have been the reason many people went for him,” newly elected State Chair Eric Sundwall said of the candidate’s popularity among New York libertarians.

According to a Zogby poll released Monday, Barr is the candidate with enough national momentum to beat Green Party nominee Ralph Nader in a match-up against John McCain and Hillary Clinton, as well as in a match-up against John McCain and Barack Obama.

The Libertarian presidential nomination will ultimately be awarded Memorial Day weekend at the national convention in Denver, the same town in which the Democrats will hold their convention this summer.

The Libertarians may be sharing Denver with the Democrats, but according to Sundwall, the two parties have little else in common.

“Presidential campaigns are exciting,” Sundwall said. “The same holds true for Libertarians. Next month we will gather in Denver and choose the candidate for America’s largest third party. Unlike the Democrats and Republicans in New York, Libertarians will offer a choice that doesn’t include full time war, un-funded mandates as far as the eye can see and a general sense of hopelessness. The LPNY will be instrumental in offering this choice.”

Root has called the Iraq war a disaster and a distraction from the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
“It’s time to admit that no war should be fought in a foreign land under the guise of fighting for the rights and freedom of others, while being used as an excuse here at home to expand government, violate the constitutional rights of Americans, and take away our freedoms,” Root wrote on his blog Monday.

But the convention also addressed issues close to home. Guest speaker Dr. Mindy Thompson Fullilove, of the Columbia School of Public Health and the Root Shock Institute, talked about her book “Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America,” which highlights the Libertarian stance against eminent domain schemes such as Atlantic Yards, West Harlem and, of course, Willets Point.
Other featured speakers included presidential candidates Michael Jingozian, John Finan, Alden Link and representatives of candidates Christine Smith, Steve Kubby and Mary Ruwart.