Browne Speaks at Truman State

“Harry Browne's speech was amazing”, stated MO LP campus coordinator Lindsey Schroeder. “For us having exactly a week to publicize it and get everything done it went great”, she added. Harry Browne, Libertarian Party presidential nominee in 1996 and 2000, was a late-inning replacement whose speech at Truman State University in Kirksville on April 24 rescued the local campus LP organization from an unfortunate predicament.

“Mr. Browne’s appearance provided the most distinguished speaker attracted to the campus this year by any of the local campus parties including Democrats, Republicans, Greens and (believe it or not) Nazi contingent”, stated campus activist Rachel Kempf.

The speech attracted about 100 people including Kirksville high school and college students, professors, townspeople and one big fan of Harry’s who drove four hours to hear him speak.

“Harry Browne talked about the War on Terrorism, the US military, conscription, economic factors of war, and some basic Libertarian principles”, Lindsey added. “He spoke for about an hour and answered questions for another half”.

Truman State Libertarians invited the Libertarian Party presidential nominee to replace Jacob Hornberger whose honorarium stood as double the amount they were able to raise after eight fundraisers, a commitment of $300 from the MO LP, and an arrangement with the Truman State Funds Allotment Council.

Truman State Libertarians found themselves in a pickle in mid-April being short in their fundraising by $1000. Had Truman State bailed out the event, the college Libertarians would have been banned from financial assistance for two years.

That’s when MO LP chair Bob Sullentrup, while speaking with Mr. Browne on another matter, mentioned the dilemma. He introduced the principals, which led to the change in speakers.

Truman State Libertarians were immediately reinvigorated. They produced and distributed flyers to the entire campus, contacted local radio stations, arranged for articles in student papers including the Index and Monitor, arranged a book-signing, chalked sidewalks, posted signs, spoke to the Kirksville mayor and arranged for social science and political professors to award extra credit for attendance.

The MO LP Executive Committee saluted Truman State Libertarians, particularly organizers Rachel Kempf and Lindsey Schroeder for their initiative and efforts. In addition, it expresses its thanks to Harry Browne.

“Afterward we took him out to dinner at Patterson’s, a new restaurant in Kirksville. He really enjoyed it. We talked about everything from his future in politics to school to just about anything you can imagine”, concluded Lindsey. “Rachel and I were really pleased with how well everything went”.