I have blogged before on the Free State Project, basically a group of individuals who are trying to get 20,000 activists to move to New Hampshire to create a state with libertarian ideals. It's a noble effort, and one that I, as a supporter (although one who "opted out" of New Hampshire, and thus, won't be joining them) Have watched very closely.
This election year, I figured, would be an important litmus test; I made mention of it on an article I wrote. Well, if this November is a litmus test, the FSP failed.
New Hampshire is one of only two states (Oklahoma is the other; and that is being challenged in the courts at this time) where the Libertarian Party has failed to get Michael Badnarik on the ballot; petitioners needed 1500 signatures in each of the two representative districts, and they came up short, the first time since 1988 that the Libertarian Party will not appear on the ballot in all 50 states. A Libertarian senator also failed to make the ballot.
This may indicate what was, in fact, my biggest concern about the east coast move: a backlash from New Hampshire citizens who resent the intrusion of a bunch of "carpetbaggers". Whatever it is, it is a definite signal for the New Hampshire activists to rally for future elections, as Libertarians are carrying some of their best poll numbers ever, and are beginning to gain proper recognition.
I am hoping that things do change for New Hampshire in the long run; however, I would say that early returns don't look promising.
signing off,
Gideon MacLeish