The document provides guidelines for Libertarian Party affiliates to use in selecting candidates. It recommends that candidates have a professional appearance, be willing to learn campaign skills, understand and defend the party's platform, have financial resources to invest in their campaign, and be aware that their background could become public. It also notes that those whose personal lives cannot withstand public scrutiny can still contribute as campaign managers.

1. THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY'S SUCCESS'99
2600 VirginiaAvenue,NW, Suite 100 * WashingtonDC20037 * (202) 333-0008 * www.LP.org
Candidate Criteria How to select suitable candidates
T
he following is simply a recommended set Extremism: Recognizing that this is
of guidelines for affiliates to use in the entirely a judgment call, and that all of the
. candidate selection process: positions of the LP can be considered extreme,
the local affiliate must make some kind of
General Appearance: The candidate should judgment as to whether a potential candidate is
be willing to offer a professional appearance. simply too whacked out to represent us publicly.
This includes being well groomed, and in busi-
ness attire. The fact that an individual does not meet,
or is unwilling to try to meet all of the above
Professionalism: The candidate should be criteria does not preclude them from being
willing to learn techniques of public speaking, involved in campaigns. There is an entirely
professional debating styles, public contact. different selection process for campaign managers.
Those whose personal lives simply cannot
Philosophy: The candidate should be tolerate public scrutiny can be every bit as
willing to read the Libertarian Party Platform of vital to the process by serving as a campaign
both your state and National party, and be manager.
prepared to either defend or deny the planks
contained in both.
Financial Resources: The candidate should
be of sound financial health, and made aware of
the potential drain on resources. The ideal
candidate will have a steady job that they are
proud to include in their biography, and the
financial resources to invest in their own cam-
paigns. (At least 5%)
Skeletons: The candidate should be made
aware that anything in their past could become
public knowledge. That the public "right to
know" includes their personal, and financial
lives. Those who have serious negatives in their
past or current lives should give serious consid-
eration as to how public knowledge of these
issues could reflect upon their lives and the
reputation of the party.

2. THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY'S SUCCESS'99
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100 * Washington DC 20037 * (202) 333-0008 * www.LP.org
Candidate Evaluation
A comprehensive personal evaluation for candidates
A. My greatest personal asset as a candidate is:
B. My next two most important assets are:
c. My greatest personal weakness is:
D. My next two personal weaknesses are:
E. These things in my background will be campaign assets:
F. These things in my background will be campaign liabilities:
G. Beyond what I can personally control, these two factors are prime assets:
H. Beyond what I can personally control, these two factors are prime liabilities:
1. Here are five (5) people who will help me get elected:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

3. J. Here are five (5) people who will work to get me defeated:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
K. Here are three (3) prime issues I will advocate;
1.
2.
3.
L. Here is one (1) basic strength of each issue:
1.
2.
3.
M. Here is one (1) basic weakness of each issue:
1.
2.
3.
N. I will NOTdo the following things, even if not doing them will cost me the election.
1.
2.
3.

4. PERSONAL DATA
FullName: ~--------------------------
Preferred Name In Print: _
Present Home Address: _
City/State/Zip: _
Telephones: HOME: BUSINESS: _
Birth date:________________ Birthplace: _
Parents' Names (If deceased, please indicate): _
Parents' Present HorneAddress; ---' __ ---' _
.City/State /Zip: ~ ____'_ _
Marital Status: Single: 0 Married: 0 Divorced: 0 Widow(er): 0
Spouse's Name: _
Spouse's Home Town: _ Date Of Marriage: _
Children's Names & Ages: _
Children's Status/Location (In the home/at college/working [where], etc.): _
PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION
Employer/ Address: .. _
Professional or Business Title: _
Years In This Position: Years With Employer: _
Present Employment Background (include dates and titles): _

5. MILITARY SERVICE
Served In Military: YES: 0 NO: 0 Branch of service: ------------------------------
Highest Rank Held: ----------- Date of Service: --------------------------------
Briefly Describe Military Service (Including major assignments, decoration, and honors):
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Membership In Civic Organizations ( List offices held, dates): _
Church Membership: _
Public Offices Held (Include dates): ~ _
Office Being Sought: _
Incumbent? Open Seat? Length of Term: Salary of office $: _
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
. Please list any additional information that may be helpful to a writer preparing any public communi-
'cations'concerningyou,including'any'speciat:qualificatiuIIs;':training~"Dreducationyou'ffiighLhave: .....
had which directly relates to the office you are seeking:
Please attach any previous personal bio's or resumes.

6. Other Professional Experience (Include dates and titles): _
Briefly Describe The Duties And Scope Of Your Present Position: _
Special Accomplishments/Honors;' _
Business/Professional Memberships (Show offices held/.ciat~sJ;_. _
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
High School (List name of school, location, graduation date): _
Honorsj Accomplishments/Activities: _
College (List name of college, location, major, degree, andqraduation.vdate for each attended):
Honors/ Accomplishmentsj Activities: _