Alden Link began seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination for President of the United States in early 2006 making his first expenditure in support of his campaign on March 10, 2006. Link's strategy was to announce early so he could promote his candidacy at the Libertarian Party's National Convention held at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in Portland, Oregon from June 28-July 3, 2006 even though the nominee of the Libertarian Party for President would not be chosen until the LP's National Convention that would ultimately be held in Denver, Colorado over Memorial Day Weekend in 2008.
At the Libertarian Party's National Convention in Portland, Oregon, Alden Link spoke to as many delegates as he could, handing out literature and buttons to anyone who would take them and writing down the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of attendees who wanted to be kept informed about his campaign. Everywhere he went, Mr. Link carried his black valise that was plastered with "Alden Link for President" bumper stickers. When asked, Mr. Link would say he is running to make the country a better place for his children and grandchildren.
After the convention in Portland ended, Alden Link began a journey that would take his campaign during the next two years to almost every corner of the nation. Armed with invitations to attend LP State Conventions, Regional Meetings, and LNC Meetings, Alden Link drove and flew to as many meetings and conventions as he could attend, often flying his own plane to the host cities. As a senior citizen who was a pilot, entrepreneur, and real estate developer, he generated a significant amount of media interest. At times, he was accompanied in his journey by newspaper reporters writing feature articles about his campaign efforts.
On July 13, 2006, Alden Link appointed Dr. Tom Stevens as his Campaign Manager. On January 23, 2007, Alden Link filed a Statement of Organization with the Federal Election Commission formally creating the Committee To Elect Alden Link President. Michael Ward Reid, Jr. of Pennsylvania was selected as the Committee's Treasurer. On January 31, 2007, Camille O'Brien was appointed Campaign Coordinator and Greg Verdibello was appointed National Youth Coordinator. On February 14, 2007, Greg Verdibello was replaced as National Youth Coordinator by Ronald S. Ramo.
At the Libertarian Party's National Convention held in Denver, Colorado over Memorial Day Weekend in 2008, Alden Link participated in a number of formal and informal Presidential Debates and he and his staff manned a Link For President booth at which he handed out literature, pens, and other campaign paraphernalia.
All of the Presidential Candidates competing for the nomination of the Libertarian Party needed to collect tokens from credentialed delegates and needed to meet certain thresholds in order to participate in a formal debate before the delegates and then in a televised C-SPAN debate the next night. When it became clear he was not on track to win the nomination, Mr. Link ended his campaign and gave his own token to Christine Smith, who Alden had come to know well during the campaign. Alden Link's Campaign Team gave the remaining tokens they collected to Wayne Allyn Root, who was also seeking the Presidential Nomination of the Libertarian Party. All efforts switched to convincing Link supporters and their friends to support the Root campaign effort. After Wayne Allyn Root was eliminated, Alden Link's Campaign Team switched their support to former Congressman Bob Barr (who was endorsed by Root) during his battle with Mary Ruwart for the nomination. When Barr won the Presidential Nomination and endorsed Wayne Allyn Root for the Vice-Presidential Nomination, the Link Campaign Team successfully help Root obtain that nomination.
The Termination Report of the Committee To Elect Alden Link President was approved by the Federal Election Commission on July 17, 2008. During his two and a half year campaign, Alden Link made his mark and earned the respect of many liberty advocates throughout the United States. I believe Alden Link can be proud of his efforts and the issues his campaign raised.
In Liberty,
Dr. Tom Stevens
Campaign Manager
Alden Link For President
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