Whether it be in the Libertarian, Objectivist or Democratic Party, Dodge Landesman, currently a candidate for the Democratic nomination for New York City Council from the 2nd District, has promoted a pro-liberty agenda supporting smaller government and respect for individual liberties in a number of political parties over the past year.
In the period before the 2008 Libertarian Party National Convention held in Denver, Colorado, Dodge served as the Manhattan Campaign Coordinator for Mike Gravel, a former Democratic Senator from Alaska, who was seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President after dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for President. Mr. Landesman attended the 2008 LNC Convention as a delegate from New York State and voted for Mike Gravel but after former Republican Congressman Bob Barr emerged as the nominee of the Libertarian Party for President, Dodge was eventually appointed Manhattan Coordinator for Bob Barr’s race for the White House.
The highlight of his efforts to promote Bob Barr for President was a fundraiser held on Monday, August 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the August Wilson Theater located at 245 West 52nd Street in Manhattan. The theater was donated for the fundraiser by Rocco Landesman, Dodge’s father, who was recently appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the new head of the National Endowment for the Arts. The fundraising event was called “An Evening With Bob Barr & Rally For Liberty”. A private audience with Bob Barr required a minimum $250.00 contribution. More details about the event can be found at http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1011333/
Shortly before the Barr fundraiser at the August Wilson theater, Dodge Landesman apparently obtained the verbal support of the Manhattan Libertarian Party leadership to run for New York City Council from the 2nd Councilmanic District as the candidate of the Libertarian Party. On August 17, 2008, Dodge posted the following at http://www.mikegravel.us/node/3747 - “Hello my name is Dodge Landesman, and I was Gravel’s Manhattan Campaign Coordinator. I’m the Libertarian nominee for City Council in NYC, and I’m going to make the National Initiative a centerpiece for my campaign.” At the actual New York City Nominating Convention of the Libertarian Party held on Monday, May 11, 2009, Dodge Landesman did not formally seek the endorsement of the Libertarian Party for his City Council run but late last summer, he did formally receive the endorsement of the Manhattan Libertarian Party to run for State Senate as a Libertarian but he was unable to gather a sufficient number of petition signatures to get on that ballot in that race.
On another political front, Dodge Landesman joined the Objectivist Party on February 2, 2008 and was appointed to serve as a member of the Governing Board of that party. On May 25, 2008, he attended the National Convention of the Objectivist Party held at The Buckhorn Exchange in Denver, Colorado. On June 7, 2008, the Objectivist Party of New York was chartered and Dodge Landesman was elected Vice-President of the New York affiliate. On June 25, 2008, Dodge Landesman was appointed National Youth Coordinator (U.S.A.) of the Objectivist Party and served in that capacity until the position was eliminated on April 17, 2009. Mr. Landesman continues to serve as a member of the Governing Board of the Objectivist Party and as Vice-President of the Objectivist Party of New York.
In the Libertarian Party, Dodge Landesman was elected at the Manhattan Libertarian Party Convention held on January 17, 2009 to serve on the State Committee of the Libertarian Party of New York as the State Representative of the Manhattan Libertarian Party. He continues to serve in that capacity and remains a member of the Manhattan Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of Queens County. On May 11, 2009, he served as a voting delegate to the New York City Nominating Convention of the Libertarian Party.
Dodge Landesman is currently seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for New York City Council from the 2nd Councilmanic District and maintains a Facebook Group to promote his candidacy at http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=35970955534
In the description of that Facebook Group, Dodge describes himself as “an anti-bailout and pro-growth Democrat…who supports small government and free market fiscal policies, as well as accepting social policies, such as a strong emphasis on gay rights and marriage equality in general”. He also speaks of supporting “easier access to special education schools” and admits to “being a student of such schools himself”.
Dodge Landesman recently turned 18 years of age and is a Junior at York Prep in Manhattan. Dodge continues to promote a pro-liberty agenda and is no doubt a rising star you will continue to hear a lot about in the coming years.
In Liberty,
Dr. Tom Stevens
MLP, LPQC, LPNY, LP, OP, OPNY Member
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