Stephen P. Gordon - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Stephen P. "Steve" Gordon (b. July 31, 1962) is a libertarian

Libertarianism

Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...

political consultant with the firm Forward Focus Media and a political activist. He currently writes at The Next Right and The Liberty Papers and serves as the Media Director for the Alabama chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus

Republican Liberty Caucus

The Republican Liberty Caucus is a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual liberty, limited government and free market economics within the Republican Party in the United States. It is part of the libertarian wing of the Republican Party...

.

Gordon accepted the position of Communications Director for the Libertarian Party

Libertarian Party (United States)

The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...

in June, 2006 and served as the party's Political Director until June 2007. After resigning his position with the national party, he was named Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama

Libertarian Party of Alabama

The Libertarian Party of Alabama is the Alabama affiliate of the Libertarian Party. Former chairs include Stephen Gordon, Mark Bodenhausen, Mark Thornton, and former Birmingham City Councilman ....

at the LPA's 24 June 2007 convention.

In addition to his former positions with the national Libertarian Party, Gordon was co-editor of the libertarian news blog Hammer of Truth, owned and edited the website Third Party Watch, he taught campaign management at the Libertarian Leadership School, and is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants

American Association of Political Consultants

The American Association of Political Consultants is the trade group for the political consulting profession in the United States. Founded in 1969, it is the world's largest organization of political consultants, public affairs professionals and communications specialists...

.

He was the campaign Communications Director during Michael Badnarik

Michael Badnarik

Michael J. Badnarik is an American software engineer, political figure, and former radio talk show host. He was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2004 elections, and placed fourth in the race, behind independent candidate Ralph Nader...

’s run for President of the United States

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

during the 2004 elections. Gordon also managed Hollywood producer Aaron Russo

Aaron Russo

Aaron Russo was an American entertainment businessman, movie producer and director, and political activist. He was best-known for producing such blockbuster movies as Trading Places, Wise Guys, and The Rose...

's campaign for the Libertarian nomination in 2004. He served as Ron Paul

Ron Paul

Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...

's Alabama Media Coordinator and Bob Barr

Bob Barr

Robert Laurence "Bob" Barr, Jr. is a former federal prosecutorand a former member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Republican from 1995 to 2003. Barr attained national prominence as one of the leaders of the impeachment of...

's e-Campaign manager during the 2008 presidential elections.

Gordon did not run for re-election for any of his Libertarian Party positions in 2008 and is currently working with the Republican Liberty Caucus

Republican Liberty Caucus

Political background

Gordon’s first notable position with a political campaign was managing south Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...

during the Oliver North for Senate campaign. Following the Republican Revolution

Republican Revolution

The Republican Revolution or Revolution of '94 is what the media dubbed Republican Party success in the 1994 U.S. midterm elections, which resulted in a net gain of 54 seats in the House of Representatives, and a pickup of eight seats in the Senate...

in 1994, Gordon became increasingly disenchanted with the Republican Party

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

. His gradual transformation to the Libertarian Party was completed by 1999, when he was a local organizer in Macon, Georgia

Macon, Georgia

Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...

for Harry Browne

Harry Browne

Harry Browne was an American libertarian writer, politician, and free-market investment analyst. He ran for President of the United States as the nominee of the Libertarian Party in 1996 and 2000....

’s presidential campaign.

Gordon moved back to his native Alabama

Alabama

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

in 2002 where he became involved in state level Libertarian Party activities. His first project was manage Libertarian Party efforts to defeat Amendment One, the tax increase plan proposed by Republican Governor Bob Riley

Bob Riley (Alabama)

Robert Renfroe "Bob" Riley is an American politician in the Republican Party. He was the 52nd Governor of Alabama, first elected in 2002, and re-elected in 2006.-Early life:...

. He was credited by talk radio host Russ Fine as a "the leader in Internet activism" for his efforts in directing an online campaign against the tax plan, as well as for his article titled "Open Letter to the Governor of Alabama", which spread across the Internet during the political debate on the issue. Under Gordon’s direction, the Libertarian Party of Alabama hosted a meeting in Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...

between many of the key people and organizations opposing the ballot measure. Key personalities from the Tennessee Tax Revolt

Tennessee Tax Revolt

Tennessee Tax Revolt is a nonpartisan grassroots political organization which grew out of efforts during the second administration of former governor of Tennessee Don Sundquist to enact a state income tax.-Public protests:...

shared their experiences from recent tax battles in the neighboring state. In attendance were representatives from the Eagle Forum

Eagle Forum

Eagle Forum is a conservative interest group in the United States founded by Phyllis Schlafly in 1972 and is the parent organization that also includes the Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Fund and the Eagle Forum PAC. The Eagle Forum has been primarily focused on social issues; it describes...

, talk radio programs, Citizens for a Sound Economy

Citizens for a Sound Economy

Citizens for a Sound Economy was a conservative political group operating in the United States, whose self-described mission was "to fight for less government, lower taxes, and less regulation." In 2004, Citizens for a Sound Economy split into two new organizations, with Citizens for a Sound...

, the Libertarian Party and local businessman Stan Pate. The primary result of this meeting was a coordinated coalition activity geared toward defeating the ballot measure. While the Alabama Republican Party eventually offered a weak disapproval of Riley’s tax plan, the Libertarian Party of Alabama was the only political party to offer active resistance to the proposed tax hike. The measure was rejected by voters on September 9, 2003, with 68 percent opposed to it.

From 2003 to 2005, Gordon was involved with various state level political activities. Gordon served as Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama from 2004 until his resignation in 2006. During the 2005 elections, Gordon consulted with Libertarian, Democratic and Republican city council campaigns in Birmingham, Alabama. After his 2007 resignation from his national LP staff position, he accepted the position of Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama. Gordon served as Chair of the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance, the Libertarian Party's organization of state chairs, from 2008 to 2009. In 2009, Gordon worked to help Kim Rafferty become elected to the Birmingham City Council.

2004 presidential election

In early 2004, Aaron Russo asked Gordon to manage his campaign for president of the United States. While some considered Russo's earthy, emotionally powerful presentation a bit rough for polite circles, others considered him to pose a serious threat to incumbent President George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

, pulling enough votes from otherwise likely Bush voters to affect the outcome in battleground states, in the same way that Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....

was considered to be in relation to Democrat John Kerry

John Kerry

John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...

.
At the LP national convention in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...

in May 2004, Russo narrowly won a plurality on the first two ballots, but not a majority

Majority

A majority is a subset of a group consisting of more than half of its members. This can be compared to a plurality, which is a subset larger than any other subset; i.e. a plurality is not necessarily a majority as the largest subset may consist of less than half the group's population...

. He was defeated on the third and final ballot by nominee Michael Badnarik

Michael Badnarik

by a vote of 423-344. George Washington University

George Washington University

The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...

credited Gordon with running a "professional campaign" as well as directing two television commercials and a well designed website.

Following Russo's loss at the Libertarian Party Convention, Gordon eventually became the Communications Director for the Badnarik campaign, for which he utilized the Internet to raise about one third of the approximately million dollars raised during the campaign.

Badnarik and Green Party candidate David Cobb

David Cobb

David Keith Cobb is an American activist and was the 2004 presidential candidate of the Green Party of the United States .-Career and political activities:...

were arrested in St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...

, on October 8, 2004, for an act of civil disobedience

Civil disobedience

Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power. Civil disobedience is commonly, though not always, defined as being nonviolent resistance. It is one form of civil resistance...

. Badnarik and Cobb were protesting their exclusion from the presidential debates of the 2004 presidential election campaign. They were arrested after crossing a police barricade in an attempt to serve an "Order to Show Cause" to the Commission on Presidential Debates

Commission on Presidential Debates

The Commission on Presidential Debates began in 1987 by the Democratic and Republican parties to establish the way that presidential election debates are run between candidates for President of the United States...

. Gordon's blog coverage of the event at Badnarik's website was the primary news source of the arrest.

By the end of the election cycle, Badnarik's presidential campaign had
obtained ballot access in 48 states plus the District of Columbia (the Libertarian Party
failed to obtain ballot access in Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...

and New Hampshire

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...

, although Badnarik
received write-in votes in New Hampshire), and placed nationwide
political advertisements on CNN

CNN

Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...

and Fox News in addition to local
advertising buys in the swing states of Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

, New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...

, Nevada

Nevada

Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...

, and Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

.

No national polls including Badnarik had put him above 1.5%, though one poll put him at 5% in New Mexico

New Mexico

and another at 3% at Nevada

Nevada

. A Rasmussen Group poll on 26 October 2004 put Badnarik at 3% in Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

. Gordon coordinated most of the polling operations for this campaign.

Badnarik polled just under 400,000 popular votes nationwide, in the 2 November 2004 election, taking 0.34% of the popular vote and placing fourth, just behind Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader

2008 presidential election

Gordon was involved in Ron Paul

Ron Paul

's 2008 Republican primary presidential race at a state level, serving as the Alabama Media Coordinator for the campaign. While Paul won decisive straw poll victories in Tuscaloosa and Jefferson County., he ultimately lost Alabama's Super Tuesday, 2008

Super Tuesday, 2008

Super Tuesday 2008, Super Duper Tuesday, Mega Tuesday, Giga Tuesday, Tsunami Tuesday, and The Tuesday of Destiny are names for February 5, 2008, the day on which the largest simultaneous number of state U.S. presidential primary elections in the history of U.S. primaries were held...

election to Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee

Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...

.

Former Republican Congressman Bob Barr

Bob Barr

introduced Ron Paul

Ron Paul

at the 2008 Conservative Political Action Conference

Conservative Political Action Conference

The Conservative Political Action Conference is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States....

. Later during the conference, Paul sent out an e-mail indicating his intent to draw down his presidential race.
Gordon was photographed with Barr at CPAC and later credited by Washington Times Assistant National Editor Robert Stacy McCain

Robert Stacy McCain

Robert Stacy McCain is an American conservative journalist, writer, and blogger. McCain is a former assistant national editor for The Washington Times and co-author of the 2006 book Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party...

with starting a draft movement for Barr, which was later covered by the Washington Times.

The 2008 Libertarian National Convention

Libertarian National Convention

The Libertarian National Convention is held every two years by the United States Libertarian Party to choose members of the Libertarian National Committee, and to conduct other party business...

was conducted in Denver, Colorado over Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...

weekend. Gordon managed convention floor operations for Barr's campaign, which maintained that he was the underdog in the race due to his late entry and internal Libertarian politics. While Barr eventually won the nomination after six rounds of voting and was generally credited with running a clean campaign, Gordon was criticized for selling Third Party Watch, considered "the premier 'third party news site' on the Internet" to conservative icon Richard Viguerie

Richard Viguerie

Richard Art Viguerie is a conservative figure, pioneer of political direct mail and writer on American politics...

immediately before the convention.

Following the 2008 elections

On April 12, 2009 both Roger Hedgecock

Roger Hedgecock

Roger Allan Hedgecock is a conservative talk radio host and former mayor of San Diego, California. His show is syndicated by Radio America. Hedgecock still resides in San Diego...

and Gordon were credited with leaking a controversial Department of Homeland Security document which many people considered a direct attack on the conservative movement.

Gordon was among the first Alabamians quoted when Congressman Parker Griffith of Alabama's 5th congressional district

Alabama's 5th congressional district

Alabama's 5th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison and Jackson. It also includes parts of Morgan County.It is...

swapped political parties, becoming a Republican.

"Welcome to the party, Parker," wrote Gordon at the Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus

Republican Liberty Caucus

website. "Here’s an electronic copy of the Constitution. Read it well, as you will have to continue to dodge us if you continue to disregard it."

Gordon has been involved with and written extensively about the Tea Party protests of 2009. His primary speaking points have been for the Tea Party movement

Tea Party movement

The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...

to stick with fiscal topics, that many Republicans share the blame with Democrats for the current fiscal environment, that certain conservative organizations are trying to astroturf

AstroTurf

AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...

the movement and how candidates can pick up support from Tea Party supporters. He's been covered by multiple nationally significant publications and television programs on the topic.

Political background

2004 presidential election

2008 presidential election

Following the 2008 elections

See also