(No longer archived on the LP web site, but it used to read like this:) 

Libertarian is "most popular" columnist

Libertarian Garry Reed has become the most popular columnist on the www.Newsguy.com website -- although he had to start an e-mail lobbying campaign to accomplish that feat.

Reed, a resident of Texas, appeared as the #1 ranked columnist on the Newsguy.com's "Bestsellers List" in late May, beating out 13 other writers with his column, "The Loose Cannon Libertarian."

Reed won the columnist's spot in April after challenging the owners of Newsguy.com: "I'm betting that The Loose Cannon Libertarian will end up generating more traffic than any other feature on your site. If it doesn't, cancel me!"

To make sure he could live up to his boast, Reed sent a mass e-mail to every LP "state newsletter editor, webmaestro, and student campus organizing guru," urging them to visit Newsguy.com and read his column.

"I inaugurated [a] campaign of blatant, self aggrandizing media hype," he confessed.

The campaign worked: "By the third article, we were numero uno!" said Reed.

Now, "As long as libertarians keep reading and supporting, I'll keep firing my Loose Cannon salvos," he said. "Together we may discover some of those many libertarians who aren't quite sure they're libertarians yet."

(Also appeared in LP News print edition of July 2001 in NewsBriefs column under the headline: Libertarian is #1 website writer.)