People misconstrue why he is even there. This was his peace offering and his offering them a seat at the big boy table down the line. He will make this trade to try and make his position “steal” proof by adding that extra 1% to his vote total.

In exchange for this he is offering the libertarians many of the everyday concessions they wanted, but more importantly the chance to put one of their own in a position that would be nationally visible that may help them reach the elusive 5% of the national vote threshold in the 2028 election. That would see them receive around $15-20M from the public funds presidential campaign fund in 2032. It isn’t just the money, but it is also the recognition and legitimacy that comes with it.

So does the libertarian leadership play the long game and look to build the party through visibility knowing it will be slow roll for the potential payout or stick with the status quo.

Lots of things could go wrong with this. Whoever trump puts in his cabinet could be a flop at the job and it doesn’t help visibility. Those libertarians that go over to Trump may not come back. His might not win and yet you potentially fractured the libertarian party for no reason. He may change his mind and shaft the libertarians after the election. All of these are possibilities and has to be weighed against the potential rewards.

He’s not there to say “I need you to win”. He is there to say “I can win, and if you help me to make this an overwhelming success I will concede things that will give you a national voice and help you grow”. That is the deal being offered.

Don’t be shocked to see the same “deal” offered in many forms to a variety of groups. Unions, religious organizations, civic organizations, and any and all ethnic civil rights groups like LULAC & UnidosUS.

He is trying to create a bandwagon effect that make his popular vote coalition so large it crushes the narrative that he only won by manipulating the electoral college or that he won but it was t a referendum on Biden and his policies because it was a close loss. He wants a large enough win that the narrative collapses and he can use that referendum to carry the first 18 months and try to fix what he can…