Libertarianism, a resurgent ideology that is confoundingly on the retreat within the more friendly of the America’s two major political parties, represents a fascinating case study in both grassroots political success and failure. The ideology, and the party as well, have had some major victories as well as some devastating defeats over the last four years. A libertarian philosophy has much to offer American politics, but they have thus far been unsuccessful at attracting a broader audience for their policy prescription to the nation’s nagging problems. What’s more, supporters of mainstream libertarianism seem more inclined to isolate themselves from criticism. Libertarianism is an important element to American politics – but it will not achieve a wider acceptance among the electorate if the task of mainstreaming the ideology is left to its present practitioners.