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Libertarian Bob Barr Jumps Into Presidential Race
Libertarians looking to have a higher-profile candidate than they did in 2004 are rejoicing this week-end as former Congressman Bob Barr announced that he is forming a presidential explanatory committee. He made this announcement at a Libertarian conference in Kansas City, Missouri; it will take a few more weeks, naturally, for any formal declaration of candidacy, and then to see what Barr's chances are to get the Libertarian line on the ballot.
Bob Barr became a darling of conservatives in the 1990s for taking the lead in anti-Clinton efforts and particularly in becoming one of the main congressional figures pushing for the President's impeachment. Since he left office, he has served on the NRA and on the American Conservative Union Foundation.
Yet, the issues on which Barr has focused over the past few years should also endear him to left-leaning voters -- speaking out against torture, against the war, lobbied on behalf of the ACLU. Thus, there would clearly be some on the Left who will be attracted to his emphasis on civil liberties and his anti-war discourse. Just as Ron Paul drew some of his support from disenchanted Democrats (and reportedly former Kucinich supporters).
But there is little doubt that Barr would draw most of his supporters from voters who lean Republican in federal elections. Libertarians usually vote for the GOP when they cast a ballot for one of the major parties (there is a reason Ron Paul was running for the Republican nomination).
More importantly, the reason Bob Barr has a high profile and could make some waves in the coming months is his 1990s anti-Clinton agitation and his very conservative position on a number of issues that put him at odds with libertarians: He was a fierce defender of the War on Drugs, though he appears to have become a defender of medical marijuana since his libertarian conversion. It is from the Right that Barr will get the most votes, the most help and the most funds.
Bob Barr is primarily focused on explaining why the Republican Party has gone astray and abandoned its roots, and that his anti-war discourse is that of a disaffected conservative rather than an anti-Republican partisan. This is a language many Republicans will relate to after 8 years of the Bush Administration has some conservatives grumbling that he has abandoned them.
And that is a language that might appeal to some conservatives reluctant to support McCain, viewed as a heretic in some circles. Some oppose him because of his refusal to take the hard line on issues gay marriage and torture -- on which Barr agrees with him -- but most of the anti-McCain sentiment among conservatives rests on economic issues, his vote against cutting taxes and his sponsoring campaign finance. For voters who aren't sure if they could vote McCain because of stuff like this, Barr is a good protest vote.
Naturally, there is no reason as of now for McCain to worry. Third-party bids are not easy to get off the ground in the US and odds are always against a candidate managing to break into significant poll numbers. But Bob Barr has enough of a profile and enough good will that he is entitled to hope that he could make a strong run and peel away support from the Arizona Senator.
Former Alaska Senator (and former Democratic candidate) Mike Gravel is also considering pursuing the Libertarian party nod. As I explained last week, a Gravel candidacy could have different implications for general election dynamics.
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He looks scary.
Gee, I'm just waiting for him to do his thing with whipped cream again...
The Democratic Party is in some Deep Shit.
It claims to be against the Iraq War but has done NOTHING to end it.
There is more than enough evidence to impeach the criminals Bush and Cheney and the Democratic Party has done NOTHING.
Look for some surprises later in the year if you Democrats don't grow and spine and end this illegal war.
Where's Ross Perot when we need him?
Wherever he is, is where we need him.
i think mike gravel is a better choice for the libertarians, a candidate with far more cross-the-board appeal, whereas barr will just keep the libs in their trap of being associated with the far right, when in reality they are an eclectic mix.
If Clinton were to muscle the nomination away from Obama, Barr would give people who want a credible anti-war candidate somewhere to go.
See also: http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=12640
LIBERTARIAN Bob Barr ??!!?? Looking at the picture on the front page of HuffPo, that looks like Far Right-Wing Nut Job Bob Barr, the former Georgia Congressman to me. There must be a typo on the headline. Maybe since leaving congress, Bob Barr has gotten a degree in Library Science - perhaps you mean Librarian Bob Barr ? Or maybe he has obtained dual citizenship in Liberia - maybe you mean Liberian Bob Barr ? I can see the argument for calling John McCain a Libertarain, but defnitely not Bob Barr. I assume the typo will be corrrected by the morning.
obviously you love the Iraq War and are voting for Clinton
I'm pulling for Gravel from the sidelines, if only so he produces more YouTube videos. Politics aside, I got to hand it to him still getting out there at 78 years old, and shooting straight throughout the time he was allowed on the Democratic campaign. I think it would be great entertainment if he could find himself a Congressional seat to fill; would keep everybody else in the room a little nervous and on the edge of their seat.
I guess you haven't noticed how CONGRESSMAN wRong Paul (R-TX) is routinely ignored.
BARR PLEASE CRAWL BACK UNDER THE ROCK YOU CAME FROM. THANKS
BIG JOHN another war loving Clinton supporter
Serious Americans understand that our system operates on a partisan base. Bob Barr is not a serious person. He's neither a serious Libertarian nor was he a serious Republican. He's a blatant opportunist. He behaves like a child who will say whatever or do whatever is required to attract attention. He's a publicity hound who will sink to the lowest political denominator to get a headline or a moment on some tabloid television or radio show. We've had these people around since the beginning of the republic. Our job, as modern, educated, intelligent American voters, is to spot people like Barr, see that they have all the rights they legally possess, opportunities abounding to expound their beliefs, ample chances to disgrace themselves, and the extent of political support that demagogues deserve.
Oh yes Mr Serious historian. Only candidates like Hillary Clinton who voted for the Iraq War resolution and the Patriot act are considered serious.
Good for the Democrats, particularly if Hillary is nominee. This more or less cancels out their problem with nader.
They don't have a problem with Nader.
They are the problem.
This means the Libertarian party is really scraping the bottom of the bucket to even consider "Boob" Barr.
hooo-huummm........... Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z z z z z z z z z z z z
So now pig face is running, how nice.
Bob Barr's a libertarian, so that means he'll pick Pat Buchanan as his running-mate. Right?
(this is all so confusing)
Obama-Webb '08
You must be another war loving Clinton supporter.
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