WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr launched a Libertarian Party presidential bid Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative to the status quo who would dramatically cut the federal government.
His candidacy throws a wild card into the White House race that many believe could peel away votes from Republican Sen. John McCain given the candidates' similar positions on fiscal policy.
Barr, who has hired Ross Perot's former campaign manager, acknowledged that some Republicans have tried to discourage him from running. But he said he's getting in the race to win, not to play spoiler or to make a point.
Next week, all eyes will be on Denver as Libertarians meet to nominate their presidential candidate. (Maybe Denver police will get the chance to try out their new sonic weapons and other crowd-control technology.)
UPDATED TO ADD: The 2008 Libertarian National Convention will be held May 22-26 at the Sheraton (formerly Adams-Mark) in downtown Denver. Here are more details.
Will Barr's run be a Perot-level spoiler and ensure a Democrat in the White House, or will it be more of a Nader-style wrench and just make the race closer than it would have been? Poll after the jump.
If he wins the White House, he said he would immediately freeze discretionary spending in Washington. He also would begin withdrawing troops from Iraq and consider slashing spending at federal agencies such as the departments of education and commerce - as well as at overseas military bases.
The former U.S. attorney also said he would strictly enforce immigration laws.
"This notion that government owes something to people just because they're here does not resonate with me," he said. "This is not a charity."
Barr, 59, quit the Republican Party two years ago, saying he had grown disillusioned with its failure to shrink government and its willingness to scale back civil liberties in fighting terrorism. He has been particularly critical of President Bush over the war in Iraq and says the administration is ignoring constitutional protections on due process and privacy.
While in Congress, he was a persistent critic of President Clinton and was among the first to press for impeaching the former president. He helped manage House Republicans' impeachment case before the Senate.
