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Bob Barr throws a wrench

by: RedGreen

Mon May 12, 2008 at 13:23:07 PM MDT

(The Libertarian National Convention is in Denver next week. - promoted by Colorado Pols)

Former Republican Congressman Bob Barr announced today he's running for president as a Libertarian.

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.

RedGreen :: Bob Barr throws a wrench

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.

Poll

Bob Barr's candidacy

Hurts McCain, but not by much
Gives Ron Paul fans a vote
Guarantees an Obama win
Who's a spoiler? He can win
Will be as consequential this year as Nader's

Results

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Bob Barr throws a wrench | 15 comments

Things to Know

The Bob Barr Leadership Fund
http://www.congress.org/congre...

Contributions
Georgia Senate Race
Libertarian candidate: Allen Buckley

Bob Barr supported
05/08/07 Saxby Chambliss for Senate $ 500
06/22/07 Saxby Chambliss for Senate $1000
09/28/07 Saxby Chambliss for Senate $1000
01/07/08 Saxby Chambliss for Senate $1000

Total to Republican candidate in George Senate race: $3,500
Total to Libertarian candidate in George Senate race: $ 0

New Hampshire Senate Race

Libertarian candidate: Ken Blevens

Bob Barr supported
03/12/07 Team Sununu $1000
06/22/07 Team Sununu $2000

Total to Republican candidate in NH Senate race: $3,000
Total to Libertarian candidate in NH Senate race: $ 0

Virginia Senate Race

Libertarian candidate: William Redpath

Bob Barr supported
12/04/07 Gilmore for Senate $1000.00

Total to Republican candidate in Virginia Senate race: $1,000
Total to Libertarian candidate in Virginia Senate race: $ 0

Idaho Senate Race

Libertarian candidate: Kent Marmon

Bob Barr supported
05/08/07 Larry Craig for Senate $1000

Total to Republican candidate in Idaho Senate race: $1,000
Total to Libertarian candidate in Idaho Senate race: $ 0

North Carolina Congressional Race (98th District)

Libertarian candidate: Thomas Hill

Bob Barr supported
05/08/07 Robin Hayes $1000

Total to Republican candidate in NC Congressional race: $1,000
Total to Libertarian candidate in NC Congressional race: $ 0

Texas Congressional Race (5th District)

Libertarian candidate: Ken Ashby

Bob Barr supported
05/08/07 Friends of Jeb Hensarling: $1000.00

Total to Republican candidate in Texas Congressional race: $1,000
Total to Libertarian candidate in Texas Congressional race: $ 0

Total Contributions

Republican Candidates: $10,500.00
Libertarian Candidates: $0.00

I knew a stripper named Skyler once. --TaxCheatGeithner

by: Skyler @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 14:34:16 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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On top of that oppo research, are we?

Keep up the work!

"I have come to the conclusion that the making of laws is like the making of sausages-the less you know about the process the more you respect the result." -- Anonymous IL State Rep. circa 1878

by: Phoenix Rising @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 14:46:25 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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Not to mention the voting record.

DOMA
USA PATRIOT ACT
Iraq War Vote

He's less of a Libertarian than Mike is.

I knew a stripper named Skyler once. --TaxCheatGeithner

by: Skyler @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 14:52:34 PM CDT

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he co-sponsored DOMA but he did oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment....

.....going so far as to testify against it at committee hearings, much to the chagrin of Musty and Allard.

by: One Queer Dude @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 16:16:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

But like any good Lib

He supports Right-to-Work; he supports people right to choose, right?

by: Libertad @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 17:14:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This could be a problem for McCain

Barr is a credible enough opponent to take significant votes away from McCain, and he is probably serious enough to get the attention of the Libertarian Party, too. The question is, will they go for a "carpetbagger" - Barr, Gravel, or anyone else from "outside the party"?

"I have come to the conclusion that the making of laws is like the making of sausages-the less you know about the process the more you respect the result." -- Anonymous IL State Rep. circa 1878

by: Phoenix Rising @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 14:48:29 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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If anyone plans...

On going to the convention, and wants some face time with the Senator, lemme know.

720.936.6630

I knew a stripper named Skyler once. --TaxCheatGeithner

by: Skyler @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 15:23:45 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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the GOP's Ralph Nader?

All he needs to do is peel a few pro-choice RINOs away from McCain (who's going to have to engage in some really shameless ass-kissing of the folks in Colo. Spgs. this summer) in certain strategically important states (e.g., Ohio, Missouri, Florida, and Colorado), and Obama eeks out a small plurality win in some (if not all) of those states!

by: One Queer Dude @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 16:14:04 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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call him Johnny Chapstick

"McCain (who's going to have to engage in some really shameless ass-kissing of the folks in Colo. Spgs. this summer)"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement" - Jim Horning

by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 17:32:35 PM CDT

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Hurting McCain by 'not much' is a lot

If it hurts McCain at all, then it impacts Hillary's 'more electable' argument, and that slides her out of the race sooner.

And that hurts McCain a lot.

by: TakeBackTheHouse @ Mon May 12, 2008 at 18:38:16 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Barr will have no effect

He does not have the funds or name recognition, and not nearly as charismatically wacky as Ron Paul. Might get a few votes, but nothing that will make things interesting.

Other than Libertarians' views on Iraq, it is a dying political philosophy, since their economic views are clearly out of touch with reality. People want government to fix problems and provide oversight on the economy. Libertarians do not.

Their 'freedom' message is alluring, but ultimately false since under Libertarianism our economy would collapse into something resembling the developing world, with a few rich people and everyone else poor.

by: vercingetrix @ Tue May 13, 2008 at 02:51:44 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Are you serious?

I agree completely that many people want the government to fix their problems, pay for their houses, pay for their healthcare, etc... These people don't seem to realize that these things cost money and come in the form of taxes.

Libertarianism is not ultimately false. It's based on the principles this country was founded on and made this country great. Sure, if all Libertarian ideals were implemented in this country overnight it would have devestating effects on the economy. We got to where we are gradually, it will take time to get things back on track.

The Government regulation and interference over the last 75 years has created many of the current problems we have like the healthcare crisis, plunging dollar, rising oil prices, rising food prices and the war in Iraq.

Libertarianism would bring back a United States we could be proud of. One where a man could make his own way, start a business without a team of lawyers and accountants to make sure he was paying all his taxes and complying with a zillion different forms of government bureaucracy.

by: Bob99 @ Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:34:05 AM CDT

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Speaking of charsimatically wacky Ron Paul...

His new book "The Revolution" sits at the top of the NY Times' Hardcover Non-Fiction Bestseller List:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/b...

by: Canines @ Tue May 13, 2008 at 18:11:14 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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