Posted on 05/12/2008 2:00:03 PM PDT by Man50D
WASHINGTON - 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.
"I've heard from Americans from all walks of life ... they want a choice," he said at a news conference in Washington. "They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us."
Barr first must win the Libertarian nomination at the party's national convention that begins May 22. Party officials consider him a front-runner thanks to the national profile he developed as a Georgia congressman from 1995 to 2003.
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.
He lost his seat to fellow Republican Rep. John Linder in 2002 after a redistricting. He then opened a lobbying and public affairs firm with offices in Atlanta and outside Washington.
The 2004 Libertarian presidential candidate, Michael Badnarik, took less than 1 percent of the vote, placing fourth behind President Bush, Democrat John Kerry and Independent Ralph Nader.
If McCain chooses Lieberman or someone comparable, he may be as viable as any. At that point, we would be looking at an Obama presidency regardless.
He can have my vote. Why not? My presidential space on the ballot was going to be left blank this go round.
Gee just can’t get excited about this. Now if this were Duncan Hunter I’d be thrilled!
Isn't it status quo to always have a third party candidate promise what Barr is promising?
Barr must have a really serious grudge against the republicans.
What could possibly be your rational?
Get ready for the party hacks to march in and slander him.
Wayne Allyn Root is the only Libertarian worth voting for!
WWW.ROOTFORAMERICA.COM!
I’m voting for General Petraeus. If Barr’s candidacy will make it more likely that Petraeus will finish his work, then its a positive. If not, then not.
I’m suspecting, “not”.
Bob Barr can go to hell. He has provided cover for the ACLU—a mortal enemy of our nation—for 10 years now. I would sooner vote for Obama than this vile turncoat.
“he’s getting in the race to win, not to play spoiler or to make a point.”
Who does Bob think he is kidding?? Perot and his campaign manager gave us eight years of Clinton and if Barr succeeds in doing the same there will be a very dark cloud over him the rest of his life.
“he’s getting in the race to win, not to play spoiler or to make a point.”
Who does Bob think he is kidding?? Perot and his campaign manager gave us eight years of Clinton and if Barr succeeds in doing the same there will be a very dark cloud over him the rest of his life.
I was going to say something similar...but, you said it first and a whole lot better than I could.
” If Barr’s candidacy will make it more likely that Petraeus will finish his work,...”
Barr will assure us Gen Patraeus is pulled as his candidacy will surely give us Obama who appears cuddled up to our sworn enemies - both domestic and foreign.
Only a Republican will keep the troops on the job and AQ on their heels.
I just read Michelle Malkin’s “The Bob Barr Candidacy.”
I have decided I don’t like him either.
Bob Barr is all about Bob Barr. He is too important to be a part of a team.
Oh Humm, SOS as 92’ and 96’, no run off, and he/she who has the most votes against them wins. End result, the minority of the voters win. And the beat goes on.
Either that, or he is ABSOLUTELY FED UP with McAmnesty's plan to turn our Nation into a third world slum.
Or, because two juvenile, self-serving, quixotic grandstanders in this race is plenty???
I’ll support him, if only to put the scare into McVain and the RINOs.
Maybe we could get Duncan Hunter for Veep?
Or maybe even stare down McVain and get a real conservative nominated after all.
It ends up the same mugs game on election day, if you can't find someone you really want, then vote AGAINST someone you really DON'T want by holding your nose and VOTING FOR THEIR OPPONENT! We do not have a Parliamentary System, therefor 3rd parties are only going to go somewhere IF an old one fails like the Federalist/Whigs. And if, by some real act of the devil, Barr were to be elected, he would be like Jesse Ventura, an executive head without any legislative allies - almost useless.
Finally, remember, if you don't vote for McCain, enjoy seeing the Supreme Court look a lot more like the 9th Circuit Appeals Court [SHUDDER]!
Well, I was going to vote for Thomas Jefferson, but maybe this would be a good alternative.
Well, depends on who you mean.
If it isn’t a GOP or Dem candidate, it’s quixotic. At best.
Well, at least he proves he's a normal politician, by telling an out and out lie like this in his announcement.
Rational? You want rational...?
Keating Five
McCain/Feingold
Gang of 14
AMNESTY for illegals that are robbing, raping, killing, and taking jobs.
That’s funny. But don’t you mean three? The Beast hasn’t stepped down yet.
I know many conservatives who think that Sen. McCain is too liberal, and many of those conservatives are considering voting for third-party candidates. I hope that each voter will make that decision, based upon the politics of his or her state, because of the electoral college. I hope that no conservative wants to vote for a third-party candidate, if the vote, in his or her state, will be close, because that might help split the anti-liberal vote, helping the Democrat win all of the electoral votes from that state.
The swing states will be CO, FL, MN, LA, MN, VA, IA, ME, and ND. I hope that all anti-democrat voters, in those states, will vote for McCain and that the conservatives, in all other states, will vote for the candidates with whom they agree the most. The most popular conservative candidate will probably be the Constitution Party candidate, Chuck Baldwin.
OK so the pot smokers have their candidate once again. BFD. Can we get back to serious business now?
And I wish someone like Michelle Malkin would step up tp the plate and rescue us...
The clip of Bob Barr eating breast milk cheese in the Borat movie would be a fun campaign ad.
asia = is a
If you love the ACLU, then you should vote Bob Barr 08’
Crack... pipe...
I thought he was an attention whore when he was in Congress, but when he took part in a joint press conference with Al Gore sponsored by Moveon.org to trash President Bush then I was completely through with him.
I'm not a party hack, I'm an ACLU loving, tuck tail in Iraq bed-wetter for Bob Barr!
I like his assertion to enforce immigration laws, but at the same time, withdrawing the troops from Iraq and cutting spending at Federal agencies do not sound like policies that will help the nation prosper.
"saying he had grown disillusioned with its failure to shrink government and its willingness to scale back civil liberties in fighting terrorism"
Sounds like an attack on the patriot act here. I would rather catch those terrorists and than fear for my life and look over my shoulder as I walk along the streets (I do that enough as it is living in Liberal-controlled NJ)
I'm a conservative voter in one of those "swing states" (Virginia) and, short of a miracle, there is no way I could stomach voting for a Rat in conservative clothing.
Are you suggesting that McCain should take the Republican Party even further left of center?
What an idiot. This only helps Obamanation.
Some people never learn...... Paul took this route several years back and got wiped out. Barr will do likewise.
Yeah. And thats McCains job!
Don't think so....
"There is no legitimate use whatsoever for marijuana. This is not medicine. This is bogus witchcraft. It has no place in medicine, no place in pain relief." — Bob Barr, May 13 2002
Exactly right.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.