Some Republicans are worried about Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr, and perhaps with good reason. Though Barr won’t get a lot of support, he could attract enough GOP voters to tip some swing states to Barack Obama. Ron Paul’s candidacy certainly highlighted the significant number of GOP voters who really believe in limited government. Other disaffected Republicans might vote for Barr in protest.
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17 Comments
Yup, Barr could be the Nader of 2008 and screw things up for McCain and the Republicans.
Obama is HOPING for that.
While a vote for Barr is a vote for Obama, it would send a message to the Republican Party that Conservatives have left the Republican Party – and they’d have to look around then and see who is left for them. Nobody.
In the long run, that may be the best approach to FIX the Republican Party. Either they need to change back to Conservative views or they can whither and die.
In the short run, the harm to the Country may not be repairable.
McCain is simply the lessor of the two Evils.
Barr may just be the lessor the THREE Evils.
RUN, BARR, RUN!!!!!!!
Could we please stop perpetuating the “Bob Barr will be a spoiler” meme?
The liver and onions have already spoiled.
While it is true that Mr. Barr will probably recieve many votes that would have gone to the Republican candidate in previous elections and that McCain is likely to lose key swing states as well as possibly some states where he may now think he’s safe, the votes have already been lost.
Bob Barr at this point is primarily a lightning rod for voters who cannot, under any circumstances, vote for either McCain or Obama. In order for him to pull new voters from either party, individual voters will have to be educated in the ideas of small government and non-intervention.
Likewise, McCain and his supporters can’t do themselves any favors by labeling Barr a “spoiler”. Those of us who have closely examined and subscribed to the “little l” libertarian ideals are already “spoiled” for any “major party” candidate who continues to folow the party line of the one party system. So McCain will be completely unable to woo any of us back by continuing his current path. Only a complete and utter convincing (though Heaven only knows what would be convincing enough…) flip-flop (what’s one more?) on just about every position would bring us back.
Also, many of us see very little difference between either of the “major party” candidates. For myself, I don’t see that an Obama victory win would be the worst possible fate for our nation for two slightly conflicting reasons. First, he at least pays lip service to the idea of getting out of Iraq, although his plans are not nearly as quick or complete as necessary to result in the desired change. Secondly, the ride up is always better than the ride down. We may as well deflate this bubble sooner rather than later so that this country can experience real healing and change sooner rather than later.
I found a website that compared all of the parties’ platforms as they related to major issues in this election. I have always been an independent voter, and will remain so. However, the Libertarian party is the closest to my beliefs – conservative on some issues and liberal on others. I happened to see Bob Barr interviewed, I believe it was on CNN, and I was impressed. He and I don’t agree on every issue, but why should I vote for someone who only represents me on one or two issues, when I can vote for someone with whom I am aligned on say, eight of ten. Ron Paul would never get my vote. He is too conservative and too fundamental Christian for me. Religion and politics seem firmly mixed together.
Every time there is a viable option to avoid political hacks and to avoid casting a vote against someone rather than for the candidate, you can always count on the press to begin campaigning against the third party candidate. He is never given equal time and exposure, except when the media or press decide to begin telling the electorate that if you vote for Barr -for instance- you will throw the election to Obama. A journalism degree doesn’t make someone an expert in anything other than, theoretically, writing skills. It’s time for the voting public to realize that. If no one voted the way the media, the press, clergy people, unions and drugged out celebs tell them to, perhaps we would have an honest and effective election for once and the third party candidate might just have a chance. Imagine the change that would bring. It would leave Obama and his ill-defined change in the dust.
I believe there are more than disgruntled republican votes at stake. There are democrats who swear they will vote against Obama, and there are independents like me who are not comfortable with either Obama or McCain. I wish Barr could afford to launch a serious campaign. What a difference it might make in a year when the country is so divided.
I found a website that compared all of the parties’ platforms as they related to major issues in this election. I have always been an independent voter, and will remain so. However, the Libertarian party is the closest to my beliefs – conservative on some issues and liberal on others. I happened to see Bob Barr interviewed, I believe it was on CNN, and I was impressed. He and I don’t agree on every issue, but why should I vote for someone who only represents me on one or two issues, when I can vote for someone with whom I am aligned on say, eight of ten. Ron Paul would never get my vote. He is too conservative and too fundamental Christian for me. Religion and politics seem firmly mixed together.
Every time there is a viable option to avoid political hacks and to avoid casting a vote against someone rather than for the candidate, you can always count on the press to begin campaigning against the third party candidate. He is never given equal time and exposure, except when the media or press decide to begin telling the electorate that if you vote for Barr -for instance- you will throw the election to Obama. A journalism degree doesn’t make someone an expert in anything other than, theoretically, writing skills. It’s time for the voting public to realize that. If no one voted the way the media, the press, clergy people, unions and drugged out celebs tell them to, perhaps we would have an honest and effective election for once and the third party candidate might just have a chance. Imagine the change that would bring. It would leave Obama and his ill-defined change in the dust.
I believe there are more than disgruntled republican votes at stake. There are democrats who swear they will vote against Obama, and there are independents like me who are not comfortable with either Obama or McCain. I wish Barr could afford to launch a serious campaign. What a difference it might make in a year when the country is so divided.
The real question is how many votes will be drained from Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin by spoilers Barracks O’Bama and Juan McCain.
I certainly hope so.
You know, Ron Paul was still winning a significant number of votes in the final Republican primaries. He won 22% and 17% of the votes in South Dakota and Montana. Republicans appear to want an alternative to McCain, and Bob Barr doesn’t have to get that high a percentage of votes in the general election to be a spoiler in the Republican race.
Most people will look at the ballot and say “Bob who?”
Sorry for the double post. It just hung there then posted twice. I don’t know why cz I didn’t hit it a second time???
I believe that would be this Bob Barr:
“Conservatives once said, ‘you do the crime, you do the time,’ but no longer,” observes Barr. Now virtually the entire Republican Party is prepared to sacrifice the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans in favor of federal government power.
And the Democratic leadership is ready to do the same. Congressional Democrats privately say that they don’t want to take the political risk of opposing the president. “But the individual liberty of Americans is not a political football, something to be tossed about when an election looms,” insists Barr. “It is the constitutional duty of lawmakers of both parties to defend the Constitution, even when they believe doing so might be politically inconvenient.”
http://www.bobbarr2008.com/press/press-releases/29/bob-barr-urges-congress-no-surveillance-of-americans-without-fourth-amendment-protections/
So, who knows, the Barr campaign might function as a conscience-check for conservatives.
Regular
Posted June 23, 2008 at 4:35 pm | Permalink
Most people will look at the ballot and say “Bob who?”
Just like they said Ross Perot? Isn’t he that French winemaker?
Of course they voted for him!
“But the individual liberty of Americans is not a political football, something to be tossed about when an election looms,” insists Barr.
Only the voting public made this possible. The people have no one to hold responsible for their circumstances but themselves. When we want to THINK rather than being guided by lies and innuendo and name-calling and bullying and fear-mongering the American people will reclaim our inalienable rights.
PSSST, there was NEVER going to be a “HIGHER pie.”
It won’t even be close enough for Barr to be a spoiler.
Bob Barr, wasn’t he the host of some game show? The Price is right. Of course on weblog, the Price is always right!
“Most people will look at the ballot and say ‘Bob who?’”
Not only a non-trollish comment. I agree with it. Barr will not be a major or tipping factor.
I would need to study up on Bar before I would consider voting for him.
Ron Sylvester, please help me.
Party affiliation is not gendor, or race, nor disability nor veteran status. It’s relevant to the abuse of power.
Is this smuck a R. or D., as the AP Stylebook used to suggest?
BY RON SYLVESTER
The Wichita Eagle
Today’s most-viewed stories
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The former Cherokee County Attorney pleaded guilty in federal court today to extorting money from a Galena strip club.
Michael L. Goodrich, 48, of Baxter Springs, said in his plea at the federal courthouse in Wichita that he received money and favorable treatment from the owner and employees of Sensations Gentlemen’s Club.
In return for favors from the club, Goodrich said he dismissed traffic tickets and other costs.
Extortion carries a federal sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The money and favors Goodrich received from over nearly two years — from Jan. 21, 2005, through September 2007 — is estimated at less than $5,000.
“A public servant at any level who exploits his position for improper purposes undermines the people’s trust in their government,” U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren said in a statement from his office.
Goodrich is set for sentencing Sept. 8.
In April, co-defendant Timothy J. Schooley pleaded guilty to one count of blackmail. He is scheduled for sentencing July 14.