Barr to announce Libertarian White House bid

Ron Burgundy · 05-12-2008, 11:13 AM

AP - Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr is expected to announce that he's running for president as a Libertarian.

His candidacy would be a wild card in the White House race that many believe would hurt Republican Sen. John McCain.

Barr had scheduled a news conference Monday. He 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.

Barr, 59, helped lead Bill Clinton's impeachment. He 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.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_el_pr/barr_presidential_run [link]

kinggovernor · 05-12-2008, 11:19 AM

I think RP supporters have their guy now.

David Octavius · 05-12-2008, 01:46 PM

Barr = Nader of 2000

Republicans better hope he doesn't gain cred with the evangelicals

kombayn · 05-12-2008, 03:21 PM

Damnit! I was going to post this...

AFP: Libertarian Barr announces run for president

Anyways, not all the Ron Paul supporters give him the nod because of his voting 'yes' on the original Patriot Act but at least with him and Nader we have choices. I really hope that Barr plans on picking Gravel to be his V.P. it'd be a solid two-party under one banner ticket for independents. I would love to see a Ralph Nader/Bob Barr debate, I don't understand why a media company doesn't set that up.

Ardentfrost · 05-12-2008, 03:31 PM

I think it's ok that he voted 'yes' on the Patriot Act since he's been such a vehement opposer since then. I can respect him changing stances on things because he has had his eyes opened, so to speak. The same thing happens to all libertarians at some point, it's just that he was a public official BEFORE that happened to him.

I still say he'll make a good nominee for the LP

kombayn · 05-12-2008, 03:45 PM

Friday, May 16th, 2008 it's going to be Bob Barr, Wayne Allyn Root and Mike Gravel in a Libertarian Debate on FOX Business News Channel.

I would love to see a Barr/Gravel ticket, but I'm starting to think it'll be a Barr/Root '08 ticket. They'll be able to get their ugly mugs all over FOX News.

motivez · 05-12-2008, 03:46 PM

Gravel? Seriously?

kombayn · 05-12-2008, 03:56 PM

Yeah, he was on Cavuto with Obama Girl, he's actually been getting a lot of media attention recently. Cavuto also had Ron Paul on the week before, it's strange, maybe Cavuto feels betrayed by them nominating McCain? Anyways I think Fox Business Channell is only on DIRECTV and Dish Network.

motivez · 05-12-2008, 04:07 PM

We get it here too I think, with Time Warner digital cable

Ardentfrost · 05-13-2008, 06:59 AM

It's no real surprise Gravel went for LP nomination. He's disenfranchised with the Dem Party and the 2 party system in general. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for even another nomination after he doesn't get LP.

motivez · 05-13-2008, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

It's no real surprise Gravel went for LP nomination. He's disenfranchised with the Dem Party and the 2 party system in general. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for even another nomination after he doesn't get LP.

I didn't think his beliefs were very in line with the LP

Ardentfrost · 05-13-2008, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I didn't think his beliefs were very in line with the LP

Some are, some aren't. He certainly doesn't fit in as a Libertarian, which is why I'm saying he'll go for another party or independent when he doesn't get the LP tap.

But it's not like someone has to fit in 100% with libertarianism to be a LP candidate, they're no different from the Republican Party and Democratic Party in that respect. It's also why I have to evaluate their candidates individually instead of joining the party.

That aside, Gravel is too far removed to be the LP candidate, even without Barr who is a far superior choice for the party.

kombayn · 05-13-2008, 03:01 PM

Actually Mike Gravel has already stated a few times that he's committed to helping the LP grow in its base until he passes away. He also is willing to debate with some higher-up and well-respected libertarians about his views, I've watched his debate videos (State of Washington for example) and people like him a lot, he gets them laughing. They're interested in his National Initiative for Democracy and he's been promoting single-payer vouchers for the health-care system which isn't a bad idea which allows competition.

The State of Washington LP I've seen on YouTube don't have problems with that, they do have problems with a Carbon Tax he wants and his "Fair Tax". He's even admitted he's not an expert in all parts of politics and looks to the Libertarian Party for guidance. He's very libertarian on civil liberties and rights issues. It's some of his social and fiscal issues that they have a difference. I still think he should have ran Green Party, he probably would've won with Jesse Johnson as his running mate (he endorsed him on the GP ticket).

Don't be surprised if you see a Gravel/Barr or Barr/Gravel (this one is more likely) ticket for the upcoming election. The Libertarian Party has a chance to make noise, Ralph Nader did wonders for the Green Party's increase in membership in 2000. A Barr/Gravel ticket could be that ticket to make noise. If it doesn't happen, I really think Bob Barr has to choose Wayne Allyn Root to run as his V.P., they have ties to FOX News and the conservative base which provides a real option to McCain. Also Bob Barr & Wayne Allyn Root have strict libertarian principles, and Wayne can help Bob in having that TV personality and good ideals with the media. The LP has to know there chances are slim to none, so put together a ticket that'll get tons of media coverage such as a Barr/Gravel ticket or Barr/Root ticket.

Ardentfrost · 05-13-2008, 03:11 PM

I still say putting Gravel on the ticket would be a bad idea. He has ALREADY been marginalized as a loon by the MSM.

thewise1 · 05-13-2008, 03:36 PM

Based only on what I know thus far, I may not be writing in Ron Paul, if this works out.

motivez · 05-19-2008, 04:29 PM

How does the libertarian party go about selecting their candidate? They don't have big primaries in all the different states that I remember reading about

motivez · 05-19-2008, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by thewise1

Based only on what I know thus far, I may not be writing in Ron Paul, if this works out.

Is that because you think Barr has a shot at winning or because if Paul isn't running you think it's a wasted vote, or what?

Ardentfrost · 05-19-2008, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

How does the libertarian party go about selecting their candidate? They don't have big primaries in all the different states that I remember reading about

There are delegates who vote and whatnot.

Official Website of the Libertarian National Committee

Smull · 05-23-2008, 06:45 PM

Just remember, Bob Barr has had some problems dealing with the media in the past...

YouTube Video

motivez · 05-23-2008, 07:48 PM