Bob Barr is not Ron Paul

JaJae · 07-21-2008, 02:35 PM

We're talking about Bob Barr, who won -- if that's the word for for it -- the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination.

He's following in the renegade footsteps of Rep. Paul of Texas, the onetime Libertarian and now disaffected Republican congressman who ran such a successful fundraising campaign this political season, raising nearly $35 million

According to The Times' Dan Morain, our chief campaign finance guru, Barr, a former GOP congressman from Georgia, reported raising a lousy $196,400 last month to give him a grand campaign-long total of $384,864.

Last month he reported spending $180,770, pushing his total outlays to $312,483. Let's see, that leaves him $72,381 to carry him through to election day Nov. 4, unless he raises some more money.

Paul, who ran as a determined small-government, antiwar Republican and came up something around 1,000 delegates short of the nomination, reported ending July with only 649,625.70 in the bank. Last we heard he had several million left over from his unsuccessful presidential run.

But Paul has since transferred $10,000 to his nonprofit organization and a hefty $3.5 million of that money into his congressional campaign, which might seem unnecessary to some because he has no Democratic (or Libertarian) opponent in the November general election for his 11th House term.

In one sense, Barr may be taking a page from Paul. He ended the month with a tiny $1,000 in debt. Paul ended his campaign with zero debt, as the fiscal conservative has consistently done in every reporting month.

Maybe Barr just needs his own campaign blimp.

We know Ron Paul, and Bob Barr is no Ron Paul | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times

Barr really needs to get some money if he is going to be taken seriously. He doesn't have the netroots support Ron Paul had and really isn't going to make a dent in the national election at this rate. I wouldn't be surprised if McKinley ends up with more votes.

thewise1 · 07-21-2008, 03:03 PM

This is why Paul didn't run libertarian. He learned his lesson in... what was it.. 88?

JaJae · 07-21-2008, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by thewise1

This is why Paul didn't run libertarian. He learned his lesson in... what was it.. 88?

Is there going to ever netroots support for Barr? I can't believe Paul was a quick internet fad. Why can't Barr tap into the fundraising market Paul was able to get? I really don't think Paul was all that much of a fundraiser so much as the internet supporters did most of his work for him. Why no love for Barr? Tired of donating, getting expensive? Don't like him as much as Paul? Do they feel it's hopeless?

Fed Up · 07-21-2008, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Is there going to ever netroots support for Barr? I can't believe Paul was a quick internet fad. Why can't Barr tap into the fundraising market Paul was able to get? I really don't think Paul was all that much of a fundraiser so much as the internet supporters did most of his work for him. Why no love for Barr? Tired of donating, getting expensive? Don't like him as much as Paul? Do they feel it's hopeless?

My 2 cents (which is acually 4 cents now)...

Paul has a library www.ronpaullibrary.org based on his 30 years of experience. What does Barr have? A Wiki page?

His only real politcal experience is from 1994 forward, so not much of a track record. But neither does Obama. At least McCain "governed," but I still won't vote for any of the above.

I think Paul's words were something that his follower's believed in. What does Barr have that he has done or said that this same type of belief can trancend to financial support? I don't think he has anything....but at least he criticized FISA....although he did support the Patriot Act and now he doesn't.

Ron Paul didn't flip flop on anything for 30 years except maybe immigration (but with reason IMO). I just don't know what I'd get wtih Barr.

Some good questions JaJae...

Fed Up

JaJae · 07-21-2008, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Fed Up

My 2 cents (which is acually 4 cents now)...

Paul has a library www.ronpaullibrary.org based on his 30 years of experience. What does Barr have? A Wiki page?

His only real politcal experience is from 1994 forward, so not much of a track record. But neither does Obama. At least McCain "governed," but I still won't vote for any of the above.

I think Paul's words were something that his follower's believed in. What does Barr have that he has done or said that this same type of belief can trancend to financial support? I don't think he has anything....but at least he criticized FISA....although he did support the Patriot Act and now he doesn't.

Ron Paul didn't flip flop on anything for 30 years except maybe immigration (but with reason IMO). I just don't know what I'd get wtih Barr.

Some good questions JaJae...

Fed Up

Good points.

I like Barr quite a bit, I was hoping he'd get the grassroots support and I was kinda dumbfounded that he hasn't seemed to get much of anything.

Angus_Aboot · 07-21-2008, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Fed Up

My 2 cents (which is acually 4 cents now)...

On the bright side, your opinion is worth more now.

kombayn · 07-21-2008, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

Is there going to ever netroots support for Barr? I can't believe Paul was a quick internet fad. Why can't Barr tap into the fundraising market Paul was able to get? I really don't think Paul was all that much of a fundraiser so much as the internet supporters did most of his work for him. Why no love for Barr? Tired of donating, getting expensive? Don't like him as much as Paul? Do they feel it's hopeless?

They don't trust Bob Barr, simple as that. RonPaulForums.com is an excellent source for stuff like that. Bob Barr doesn't have a clear message, and he's been flip-flopping and running as "I'm conservative." campaign. If he keeps polling higher, it doesn't matter how much money he gets. The LP just needs 5% of the National Poll to qualify for the $84 million public campaign funds for the 2012 elections. It's the reason why they elected him.

Right now Ralph Nader is slaughtering Bob Barr in fund-raising in 10 days, Ralph Nader set a goal of $60,000 for his ballot access drive and raised $75,000. Ralph Nader is quietly slipping under the radar and killing Barr in fund-raising. People don't trust Barr, I don't trust Barr... I think he's pandering and trying to get popular enough to make a possible run at the GOP nomination in 2012.

Smull · 07-21-2008, 09:21 PM

Barr simply doesn't appeal to the netroots. Paul was far more charismatic, out spoken and brutally honest his appeal is/was the same kind that Dean had and its very attactive to young people/youth. He also had a way to get his message out (the republican debates).

I feel it was a strategic decision by the LP to expand its base by appealing to Republicans. Barr makes sense in this respect, but he isn't going to rally the base (and the funds) the way a Ron Paul would.

Originally Posted by kombayn

People don't trust Barr, I don't trust Barr... I think he's pandering and trying to get popular enough to make a possible run at the GOP nomination in 2012.

I doubt Barr would mount an effort at a Republican Party nomination in 2012 by joining another party in 2008. Iunno, i don't see why Barr would lie about this sorta thing, especially since he isn't going to win. If he gets votes with a libertarian message and attracts people to libertarian ideas I really don't care if he privately thinks its all B.S. (unless he has a real shot at being elected)