Is Bob Barr A Good Alternative?

mukraker

[mukraker]

I'd like to ask my fellow FReepers what you think about the Presidential candidacy of Bob Barr?

Given our current choices for President, Obama, Clinton & McCain, is Bob Barr a good alternative this year?

I know no one will agree 100% with any candidate's positions. But, instead of not voting, would a vote for Bob Barr be an alternative you would consider?

As a disappointed Republican, I'm considering going Libertarian this year. I like most of their positins, especially on safeguarding Liberty for All. I'm tired of carrying Big Brother with me everywhere I go. I'd like to see the Constitution brought back into American governance.

Your thoughts? Thanks.

[MHGinTN]

Bob is an excellent alternative to voting for John McCain ... for the democrat party’s candidate. Bob Barr joined himself to the ACLU upon being ‘un-elected’. Barr is calling himself a libertarian now ... go figure.

[pnh102]

Perhaps those of us who live in solid blue states that McCain has no chance of carrying anyway could vote for Barr.

[Vaquero]

Bob Barr = Ross Perot

[RexBeach]

Bob Barr is a good egg in the long run.

But who likes long, runny eggs?

He is a very strange person.

[Digger]

Check out the Constitution & Falcon parties. I rather like Badwin. Anything but the corrupt “Two-Party Cartel”.

[mnehring]

IMHO, they all stink, and Barr has a lot of baggage. The reality is, Hilldog, Osama, or McCain is going to be the next president. A third party vote won't change that. The Libertarians and other third party candidates generally don't even get on enough ballots where, even if there was a sudden ground swell, it wouldn't make a difference. Barr may be the best of the worst, but don't think for a second he isn't just another typical politician. When looking at all the candidates, just remember what the primary Constitutional role of the President is, Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces. It puts stances on various issues in perspective.

[Signalman]

OK Reality check. Sure, McCain’s not a Conservative (at best, he’s not conservative on some issues but is on others).

But think about the the SCOTUS. Obama is going to nominate at least one, possibly two or three judges who are going to be Souter/Ginsburg clones.

So a vote for Barr will help send the Supreme Court left, way left.

[Mr. Brightside]

Can’t wait to hear from the anti-McCain people who complain he is not strongly enough against abortion.

I suspect many of them will go for Barr and the “pro-choice” Libertarian Party.

[pabianice]

Every vote for Barr is simply a vote for Obama.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Bob Barr association with the ACLU has made him a no go.

[willgolfforfood]

Question: "Is Bob Barr a good alternative?"

Answer: NO.

There a NO good votes to be cast for president this year. There are only multiple shades of lesser evils. I think this is precisely why conservatives are so ticked off this year. There is NO ONE to vote FOR.

[Vigilanteman]

Barr is in bed with the ACLU and off into Pat Buchanan La-La Land when it comes to the war on terror and Israel. Since I live in a swing state, I’d have to think long and hard about voting for him over McCain. But since McCain keeps poking a sharp stick in my eye (global warming, kissing the ring of La Raza, etc.), I’m not inclined to vote for McCain either.

[NonValueAdded]

If you want President Obama or President Hillary, sure! Barr would be a terrible choice in a three-way race because he would assure a RAT win. Now, if Hillary and Obama were BOTH running, one as a third party, then it would be a whole different story. BUT ... Barr has a very late start and a lot of catching up to do for even a hint of viability. All he can do is draw off McCain votes and give us a RAT president for 4 years and a ultra left Supreme Court for the rest of our lives. We’re screwed.

[Rational Thought]

I could easily see McCain ALSO nominating Leftist Judges.

This seems to be a year of nothing but evils. On that premise, Barr could win my vote.

[Argus]

If it’s McCain versus Obama (or, as I still think possible, Hillary Rodham Lenin) next November, one of them will be elected President. Bob Barr, Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney will not be elected President. So your choice is either McCain (ugh), Hillary (shudder) or Obama (be very afraid). The only decision is - who will screw up the country less?

[Husker8877]

No, I prefer Ross Perot.

That way, we can be sure that once Hillary gets the nomination that so many FReepers seem to be hoping for, she can trash John McDole and do it with less than 44% if the vote.

Just like Bubba in ‘92. Don’t stop thinkin’ about tomorrow folks....

[mosaicwolf]

No matter who is elected in November we are all screwed.

[ChiefBoatswain]

Your question, and the posts here, illustrate the problem in the system.
No one really likes the two party system, but both sides will, in the end, vote for their party's candidate. Why? So that the other party's candidate doesn't get in.

Let's face it, we like to blame the system for the lack of choice, but when it comes time to choose, our selection ends up being from one of the two major parties. In the end, we make up the system, we are the system. As Pogo said: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

It's going to take some work to change that. Work by us, the system. If you don't like what you see, then get active in the GOP. Join! Go to the local meetings and speak your mind. There are things that you can do. If you are doing things, bravo! If not, why not? As Ronald Reagan said: "If not us, then who? If not now, when?". And let me add this: "If not us, then it will be the RINO."

Having said that, the more I listen to what Barr has to say, the more I like him.

[BibChr]

“Good alternative” to sane, adult participation in the actual political process of presidential election?

Not really, no.