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Bob Barr: GOP in 'Very Deep' Trouble
CNN ^ | May 2, 2009 01:52 PM ET | Kristi Keck

Posted on 05/02/2009 2:13:27 PM PDT by lewisglad

Former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr said Saturday it’s hard to “overestimate the damage” that’s been inflicted on the Republican Party — not only with this week's defection of Sen. Arlen Specter, but also the “lack of any coherent philosophy, vision or leadership.”

“The Republican Party is in very deep trouble right now,” Barr said in an interview with CNN.

Barr, who was once a loyal soldier in the GOP, joined the Libertarian Party in 2006 and was the party’s presidential candidate in 2008.

The ex-Republican said he doesn’t feel like he relates to Specter's reasons for switching to the Democratic Party. “Where I came from there really was a philosophical basis for leaving the Republican Party,” Barr said.

Specter, who announced Tuesday he’s switching from a Republican to a Democrat, is making the move for political reasons, Barr said.

Specter said he had found himself increasingly "at odds with the Republican philosophy," but he also admitted the decision was driven partly by a desire to keep his seat.

The senator, who has represented Pennsylvania in the upper chamber since 1980, said he was "anxious" to stay in the Senate — and he did not want to face a Republican primary in order to keep his seat next year.

But Barr said he doesn’t think switching parties will give Specter an automatic win. “I don’t think that the people in Pennsylvania will appreciate what he did,” he said.

Barr added that Specter’s decision is “just another sign that the Republican Party nationally lacks any semblance of leadership.” Democrats, he said, also don’t have a coherent agenda, but they have “something that Republicans absolutely lack.”

“They have a charismatic leader and they have party discipline. The Republican Party has none of that,” he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: 111th; barr; bobbarr; gop; libertarians; rebuilding
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1 posted on 05/02/2009 2:13:27 PM PDT by lewisglad
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To: lewisglad

It’s America that is in “Very Deep Trouble”


2 posted on 05/02/2009 2:14:49 PM PDT by clamper1797 (FUBO ... protege of the unholy union of Karl Marx and affirmative action)
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To: lewisglad
Why does he care?

Amazing << Hear this. Feel this, and tell me that this isn't music.

Oh, dear...


3 posted on 05/02/2009 2:16:10 PM PDT by rdb3 (The mouth is the exhaust pipe of the heart.)
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To: lewisglad

This could have been written in 1965. Or 1977.


4 posted on 05/02/2009 2:16:21 PM PDT by Skooz (Gabba Gabba we accept you we accept you one of us Gabba Gabba we accept you we accept you one of us)
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To: lewisglad
Where's Captain Obvious
5 posted on 05/02/2009 2:16:31 PM PDT by org.whodat (Auto unions bad: Machinists union good=Hypocrisy)
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To: rdb3

He’s still bitter from his loss to Linder in the primary.


6 posted on 05/02/2009 2:17:24 PM PDT by Boiling Pots (Barack Obama: The final turd George W. Bush laid on America)
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To: lewisglad

Hahaha, Bob,Bob,Bob, the democrats have, “a charismatic leader and they have party discipline” and you think that is what Republicans need? And you joined the libertarians?
Too much brown acid my friend.


7 posted on 05/02/2009 2:17:41 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: org.whodat

8 posted on 05/02/2009 2:18:23 PM PDT by lewisglad
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To: org.whodat
Actually I think it is time to move beyond the tattered big spenders of the k street GOP.
9 posted on 05/02/2009 2:18:25 PM PDT by org.whodat (Auto unions bad: Machinists union good=Hypocrisy)
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To: lewisglad

bob barr was.....why read the article about a disreputable nothing


10 posted on 05/02/2009 2:19:12 PM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Crucify ! Crucify ! Crucify him!!)
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To: clamper1797

As long as there is no one espousing the morals that shaped and grew our country then it does not matter the party, we will all be doomed.
We don’t need mealy-mouths and ambiguous people in the GOP we need unapologetic fighters who will say what they mean and mean what they say! Plain and freakin’ simple!


11 posted on 05/02/2009 2:19:18 PM PDT by mkcc30 ("Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.")
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To: lewisglad

The dems are much more organized and viscious. They also have academia, MSM, the unions and Hollywood actively campaigning and spinning for them.


12 posted on 05/02/2009 2:19:41 PM PDT by umgud (I'm really happy I wasn't aborted)
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To: lewisglad
“They have a charismatic leader and they have party discipline.

Sounds like the nazi party of 1934.

13 posted on 05/02/2009 2:19:54 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
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To: lewisglad

Barr should be ignored.


14 posted on 05/02/2009 2:20:04 PM PDT by Kansas58
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To: lewisglad

DUH??

Tell us something we do not already know, BUBBA !

Illinois VETERANS are SILENCED! BY ILLINOIS GOP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SXVONxmXVQ&feature=related


15 posted on 05/02/2009 2:21:44 PM PDT by chicagolady (Mexican Elite say: EXPORT Poverty Let the American Taxpayer foot the bill !)
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To: Kansas58

If BOb Barr wants to change the republican party for the better, he should have never left it.


16 posted on 05/02/2009 2:22:05 PM PDT by MAD-AS-HELL (Hope and Change. Rhetoric embraced by the Insane - Obama, The Chump in Charge)
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To: clamper1797

BTT


17 posted on 05/02/2009 2:22:36 PM PDT by Texas Fossil (The last time I looked, this is still Texas where I live.)
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To: lewisglad

Bob Barr works for the ACLU!!


18 posted on 05/02/2009 2:22:46 PM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: lewisglad

The leader of one of the 49 meaningless parties making a negative statement about one of the two big boys, I’m hanging on every word.

Maybe he thinks that this will drive his Libertarian registration numbers all the way up to the 226,000 that they haven’t reached yet.


19 posted on 05/02/2009 2:22:52 PM PDT by ansel12 (Romney (guns)"instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people")
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To: lewisglad

The Republican Party is in very deep trouble right now,” Barr said in an interview with CNN.

As well they should be.
For the past 8 years they have been little more the Democrat Party lite...
With a dozen or more rhinos and the rest lacking a set of balls, citizens that desire strong leadershave no reason tolook at the Republican party. Any Republican that does stand up and speak out gets slapped down.


20 posted on 05/02/2009 2:24:01 PM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Coming to You From the Front Lines of Occupied America)
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To: lewisglad

I couldn’t stay with the Republican party either. Conservatism and Republicanism used to be synonimous. Bush, Hastert, Frist, and several corrupt members of the GOP changed that. If the GOP truly did listen to Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin, there would be no doubt what they stood for.


21 posted on 05/02/2009 2:24:14 PM PDT by Birch T. Barlow (Go Mariners! Certain 2009 AL West champions!)
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To: Birch T. Barlow

The only way that the Republicans get a clearer vision is to go more conservative. That will mean more defections and mayeb even more losses in the short term. There is no doubt that it will result in a smaller party, but a sronger, more coherent one.

The questions is: where do you go from there? The answer is refine your message and wait. Eventually, the path that Obama is leading us on will mean disaster for most Americans. More inflation, stagnant economy, and less security, both here and abroad. When people are fed up, they will embrace conservatism once more. But it won’t happen overnight.

The danger with this strategy is that, for a time, it may look like we have a one party system. There could be a tipping point from which the Republicans never recover. This is especially true if the Dems start implementing unconstitutional ideological litmus tests, even for routine civil service positions. Don’t think it can’t happen.


22 posted on 05/02/2009 2:33:14 PM PDT by rbg81 (DRAIN THE SWAMP!!)
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To: umgud
“The dems are much more organized and viscious. They also have academia, MSM, the unions and Hollywood actively campaigning and spinning for them.”
Yes, and now that they are killing off what few jobs are left, they also have unlimited money. However, they are morally and intellectually bankrupt. I'm hoping to live long enough to see their downfall.
23 posted on 05/02/2009 2:33:18 PM PDT by bitterohiogunclinger (America held hostage - day 163)
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To: SECURE AMERICA
For the past 8 years they have been little more the Democrat Party lite... With a dozen or more rhinos and the rest lacking a set of balls, citizens that desire strong leadershave no reason tolook at the Republican party. Any Republican that does stand up and speak out gets slapped down.

Everything looked so promising after the '94 elections. Then the Republicans started breathing the noxious inside-the-beltway fumes and began morphing into big spenders. Within 10 years it was all over.

24 posted on 05/02/2009 2:38:34 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (Obamanation: an imploding administration headed by a clueless schmuck, with McCain as his Kowakian)
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To: lewisglad
If voters have a choice between and real democrat and the democrat-lite they'll choose the real one every time.

Or won't bother voting.

25 posted on 05/02/2009 2:39:13 PM PDT by AU72
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Bob Barr, the ACLU employee, anti war, pro amnesty, pot head. The Third Party loons can keep him.


26 posted on 05/02/2009 2:41:23 PM PDT by SoCalPol (Reagan Republican for Palin 2012)
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To: lewisglad

“Arnold Babar. Isn’t there a children’s book about an elephant named Babar?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have any.”
“No children?”
“No elephant books.”


27 posted on 05/02/2009 2:43:33 PM PDT by Rastus (Jedi mind tricks would work on Obama.)
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To: All
Funny that Bob A** Clown has be quiet about the abuses that the Obama administration has been doing..

I really don't care.. I have been hearing about the death of both parties for along time..
28 posted on 05/02/2009 2:46:09 PM PDT by KevinDavis (Now a member of the NRA)
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To: hinckley buzzard

I see Barr fails to point out the many mistakes and abuses going on under Obama.


29 posted on 05/02/2009 2:49:58 PM PDT by linn37 (a mortgage in every pot)
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To: lewisglad

yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn


30 posted on 05/02/2009 2:52:36 PM PDT by mojitojoe ( Idiots elected a Marxist ideologue with narcissistic personality disorder & America is dying.)
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To: MAD-AS-HELL
If BOb Barr wants to change the republican party for the better, he should have never left it.

Guys & Gals, this is the corrupt "Two-Party Cartel". Get off of the lables. They BOTH are out to screw the people. BOTH parties are the elitists.

31 posted on 05/02/2009 2:55:07 PM PDT by Digger (If RINO is your selection, then failure is your election)
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To: COBOL2Java
Then the Republicans started breathing the noxious inside-the-beltway fumes and began morphing into big spenders. Within 10 years it was all over.

It was over when newt started winning about getting off the back of the plane. If I vote for a republican he better swear off of the corporate aircraft bribery BS. He can fly commercial like the regular folk he represents.

32 posted on 05/02/2009 2:58:48 PM PDT by org.whodat (Auto unions bad: Machinists union good=Hypocrisy)
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To: Rastus

33 posted on 05/02/2009 3:11:59 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: mkcc30

Yeah, what you said.


34 posted on 05/02/2009 3:17:56 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: fieldmarshaldj

“Mooooooooon river! You using the whole fist, doc?”


35 posted on 05/02/2009 3:22:32 PM PDT by Rastus (Jedi mind tricks would work on Obama.)
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To: lewisglad

ACLU Barr. Another “Conservative” gift to the MSM.


36 posted on 05/02/2009 3:23:36 PM PDT by Rosemont
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To: Digger
"Guys & Gals, this is the corrupt "Two-Party Cartel". Get off of the lables. They BOTH are out to screw the people. BOTH parties are the elitists."

How very true.

"Socialism needs two legs on which to stand; a right and a left. While appearing to be in complete opposition to one another, they both march in the same direction." -- Paul Proctor

37 posted on 05/02/2009 3:57:41 PM PDT by USAF70 (America is not 'governed' by the President or Congress. America is governed by the U.S.Constitution.)
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To: All

Conservatives have a very significant opportunity to attain power at the moment, but it’s not in the form of either a renewed GOP or a third party. Because of the divisions over the social areas like abortion, school prayers, gay marriage, there’ll never again be a platform that can attract majority support. Taking a position on any one of those issues results in losing supporters for the other viewpoint, and a party that won’t take positions won’t motivate its followers.

There are, however, issues that transcend those associated with social conservatism and those are issues that the majority of Americans care strongly about. They are: fiscal responsibility, small government, individual freedom, private property, limited taxation, free enterprise. Let’s identify that agenda as the one held by “the rest of us”. (Thus, our new rallying cry, “hey, how about the rest of us?”)

What needs to happen is that, mostly likely within the framework of the Tea Party movement, we need to form an umbrella group that contains about 20 separate political action committees. A portion of donations to the group will go to candidates who support the core issues regardless of their positions on the other ones, the remainder will be designated by the donors to go to candidates who support their positions on the social issues. So, “The Rest of Us - Pro Live” PAC will be giving to pro life candidates, “The Rest of Us - School Prayer” PAC will be giving to pro prayer candidates, etc. What all the candidates will have in common in an expressed commitment to the core issues. The technology exists to do this kind of thing now, and the governance structure is pretty intuitive.

With twenty bucks apiece from everybody who carried a sign on the 15th, the PACs would become significant players in campaigns, and if they carefully and strategically apportion their contributions they can have a strong impact of the ‘10 elections. Depending on how the individual donors choose to direct their contributions, some may go to pro-choice candidates, some to pro-life candidates, but all the candidates who are recipients of the contributions will be those who support the interests of “the rest of us”.

This just makes a heck of a lot more sense to me than trying to remake the Republican party into our various and disparate images, or trying to start a third party. The Tea Party movement represents a fledgling mass movement. With a little savvy organization, it can become a special interest group that represents most Americans, and can then start the process of taking back the country “the rest of us” grew up in and still love.


38 posted on 05/02/2009 4:01:43 PM PDT by ArmstedFragg (hoaxy dopey changey)
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Amazingly it has only been 6 years or so since these kinds of things were being said about Dems.


39 posted on 05/02/2009 4:14:00 PM PDT by Crimson Elephant
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To: Crimson Elephant

But we have Gov. Palin.....


40 posted on 05/02/2009 4:43:30 PM PDT by aviator (Armored Pest Control)
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To: lewisglad

DEEP,DEEP SH!T is more like it.


41 posted on 05/02/2009 4:58:02 PM PDT by imahawk (Life is tough.It's even tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: bitterohiogunclinger

Yet the people losing the jobs believe it is “big business” Republicans taking the jobs from them.


42 posted on 05/02/2009 5:16:34 PM PDT by Theodore R. (GWB is gone: Now the American sheeple can sleep at night!)
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To: Crimson Elephant

The difference is that the Dems will fight for wrongdoing, but the GOP will sit on its soft hands and fight for nothing.


43 posted on 05/02/2009 5:23:03 PM PDT by Theodore R. (GWB is gone: Now the American sheeple can sleep at night!)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...
joined the Libertarian Party in 2006 and was the party's presidential candidate in 2008
And how'd that go, Bob?
44 posted on 05/02/2009 5:29:21 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: lewisglad
“The Republican Party is in very deep trouble right now,” Barr said in an interview with CNN.

This from the leader of a party that holds their annual convention at Denny's.

45 posted on 05/02/2009 5:57:03 PM PDT by randog (Tap into America!)
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To: SoCalPol; All

The Anti Third Party Ping!! Let me know if you want on or off the list!


46 posted on 05/02/2009 6:16:05 PM PDT by KevinDavis (Now a member of the NRA)
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To: lewisglad

The closest thing to assurance of eternal life on TV: a former Republican attacking Republicans


47 posted on 05/02/2009 7:58:03 PM PDT by gusopol3
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To: MAD-AS-HELL

“If BOb Barr wants to change the republican party for the better, he should have never left it.”

Perhaps he just realized the party wasn’t salvageable. Characters in the old movies are always smart enough to jump off the train BEFORE it throws itself off the side of the cliff. Todays Republican party is a carcass. The people deserve something better - and that might mean starting over from scratch. That might actually be EASIER than trying to fix what remains of the GOP.


48 posted on 05/02/2009 10:02:40 PM PDT by COgamer
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To: lewisglad

Then of course there are the David Frum’s and the Meaghan McCain’s of the world trying to rebuild the GOP in their goofy image.


49 posted on 05/03/2009 12:00:47 AM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity)
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To: BigSkyFreeper
Then there are the David Frum’s ...... of the world trying to rebuild the GOP in their goofy image.

T-h-a-n-k y-o-u for that.

David Frum does what he does best; being a jackass. Frum opined recently about "the collapse of conservatism as an organized political force, and the rise of conservatism as an alienated cultural sensibility.” Frum also counseled Republicans to embrace "a future that is less overtly religious, and less polarizing on social issues," a move that will involve painful change" on such issues as abortion.

"We hear and obey, Frum" (bows deeply making a Bronx cheer).

Ever wonder how all those GOP "leaders," who foisted on us Meghan's daddy, of the most despised Republicans as the 2008 presidential nominee, now feel about their cockamamie theory: "the base'll vote for him.....where else are they going to go?" When the RNC hears the base say "I will not vote for that SOB," they better believe it.

A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE The punkneos leashed up McC----AFTER the loser punks couldn't get their boy Giuliani arrested---he was that bad of a candidate. Rooty spend $63 million and got one delegate that he shared----he obsessively ran in every primary/caucus state and lost time after time. The lisping hunchback SAID he was saving himself for Fla---campaigned there 63 days straight and came in a distant third.

The 2008 political entrail readings showed the crucial conservative base stayed home. Too bad the pukeneos "forget" to tell McC that would be one outcome of the stupid punkneo-RINO bi-partisanship.

Be aware that many senior neocons are rank opportunists who squatted in the Repub Party for their selfish stealth purposes-----they are actually former Trotskyites that flew the coop when Stalin executed their hero.

BTW, did you know there's a reward out...... for anyone who can determine what pukeneos actually do for a living? With a bonus if you find out who signs their paychecks. Other than infiltrating the US government, putting out agit-prop, and incessantly pontificating on foreign policy issues, no one has yet figured out if the pukeneo buddies have any visible means of support.

50 posted on 05/03/2009 3:43:17 AM PDT by Liz (I was like Snow White, then I drifted. Mae West (on liberalism.)
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