Barr to announce Libertarian White House bid

AP via SFGate ^ | 5/12/8 | BEN EVANS, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

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

[montag813]

> I remember when the GOP picked McCain, the Libertarian party sent the GOP a funeral wreath. How fitting.....

The Libertarian Party has been the death of many a Republican candidate, and the lifesaver of many an ultra-left wing RAT. If not for the LP candidate in Florida 2000, there would never have even been a recount.

I have a real problem with a party that opposes a candidate with whom they agree 80-90% to elect a candidate with whom they disagree 80-90%. A shameful legacy.

[montag813]

And Obama’s got the White House

You're wasting your time. Stupid is as stupid does. Obama and his vile wife will destroy this nation. But morons like Barr and the "purists" who support him are blind to political realities.

[mkjessup]

Hey, I understand that the National Association of What-A-Burger Drive-In Franchise Owners will also be having their national convention in Denver on May 22nd, maybe they can donate some of their extra space to the Libertarians, and in return, Bob can encourage everyone to head over to the drive-in lanes for a quick lunch before embarking on this grand and sweeping national campaign, eh?

[babygene]

“And Obama’s got the White House”

If you think the liberal McCain can beat the liberal Obama your delusional...

[Doohickey]

Oh well. Better stock up on ammunition then. McCain is going to need those liberal votes he’s been pandering for, because he sure isn’t getting mine.

[Rennes Templar]

“If you think the liberal McCain can beat the liberal Obama your delusional...”

If Barr drains erstwhile McCain votes, Obama wins, duh.

[BlueStateBlues]

This makes it harder for me to vote for McCain, or contribute in any way (funds, hours). Barr has his good points, many of them, while McCain has many lousy points.

I’m glad it’s early. I’ll see what the VP pick comes down to, both for McCain and for Barr. My joke on the matter: Bob Barr and Sam Nunn, the Barr/Nunn ticket!

[Bogeygolfer]

“The Republican Party has only itself to blame.”

You refer to the party as if it has nothing to do with conservatives. This is our bed and yes, we only have ourselves to blame.

[garyb]

A dilution of the libertarian vote means Obama will win the White House.

I've had it with liberal republicans.

[Grampa Dave]

First a little editing on your comment: "Barr is such a two faced scumbag, carrying water for the Bolsheviks in the ACLU."

My reality comment: Anyone hired by the ACLU is not a conservative and probably not much of an American.

Speaking of reality not chemically induced pipe dreams:

[msnpatriot]

So am I, I think it’s a good idea to look into what he has to say.

Under no circumstances can I support McCain or Hillary. I supported Fred Thompson.

***I am so frustrated with McCain that I am giving serious consideration to voting for Barr (assuming he is nominated.)***

[stockpirate]

The further to the left McCain moves the harder it will be for any conservative to vote for him.

At this point I will vote for whoever is a conservative.

And in spite of the anti-Romians here Huck is no friend of Conservatism so as a pick for the VP spot he doesn’t work.

[Redbob]

Oh fvck!

Just what we need: another Ross Perot-type spoiler who’ll divert enough votes to give the Dimocrat the election!

Is Obama financing this bid?

[jmc813]

Glad I officially have someone I can vote for. Go Bob!

[xzins]

Both the Libertarian and the CP’s are out to lunch when it comes to war, international relations, and foreign policy.

They are isolationists living in the 1700’s.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

I see the possibility of the total November 4 conservative votes being split among McCain, Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, and Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party (should Barr win the LP Presidential nomination). This doesn’t even include all of the write-ins for POTUS and all of the conservatives who truly decide to stay home on November 4 (I truly hope that not too many conservatives decide just to stay home on November 4!).

[wideawake]

when you consider that the 2000 election was won by a few hundred votes that policy of demonizing libertarians doesn’t seem very smart

If every Libertarian vote cast in 2000 had been cast for the GOP instead, George Bush would still have lost the popular vote by 160,000 votes.

I don't recall any major player in the GOP demonizing Libertarians in 2000 or any other election.

[jmc813]

Barr is such a stupid prick.

That "stupid prick's" speech at the March For Justice helped establish FR as the premier political site on the web. It's perfectly valid to have issues with him, but freepers should show him at least a modicum of respect.

[wolf78]

Barr a libertarian???

Barr: Barr was a strong supporter of the War on Drugs, reflecting his previous experience as Anti-Drug Coordinator for the Department of Justice. While in Congress, he was a member of the Speaker's Task Force for a Drug-Free America. This task force was established in 1998 by then Speaker Newt Gingrich to "design a World War II-style victory plan to save America's children from illegal drugs." The task force crafted legislation specifically designed to "win the War on Drugs by 2002".

Barr advocated complete federal prohibition of medical marijuana. In 1998, He successfully blocked implementation Initiative 59 -- the "Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998" -- which would have legalized medical marijuana in the District of Columbia.

There is no legitimate use whatsoever for marijuana. This is not medicine. This is bogus witchcraft. It has no place in medicine, no place in pain relief... (Wikipedia)

Libertarian Party Platform: Drug prohibition does more to make Americans unsafe than any other factor. Just as alcohol prohibition gave us Al Capone and the mafia, drug prohibition has given us the Crips, the Bloods and drive-by shootings. Consider the historical evidence: America's murder rate rose nearly 70% during alcohol prohibition, but returned to its previous levels after prohibition ended. Now, since the War on Drugs began, America's murder rates have doubled. The cause/effect relationship is clear. Prohibition is putting innocent lives at risk.

What's more, drug prohibition also inflates the cost of drugs, leading users to steal to support their high priced habits. It is estimated that drug addicts commit 25% of all auto thefts, 40% of robberies and assaults, and 50% of burglaries and larcenies. Prohibition puts your property at risk. Finally, nearly one half of all police resources are devoted to stopping drug trafficking, instead of preventing violent crime. The bottom line? By ending drug prohibition Libertarians would double the resources available for crime prevention, and significantly reduce the number of violent criminals at work in your neighborhood. (Party Website)

Who's kidding whom?

[bw17]

Who’s the conservative?

Barr is a member of the ACLU and has strongly denounced the Patriot Act.

He may have once been a conservative, but not longer.

He’s the Republican version of Joseph Lieberman...ready to sell his party out over a single issue.