Barr vs Linder: A matter of more than style (Bonus: DC Report & Pics)

The Hill ^ | 06-12-02 | David Keene

[Skeet]

Georgia’s fiery Republican Rep. Bob Barr (Ga.) has never been particularly popular among his Democratic colleagues. He was, after all, the first member of Congress to call for former President Clinton’s impeachment and has never cut his opponents much slack on issues that concern him.

What’s more, the man’s ubiquitous. He fights for his beliefs in committee, on the House floor and in the media. As a result, he’s been a target ever since his 1994 arrival in town and this time they believe they may be able to get him.

Oh, they know he won’t be taken out in a general election. They’ve tried that and failed, but now they’re banking on getting his fellow Republicans to do him in for them. The Democrats had a field day redistricting Georgia and one of the benefits of their ultimate scheme was throwing Barr into a newly created district with fellow Republican Rep. John Linder. They’re hoping that Linder can beat him in the GOP primary.

It’s not that they like Linder all that much. His voting record differs so little from Barr’s that the two men stipulated at a recent debate — or “joint appearance” as they call such things these days — that they agree on just about everything. It’s just that the Democrats simply cannot stand Barr.

During that appearance the two combatants suggested that since they do agree on just about everything (The American Conservative Union rates Barr at 100 percent and Linder at 96 percent) voters might want to make their selection based upon which man’s “style” they find most appealing.

Linder, an old-style conservative who gained at least a smidgen of notoriety toiling as then-Speaker Newt Gingrich’s handpicked man at the National Republican Congressional Committee or NRCC, hasn’t been heard from since Newt left the House. He’s what conservative activists sometimes refer to as “House-broken.”

He is, in short, relatively uncontroversial if only because he doesn’t get up in the morning ready to go to war for his beliefs or much of anything else. The House is largely made up of folks just like him … good men and women on both sides of the aisle who go to work in the morning, do their job and rarely make waves. Most of them get reelected and, to be perfectly honest, Congress couldn’t function without them.

Indeed, a Congress filled with Bob Barrs would be both difficult to picture and hard to manage. Imagine 435 men and women brimming with ideas, unwilling to compromise on matters of principle, and ready to take on all comers in the fight for what they see as right. It might be fun to watch, but probably wouldn’t produce much.

But a Congress without a few Bob Barrs would be even worse. It would be easy to manage but incredibly boring.

The question is whether the voters of Georgia’s new 7th Congressional District will recognize this or whether they’ll opt for a candidate who’ll vote right and let others carry the fight. The numbers favor Linder since much of the new district includes voters who have supported him in the past, but primary voters are a fiery bunch and may just decide to opt for a fighter. At least that’s what Barr is hoping because one suspects he wouldn’t change his approach to what he does even if he could.

Poll data from the district suggests the Republicans who will make this choice on August 20th like both men. As a result the primary will be close and the winner will be the candidate who can inspire and motivate his supporters.

Barr and Linder suggest their differences are largely stylistic. That’s only partially true because their stylistic differences go to their relative willingness to take risks on behalf of their beliefs and their overall influence. Bob Barr is an innovator and a leader. He’s considered partisan by those who don’t like him, but he’s fought for privacy and individual rights alongside folks like Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) to reform our civil forfeiture laws and the American Civil Liberties Union in warning about the future dangers lurking in our nation’s response to Osama bin Laden and his buddies.

He’s raised important questions that a Congress without a few Bob Barrs might never even consider. In fact, I believe that a Congress without him would be poorer for his absence and I hope his constituents agree.

[Skeet]

On Site Report: Bob Barr Fundraiser
Washington, DC – Tuesday, 11 June at 7pm

Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending a fundraiser for Congressman Bob Barr at the home of Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. Norquist, along with David Keene hosted the event, which that ran from 6:30 PM to a little after 9:00. There were about 40 persons in attendance including Chuck Muth, Executive Director for the American Conservative Union, Gary Aldrich, President and Founder of the Patrick Henry Center and TrueBlackMan, Government and Political Affairs Director for the African American Republican Leadership Council.

Congressman Barr gave a few remarks concerning his primary race. It is a tight race and one that pits him against a fellow Republican Congressman John Linder for Georgia’s newly drawn 7th Congressional District.

When I got an opportunity to talk with Congressman Barr, he spoke warmly of Free Republic and all the Freepers he has come to know. I thanked him for his years of support and we talked of the need to get Freepers involved with his reelection campaign. There was mention of a daylong event upcoming on August 10th. He, along with other conservative leaders, will be canvassing District 7 to motivate voters to come out and support him at the polls on August 20th.

For more information on assisting with the Barr Campaign, please VOLUNTEER or email Brad Alexander, Congressman Barr’s Campaign Manager.

[Mo1]

SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

Thank you Registered!
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD

[Skeet]

Still smiling even after finding out you had a radio show to do in half an hour.

[deport]

Over two months till the primary correct? Is there any indications of how the constituents maybe leaning?

[Skeet]

Bob Barr and Skeet

[Skeet]

They appear to be neck and neck right now. Given all the support he has shown FR, it is extremely important that we get behind his campaign. He is truly a friend of Free Republic.

[Alissa]

This Larry Flynt story is too one-sided in my opinion. The ex-wife is way too saintly and Barr is way too much of a heel to ring true. Did you hear that Barr was suing Clinton, Flynt, and Carville? Why would you bring this garbage from Larry Flynt? He has no credibility and should be scorned NOT QUOTED for God's sake!

[Lee_Atwater]

I'm not sure what this article has to do with this thread.

[Fish out of Water]

*Index Bump and fyi

[The Shrew]

I love how you write your posts with links and references. If there were more of this FR would start to lose it's "TinFoil" reputation. Excellent work! You do us all credit when you post like this!

I've stood on that stairway myself. All eyes weren't looking at me though ;-)

Regards,

TS

[MinuteGal]

"....continues Gail in her sworn testimony to Larry Flynt"

Oh? What court is Flynt connected with? This is like Bonnie submitting a sworn statement to Clyde. Her sick and sleazy dealings with the porn peddler is enough for me to discount her bitter frothings entirely.

Anyhow, thanks for this post, Skeet. I'm sending off a contribution to Cong. Barr in tomorrow's mail. He's been a true and steadfast friend to Free Republic for as long as I can remember.

Leni

[The Shrew]

Anyhow, thanks for this post, Skeet. I'm sending off a contribution to Cong. Barr in tomorrow's mail. He's been a true and steadfast friend to Free Republic for as long as I can remember.

You can say that again FRIVA DIVA! Congressman Barr deserves all of the support we can muster.

Regards,

TS

[lavrenti]

I am a right-winger who considers "social conservativism" a load of hooey. Your snide comments mean nothing to me. Although Barr may lose, he did his job and I expect him to be at a position in the Justice Department soon after next January.

It's all about the Constitution, basic liberty and smashing your enemies to the point where they are unable to fight back. Barr's personal life and how he handled it is none of my business. While you may argue Clinton was similar, I truly beg to differ, knowing the facts of the case.

[LarryLied]

Social conservatism means upholding social institutions, such as marriage.

And Bob Barr does. That he doesn't live up to his own standards is irrelevant, despite what your pal Saul Alinsky says in rule #4. Check out someone sane instead of Alinsky. Start with Gertrude Himmelfarb on Victorian virtues.

[Lee_Atwater]

I really don't know that much about Barr. I do know he is an NRA board member, and supports a cause of mine. Further, I don't consider myself a social conservative activist. So his home life is not a concern of mine.

[Alissa]

You might not like Barr, but don't introduce Larry Flynt as a back-up to your opinion. It only undermines it. Flynt's a pornographer and to quote him makes me wonder where you're seeking your opinions.