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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 10/08/2002 8:36:54 AM PDT by md2576
The “worst Drug Warrior in Congress” has lost his seat -- and the Libertarian Party appears to have played a small role in making it happen.
U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, an outspoken opponent of medical marijuana, was defeated by Rep. John Linder in a Republican primary election in Georgia on August 20. With 82% of precincts reporting, Linder had 67% of the vote to Barr’s 33%, prompting Barr’s concession.
Over the past two weeks, Barr had been the target of a barrage of television ads produced by the Libertarian Party. The ads were run by Carole Ann Rand, the LP candidate for U.S. House in Georgia’s 7th Congressional district.
“Barr’s defeat is a victory for every American who believes that doctors and patients -- rather than politicians -- should be making medical decisions,” said Rand. “Like Babe Ruth pointing to a spot in the bleachers and hitting a home run, we pointed at our target and helped knock him out of Congress.”
The campaign to bump Bob Barr was the first test of the Libertarian Party’s “Incumbent Killer Strategy,” which is targeting the worst drug warriors in Congress for defeat.
The Rand campaign purchased approximately $40,000 worth of television advertising spots to attack the four-term incumbent -- including spots on broadcast networks Fox and NBC.
The ad also aired about 4,000 times on cable systems in the district.
While the amount of money the LP spent on the ads was small compared to overall spending in the hard-fought campaign, LP Political Director Ron Crickenberger said the issue-based ad, which features a multiple sclerosis sufferer and medical marijuana patient, quickly became a “lightning rod for publicity.”
“Both Barr and Linder ran personality-based, feel-good ads -- leaving us a huge opportunity to inject our issue into the public debate,” he said.
The Libertarian ad campaign received heavy coverage from newspapers throughout the district, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the most widely circulated newspaper in the state.
The hard-hitting commercial was also a frequent topic on talk radio, and was touted by Neal Boortz, an Atlanta-based talk radio host and Libertarian Party member.
Barr’s “out-of-touch” position on medical marijuana may have alienated many of the Congressman’s supporters -- and cost him votes, said Crickenberger, who produced the ad.
“With polls showing 73% support for medical marijuana, we were able to dramatize how out of step Barr is with ordinary voters,” he said. “And while Barr’s loss was attributable to many factors, it’s clear that these ads put another nail into his political coffin.”
The LP’s “Incumbent Killer Strategy” is one component of the party’s comprehensive plan to end federal drug prohibition within the decade.
Future targets include U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchison (R-AR), U.S. Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA), U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), and U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX). All have been marked for defeat in the November 2002 general election.
“With this victory, we have fired a warning shot for every drug warrior in Congress to hear,” said Crickenberger. “And any member of Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- who introduces legislation to make federal drug laws even more oppressive could be next on our list.”
And the funniest part of the debate was the end when Boortz asked the audiance if they would deny their loved ones Med. MJ if it would help ease their pain. The only person to raise their hand was Barr's wife!
5¢ a day funds liberal filth at Salon. What will you donate to FreeRepublic?
"Drugs are bad; the war on drugs is worse."
What a riot! And what a good wuestion to ask. Fo rthe brief time I treated oncology patients the only limitation to the amount of opiates requested by them was their respiratory rate. But that rarely mattered - until near the very end, terminal patients want to experience life to the fullest.
And it makes me livid - to think that totalitarians beleive that THEY can decide what choices individuals can make for themselves, for their own bodies. I liked Barr. But I'd like to think that some good could come from his defeat by indicating to other conservatives who think they can be popoular by being a WOD Warrior.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Yep, and FR is infested with those types.
I liked Barr. But I'd like to think that some good could come from his defeat by indicating to other conservatives who think they can be popoular by being a WOD Warrior.
I thought Barr was a pretty decent guy too until I found out he was a potaphobe totalitarian. Some people said he "had" to be supported because he was Pro-2A. But, I have never heard Barr, nor any (R) ever say they oppose current gun control laws. As far as I am concerned, unless a person is against current laws, they aren't really a friend of the 2A.
Yeah thats right, give us Mark Pryor. He'll be for drugs allright, he's no different that the former drug user in chief from his, and my state.
But besides that I can guarantee that Pryor is no overall friend of Libertarians. He will be for big, big and bigger government. Not exactly a big desire of the Libertarians.
But go figure. For a doobie, the libs give us a big government guy like Pryor.
You said it right.
Now, the LP just needs to target Boxer, Feinstein, Klinton, Blagojovich, Wellstone, McCain, Leiberman....
I should also note that the television ad was very poor. It was such a "shock" ad that I expect a lot of people mentally turned it off before they ever got the message.
It wasn't so much that Barr lost, but that Linder won. Linder is well known in the area and ran a strong campaign with a positive message. I doubt if any Republican could have defeated Linder in this race.
P.S.
As far as my drug stance goes, I'm opposed to the war on drugs, but I don't favor legalizing drugs. I would favor medicinal marijuana if it was prescribed by a doctor and sold through a pharmacy.
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