Bob Barr Announces Libertarian Bid For President

[Suzie]

Bob Barr Announces Libertarian Bid For President (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTkitcyhIRMkAKRTQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHZkMjZ yBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12ng714t8/EXP=1210697005/**http%3a//cbs13.com/national/barr.presidential.candidate.2.721779.html) http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sch/bn/nw2.gif (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTkitcyhIRMkAKhTQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHZkMjZ yBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=12ng714t8/EXP=1210697005/**http%3a//cbs13.com/national/barr.presidential.candidate.2.721779.html)
CBS 13 Sacramento - 47 minutes agoFormer Republican Rep. Bob Barr announced that he's running for president as a Libertarian. Barr, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, represented Georgia's 7th Congressional District from 1995 to 2003.

[Maggie_T]

And who is this Bob Barr, when he's at home?

[Big Coffee]

http://www.bobbarr2008.com/issues/

Well, he has me as a voter if he does what he says. A potential spoiler for the Republican candidate. I don't see him taking votes away from Obama or Hillary.

[Eagle1]

Libertarian will probably get my vote. I am sick of big government and the pubs will never do anything to reduce the size of government again.

[DeclinetoState]

And I'm sure that if you vote Libertarian and the Democrat wins because of the votes the Libertarian has siphoned off of the Republican that the Democrat will then roll up his or her sleeves in gratitude and work day and night to shrink the government.

NOT!

[Big Coffee]

And I'm sure that if you vote Libertarian and the Democrat wins because of the votes the Libertarian has siphoned off of the Republican that the Democrat will then roll up his or her sleeves in gratitude and work day and night to shrink the government.

NOT!

I am not a Republican. I will vote for the conservative candidate regardless of his/her party affiliation. If no conservative candidate is fielded, I reserve the right to vote for the lesser of two evils. If the Republican party cannot field a candidate who believes in limited government, thats their problem.

It is also OUR problem as a nation if a Dem gets elected, but I refuse to continue to be part of this "two-party" problem. If Obama/Hillary wins, its because the Republican Party has abandoned fiscal conservatism and the Bill of Rights.

[Lazarus]

And who is this Bob Barr, when he's at home?Maggie, Bob Barr was an outspoken CONSERVATIVE congressman from Georgia who had the bad taste to call the Lefties what they were time and again when he was in Congress... He was part of the Reagan revolution way back when we had some hope... He was a fire-breather...

Bob Barr's a good man and I admire him, but I don't see his attachment to the Libertarians as being anything significant or fruitful... Its probably his best idea for registering a protest against the RINO takeover of the Pubs... But hey, who knows - it could take off... Even the most successful political movements started small...

I wouldn't mind considering the Libertarian party if only the Libertarian party would ever decide what they were for and against... Their platform is a concoction of legitimate believers in a strict observance of the Constitution mixed in with true anarchistic Hippies - not anarchy in the sense of Communist Revolutionaries, but instead in the sense of bums who want no laws at all - mainly so they can freely obtain the recreational drugs they crave without the threat of legal action... THOSE kind of anarchists...

Actually I kind of wish Bob would just start a Conservative party... I might seriously consider voting for him if he would...

I'll put it this way... Since the Republicans have told me that after I have given them my vote I can STFU and go back to my box, and I have determined to not give my vote to the Great Pretender, and I have determined to write-in the name of a Conservative I CAN support in good conscience, I will promise to consider Bob Barr since my vote will be one of protest anyway... I'm trying to think of a reason why I shouldn't support Bob Barr - So far I haven't found one... He is a true Reagan Conservative...

[Maggie_T]

Maggie, Bob Barr was an outspoken CONSERVATIVE congressman from Georgia who had the bad taste to call the Lefties what they were time and again when he was in Congress... He was part of the Reagan revolution way back when we had some hope... He was a fire-breather...

Oh.

Bob Barr's good man and I admire him, but I don't see his attachment to the Libertarians as being anything significant or fruitful... Its probably his best idea for registering a protest against the RINO takeover of the Pubs... But hey, who knows - it could take off... Even the most successful political movements started small...

Maybe. But this is not a good time to start experiments. It's never a good time to start experiments when the threat of socialism looms over us. :sad:

I wouldn't mind considering the Libertarian party if only the Libertarian party would ever decide what they were for and against...

Their platform is a concoction of legitimate believers in a strict observance of the Constitution mixed in with true anarchistic Hippies - not anarchy in the sense of Communist Revolutionaries, but instead in the sense of bums who want no laws at all - mainly so they can freely obtain the recreational drugs they crave without the threat of legal action... THOSE kind of anarchists...

I hear you. That's why I can never trust them. They come across as a bunch of bratty kids who confuse anarchism and license with freedom. Such ignorance can only lead to trouble.

Actually I kind of wish Bob would just start a Conservative party... I might seriously consider voting for him if he would...

Well, becoming a libertarian (:rolleyes:) is not the best way to start.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

From BobBarr2008
Restoring National Defense (http://www.bobbarr2008.com/issues/)

* For far too long and at the cost of American blood and treasure, our great military has been too willingly and quickly used for purposes other than national defense. Our fighting men and women deserve better and the integrity of our nation must be restored.
* Our National Defense policy must renew a commitment to non-intervention. We are not the world's police force and our long, yet recently tarnished, tradition of respecting the sovereignty of other nations is necessary, not from only a moral standpoint, but to regain the respect of the world as a principled and peaceful nation.
* The proper use of force is clear. If attacked, the aggressor will experience firsthand the skillful wrath of the American fighting man. However, invading or initiating force against another nation based upon perceived threats and speculative intelligence is simply un-American. We are better than the policy of pre-emptive warfare.


Ron Paul-lite?

[Suzie]

Ron Paul-lite?

My thoughts exactly.

[Lazarus]

...Well, becoming a libertarian (:rolleyes:) is not the best way to start.Yeah, I suspect Bob chose them because its a lot easier to take over an existing party infrastructure than to start one from scratch... His mistake is that he also wins the bad reputation that the Libertarians have earned for themselves...

In truth I don't think of Barr as a Libertarian in the kind of mould they have created for themselves... I really think attaching to them was a mistake if he's serious about getting back into politics...

I'd much rather see Barr go back to Congress as a CONSERVATIVE Republican and work from the inside to take the party back... Bring back the Reagan Revolution and take over control of the House - Without Newt "the weathervane" this time...

We need people like Bob Barr in the House of Reps again - not playing at running for President...

[Big Coffee]

I quite honestly would like to see our fighting men defending our borders instead of "nation building". For far too long our nations soldiers have been asked to police the cesspools of this planet; and in return they get no thanks (or help) from the rest of the world (the European Union, United Nations) and little gratitude from the the natives they are there to assist.

For all of the weeping and wailing coming from Europe, when was the last time they did diddly squat about any of their pet peeves...say... Rawanda? Darfur? Hey... thanks for the sandwiches Pierre. The ONLY time they care about sending their troops abroad is when they need "lebensraum". Or its happening in their back yard. (Serbia)

I would rather our country preserve our own borders, and punish those countries with the one thing that works every time its used. Capitalism and the American Dollar. Iraq? Iran? N. Korea? We will do no business with you.... nor any country with anyone who does business with you.

And the Third World cesspools who pitifully whine about our wealth and how we should "share" it with them? Tough luck, Hugo. No foriegn aid for you and your swell Lefty pals who want my tax dollars to save you from your Socialist fiscal malfeasence.

As a corollary, I would also like to see our nincompoop CIC get on the podium, and be a statesman for once. A simple statement like, "We will put the full weight and heft of the United States government into finding a technology for a homegrown, sustainable and perpetual energy source within 10 years. No more imported oil."

Watch the towel-heads fill their thawbs after that comes to pass...

I think that Bob Barr is dead on.

[Lazarus]

Well you make some good points, Coffee - Many I have made myself... I certainly don't see any of the three Leftist candidates considering closing the borders, much less using the military to do it...

I just don't know if Barr is using his talents in the most effective way, especially this late in the game... People who get in the race this late, on third party platforms are pretty much only doing it as a protest... And Bob Barr served Conservatism well as a Congressman...

The Congressional races have not yet started in earnest... I really wish he'd apply for another term in the House and become a thorn in Pelosi's side... We seem to have so few thorns there - The Pubs have forgotten how to BE an opposition party...

BTW, welcome aboard...

[Naturalized-Texan]

Ron Paul-lite?
Exactly!

[Maggie_T]

I quite honestly would like to see our fighting men defending our borders instead of "nation building". For far too long our nations soldiers have been asked to police the cesspools of this planet; and in return they get no thanks (or help) from the rest of the world (the European Union, United Nations) and little gratitude from the the natives they are there to assist.

For all of the weeping and wailing coming from Europe, when was the last time they did diddly squat about any of their pet peeves...say... Rawanda? Darfur? Hey... thanks for the sandwiches Pierre. The ONLY time they care about sending their troops abroad is when they need "lebensraum". Or its happening in their back yard. (Serbia)

I would rather our country preserve our own borders, and punish those countries with the one thing that works every time its used. Capitalism and the American Dollar. Iraq? Iran? N. Korea? We will do no business with you.... nor any country with anyone who does business with you.

And the Third World cesspools who pitifully whine about our wealth and how we should "share" it with them? Tough luck, Hugo. No foriegn aid for you and your swell Lefty pals who want my tax dollars to save you from your Socialist fiscal malfeasence.

As a corollary, I would also like to see our nincompoop CIC get on the podium, and be a statesman for once. A simple statement like, "We will put the full weight and heft of the United States government into finding a technology for a homegrown, sustainable and perpetual energy source within 10 years. No more imported oil."

Watch the towel-heads fill their thawbs after that comes to pass...

I think that Bob Barr is dead on.

Big Coffee, if you were in front of me, I'd hug you. Since you're not, all I can do is use a smilie. Here :hugs:

I agree with every word you say. I'm sick to DEATH with people dissing America ... but demanding that she foot the bill for everything that goes wrong in the world.

And you're dead on about Europe. All they do is whine and bitch. But at the time of putting their money in their big mouth, no, it's America who should pony up.

And any whiny, guilt-ridden, bleedin' heart liberal who gets offended reading this can kiss my ultra conservative bleep! :flame:

BC, if you ever run for prez, you can count on my vote. :thumb:

[Rhino]

I quite honestly would like to see our fighting men defending our borders instead of "nation building".So would I. So if we ever do engage in nation building, I'm gonna be pissed.

[ThomasMore]

http://www.bobbarr.com/images/barr002.jpeg

Barr is (or at least, was) a dyed-in-the-wool conservative, a Reaganite with small-l libertarian leanings. He occasionally takes on some odd stances. For example, he is, or was until recently, a member of the ACLU.* Overall, his history is far to the right of John McCain.

*Barr was never comfortable with the implications of the Patriot Act. He joined forces with the ACLU and took out membership in that organization as a response to some of the Patriot Act's provisions.

Here is some fairly balanced background on Bob Barr from Wikipedia:

From 1970 to 1978, Barr was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1986, he was appointed by President Reagan to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia -- a post Barr held until 1990. From 1990 to 1991, Barr was president of the Southeastern Legal Foundation.

...

Barr was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 as a Republican...Barr was later reelected three times, serving from 1995 to 2003. While in Congress, Barr served as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee of Financial Services.

Georgia's congressional districts were reorganized by the Democrat-controlled Georgia legislature ahead of the 2002 elections for the 108th Congress. The majority of the new district 7 was composed of regions formerly associated with district 11, then represented by Republican John Linder. Much to the Democrats' delight, this redistricting led Barr to challenge Linder for representation of district 7. This was pleasing to Georgia democrats, including then governor Roy Barnes, because it meant the inevitable defeat of an incumbent Republican (i.e., either Barr or Linder).

Recognizing Barr's precarious situation, the Libertarian Party seized on the opportunity to oust one of the federal drug war's most vocal proponents (Barr), and ran TV ads criticizing Barr's opposition to state control of medical marijuana. Barr was soundly defeated by a 2-to-1 margin.

...

During his tenure, Barr was regarded as one of the most conservative members of Congress. In 2002, he was described as "the idol of the gun-toting, abortion-fighting, IRS-hating hard right wing of American politics". However, Barr's criticism of the Bush administration's encroachment on privacy and other civil liberties after the 9/11 attacks was unusual among House Republicans.

...

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".

...

He authored and sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, a law enacted in 1996 which states that only marriages that are between a man and a woman can be federally recognized, and individual states may choose not to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another state. However, he does not support the Federal Marriage Amendment, citing states' rights reasons.

...

He voted for the Patriot Act, but only after his amendments adding "sunset clauses" were added to the final bill. Barr played a similar role during the debate over Bill Clinton's Comprehensive Anti-terrorism Act of 1995, crafting pro-civil liberties amendments to the original text. He now publicly regrets his Patriot Act vote.

...

In Congress, he also controversially proposed that the Pentagon ban the practice of Wicca in the military.

Barr is also a supporter of the Fair Tax and repealing the 16th Amendment, which gives the US Congress the right to levy an income tax.

...

Barr is best known for his role as one of the House managers during the Clinton impeachment trial. It was Barr who first introduced a resolution directing Judiciary Committee to inquire into impeachment proceedings -- months before the Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light. Chief among the concerns Barr cited at the time was apparent obstruction of Justice Department investigations into Clinton campaign fundraising from foreign sources, chiefly China.

Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Barr)

What concerns me is that some of Barr's congressional positions clearly diverge from the Libertarian Party platform. Barr has probably changed some of those positions in order to become a leader in the LP, and the LP's presidential nominee.

[TeenageRepublican]

I'm actually going to try to meet Barr when he comes to CO this month. My brother's taking me to see the Libertarian Convention. I want to see what this guy's about.

[Eagle1]

And I'm sure that if you vote Libertarian and the Democrat wins because of the votes the Libertarian has siphoned off of the Republican that the Democrat will then roll up his or her sleeves in gratitude and work day and night to shrink the government.

NOT!

But that is the point. No party will shrink government until the pubs come back to their senses, and that will not happen with mccain. All you will see is the destruction of the republican party.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

DeclinetoState:
And I'm sure that if you vote Libertarian and the Democrat wins because of the votes the Libertarian has siphoned off of the Republican...

:unsmile: That's exactly why Oklahoma has a demonic rat governor.

[ThomasMore]

The Republican Party is not without conservatives, and more than ever, those deserve and need our support:

In the Senate:

John Cornyn (R-Tx)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tx)
John Thune (R-SD)
John DeMint (R-SC)
James Imhofe (R-Ok)
Tom Coburn (R-Ok)
Sam Brownback (R-Ks)
Pat Roberts (R-Ks)
Wayne Allard (R-Co)
Jon Kyl (R-Az)
Jeff Sessions (R-Al)
Richard Shelby (R-Al)

In the House:

John A. Boehner (R-OH)
Steve Chabot (R-OH)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
John Linder (R-OH)
John Mica (R-FL)
Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO)
John Shadegg (R-AZ)
Tom Tancredo (R-CO)

There are more, but these are the "big names," who are finding themselves more and more isolated.

[Lubbock]

Bob Barr is sleezy.

You should take a look at his personal life.

On the order of Newt when it come to personal sleeze.

[Timberwolf]

I quite honestly would like to see our fighting men defending our borders instead of "nation building". For far too long our nations soldiers have been asked to police the cesspools of this planet; and in return they get no thanks (or help) from the rest of the world (the European Union, United Nations) and little gratitude from the the natives they are there to assist.
Yup.

For all of the weeping and wailing coming from Europe, when was the last time they did diddly squat about any of their pet peeves...say... Rawanda? Darfur? Hey... thanks for the sandwiches Pierre. The ONLY time they care about sending their troops abroad is when they need "lebensraum". Or its happening in their back yard. (Serbia)
Yup.

I would rather our country preserve our own borders, and punish those countries with the one thing that works every time its used. Capitalism and the American Dollar. Iraq? Iran? N. Korea? We will do no business with you.... nor any country with anyone who does business with you.
Absofrigginlutely

And the Third World cesspools who pitifully whine about our wealth and how we should "share" it with them? Tough luck, Hugo. No foriegn aid for you and your swell Lefty pals who want my tax dollars to save you from your Socialist fiscal malfeasence.
Oh, YEAH.

As a corollary, I would also like to see our nincompoop CIC get on the podium, and be a statesman for once. A simple statement like, "We will put the full weight and heft of the United States government into finding a technology for a homegrown, sustainable and perpetual energy source within 10 years. No more imported oil."
Drill in ANWR & theGulf of Mexico, build refinereries and nuclear power plants and develop our coal resources (coal gasification). We could do it in 5, if we put our minds to it. First step is telling the enviropsychos to phuqq off.

Watch the towel-heads fill their thawbs after that comes to pass...

I think that Bob Barr is dead on.
Yup...he's likely gonna get my vote.

[Lazarus]

...Drill in ANWR & theGulf of Mexico, build refinereries and nuclear power plants and develop our coal resources (coal gasification). We could do it in 5, if we put our minds to it. First step is telling the enviropsychos to phuqq off...If anyone remembers the rate of industrial production that America put out during WW2 to support the war effort - A battle ship every couple of weeks - hundreds of tanks per day - then you know if the president geared this nation up for it we'd have it done in less than 5...

And on the very day he made the announcement publicly, especially the drilling part, world markets would react in an immediate drop in oil prices as OPEC reacts in panic to America waking up and drilling their own oil...

McCain knows this too - If he doesn't then he's a bigger economic moron than I suspected...

[Timberwolf]

...and the thing that REALLY pisses me off is I wrote to the President 2 or 3 times in the past 2½ years telling him just that...and NOTHING.

Peter Buetell of Cameron-Hanover (energy risk management company in New Canaan, CT) still hasn't started promoting an Executive Order by the President, even though he said such action by the President would likely cut oil prices in half...and that's when oil was $60-$65 / barrel.

My ass is officially chapped. :flame:

Someone pass the Desenex...we're ALL gonna need it before this is over.

[dajoga]

A simple statement like, "We will put the full weight and heft of the United States government into finding a technology for a homegrown, sustainable and perpetual energy source within 10 years. No more imported oil.

IMO, that's about as possible as drilling an oil well in the White House's back lawn into Saudi Arabia's biggest oil field!

[ThomasMore]

Bob Barr is sleazy.

You should take a look at his personal life.

On the order of Newt when it come to personal sleaze.

An outspoken foe of abortion, the Georgia lawmaker had acquiesced to his then-wife having an abortion in 1983. And he had invoked a legal privilege during his 1985 divorce proceeding so he could refuse to answer questions on whether he'd cheated on his second wife with the woman who is now his third.

Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Barr)

According to Wiki, this was unearthed by the Honorable Larry Flynt, who made a cottage industry of digging up dirt on anyone who supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

[Eagle1]

Wow, how could he ever go back to congress with all of this hypocrisy?

[DeclinetoState]

According to Wiki, this was unearthed by the Honorable Larry Flynt, who made a cottage industry of digging up dirt on anyone who supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

The "Honorable Larry Flynt," who once got sued for publishing a faked picture or cartoon of Bob Guccione, publisher of rival porn mag Penthouse, engaging in a homosexual act.

[ThomasMore]

The "Honorable Larry Flynt", who also used Hustler to "parody" a liquor ad with a purported endorsement by Rev. Jerry Falwell describing his first sexual experience, with his mother in an outhouse.

If you really want to see the parody, you can, here (http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/campari.jpg).

Rev. Falwell sued. The Supreme Court (http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/hustler.html) said that Flynt had a right to do it.

http://starsmedia.ign.com/stars/image/article/867/867026/jabba-the-hutt-20080416020224165-000.jpg

Larry Flynt

[dPrasse]

And I'm sure that if you vote Libertarian and the Democrat wins because of the votes the Libertarian has siphoned off of the Republican that the Democrat will then roll up his or her sleeves in gratitude and work day and night to shrink the government.

If I were to vote for Bob Barr , Barr won't be siphoning my vote from McCain ... McCain isn't worthy of my vote the way he is currently moving ...

If McCain loses this election for POUS , it is 100% on John McCain !

This election for President should be a slam-dunk if trhe (R) Party had ANY leadership ...

The Dems have Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb ...

We have Tweedle Me-Too ...

[BarkleUSA]

Hey, we've all been belly aching about not having a real dog in this fight - and now we've got one. I'd like to see Barr's popularity take off... I'll vote for him.

I was ready to vote for McCain just based on his Supreme Court nomination positions but his recent Global Warming speeches and comprehensive immigration reform rhetoric have made it clear he's Obama-light.

I'll be voting for Bob Barr because the Republican Party needs a wake-up call.

[dPrasse]

I was ready to vote for McCain just based on his Supreme Court nomination positions but his recent Global Warming speeches and comprehensive immigration reform rhetoric have made it clear he's Obama-light.

I'll be voting for Bob Barr because the Republican Party needs a wake-up call.

I really find McCain hard to believe when he talks about Judicial appointments after he goes of sounding like the Democrats VP on Global Warming , Gitmo and Immigration ....

Would he really nominate Judges that would counter everything he supports ???

I think he's just handing Conservatives a pile of manure he knows will not fly in reality ...

He and the rest of his liberal socialist country-club RINO think the Conservatives enjoy being on the Republican plantation ....

I don't ...

[Lubbock]

I think the Wiki entry may be old, because I thought Barr was now married to his fourth wife.

[dajoga]

I think the Wiki entry may be old, because I thought Barr was now married to his fourth wife.

4th wife??? The guy must be a real JERK! If he can't provide good leadership in his home, what makes him think he can run our country?