What they are saying about Bob
April 9th, 2008 by Stephen Gordon“Bob Barr just may be the guy to bring libertarian ideas further into the mainstream, the media has been much more receptive to him than it ever was to Ron Paul, and he’s hopefully learned from a couple of the mistakes in Dr. Paul’s campaign.”
“The pollsters are now telling us John McCain could pull it off, with match-ups pitting him against both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton showing the War Party’s favorite son neck-and-neck with the Dems. Aside from the nearly complete meaninglessness of such data at this time, what these polls fail to take into account is one factor likely to have a large – and possibly decisive – impact on the presidential race: I’m talking about the Barr Factor.”
“Barr can potentially appeal to disgruntled conservatives who see the choice of McCain or the Democrats as analogous to picking between being punched in the stomach or kneed in the groin. This includes both the enthusiastic — and generous — grassroots activists who powered libertarian Congressman Ron Paul’s GOP presidential campaign and many more conventional Republicans in whom McCain inspires dyspepsia. No less a mainstream conservative than Rush Limbaugh has argued that McCain’s election would lead to a revival of Rockefeller Republicanism. To some on the right, that’s as bad as extending the Clinton dynasty.”
“…I think there will probably be a bunch of voters who don’t much like the McCain Perpetual War agenda but who also think that at the end of the day Barack Obama’s a liberal and they’re not not. In theory, at least, there’s room for a sort of John Anderson figure and you could see Barr playing that role.”
“Bob Barr’s entry into the 2008 prez-stakes is generating more buzz than Mike Gravel’s Libertarian conversion…”
“Some Paulites claimed to be returning to the Republican Party’s Reaganite roots. But of course they were in fact advocating a return to the verities of Robert Taft’s day, and to the scrupulously independent foreign policy of George Washington’s Farewell Address. Is there any future in this brand of politics? Hundreds of thousands of youthful activists seem to think so. If Barr can keep them energized, he may well change the face of national politics for years to come.”
“At least on the Presidential level, the Republicans have lost my vote this year, and if Barr is the LP nominee, he’ll have not only my vote but also my enthusiastic support. I suspect that there are other limited-government Republicans out there who feel the same way.
“Here they go again .. all those emails from people who are upset with (1) Bob Barr running for president on the Libertarian Party ballot; and (2) my support for the Libertarian Party. (I’m a lifetime member.) These people are concerned that Barr’s candidacy are going to give us another Ross Perot situation … where votes for Perot essentially put Bill Clinton into office. Frankly … I’m really not going to be upset if the Republicans get their hats handed to them in this election.”
Strong rhetoric, calling John McCain “part of the problem, part of the status quo, more of the same.” [Barr] calls Obama “an empty suit” and says Hillary is “no leader.”
“They’re playing it so safe that, when it comes to Constitutional concerns, former Georgia Republican Congressman Bob Barr — a recently announced Libertarian contender — is doing a better job out outlining the high crimes and misdemeanors of the president and vice president than are the contenders for the nomination of the supposed opposition party.”
“Congressman Bob Barr’s announcement that he is seeking the nomination to run for president on the Libertarian Party ticket is bad news for John McCain and good news for conservatives. Polls show Congressman Barr is the frontrunner in the race for the Libertarian Party nomination and very likely to get the nomination at the party’s national convention in May.”None of the four conservatives in the Republican race were able to gain traction in the primaries for various reasons, leaving the conservative base with yet another election in which they can hold their noses and vote for “the lesser of two evils” or stay home. Bob Barr entering the race changes that. If he is nominated, conservatives will have the additional option of voting for a conservative.”
“Increasingly, conservatives recognize that all the likely candidates from both major parties worship the state. Hence, for millions of us, the true purpose of this even-numbered year’s political exercise is to lay a new foundation for the future of liberty.”Ron Paul launched that noble and worthwhile effort. I have not seen such enthusiasm at the grass roots since 1960 (when I attended the GOP convention in Chicago as a Goldwater demonstrator). Let us pray that Bob Barr fights hard and shoots straight.”There is certainly a multitude of worthy targets.”
“I’m glad Barr’s getting in. He’ll provide an honorable alternative to McCain or Obama.”
“If you think as I do that McCain is already DOA, then a Bob Barr campaign is the funeral.”
April 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
With the wonderfully principled and eloquent Bob Barr entering the race, the Libertarian Party stands a chance of returning to its roots, garnering a significant percentage of the vote, critically meddling with the numbers of the Democratic and Republican nominee, and continuing the work of the Ron Paul campaign in advancing the cause of Liberty and Prosperity. Barr’s magnanimous message will serve as a beacon to the significant minority of Americans who are ready to continue the Revolution.
April 9th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Take any of the three, McCain, Obama, or Clinton and there is no real difference in either of them. With Barr in the race, at least Americans will actually have a real choice. Yes, it will probably mean that a Democrat, probably Obama will win the White House, but at least there will be a choice. If we as a nation choose to elect Obama, then we only get what we deserve.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I was worried that I would have to vote for the lesser of two evils yet again, but Bob Barr finally provides me with a choice that I’m enthusiastic about! I’m glad that the press is actually giving him a somewhat fair shake.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Time to stop voting for the lesser of two big government evils! A vote for McCain or Obama is a wasted vote! A vote for Barr and Libertarianism is a vote for Individual liberty.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I came to voting age one year after I could have voted for Reagan
in 1985. Since 1985, this was the first year that a candidate I could
support for President had made it through to the time where I could
vote for him in a primary. That candidate was Ron Paul. Dr. Paul
says the right things, but frequently in a way that makes others not take
him seriously. Bob Barr, on the other hand, shares the views that
I have espoused my entire life and speaks them eloquently.
Out of the Republican candidates for President, I could have
supported any of them except the (politically) traitorous John McCain.
I have usually voted Libertarian because I could find no small
government candidate elsewhere. I voted twice for Ross Perot as well.
My university, Florida Tech, has been considering a presidential debate
in September to celebrate our 50th anniversary. I would be
honored to see Bob Barr at such an event.
The Libertarian Party has a realistic chance this year. With McCain
as a Presidential candidate, Taps will be playing for the Republican party.
Sincerely yours,
Prof. Jim Brenner
Florida Tech Chemical Engineering
321-749-3437
jbrenner@fit.edu, jb012767@aol.com
April 10th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Please ask Mr. Barr to enthusiastically support the Fair Tax.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Thanks, Mr. Barr, for helping to prosecute President Clinton.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Hey Chris,
Actually, McCain is worse than either of the democratic candidates. McCain would spend even more than the 350 million dollars a day that is currently being spent in Iraq. Plus McCain strongly supports the Real ID. A McCain nomination only proves that the republicans have morphed into democrats. The republicans have let us down and it’s time for a new major party. I hope the Libertarian Party can step up to the challenge.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I noticed a comet from Doug Mataconis who is a blogger at the “Liberty Papers” and “Behind the Beltway.” Doug posted on numerous occasions that he supported Ron Paul but he always offered some negative new topic to undermine Paul’s run. He even went on to say he was voting for Ron Paul so when some of the FEC fillings were released I searched his name to note his support but never found his name as a financial contributor to Ron Paul. I would post my point at the Liberty Papers as far as I’m concerned Doug Mataconis is a liar and his endorsement is meaningless.
As far as Barr I have only read about his views on his site and while he seems to offer great points I will write Ron Paul’s name in November.
My roots steam from the GOP side and while I have little faith in national GOP leadership lets face it it’s still a two party system. Barr will never be allowed to debate Hillary. Obama or McCain.
In regard to the libertarian party non one other then the libertarian side understand the dire economic times we face. The GOP has sold out it’s roots and thus far Paul has been the only candidate to interject real ideas into the mainstream. As a former banker I do not recall at anytime where the MSM is now condemning the Federal Reserve. Yet, with all the Fed.’s failings they are now calling for a new plan to oversee even more data it just seems to me they always create the issues then they offer a solution which is worse then the problem.
Barr will have to overcome the MSM and will have to interject himself into the spotlight before Paul supporters will even consider Barr as the best option. It’s been noted that several state GOP platforms have recently changed due to Paul supporters. In my own state we are set to battle the old guard in my region next weekend. By my count there are some 30 people running of the ROn Paul platform for congress and 18 look to have a great shot as winning. I’m only aware of one in the Senate who Paul has endorsed but someone told me there are five more in the Senate who are running as Ron Paul republicans.
The bottom line? Who will a libertarian candidate or a constitutional candidate capture the MSM attention and the hearts and mind of the people? Make no mistake I would love to see equal attention with the GOP, Donkeys, Libertarian and constitution party.
By the way I noticed yesterday while at Barns and Nobble that Ross Perot supports one of the biggest traitors of the people from Texas named Rick Perry. Ross, wrote a very positive foreword in Rick Perry’s new book. How sad because Perry by excutive order overrode the desire of the people of Texas to end the Trans Texas Corridor.
In closing last thursday we amassed a large number of people to oppose the Fed Reserve at each one of our congressmans office address. We focused on Ron Paul’s bill to elimite the Fed R and had just over 80 people at each office. The local TV station even came out to see what the issues were about. Later that night they offered in detail our concerns. Even our congressman responded. We also delivered just over 1500 signatures who also oppose the Feds printing of cash. We had members from each party there to support this cause. So if we can increase our actions to oppose or support variios bills from paul which in effect mimic some of Barr’s hopes then I would like to learn more about Barr as well.