Bob Barr on C-Span’s Washington Journal
April 12th, 2008 by StaffBob explains his positions on a myriad of topics as well as answering phone calls from viewers.
Tags: Bob Barr, Press, Video, Washington Journal
Bob explains his positions on a myriad of topics as well as answering phone calls from viewers.
Tags: Bob Barr, Press, Video, Washington Journal
April 12th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Good interview. We do need to realize the tough social issues need to be left up to the states.
April 12th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
i agree. So why is the national LP taking any position on abortion? If it is going to say anything it should be that Roe should be overturned. Other than that the platform should be agnostic.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Bob,
You did great! Thanks for giving us a real choice!
BTW, why are their only 250,000 members in the Libertarian Party? That number seems really low.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I am liking where this is going and wish you the best of luck as you continue, I hope supporters of Ron Paul will find you and back you as well as new members.
Laura, I think (though this is a very subjective question) the main reason often is that Libertarian’s have a diehard extreme that is uncomfortable to people, such as myself. Although Libertarian roots are important, the party (and trust me, the other parties are as guilty but “get away” with it since they’re more established) and members have often been closed off to listening to input. I think that’s why Bob is impressing me, although he has a strong stance and view on his beliefs he is smart enough to say “Not everything the other parties do is horrible.” I think the candidates best for our country can’t live under one philosophy and one philosophy only, it’s great to have a strong solid base and be able to listen to ideas from others and realize many of them do have merit. It’s hard to do that though, having a strong base often causes tunnel vision. My point is, although I believe in nearly all Libertarian views I personally fear the “all or nothing” view often implemented. I like the way Bob is talking about changing things and throwing in another perspective.
Best of luck Bob, I will definitely be doing more homework in the next few days to learn more about you and your plans. I am impressed so far.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Laura, the 250,000 number they speak of is the number of dues paying members of the national Libertarian Party. There are many more people who will vote Libertarian, but do not pay dues and take an active role in the running of the party.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Kyle, that’s not correct. They have less than 20k dues-paying members. The max in their 36 year history at any given time is less than 30k.
There are 250,000 registered libertarians in the U.S.
It’s a small party that packs a big punch.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Mr. Barr,
I’m 64 and have voted in every election since 1964. My conscience would not have allowed me to vote for a president in the upcoming election. I have been a Republican since I first voted for Richard Nixon. My views were reinforced by spending a day as Ronald Reagan’s body guard, and having a chance to converse with him, in 1968.
I’m going to check you out. I’m hoping that what I find will allow me to do my duty which is twofold: To be informed and then cast a vote in good conscience.
I’d like, sir, to offer one more observation. Energy is the single issue that is behind the breakdown of our domestic economy, the world wide economy and much of the mayhem in the world. Every other issue which is being bandied about for votes, are inconsequential when put into the context of what American energy independence would mean.
No other candidate is talking about this #1 issue. Perhaps they are afraid of the obstructionists on the left and (sadly) in the center and the right.
Alternative sources of energy are important niches, to be sure. But niches they will remain for decades. However, using our food for fuel is insanity. But the careful and deliberate exploitation of domestic and offshore coal, gas and oil should be the foremost presidential issue. Along with this, the expansion of refineries and a program of massive construction of nuclear power plants should be paramount.
To announce that the above is a primary goal of your presidency, quite possibly would not only put you in serious contention, but verbalize what America really knows and thinks about daily on display.
To paraphrase a James Carville slogan: ‘It’s about energy independence, stupid!’
The economy is the greatest issue concerning Americans. Energy derived from oil, gas nuclear power and coal is the lifeblood of the economy.
The war in Iraq, the entire Middle East, emerging economies, and radical Islam could be looked at in an entirely different context once America wises up to the importance of our massive resources.
April 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
the LP platform should say abortion is up to the states. and to people that are concerned about abortion can simply tell them that the chances are, their state will vote to make the law the way the citizen would like it.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Correction- The LP has a zero dues program where you can become a member by just signing “The Pledge” that number is between 250,000-300,000. The LP has about 22,000 sustaining of higher members who pay dues and run the party.