Q & A From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
May 17th, 2008 by Shana KluckExcerpts from an interview with Associate Editor, Bill Steigerwald-
Barr, who hopes to win the LP’s top spot at the party’s convention that starts Thursday, May 22, in Denver, has an impressive resume that backs up his claim that he’s the most qualified presumptive candidate of any party.
He served in the House from 1995 to 2003, where he was known as a hard-line conservative who hated the IRS and fought tirelessly for privacy rights and other civil liberties.
When asked why he has decided to run, Congressman Barr answered-
One, because I want to restore the Constitution to our federal government. It seems to have been completely forgotten and disregarded by Congress and by this administration. I believe in the Constitution. I believe in separation of powers. I believe in the rule of law. I believe in limited government. And these are principles and policies that apparently neither the national Republican nor the national Democrat Party believes in.
The Libertarian Party alone among America’s political parties truly stands for smaller government and maximized individual liberty. I believe if we don’t take a stand now and try to reverse course, we may never have the opportunity again.
Then Barr explains the issues he would focus on once elected-
Every single issue comes down to shrinking the size, the power, the scope and the cost of the federal government. I would — unlike either of the two major party candidates — immediately, upon taking office in January, shrink the size of the federal government, beginning with the executive office of the president to the greatest extent possible, even before going to the Congress.
I would send a message to the Congress that any bill that would be sent to me that would increase the size of the federal government would be vetoed.
I would immediately instruct the Department of Justice to once again respect the writ of habeas corpus and respect the rule of law.
When asked to define his politics, Barr answered-
Conservative; the way I define conservative, which is fundamental respect for the Constitution, the rule of law and the smallest government necessary.
Read more- Bob Barr: Raising the Debate
May 17th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
It seems Bob Barr has more a lawyer’s perspective than an ethical perspective in terms of libertarianism. Bob Barr seems to believe in the rule of law by the Constitution. It is there where he sometimes trumps civil liberties, *** rights and medical marijuana.
He is more conversative than most Libertarians, but if it helps the Libertarian Party, so be it.
It would be easier for Republicans to switch to a right-leaning Libertarian with someone like McCain representing the Republican Party.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
If the LP can grasp this simple message:
The Libertarian Party alone among America’s political parties truly stands for smaller government and maximized individual liberty.
Then the future is unlimited.
May 18th, 2008 at 4:28 am
In my opinion…
- McCain is a Teddy Kennedy Democrat.
- Obama is a do-nothing Democrat
- I don’t care if Obama wins. I’m more scared of McCain.
- If Bob Barr wins every state Mike Huckabee, who supported the Fair Tax, won, Bob Barr could win the election.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Have you noticed how Hannity and the other talk show hosts are wanting Bob to NOT run so he won’t siphon off McCain votes??? Bob isn’t siphoning off anything. The votes he’ll get are the votes that he should get. Who the heck votes for a candidate to keep another out?? If that’s the case, it will always be the lesser of two evils. I’m glad he’s running. I’ve already convinced at LEAST two people to go to the polls who weren’t even going. I think I also have two more convinced to vote for him who may have been going to do the lesser than two evils mode of voting. I think Bob’s message is clear. We want to government out of our lives and we want the states to govern the people. GO BOB!!!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I was reluctantly, VERY reluctantly going to vote for McCain simply because his liberal policies and lies seem more survivable than Obama’s socialist agenda. Not that my vote really matters, because I live in Vermont, which has been overrun with left wing liberal Massholes who vote for the most socialist candidate they can find. Thank God the real Vermonters were able to get a republican in the governor’s office! But I digress. I will vote for Barr, someone who at least is speaking rationally about the issues, and hope for a miracle, that he is 1) not just saying what we want to hear to get elected, and 2) that he actually gets enough votes to at least send a message that the American people want conservative principles based in constitutional law to be what rules our land, not redistribution of wealth and big government control.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am
I live in the bluest of blue states, Illinois. If I voted for McCain, not only would I be voting for someone who’s views I generally disagree with, I would be wasting my vote in Obamaland.
That’s why I intend to support the candidacy of Bob Barr. Granted he’s not going to win in Illinois either, but at least he represents my beliefs in limited government and conservative principles.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I truly hope either Root or Barr win and they will have my vote. I have never been so proud to be a part of this movement. The Ron Paul Revolution is just beginning.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I am a christian conservative. Mr. Barr seems like one heck of a candidate for president. I would like to know his stances on certain social issues such as abortion, traditional marriage and ofcourse activist judges.
And for the record MR. HANNITY ( whom I respect ) and other talk show hosts. I being a true conservative, WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR McCAIN or Huckabee, and until hearing about Mr. Barr, I was planning on not voting for president, and voting against every incumbent that i could, because frankly i believe every politician in Washington needs to be replaced.
I am so sick and fed up with the republicrats ( as Rush calls them) that are in Washington its unreal. Somebody needs to do something and so far Mr. Barr seems to be the only one running for president that ACTUALLY STANDS FOR CHANGE, and doesn’t just say that he is, like Mr. Obama. Speaking of which did you all know that he thinks that there is 58 states? If you don’t believe me, then click on this link or copy and paste it to your address bar, its from GOPUSA .
http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/dpatton/2008/dp_05131.shtml