Bob Barr answers a lot of tough questions on Bloomberg TV
June 10th, 2008 by Stephen Gordon“There is nothing more mainstream in America, with regard to our history and philosophy of governance, than the libertarian philosophy,” said Bob Barr last night on Bloomberg Television.
“That’s the way I set up the question with Ron Paul, in fact,” stated Mike Schneider. “If you take a look at what most Libertarian Party principles are, as stated, and then you take a public opinion survey of Americans believe in, what they like and what they don’t like, there is a lot of cross-over there. There is a lot of comfort with that.”
Thanks to Liberty Maven, YouTubes of the interview are available in three parts: one, two and three.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Have you guys seen the videos of Obama speaking? He’s worse than Bush when he doesn’t have the teleprompter to tell him what to say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxBX8sz3tO8
Mark my words: Bob Barr will easily beat Obama at the debates. I can’t wait!
June 10th, 2008 at 6:49 am
You talk about Obama gaffe’s check out McCain’s gaffe’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c&feature=related.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:00 am
I would hope that Barr is given the opportunity to participate in the debates. Remember how Ron Paul was treated in the nomination debate, when Huckabee and he didnt get to say much, but McCain and Romney went back and forth for 90% of it?
June 10th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Bob continues to hit it out of the park!
June 10th, 2008 at 8:52 am
As a life-long Libertarian I was–along with clearly many others–very skeptical about Bob Barr. This skepticism is understandable in light of his relatively-recent conversion and questionable history. Plus, let’s face it, we tend to be a rather skeptical bunch as part of our very nature.
After taking the time as a responsible voter (I heed George Washington’s warnings about the dangers of party politics) to do appropriate research into my party’s nominee, consume quite a bit of his recent press exposure, and do a little soul-searching; I’ve found Mr. Barr to be an exceptional and acceptable candidate.
I certainly applaud Mr. Barr for whatever liberty-friendly policies he’s championed in the past, his support of libertarian-specific positions in the present, and the way in which he embraces the principles of federalism to sort things out when socially-sensitive issues are involved. I see this as nothing less than a stunning victory for the Libertarian Party. When we targeted him for defeat in the run-up to the 2002 election it caused him to take notice, and I believe (and I believe HE believes) he genuinely found his rightful home in the process.
I’ve seen much talk over the past month, and much of it has been surprisingly supportive. When I was still a skeptic the positive commentary made me cringe, but now I’m truly hopeful. The primary focus of the negative commentary I’ve witnessed has been overwhelmingly comprised of the following three issues, and I hope my brief comments about them help ease some of the worries out there:
Frequent Comment: “I’m going to write Ron Paul’s name on the ballot.”
My Thoughts: I believe it’s only a good idea to vote for Ron Paul if he’s actually printed on the ballot. In many locales write-in votes aren’t even counted, and in some places it’s not even an option. A vote for Bob Barr sends the same message as a vote for Ron Paul, and it consolidates the votes among Paul’s true constituency. It’s an open secret that Ron Paul is a Republican in name only, and he’s implied that he would still be a Libertarian if it wasn’t for the artificial barriers that Libertarians have consistently faced in our current electoral system.
Frequent Comment: “Bob Barr worked for the CIA, and I find this suspicious.”
My Thoughts: Not everyone in government is a cog in the machine We The People are standing shoulder-to-shoulder against. The vast majority of the individuals that comprise our government love this country just as much as the rest of us; albeit some may be misguided in some ways as to how that love should manifest itself. Nonetheless; our true adversaries are nothing more than a powerful minority, and they are actually fearful of being exposed as such.
That said, Mr. Barr’s father had a career that took him around the world, and he brought his family with him. Bob Barr spent much of his youth living in various locations abroad. I believe this is both why he sought employment with the CIA, and why they chose to hire him.
Frequent Comment: “Bob Barr voted for the PATRIOT Act. I cannot possibly trust him on those grounds.”
My Thoughts: This was harder for me to come to terms with than even the CIA thing. It’s clear, though, that Mr. Barr did the right thing once the details are brought into focus. Voting “No” would’ve sent a message, but it would’ve undoubtedly fallen on deaf ears in the blindly-patriotic climate of the day. Instead, he traded his “Yes” vote for assurances that the PATRIOT Act would not be used for anything other than fighting terrorism, and for sunset provisions that require the law to come up periodically for review. While the Bush Administration waived the assurances that were made (and along with it ignored the Constitution, our nation’s history, the Magna Carta, international law, public opinion at home, and the objections of our friends abroad), at least Mr. Barr helped to ensure that the sunset provisions were enshrined in the language of the act.
As a side note, my thoughts for Mr. Barr himself: I noticed that you frequently refer to Democrats with the term “Democrat” in situations where “Democrats” or “Democratic” may be more generally-accepted. I’m sure this is little more than a habit, and perhaps reflects norms of regional dialect to some degree. I should mention, though, that for many Democrats the absence of a suffix may be seen as a pejorative. As we undoubtedly will see a significant influx of potential voters gravitate to from the Democratic Party to the sound policies of Libertarianism, I’d hate for something so simple and silly as that to alienate anymore of them than may have already been turned away thus far.
Also, be sure to hammer home the notion (as I saw you do in at least one interview) that polling data is unreliable when measuring your campaign at this juncture (and for the foreseeable future) whenever mention is made of such data. Be sure to remind your interviewer of the fact that McCain and Obama have enjoyed nearly round-the-clock coverage for months (and that they enjoyed constant media coverage and participation in televised debates long before that) to temper these polls in the eyes of the viewing public. The fact that you’re registering the poll numbers that you are, in spite of the relatively recent and sporadic coverage, is simply unbelievable. These numbers will undoubtedly rise and your campaign will undoubtedly continue to gain momentum so long as the media doesn’t try to marginalize your campaign. It may even be worth bringing out the warning from George Washington about party politics as a talking point when confronted with media marginalization in how they frame your campaign. The two-party system is irretrievably broken, and it’s patently unfair to marginalize a candidate for a truly national party before the electorate.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Note to the editor: Please change “potential voters gravitate to from the Democratic Party” to “potential voters gravitate from the Democratic Party” in the preceding post for the sake of clarity. I’d hate for a reader to otherwise be distracted from a lengthy and well-thought-out post simply because I missed one minor editing artifact.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I like Bob Barr, and I will most likely vote for him. Realistically Bob’s not going to win the election, and most likely he will be taking votes from McCain. Are we as Libertarians running a scorched Earth policy? At least McCain is talking about lowering taxes, decreasing spending, lowering regulation, albeit he says “cap and trade,” and regulate CEO pay in the next breath. If Obama is actually elected do we risk destroying the American economy, and really destroying our freedoms?
June 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I’ve been thinking about the questionable requirements of the debates commission. They base entry on phone surveys. Take a look at this article about how the changing usage of cell phones is impacting phone surveys. Keep in mind that this research is two years old. The trend has likely increased significantly since then…
http://people-press.org/report/276/the-cell-phone-challenge-to-survey-research
June 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am
The media won’t let Bob Barr into the debates. Libertarians don’t get into the debates. They haven’t in the 20+ years that I’ve been a member of the LP. It’s sad, but it’s reality.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
After watching Bob on the Glenn Beck show on Friday. I have no doubt that I shall vote for him…whether it is by checking the box or write in.
Truly a fresh of breath air in our Representation.
God Bless
June 10th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Andrew: Just remember McCain-Feingold / BCRA if McCain ever even remotely starts to sound good to you.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Barr is really impressive every time, using his own words to very much articulate Paul’s ideas and words. He has an appeal to conservatives as well as liberals. To attract Democrats, conservative Greens etc, Barr could/should metion that in his student years at UCLA he joined the Young Democrats of America, and - even more importantly - rallied against the Vietnam War. This will solidify his history of non-interventionism and amongst anti-Vietnam war activists this should play an important convincing role. He could also mention this in debates.
If he can build on the media appearances to raise significant amount of money (aim to raise 1 million plus by end June) though a few money-bombs, this will have a snowball effect and produce more media appearances and higher polling numbers. This was of pressure and enthusiasm, he may be able to participate in debates.
He can have radio debates with Nader and the Green Party candidate etc. Once he is seen as the strongest third party leader, this will already help a lot.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Bob will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com 5 PM New York time Friday.
You can join in the conversation by following the link from my blog:
http://garybaumgarten.blogspot.com/2008/06/libertarian-presidential-candidate-bob.html
June 10th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I know a lot of people here do not like Rush Limbaugh. However, like him or not, you can not deny the amount of the listeners and influence he has in the media. Listening to him recently, he seems to be leaning more and more libertarian (a lot like Glenn Beck). I encourage everyone to e-mail Rush’s show and call in, asking him to have Bob Barr on the show. I am convinced that an appearance on a show like this, that reaches so many Republicans, Democrats, and Independents could be the launching pad that puts Bob Barr in the White House. We need to do all we can to see Bob elected, and this is a good start I believe.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
DJ, well written. The other benefit to voting for Barr as opposed to writing in Ron Paul’s name, in Virginia if Barr gets 15% of the vote the LPVA will not have to petition for the next 4 years in order to get Libertarian Congressional Candidates, Presidential, V-P on the ballot. That would be a big benefit for us.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
where can i watch this interview?
June 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I’d be careful of associating Barr’s name with Rush. Rush is very polarizing at a time when we need to be inviting all to the Libertarian Party. Rush turns off those on the Left heavily. We really need the Left to recognize the more social moderates in the Libertarian Party.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
“Are we as Libertarians running a scorched Earth policy?”
1) There comes a point when we have to stand up for what we believe. If we forever vote for the lesser of two evils we will only be left with evil as choices.
2) Taking votes away may be what the Republican party needs to get off of its “compassionate conservative” **** and start heading back towards the more libertarian ideals it was founded on.
3) Libertarian Values have appeal to Republicans AND Democrats. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Bob Barr attracts just as many Democrats as he has Republicans once Obama is subjected to more scrutiny. McCain is well known, when he became the Republican candidate, Republicans knew very well whether he met their standards, he had many years of voting record to look at. Obama was not as well known, and much of what people know of him had to be learned from taking what he has said at face value. Once people dig deeper, more and more will realize he isn’t entirely who they think he is.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
“There is more than one way to skin a cat.’ Priceless.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Great idea with the email sign up page. Things are looking good. All I heard on MSM is how can Obama and McCain bring in their base.
They are going to have a real hard time doing it. That is where Barr comes in because his positions are on both sides of the parties. He is a very good alternative.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
STEP UP TO THE BARR 2008
June 10th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I will support Bob Barr enthusiatically!…He’s not Ron Paul,but he’s as close as possible at this time…A McCain defeat caused by defection of limited government,pro-freedom voters will cause the GOP to think again before it nominates another Big Government”compassionate conservative”…..
June 10th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
That was a good interview … the right questions got asked. Mr. Barr’s answers ranged from ‘great’ to ‘acceptible’. He puts a lot of stress on Federalism and States Rights, as does Ron Paul. This is a central conflict with pure libertarianism which emphasizes the primacy of individual rights, no matter what ‘democratic majority’ can be generated at Federal or State levels. BUT as ‘written’ into our Constitution — all rights not granted to the Federal government are reserved to the states, and to the people.
Barr’s perspective is to handle the responsiiblities granted to the Federal government, as our Constioitution dictates. Let’s get over that hurdle — then we can work to get libertarian Governors and legislators installed at our State and local levels to ensure liberty is maintained locally. It is anti-thetical to insist out President Barr respect and adhere to limited government intrusion in our lives, then ask him to send out the FBI et al to intervene in our State policies. Let’s take care of State policies at the home level.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
“… insist our President Barr …” typo !
June 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Reverse The Trend
June 11th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
i disagree with libertarian party on many issues but agree on need to abolish IRS.
I HATE IRS!!!!!
also, i strongly disagree with mccains politics. will never vote for him or that communist hussein obama.
June 11th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
BOB BARR WAS O.K. ON G.B. HE ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS.ON BECK WELL,HOWEVER MR BARR HASN’T QUITE GRASPED THE ISSUE OF DRUG LEGALIZATION-DECRIMINALIZATION WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THIS.TO ME IT’S A NO BRAINER,ALL HE HAS TO DO IN RESPONSE IS ASK THE QUESTION… DOES THE HIPPOCRATICAL IMMORAL WAR ON DRUGS DO MORE HARM THEN GOOD? AND WHO BENEFITS FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS? I’LL ANSWER THIS QUESTIONS FOR YOU IF YOU CAN’T FIQURE IT OUT.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am
One Question before I sign on! Drill or No Drill for oil in U.S.? Where does Bob Bar stand on this?
June 13th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Barr needs to hit the energy debate hard. McCain is too stupid to grasp this issue and the Libertarians and Barr can make huge strides by hitting this issue hard. Do away with federal energy policy and push it to individual states to make up their own mind. The feds need to get out of the way. Enough individual states would make the right choice and we would see drilling, refining and nukes sprouting up.