Media wrap-up of the Texas LP convention
June 15th, 2008 by Jason PyeBob Barr was in Texas over the weekend speaking to the state convention of the Libertarian Party of Texas. Bob hit on spending and civil liberties, but he asked the question, “Have you had enough?” He said that continuing to support Democrats and Republicans with the hopes that they will be different is, as Albert Einstein said, the definition of insanity, “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
You can listen to Bob’s speech here. The introduction was given by 2004 Libertarian Party presidential nominee Michael Badnarik.
Here is quick media roundup of his visit.
Two years ago, former Georgia congressman Bob Barr might have shown up at a Republican Party convention like the one this weekend in Houston.
Not anymore.
Instead, he was in Fort Worth addressing the Texas Libertarian convention as the party’s presidential nominee.
Mr. Barr’s dissatisfaction with his former party mirrored the sentiments of the 200 attendees – many disaffected Republicans themselves – who came to hear him speak about limiting government spending and regulation, protecting civil liberties and pulling U.S. troops out of foreign countries.
“Americans see the constant growth in government programs and no solutions,” Mr. Barr said in his speech. “They see the tired two-party system. The question is, ‘Have you had enough?’ “
Texas may help gauge that answer. Russ Verney, Mr. Barr’s campaign manager and former campaign coordinator for Ross Perot, said that Texas was ripe for a Barr presidency.
Barr, a former Republican congressman from Georgia, said at the Libertarian Party of Texas convention that he is asking citizens: “Have you had enough? … I think this year, in this cycle, in this election, the answer will be yes.”
[...]
“They are desperate for change, desperate for something that will rekindle their hope. That’s an opportunity that we have not had before,” Barr told The Associated Press before the luncheon. “There’s a yearning for a new way, a new choice, a real choice this year, and we intend to take advantage of that by pointing out they don’t have to settle for the same old choice of big government and really big government.”Barr said Americans are cynical because they have seen government programs and spending grow and civil liberties decrease but haven’t seen solutions — regardless of which party is in office.
The dissatisfaction, he said, “goes deeper than simply George W. Bush. … Whether it’s Republicans or Democrats in power, people see this widening gulf between what they say they’re going to do and what they stand for, and what they actually do.”
Barr told the crowd that the two major parties have an unholy alliance that he called a political cartel, and that they “fight like the dickens” over the reins of power.
“I have a rude awakening for the McCain team,” Verney said. “They don’t own the voters in Texas. They’re going to have to come to Texas and earn votes.”
Among the special guests was Nadine Adams, 51, of Haltom City, a department manager in a Southlake grocery.
She’s Barr’s sister.
“I used to be a Republican, but I feel disenfranchised,” she said. “It’s not my party anymore. Seven of 10 people I talk with say they would vote for Bob.”
In his speech, Barr said that he thinks Americans are tired of Democrats and Republicans arguing about party politics instead of solutions.
“There is no other party that’s going to get the job done,” he said. “The only party that’s going to get it done is the Libertarian Party.”
June 15th, 2008 at 11:07 am
You know, Russ Verny is correct in a sense: McCain and Republicans may indeed have to do some campaigning in Texas. But not to win the State. They are in little danger of that. But to gain a large enough vote total here to knock Obama’s numbers down in relation to Barr/Root, and possibly as far down to a third place finish.
If there’s one State (outside of Alaska) where Barr could actually outpoll Obama, it’s here in Texas. Hispanics, which make up a huge portion of the Democrat constituency here, can’t stand Obama. Watch them sit on their hands in November and just not come out to vote.
Which means, only liberal Austin Democrats are left for Obama.
Republicans may figure, “why not vote for Bob Barr,” with such a destined massive victory for McCain in the State.
The dynamics of the Texas race are just amazing. And our guy Bob Barr could hugely benefit. Break out the popcorn y’all!
Eric Dondero
Angleton, Texas
June 15th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’d like to suggest that BB2008 add the Libertarian Party web site to the online networks section.
June 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
http://www.bobbarrmoneybomb.com/
DOnate on July 4th.
Raise the Barr for liberty!!
June 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I, too, am sick of the morons who claim voting for a third party is throwing my vote away. How ridiculous. There isn’t a lesser of two evils anymore.
At this point, if I hear anyone claim they’re a conservative but they’re voting for McCain, then I will tell them they are NOT a conservative.
GO BOB BARR 2008…LIBERTARIANISM is the ONLY FAIR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT!
June 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
There is a huge chance for Bob in Texas. Coming from the GOP state convention in Texas, there we about 1000 or more Paul supporters as delegates. He has to find a way to get those grassroots people on his side. The GOP has become a church sermon that wants more war and less taxes. That is about it.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
it’s my vote and my business what i do with it.
let everyone worry about his own vote.
June 15th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I’m worried we are not raising enough money. $278,000 in the first month is not off to a good start. How do we get more people to donate. The 2nd quarter ends in a couple of weeks.
June 15th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Seth Rodgers Says:
June 15th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I’m worried we are not raising enough money. $278,000 in the first month is not off to a good start. How do we get more people to donate. The 2nd quarter ends in a couple of weeks.
I will donate when Bob Barr proves he is at heart, a Libertarian. Right now he reminds me of the overly enthusiastic recovering alcoholic who swears off booze for religion or whatever. Then you run into them a few years later and they’ve gone back to booze. I want to be sure that Bob Barr is committed to libertarianism and won’t slip back into his old ways, neoconism.
How can he do that? I don’t know. And now that he won’t get a chance to convince the public in a Tim Russert interview, his job will be even more difficult.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
HOW DO YOU GUYS EXPECT TO RAISE $1 MILLION, AS VERNEY HAS ASKED FOR, IF YOU ARE NOT EVEN ON PACE TO RAISE $350,000 BY THE END OF THIS MONTH? THERE MUST BE A MONEY BOMB SET FOR THIS MONTH, there is no reason to wait until next month when the money is needed now!
June 16th, 2008 at 4:20 am
bob barr needs to make himself more visible. when he is on t.v and people talk about him then money will follow.
June 16th, 2008 at 6:24 am
What will Bob Barr do with all the returning soldiers he plan on bringing home from around the world? Will he reopen closed bases here in the USA? Will he dump them into the already hurting job market? In this day and time it can’t simply be about us. It has to be about us and the world. We can’t isolate ourselves. There are many unanswered questions regarding Bob Barr, although he currently is the only option. I would like to know more about his and the Libertarians policies. I don’t agree that we can just drop our commitments overseas. That’s very irresponsible. And regarding Iraq, we have to finish what we’ve started. I agree to finish it ASAP. There is a responsibility there.
So far I don’t really see any good options this year regarding candidates. To me a Bob Barr vote is only a vote against the Republicans and Democrats. I have my concerns with the Libertarians as well.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:02 am
On the dynamics of this election: it truly is a perfect storm of opportunity. The Libertarian party has a big chance to show some great stuff this year. Barr should hammer home three themes. 1) Eliminate the IRS, income and payroll taxes, and repeal the 16th amendment. 2) Eliminate all unconstitutional spending thereby reducing the budget to at least 50% of current. 3) End foreign adventurism, close the overseas bases, stop trying to build nations, and end all foreign aid.
The returning military will find more than enough job opportunities in the turbo charged economy that would result from the reduction of government and the elimination of government theft by way of taxation.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:08 am
They made a strategic mistake to ask for money now. Money viability is big, don’t set a goal for $1 million for June.
Let the money bombs take place, we want to participate in money bombs….let people participate in this way. It’s not BAD to get money bombed.
OK…on the subject of ‘throwing your vote away’. Having observed politics for 20 years now, let me say this, these tired lines are just a person’s way of saying “I’m not voting for Bob Barr” most people are not very direct. They kind of dance around the subject, sticking to tired lines. If you unset them from their bad logic, you may make them feel uncomfortable…thats the most you can do.
Don’t worry about them, they are the followers…they will come along, when the leaders direct them to. The main thing is to expose the logic to a wide audience, and influence leaders will pick up ideas and mesh them with their own. It’s a slow, long term process.
Visibility is key here…money bombs, long campaigns…all good.
I have zero plans to donate again until the money bomb. I did donate twice already. If you haven’t donated at all, kick a few dollars Bob Barr’s way. I agree totally with the money bomb plan, but its not an either or…..let the Bob Barr campaign staffers have their say too.
compromise. It’s a good thing.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am
“If there’s one State (outside of Alaska) where Barr could actually outpoll Obama, it’s here in Texas.”
By November there may be many more states as O! is clearly an empty suit that has almost no credits to his name other than he can read and deliver a speech. Take away his prepared text and he sounds like a high school student trying to do a presentation. What a farce he is.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I think money and enthusiasm will come when and if Ron Paul endorses or significantly indicates that Bob is his kind of candidate….bob barr and even chuck baldwin should be at the “counter-convention” in Minneapolis in September with Ron Paul…..
June 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
bob barr needs to make himself visible. he should say or do something that would make people talk about him
June 16th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I consider myself a conservative libertarian. I had thougt Mr. Barr is one too. However, his stand against keeping the captured non-uniformed combatants and terrorists we have housed in Guantanamo is baffling.
These people are less than prisoners of war; they are tantamount to battlefield spies picked up in WWII, some of whom were summarily executed. That they are still living and being well cared for is a credit to our humanity. But it puts them in a position of looking like a bunch of normal prisoners, bathed and fed and medically cared for as they are. They are not. They should go before a tribunal and be found to be either spies or criminals or innocents.
If they are spies, they should be hanged or shot.
If they are criminals, then transfer them to the States and provide them with counsel and due process.
If they are neither, send them home with a compensatory stipend and our apologies for getting it wrong.
This business of treating ununiformed combatants who identifiy with no organized national unit as if American citizens or uniformed soldiers from a country signatory to Geneva conventions has got to stop.
The protections of the U. S. Constitution are for citizens of the U. S. They are not for any cutthroat foreigner who wants to kill Americans without a background of a parent country that has agreed to the basic rules of war. We don’t let Iraqi al Quaeda members vote in our elections or enjoy the other benefits of citizenship. Why should they enjoy the recognition of the power of habeas corpus?
June 16th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
CA. TX. NY. FL. IL. PA. OH. MI. NJ. NC. GA.
All voting people that live in one of these key states can junp start the world toward world peace. Vote for world peace, vote Barr/Root 2008.
World liberty brings world peace, where better to start then at the top here at home. Elect Barr/Root 2008
If Bob can carry the above states he wins. Lets have the upset of the century.
June 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
CA. TX. NY. FL. IL. PA. OH. MI. NJ. NC. GA.
All voting people that live in one of these key states can junp start the world toward world peace. Vote for world peace, vote Barr/Root 2008.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Guys, I have to tell you, I’m getting more and more excited about the Bob Barr campaign.
Why? Maybe just timing, I don’t know. But, when people ask who I support, its NICE to have an answer. Most times I just say ‘they are all bad’
This year, I’m trying something different. Bob Barr and I would disagree on many points, I simply don’t care about that. It’s the old example, if you are in Los Angeles and you want to go to New York, you don’t choose between a boat going to Alaska, or one going to Mexico.
The old ‘choose the best of the two bad candidates’ is a joke! If neither one, is heading in the right direction, don’t choose either!
I don’t agree with Bob Barr on everything, but how is that important…at least he’s moving in the correct direction, instead of the wrong direction!
So, I have almost no plans to endlessly debate finer details of policy, such as treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo. You get bogged down in such things, and nothing happens.
Tactics….thats what we should be discussing. And, I’ve donated twice, do you think I regret it?
No, I don’t….the opposite, I feel more connected with the campaign than ever before, and thats exciting! As a matter of fact, I wish all posters would identify if they have DONATED MONEY or not. Make it a bright line test. The fact is, what made Ron Paul’s campaign so great, is he had the money to compete. Bob Barr is the latest salvo at the establishment, lets give him money to compete.
If you didn’t donate, I’m not debating any details about anything with you….thats just my personal opinion, I’m slightly ornery, I admit, a bit of a curmudgeon, I’d probably never make a good politician, but I know I’m not wrong about this, well funded campaigns make a difference!
June 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Hurray - Ken Kerckhoff. I totally agree with you. Your reasoning is exact and causes me great concern regarding Bob Barr when we start agreeing and extending out constitutional rights to people who are not citizens of the great country, the USA. This alone may cause me to vote for John McCain or simply not vote at all. I think Mr Barr needs to explain himself regarding this issue in detail before I’ll cast my vote for him.
June 16th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I don’t pretend to speak for the Barr campaing, but this is just how I see it.
Ken and Richard, you make the assumption that all the detainees are indeed enemy combatants. In a probability, some of them were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time or simply have the same name as a terrorist suspect. Now, there are in fact terrorists detained in Guantanamo. However, habeas corpus does not interfere with bringing these thugs to justice. Habeas croups merely requires the government to give a detainee a reason for his detainment. This doesn’t mean they have to release a terrorist unless they prove him guilty, they just have to explain why he is being restrained. If a detainee is really a terrorist, this should not be hard at all.
Now, I understand not wanting to extend the rights of an American citizen to enemy combatants. But the fact is, the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is under US jurisdiction. If a Cuban commits a crime in Guantanamo, it is the US, and not Cuba, that has the right to prosecute that crime. Habeas corpus is a cornerstone of American jurisprudence, so any non-POW detainees under American jurisdiction should logically be privy to it. This is in no way being soft on terrorists. If they really are guilty habeas corpus in no way whatsoever prohibits them from being prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I tell people if they vote for the lesser of two evils, instead of the
person they really want, that’s wasting their vote.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I agree Bob Barr could be trouble for McCain in Texas.
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June 17th, 2008 at 12:28 am
listen, my vote belongs to me. u worry about yours!!! i can do what ever i feel like it with my vote. don’t tell me that my vote is a waste or not, worry about yourself
June 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
To me at this point in American history there is only one thing worse than a Republicrat or a Demoplican winning the presidency — that is people continuing to support the worthless Republicans because they think they are throwing their vote away by voting Libertarian.
So far the worthless Republicans have had no negative consequences for their destruction of our wonderful nation. It’s time people. Take it back with Barr in 2008.
One thing positive you can say about W — he has finally waked up the masses to utter stupidity in Washington.
Had enough? VOTE BARR!
June 17th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Thank you to Richard and Andrew.
And Robert, I completely agree. This is too important to let a difference on Gitmo get in the way of supporting the major work that needs to be done to get us back on track.
I too have given several times, and will continue to give to the Barr campaign. I supported Ron Paul, and come into the Libertarian Party from a lifetime as a Republican. So I have to accept a few more libertarian planks in the process than voting for Ron Paul would have required running as a Republican. It is well worth giving in on some of these points that are plunked down in front of us by the Republican Party to hold onto those of us who demand our liberty.
I have my Libertarian Party sticker displayed proudly on my bumper for all to see.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:34 am
The only truly wasted vote is the one not cast.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Paraphrasing John Anderson in his campaign against Ronald Reagan,
A VOTE FOR BOB BARR IS A VOTE FOR BOB BARR !
Don’t let your Republican friends tell you it’s something else.
Ken
June 17th, 2008 at 10:18 am
there r so many experts on my vote, analizing it weather it is wasted or not. it’s my vote and let me worry about it.
they so far have been voting for socialists like mccain and communists like hussein obama. since when r they such experts in wasted votes?
June 17th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
At least they’re not analyzing your spelling, dariusz ; )
June 17th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Barr’s campaign looks like it is taking shape like previous LP candidate’s campaigns. I hope we start seeing public appearances and public events. His schedule of private speeches does little to get public support so I hope he gets out and talks to people.
Why are their no college campus events or other public rallies on the schedule? If Barr gets out and talks to voters fund raising will pick up more quickly.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
The more I listen to Bob Barr the more I know that voting for him is the right thing for me and my country.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Uh oh, Eric Dondero is buzzing around. Quick. Spray on some insect repellant before he spoils everything. Bob Barr’s campaign is too important to allow the corrupt, self-aggrandizing traitors like Dondero into mix.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Joel my spelling is not that bad for second language.
let’s elect bob barr and reform english spelling as well. most of the spelling does not make sense to me anyways(just joking)
also, let’s take IRS away from english vocabulary
it’s very good that bob barr gets his support from english teachers as well(and good ones since they know how to spell)
June 17th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
June 17th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Barr’s campaign looks like it is taking shape like previous LP candidate’s campaigns. I hope we start seeing public appearances and public events. His schedule of private speeches does little to get public support so I hope he gets out and talks to people.
He needs television and for television he needs money and for money he needs television. I have emailed Mr. Barr’s campaign twice regarding him making a guarantee to uphold libertarian principles. So far, not a peep from his staff. I guess one long-time Libertarian voter is not important enough for a response. And they want my money? Hah!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:34 am
I have 47 dollars from when I last worked, week before last. It has to stretch til I work again, IF I work again! So I apologize that I have not contributed and hope this will not exclude me from any future Debates. I am a Professional Truck Driver, and doing my job has me in debt to the State Police for speeding tickets that I don’t make enough to pay. I may NEED a government program to LIVE ON if I can’t come up with the Extortion money and they revoke my license. Being unemployed, I watch a lot of TV, especially the news, while I still HAVE a TV, and I want to know WHY all I hear/see is Obama this and McCain that? Why are we not getting our Equal Time?!?! Where’s Bob and Alan? We need to get them on the Networks, at 6:15 AM or so, so they can be HEARD! Most people here in the Coalfields don’t even know the Libertarian Party EXISTS! And TRUST ME, there is NOBODY in America as sick of Politics As Usual as WE are! I have a neighbor who hasn’t voted since the ’70’s because, as he says, ‘They’re ALL Liars and Crooks!’ With election rigging a Normal Procedure in this area, I can see his point. I was originally a Democrat, but always voted for the lesser of two evils, up to 20 years or so ago, when I registered Libertarian. Now my party has a viable candidate, and the others, As Usual, do NOT, but I’ve never heard his name mentioned on any of the morning news shows, although I mostly watch Fox. I don’t even know where I can GET a bumpersticker, I just write in the dirt on the back glass. And I campaign on the C.B., when at work. People here don’t want to vote, seems like, they want to FIGHT. As in Civil War. And they’re Right. I believe with all my heart that the Libertarian Party is America’s Last Chance for a PEACEFUL re-structuring of our so-called ‘Government’. But nothing is being heard, no one is on TV. I of course have no doubt that the government is doing all possible to keep our message off the airways, but can we not use their own Laws against them, and demand our Right to Equal Time? Where are our candidates? It’s hard to vote for someone you don’t know EXISTS. Also, I HIGHLY, emphatically urge Mr. Barr to come to East Kentucky and Western West Virginia, a.k.a. The Appalachian Coalfields, specifically Pike and Floyd Counties in Ky. and Logan and Mingo Counties in WVa. Don’t pay much mind to the politicians or coal operators, talk to the PEOPLE. Get on WSAZ and WOWK News at any cost, as these are the two Main Local Stations. Feel free to contact me if there’s anything I CAN contribute. I have no money, but I do have Time. It’s possible that my neighbors might pay some little attention to me or someone I introduce, as I am fairly well known on both sides of the Big Sandy. If you’re looking for folks who Have Had Enough, right HERE is where you need to be.
Jim Nickles
Louisa, Ky.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
WHY DONT YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS. BOTH DEM AN REP ARE THE PARTIES OF THE C.F.R. WE KNOW BOTH OF THEM ARE MEMBERS ANYONE WANT WAGER BOTH V.P WILL BE MEMBERS ALSO.