Video from CNN Newsroom
July 6th, 2008 by Jason PyeBob Barr appeared on CNN Newsroom this evening. The spoiler issue was brought up. Bob answered, “This is precisely the problem with the two-party system that we have here. They are always looking for someone to blame, other than themselves.” He added, “This preemptive blaming doesn’t do either party very well. It’s an awfully weak position for the McCain campaign and the Republicans to be in months out from the election, already blaming me for their loss.”
Bob also hit Sen. John McCain on his support for FISA, Iraq and spending and said that the only difference between McCain and Sen. Barack Obama is a “$3.1 trillion budget and a $3.2 trillion budget.”
Here is the video:
July 6th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hmm, I kind of disagree that he didn’t bring up Chuck Baldwin for some of Dr. No’s supporters to go to. While I realize that he’s trying to get his name out there, not the competition, it shows an attitude that is already a problem in America - that minor parties are not important. By saying that McCain and Obama are the only other two choices, you marginalize all other minor parties, which is exactly what we blame the two major parties for doing. I’d like to see the LP rise to prominence. I don’t want it to do so by adopting the methodology of the big parties.
July 6th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Another great appearance tonight(CNN) - and again certainly being taken seriously by the interviewer!
I’m glad he got his website in at the end of the interview - there will certainly be people interested in coming here to learn more.
We should follow today up by making sure everyone we know sees both these videos - the content is so good.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Keep going Bob! Let’s get you into the national debates!
July 7th, 2008 at 12:20 am
good job
July 7th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Well done, Mr. Barr. Well done.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:13 am
I agree he was technically incorrect to say Barr, Obama, and McCain are the only options (three others will be on enough ballots to be capable of getting 270 EVs), but the idea that Baldwin is a real option for Paul supporters is laughable, at least for the liberty-minded people that made up the bulk of Paul’s support.
Baldwin represents that small, socially intolerant Federalist-for-the-sake-of-state-level-theocracy chunk of Paul’s support that at many times gave the rest of us a bad name.
This journalist clearly wasn’t very well informed, though. All he could talk about was the same old “spoiler” line. And since when has Barr been claiming to be the “true Republican”. If that were true, wouldn’t he have to be… a Republican?
July 7th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Derek,
I took Bob Barr’s comments more in the context of him addressing the two-party system, rather than any slight of other parties. The Constitution Party also has had some very overt, open, and quite harsh things to say about Bob, which you might bear in mind as Bob has not said anything maligning the CP in return.
I really don’t think you should read the CNN interview as an adoption of big party tactics. Bob really has to stay on point regarding the 2 party monopoly, as the media is always portraying him in the context of being a “spoiler” rather than a true alternative.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Derek, watch again and you’ll hear it may be the CNN interviewer, not Bob Barr, who stifles mention of Chuck Baldwin. Barr says Obama and McCain are the only two others to consider, really — and as soon as he said “really,” the CNN anchor cut him off. Maybe he would have gone on to say “really — unless you want to also consider Chuck Baldwin.” But thanks to CNN’s interruption, we’ll never know,
July 7th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Another great performance. It is looking like each interviewer Bob Barr faces is trying to play historical gotcha. Barr doesn’t let them get away with it.. Keep up the great work Bob Barr!
Pointing out what has happened to the major political parties is so important and I appreciate what Bob Barr is doing.
I am praying for his ultimate success.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Derek, I heard recently that Chuck Baldwin was taking swipes at Bob Barr on his website. That flies in the face of the third parties trying to make a name for themselves by taking on the two major parties. Baldwin is taking on a trird party which isn’t going to help his cause at all. In fact, that really ruins the credibility of that party all together for not knowing where to fight their battles. I like Baldwin, but maybe a little less since he’s not willing to fight for making the change for the American political system. Instead, he would rather fight the one party that could blow this political system wide open and give the Constitution Party more opportunities in the future. The part the kills me is that the LP and the CP are not far off from each other in their beliefs and both are huge in the fight for freedom from big government.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:25 am
To Bob
Excellent response. The real spoiler will be McCain or Obama and what is done to our country if either is elected. Think about carbon taxes instead of affordable transportation, tax increases instead of a “Fair Tax”, they’ll to continue using our money for pay offs and bribes plus, ALL Supreme Court decisions going 5-4 the Wrong Way. .We’re that close to losing our constitution. Then we’ll see the true “spoiler.”
To Michael,
I don’t think they were talking about Baldwin but, rather Ralph Nader is the one the commentor had in mind.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I think the analogy Bob Barr has to make is that it’s time for American voters to stop viewing elections as the Super Bowl and start viewing them as the Masters Tournament.
His standard line should be, “If Tiger and Phil are neck and neck on the back nine and Vijay is three shots back, and Tiger and Phil par the 16th, bogie the 17th and par the 18th while Vijay eagles the 16th and birdies the 17th and 18th, is Vijay the spoiler or (on that day) the better golfer?”
Stories and parables are the best way to get your point across.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Go Bob Barr!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Leeds 2008
http://lisaleeds2008.com
Bob Barr for President 2008
http://www.bobbarr2008.com
Lisa Leeds
Candidate in 08
State House Dist. 58 TN
Vice Chair
Libertarian Party Nashville,TN
July 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Good interview but I would really like to hear Bob Barr talk more about getting back to the gold standard instead of the Federal Reserve. That’s been one issue I haven’t heard too much from him yet and for some reason it’s been on my mind a lot lately. I also understand he is at the mercy of the interviewer and can’t just bring up random topics, and that is why he hits on the key topics. Does anyone think that the Republicrats are going to have the balls enough to allow both Barr and Root participate in the debates or is it going to be like what they did to Harry Brown in 2000 and protest his involvement?
Also, I am continuing my infiltration of the Barack Obama and John McCain websites which has been a lot of fun until they delete my writings for not being pro evil. post comments and links to useful information that will spill the truth about those two. Also, if anyone had ever heard of Michael Medved from Seattle WA. He host a syndicated radio program and is a pro McCain *** kisser. Listening to his show the other day, he took a few moments to cut into the Libertarian Party. I have started, but encourage anyone who loves to argue the facts (like i do) to go to his website http://www.michaelmedved.com and voice your opinion and support for the Libertarian Party. If you can, because he suck at arguing solid facts, bring your best research and pile it on hard. We can let him know that the Libertarian Party can not be ignored!
Thanks and have fun!
July 7th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I would agree with Derek. We must keep a close eye on who we are and how we act. We cannot lose who we are and what we represent just to get the presidency. Practice what we preach if you will.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Why not have a mini debate between you and Nader on the issues every week on CNN.
The nation should get to hear your positions on things that come up through out the campaign from the horses mouth.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
It was really great of Rick Sanchez to put Nader and Barr on his show back-to-back like that last night. The best thing was at the end, after the interviews when he issued an open invitation to them to come back any time!
Barr and Nader supporters should be trying very hard to get them into the Google / YouTube debate that Sanchez mentioned last night. The website is: http://www.neworleansdebate.org . Click on their “Contact Us” link and tell them to let Barr and Nader debate. Right now they say that candidates must have 10% in polls to get in. Barr is at 6% today in Zogby and Nader is at 6% in CNN’s polling.
If they can’t get into that debate, Rick Sanchez might be willing to moderate a debate between them! I am going to send CNN a comment telling them that I really appreciated them putting Nader and Barr on last night:
http://edition.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?92
July 7th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Derek, it’s not Bob Barr’s job to promote (or even mention) Baldwin’s candidacy, and vice-versa.
I’d like to see Barr start using the line, “McCain can’t win. If you don’t want to see Obama win, then Bob Barr is your only choice.”
July 7th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Mr. Barr, I certainly hope when say you’re Pro-life, that you are only expressing a personal viewpoint and that it is not a usurpation of the Libertarian Party’s National Platform. ~ Philip L. Sheffield
July 7th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Philip,
Bob holds the position to be personally pro-life (as did Ron Paul), however as he has stated in numerous speeches, interviews, and meet-ups, he thinks that decision should be left up to the states on an individual basis. As a man, he has no right to a decision to be made to another person’s body, in this case a pregnant woman’s body.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I’m familiar with Baldwin and the CP’s slashes at the LP, and yes, they are morons for it. And I realize it isn’t Barr’s job to publicize other candidates. I just don’t want anyone in the LP to start using phrases that de-promote them, either. We aren’t looking to replace the two party system with the three party one, are we? Start blaming other 3rd parties for taking votes from us? That’d be hypocrisy. And I don’t subscribe to the philosophy that if someone else does it, it makes it okay for you to follow suit.
As for the pro-life stance, the newest party platform is silent on the issue, iirc. There are plenty of libertarians (myself included) that are pro-life, and I’m glad to see they stopped forcing a pro-choice agenda on us. Now, when Barr mentioned it, it was in response to an interviewer asking him about his viewpoints, so we shouldn’t take that as being an endorsement of altering the platform to be pro-life.
July 7th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I am sick to death of this ’spoiler’ argument! I plan to vote FOR Bob Barr, not against McCain or Obama! A vote for Bob Barr is a vote for BOB BARR, NOT for Obama like Gingrich would have you believe!
July 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I agree Derek, Cross promoting between third parties wouldn’t be a bad thing if they are all participating in it. But having Baldwins camp take swipes at Barr is pretty stupid and counter-productive to the real cause. I support the CP and what they are trying to do and that’s all i’ll say to that…for now
July 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I find it disconcerting that Bob Barr still seems to be able to avoid the medical marijuana question, as he did in this interview. My late wife was the multiple sclerosis patient in the Libertarian political commercial that helped usher Mr. Barr out of Congress in 2002. Without Cheryl, he would still be a republican congressman. As a presidential candidate he should address the issue, shoud medical marijuana be a national right for seriously ill and dying Americans? Bob (he told me to call him Bob when we last talked in NY) is quite skillful at skirting around why he lost the primary election sis years ago. The medical marijuana issue defeated him and he needs to be much cleared on his position on that issue.
July 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Unfortunately I hear that a lot of Ron Paul supporters are going to either write in Dr. Paul’s name or vote for the constitution party candidate.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
When people hit Bob with the inevitable spoiler argument, I wish he would use that as an opportunity to talk about electoral reform. If people could vote for Bob Barr as their first choice but specify a second choice in an instant-runoff election, the spoiler argument disappears. Everyone could then vote their conscience instead of picking the lesser of the evils, at least until the second round.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Mr. Miller,
I appreciate your concern and your personal situation but Barr would be far better than O’Bama or McCain on the issue. I think Barr understands the political reality of making medical marijuana a central issue of his campaign. If he does every interview and story will start something like “Pro-drug use and Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr…”
Barr has to appear mainstream in order be a viable candidate, just as McCain and O’Bama do, sucks but that is the reality of the game of politics.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
BTW Barr should go with the gold tie everyday. Looks good on him and separates him from McCain and O’Bama. I think Barr should attack O! every time he is asked about hurting McCain.
The ideals of libertarianism are just as attractive to BHO supporters as that of JSM, that is if anyone knows what BHO supports.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Politics 101: Never Attack Down
Baldwin is right to go after Barr (sorry Bob), he’s the next rung up on the ladder. Barr should also only attack up (to McCain and Obama) because they are his stronger competitors.
That’s not just how politics works, that’s how competitive markets work. We are all in favor of markets, right? The political market is no different. It has nothing to do with the two party system. Bob wouldn’t address Baldwin because to do so would spread light on a weaker competitor, that would be irrational.
Barr was nominated to represent a party, not the principle of multi-party systems. That would be altruistic, but it isn’t how rational competitors act.
Bob is doing a great job of representing his party as the new Zogby poll shows.
At the end of the day, politics is power and the only function of a party is to obtain and/or retain political power. What they do with that power is beside the point. If Barr, as the nominee, sought to achieve anything other than to obtain political power he would not be serving his party’s, or his own, best interest. That is why he isn’t promoting lesser competing candidates.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
This was one of the best interviews I have seen Bob Barr give this entire election cycle. Perhaps his numbers will rise during the summer. However, as Libertarians, there has to be good answers, steeped in our philosophy, to questions that are going to come from mainstream voters. We need to have a response to questions about what we would do about healthcare, immigration, and social security. I know we favor taking apart the public education system as it now exists, but what do we plan to do after that. I think Mr. Barr and our party should be very much concerned about the minds of mainstream voters who might fear that Libertarians are going to shut down our schools, stop our social security, take away our insurance, and close our national parks. What do we say to that? Having a plan in place is the big job of our party in the coming months.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Regarding Jeff’s information: the campaign needs a strong strategy to reach Ron Paul’s supporters and ask for their support for Bob.
As individuals, we need to reach out to both Dr. Paul’s supporters and to other Libertarians.
Also, there was a comment on another blog here about name recognition and so many people not knowing Bob is even running.
I would encourage everyone to order a yard sign and put it up in front of their house (or in a prominent house window)/in addition to his use of the internet Ron Paul was very successful in getting people to put up yard and window signs with his name. I remember being in New Hampshire last winter and seeing sign after sign after sign.
The campaign should have a prominent link at this site to where more than ‘widgets and gadgets’ can be purchased. I only realized by chance where to find Bob Barr tee-shirts, bumper stickers, signs etc.
These next couple of weeks are critical to build on the strong foundation Bob has in place right now. No day can be lost without doing something for the campaign.
I would also ask the campaign to get e-mails out to everyone frequently if there is something in particular it wants supporters to do.
Those e-mails help to keep the growing group together.
When I got an e-mail saying we were raising about 150,000 per month and needed to get to at least 300,000 per month to be competitive, I immediately sent another donation. I will continue to donate as often as I can and urge everyone I know to do the same.
Also, if there are messages the campaign wants to get out, they can be sent to supporters and we can then send them on to every one in our address books.
Sometimes we just don’t think to do something that could be very useful. If the campaign e-mailed us and suggested things we could do periodically, I’m sure most of us would respond immediately.
We are fortunate Bob has some name recognition from his time in Congress, but we need to tie that name recognition with the fact he is a serious candidate for President this year.
The two videos from the weekend are great to promote the serious nature of his campaign. We should send those videos to everyone in our address books.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:56 am
While not a Libertarian, I am fully behind Mr. Barr’s message. The two party system is about 90% of the problem in Washington. The other 10% is the media, which has been behind Obama from the beginning. Thank you CNN and especially Glenn Beck for introducing us to the only candidate who can begin to fix the mess that our government has become.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:16 am
By the way - Bob Barr staff - the online store really needs to be online. My family and friends eagerly await the opportunity to purchase your swag!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:38 am
“Unfortunately I hear that a lot of Ron Paul supporters are going to either write in Dr. Paul’s name or vote for the constitution party candidate.”
If Bob Barr gets into national debates with Obama and McCain, I bet many of them will change their minds and vote for him.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Bob Barr really did well in this interview showing that there is a viable alternative to the two big governments candidates, McCain and Obama. I am enthused with Barr’s campaign. And the lastest Zogby poll shows him at 6% nationwide, twice what was mentioned by the interviewer. Please get the store up on-line so we can order signs, bumper stickers, buttons and leaflets.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
which president won a pulitzer prize for history?
see other clues and leave your answer below…
http://thevote.abc13.com/2008/07/why-does-rice-2.html
July 8th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Need to know exactly where Barr stands on pro-life, embryonic stem sell research, end of life issues. Does he believe life is from consception to natural death? Will he promote energy independence and research in our country. What will he do about bringing manufacturing and production back to “our” country. What about NAFDA? I heard VP nominee Wayne Root on the radio this morning and had never even heard about Barr. Now I am interested in hearing more. What do you say?
July 8th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
JMann, you may well be right that Bob Barr would be better than McCain or Obama on the medical marijuana issue…but at least McCain and Obama give direct answers concerning that subject. Your saying that Bob “understands the political reality of making medical marijuana the central issue of his campaign” is quite a stretch from my suggestion that he “should be able to address the issue”. Do you know of another issue that polls over 80% favorably nationally (2002 CNN/Time Warner poll said 82%) and that McCain and Barr are polar opposites on? Additionally, my “concern and personal situation” relative to the medical marijuana issue became less personal after Cheryl died five years ago. Now I think the sick and dying Americans who stilll have time and do find real relief from medical marijuana at least deserve a direct answer. They aren’t asking for it to be a central issue, just that his position be clear, and so far it is not.
As far as saying that Barr “has to appear mainstream to remain a viable candidate”, and “that is the reality of politics”…his viability as a congressional candidate ended six years ago when the Libertarian party made medical marijuana the central issue of the last two weeks of his ill fated primary campaign in 2002, and THAT is a political reality, not a political theory. He of all people should have learned something from that. We’re on the same side here JMann. Besides, medical marijuana is a lot more mainstream than you think these days. Twelve states can attest to that. There is no need to reframe my comments unless you can’t successfully deal with them as they are. That’s the methodoligy of ONDCP and the Republican administration. Bob Barr backing away from this issue will backfire. That’s not a theory either. That’s a promise.
I have avoided commenting to reporters who have contacted me asking what I think of his candidacy, saying that I need to give him time to organize his campaign before I contact him regarding this issue.
I’m pretty good at recognizing political realities. I hope that I don’t have to demonstrate that with a well timed press release if the situation continues as it is now.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Bob I think osama and mckennedy need medical mary jane!
July 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Perhaps the potheads will vote for Bob,if they can find the polling place.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Richard….I find your comments about medical marijuana offensive. It is a serious issue that 12 states have recognized. I’m sure Mr. Miller could set you straight on that. It is about the sick and dying having a choice. But your choice was to make light of it.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Say Richard, what else do you do besides make fun of an issue that is central to the lives of seriously ill and dying Americans?
Usually people make light of a serious subject because they aren’t able to talk about it otherwise. That often stems from ignorance. So cheer up. Keeping that in mind, you may not be a bad person afterall. Sorry to hear about the ignorance thing though.
You are keeping some well known company with your medical marijuana ignorance however.. Check out any of the youtube versions of John McCain making jokes about hemp after being asked about his position on medical marijuana by a patient. You and he have a lot in common…..That’s not a compliment you know.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I really think that it takes credibility away from the Constitution Party message when their candidate takes shots at other minor party candidates, like Bob Barr and Ralph Nader. Barr has certainly shown leadership and skill when handling questions from interviewers about other minor party candidates. He has shoved the status quo, two party mess right back up the kazoo of the interviewer and highlighted what needs to be the interviewer’s focus point. The two party system is broken and needs to be replaced with political parties that are interested in protecting the United States and the people, not the government glut. Government should serve the people, not the other way around.