Rumor: Bob Barr Pondering Presidential Run
I received a message last night from what I consider to be an extremely reliable source.
Though I don’t have any concrete details as of yet, the rumor is that former Congressman Bob Barr is now openly considering a Presidential bid on the Libertarian ticket. That’s all the information that I have, but as I said… this is coming from a very reliable person.
If I hear more I will post on it…
November 16th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Ohk. Now where are all the LPers who were up in arms when Bob Barr was first named regional chair? These people were about to burn down ThirdPartyWatch over their anger!
Now,as predicted, he will run for President.
There are also rumors, that Bob Smith—-former Senator from New Hampshire—is courting the Constitution Party’s nomination.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Pretty big news…but I haven’t seen anything on here recently about Daniel Impe-wacko. He was the main reason I started visiting this site!!
November 16th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Bob Barr would create quite a stir, and would have a strong shot of winning the LP nomination if he tried primarily because the others have big weaknesses. He’d be very good at earning the support of Ron Paul’s folks if Republicans fail to nominate Ron Paul.
The Big Three others have some pretty strong negatives:
Wayne Allyn Root – has bashed Ron Paul a lot; fans the flames of fear of terrorism too much; otherwise, great on economics and public speaking; I like the guy a lot
Steve Kubby – seems extremely resource-starved; nevertheless, the most libertarian of the big three; if he’d quit fanning the flames of human caused global warming hysteria, I’d like him a lot more
George Phyllies – Tom Knapp describes him extensively
November 16th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
[...] Third Party Watch is reporting a Bob Barr rumor: Though I don’t have any concrete details as of yet, the rumor is that former Congressman Bob Barr is now openly considering a Presidential bid on the Libertarian ticket. That’s all the information that I have, but as I said… this is coming from a very reliable person. [...]
November 16th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Bob Barr also has big weaknesses. For example, The Defense of Marriage Act and his support of the Patriot Act, which he is now against, are in my opinion weaknesses. As for the Patriot Act, it sounds like “If I knew then what I know now.”
November 16th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
He was also a big Drug Warrior,way back when.
November 16th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Hmmm…Ron Paul / Bob Barr or vice versa ticket? That would be the most legitimate ticket the LP ever hosted.
November 16th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Its being reported this morning that Lou Dobbs is considering an indy run. Dobbs. Barr. Smith. Is there any solid information on any of their plans?
November 16th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
On The Issues has a lot of information about Barr’s voting record.
Here are just a few issues that could be “Big weaknesses” for him
Voted yes on banning physician-assisted suicide
Voted yes on the No Child Left Behind Act
Voted yes on banning gay adoptions in DC
Supported anti-flag desecration amendment
November 16th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
[...] There are rumors floating about that former congressman Bob Barr is considering a presidential bid on the Libertarian Party ticket. I’m willing to bet a hundy that he isn’t. Any takers? [...]
November 16th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
The Gay adoptions bill gave federal funds to that project—-so its not neccesarily anti-libertarian.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
If Barr decides to run for the LP nomination, he’s got a much better chance of winning it than any actual or prospective candidate except Ron Paul (if Paul decides to seek the LP nomination after elimination from the GOP race). I don’t have to like that to admit that it’s true.
Yes, Barr has weaknesses to the extent that he’s still largely identified in the public mind with the Republican Party and with some past anti-libertarian policy positions several of which I personally find repugnant.
On the other hand, in several cases—medical marijuana and the PATRIOT ACT come immediately to mind—he’s changed his position in a libertarian direction, and publicly/prominently so. That makes for good campaign material, especially since he did it while not in office and not a candidate for office, insofar as that would help make the case that the changes were changes of conscience, not just opportunism (unlike, say, Mitt Romney, who seems to change his positions on the basis of asking, right before each press conference or debate, “what should I stand for this time if I want their votes?”
Barr has strengths aside from policy positions. He has the name rec of not only a former congresscritter, but of a former congresscritter who was in the thick of a number of highly publicized fights (especially the Clinton impeachment). He seems to have kept a full speaking schedule over the years, keeping his name in circulation with large constituent groups like the NRA (he spoke at their national convention in St. Louis last year). He’s also been speaking at LOTS of LP events. Not just national events, but local ones. He’s spoken to LP audiences in St. Louis twice in the last year and will be here again in February—and noticing that naturally had me thinking that a presidential nomination bid was at least in the back of his mind the whole time. In other words, he’s attended more Missouri LP events in the last year than all of the declared candidates for the LP’s presidential nomination combined.
Those who have met Barr know that he’s also quite personable and friendly, and able to converse with both individuals and crowds without seeming condescending, incompetent, pandering or any of the other bad things that a speaker can be.
A Barr nomination would be damaging to the LP in one of the same ways that Paul’s campaign is —it tends to identify LPers as “just a bunch of disgruntled ex-Republicans” at a time when we should be establishing our own identity. I don’t support him for the nomination. But we could certainly do far, far worse.
Tom Knapp
November 16th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
But Tom, the LP is a bunch of disgruntled Republicans. Hell, the Party was founded by the disgruntled Chairman of the Colorado Young Republicans David Nolan. The Party’s First Presidential candidate was a disgruntled Republican Dr. John Hospers. Roger MacBride and Ron Paul were also both disgruntled Republicans.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I agree with Knapp’s assessment here. This is big news if it’s true. It will shake up the entire Presidential race. And as one who likes Wayne Root, I gotta tell ya, Barr running would just about end his candidacy. But it would also squash Phillies and Kubby, as well.
As a Rudy guy, I’d worry that Barr would attract a great deal of disgruntled Right-wing GOPers, both social conservatives and even libertarian-leaners.
And Barr does seem like a very nice guy, with a good image and persona.
Overall, he’d make the ideal LP Presidential candidate.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Here’s a related story just breaking…
Ironically, if involves a Georgian.
Randy Evans, New Gingrich’s closest advisor and the man who was heading up his Exploratory Committee for President, has just endorsed Rudy Giuliani.
This is huge news. Evans would not have done this, unless Gingrich had decided not to run.
And it also means a Gingrich endorsement for Giuliani may be weeks or even days away.
Full story at www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com Race42008.com and American Spectator Blog have also broken the story.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Oh, I get it now. The “source” was Steven Gordon.
It’s been known for a while that Gordon has been pushing for a Barr run. Makes all the sense in the world.
Gordon’s an SOB, but he’s honest. If he is indeed the source, than I gotta say, this is probably for real.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Well If you all remember, Barr was rumored to be running with Imperato back a few months ago. Bob Barr needs Imperato’s resources. But I think that the two of them would make a good team.
November 16th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Steve Gordon was not the source.
Daniel Imperato is crazy.
November 16th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Jay,
Do you realize that the Libertarian Party Presidential nominee does not get to choose their running mate?
November 16th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I’ve expected Barr to make a run for some time but will his changes on certain issues give him the same image of Mitt Romney as a flip flopper?
November 16th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Considering the folks who are currently running for the LP nomination, Bob Barr would be a fine choice. Certainly he’s throwing out feelers and trial baloons to see if he has any support among LP members. He may also be waiting to see what happens with RP and whether LP members would be willing to supend their bylaws to nominate him at the convention by draft.
If Bob Smith wants to be the CP nominee, again that’s fine considering nobody else of great stature is considering running. But Smith played this game with party leaders before back in 2000 and screwed them royally. Either he commits to the CP fully or he can stayed retired.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
There is no “Jay Harris”
The statement posted by Imperato, as “Jay Harris”, is laughable. No one even knows who Imperato is, or cares.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
It’s amazing to me how Jake’s analysis can be ignored.
Bob Barr is a guy who worked throughout the 90’s as a powerful member of Congress to destroy everything Libertarians hold dear. Knapp is right about one thing: if Barr achieves a great deal of support, it only reinforces the stereotype that Libertarians are disgruntled ex-Republicans. We’ve got better candidates in the field right now.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I am glad Bob Barr has changed his mind on several issues, and I am glad he is involved with the Libertarian Party. But I would have problems with running Bob Barr as a candidate for President.
In fact, I think the Libertarian Party should devote its resources to running candidates for Congress and state legislature, so that we can put some real advocates of freedom into office, and not just wait for a Republican officeholder or activist to become disenchanted with the Big Government conservatives.
PS: Eric Dondero made a post about a Libertarian Party member without being totally insulting. THIS IS HUGE NEWS FOR THE LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT!
November 16th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
“PS: Eric Dondero made a post about a Libertarian Party member without being totally insulting. THIS IS HUGE NEWS FOR THE LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT!”
That’s because Eric Dondero is about as libertarian as Pol Pot.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
If Barr runs, I would support him 100%. This crop of LP presidential candidates have been a complete joke. Barr would light a fire under me as well as others.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Jeff,
Those were just a few examples. I can names many more. For example,
Witches Say Barr Threatening Their Beliefs:
http://www.witchvox.com/military/bobbarr.html
November 16th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
From:
http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/BiosInd/Barr.htm
Then:
Now:
Still not a very strong answer and libertarians, along with many Americans, know the war on all drugs is a faliure.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Jake…how many other people have made the same “flip flop” in the last 5 years? If you follow the medical marijuana movement, you should know that support has increased over the years. If a man off the street wanted to get involved with the LP, but said “5 years ago I thought pot was evil, but now I know it has medical uses” would you turn him away? There are thousands of people who held Bob Barr’s 2002 belief and now hold Bob Barr’s 2007 belief.
The current slate of candidates does not impress me much. I have no plans to attend the National Convention. If Bob Barr ran, I’d definitely go to the convention, and I’d work very hard to get him as many votes as possible in Michigan. Same with Ron Paul, if he decides to run on the LP ticket.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
the best chance of actually electing either Barr ot Paul i to have them join forces in a indy bid as P/VP. having them run under the LP ticket would kill hem both quite quickly.
Paul will not make the gop nomination, but he already knows that.
typical LP base of support 2-5% for any office
typical Independent base of support – starts at around 35%.
“Independents have been a rising force in state elections for years. In 1992, they made up 22 percent of registered voters. By 2000, that figure was 36, increasing to 44 percent in last year’s election.”
It’s even higher now. a well funded Ron Paul/ Bob Barr IND. bid would be a serious threat to the Neo Con bastards and Socialists.
This is why when RP says on interviews hat he will not run on a third party ticket should he lose he GOP nomination ( and he will ) he means it. He knows doing so is instant death. he has to pull the Ross Perot card, and he needs anyone concerned with pulling the country back from the creeping warfare-police state fascism’s support.
Bob Barr would make a excellent VP for Paul, but if he runs as a LP guy he will suffer serious lack of funds and the typical lack of voter base of the LP.
WHat I have described here is the only option that will be electable. UNless you like Clinton or Juliani more, might be a good idea to support it.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Tom,
I am only discussing what I think are his weaknesses that Wes failed to mention.
No. If that man was trying to run for President as a Libertarian I would want to know a little more about him.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Tom,
Please also realize that I quoted what the website said and I never used the words “flip flop.”
November 16th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
But as always, I will count on the LP blowing it by insisting on 100% fealty to the pledge and smearing anyone not in total agreement with every “radical” position, in the notion that standing against the state is more important and principled than actually helping elect the 1988 POTUS nominee of that party, no matter what label they wear, become PRESIDENT of the United States.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Dondero:
I’ll take being called an SOB by Dondero yet another compliment from him.
However, I was not the source of such a rumor.
November 17th, 2007 at 12:11 am
I was a disgruntled Democrat before I joined the LP back in 1991. Anyways, I am still running for the VP nod for the LP, and still the only declared candidate to this date.
November 17th, 2007 at 1:53 am
As a disgruntled libertarian, I am considering running for President as a write-in candidate on the Guns & Dope Party ticket. If elected, I promise that I will decree a four year federal holiday and then go home.
November 17th, 2007 at 2:42 am
I’m just gruntled, and there’s no current political party that matches my beliefs.
Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power. – Benito Mussolini
If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them, will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. – Thomas Jefferson ( no libertarian was he )
Mencken’s Creed
I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind – that its modest and greatly overestimated services on the ethical side have been more than overcome by the damage it has done to clear and honest thinking.
I believe that no discovery of fact, however trivial, can be wholly useless to the race, and that no trumpeting of falsehood, however virtuous in intent, can be anything but vicious.
I believe that all government is evil, in that all government must necessarily make war upon liberty… (t.w. – only when the people allow it and no longer care about liberty )
I believe that the evidence for immortality is no better than the evidence of witches, and deserves no more respect.
I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech…
I believe in the capacity of man to conquer his world, and to find out what it is made of, and how it is run.
I believe in the reality of progress.
I – But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than be ignorant.
November 17th, 2007 at 3:01 am
“As a disgruntled libertarian, I am considering running for President as a write-in candidate on the Guns & Dope Party ticket. If elected, I promise that I will decree a four year federal holiday and then go home.”
I’m really starting to think Tom Blanton may be the most entertaining person on the internet…LOL
November 17th, 2007 at 3:49 am
Tom (Blanton),
If you run for president on the Guns and Dope Party ticket, can I tag along as the veep seeker? I guess I’m a non-purist reformist insofar as I only support three of the G&DP’s four planks, but apart from the ostrich thing I’m fully on board. The LP’s current neutered platform could be vastly improved by replacing it with Guns and Dope Party Position Paper #23.
November 17th, 2007 at 5:05 am
Tom-Tom ‘08!
Tom-Tom Macoute!
November 17th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Tom K – You may be the VP as long as you don’t offend those who would stick their heads in the sand. The G & D Party ain’t nothing but a big tent party, though. Would you consider supporting equal rights for all ostri as long as these rights were slightly less equal? After all, aren’t making unilateral compromises necessary if we wish to do real politics?
I’m glad you brought up Position Paper No. 23, this is the key to victory:
GUNS AND DOPE PARTY POSITION PAPER #23
Little Tony was sitting on a park bench munching
on one candy bar after another.
After the 6th candy bar, a man on the bench across from him said,
“Son, you know eating all that candy isn’t good for you.
It will give you acne, rot your teeth, and make you fat.”
Little Tony replied, “My grandfather lived to be 107 years old.”
The man asked, “Did your grandfather eat 6 candy bars at a time?”
Little Tony answered, “No, he minded his own fucking business.”
November 17th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Police to search for guns in homes
City program depends on parental consent
Email|Print| Text size – + By Maria Cramer
Globe Staff / November 17, 2007
Boston police are launching a program that will call upon parents in high-crime neighborhoods to allow detectives into their homes, without a warrant, to search for guns in their children’s bedrooms.
The program, which is already raising questions about civil liberties, is based on the premise that parents are so fearful of gun violence and the possibility that their own teenagers will be caught up in it that they will turn to police for help, even in their own households.
In the next two weeks, Boston police officers who are assigned to schools will begin going to homes where they believe teenagers might have guns. The officers will travel in groups of three, dress in plainclothes to avoid attracting negative attention, and ask the teenager’s parent or legal guardian for permission to search. If the parents say no, police said, the officers will leave.
If officers find a gun, police said, they will not charge the teenager with unlawful gun possession, unless the firearm is linked to a shooting or homicide.
The program was unveiled yesterday by Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis in a meeting with several community leaders.
November 17th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
and of course this will be vastly abused by the po-lice in the meantime.
November 19th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
[...] The Political Insider kills the Bob Barr rumor: Over the weekend, the blog Third Party Watch floated a breathless, “very reliable” rumor that former Georgia congressman Bob Barr is considering a run for the White House under the banner of the Libertarian party. [...]
November 19th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
This should clear things up—now put this baby to bed:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2007/11/19/presidential_notebook_bob_barr.html
November 19th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
[...] To answer Austin’s question, Bob Barr doesn’t seem to have any intention to run for president this election cycle. [...]
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