Bob Barr Presidential Buzz Continues/Draft petition available online
It looks like Robert Stacy McCain’s article on drafting former Congressman Bob Barr is picking up some steam.
From the Atlanta-Journal Constitution blog:
Peachpundit spotted it before us, but Ron Paul’s decision to scale back his Republican presidential bid has caused some libertarians to press former Georgia congressman Bob Barr to jump into the contest.
Peachpundit asked:
So how about it? Would a Bob Barr 3rd Party run gain any traction?
Nick at Lew Rockwell suggested it might:
A lateral from Paul to Barr wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world and would keep the rEVOLution growing in the short-term. Furthermore, it may also be a critical step to ensure that the rEVOLution is not a one-man movement, to ensure that the rEVOLution transcends Paul and encompasses all liberty-minded candidates: Sabrin, Terbolizard, Matthews (who won his primary), James (won primary), and the three dozen other members of the Ron Paul Congress. It’s time to grow, and maybe a Barr candidacy can help by pulling in disaffected Romneyiacs and other conservatives in a McCain-Obama race.
Personally, I think the media angle of Barr jumping into a McCain-Clinton race would be amusing, but Obama is clearly picking up steam for the Democratic race at the moment.
In the meantime, Jim Lesczynski is starting to take action, and has just started the first “Draft Bob Barr” online petition I’ve seen so far. He wrote:
Bob Barr, in my opinion, represents our best hope for continuing the Ron Paul Revolution on a national level. There are several outstanding Ron Paul Republicans (and Libertarians) running for Congress and Senate, which is fantastic, but nothing captures the public’s or the media’s attention like a presidential campaign.Unfortunately, Ron Paul has made it clear “there will be no 3rd party run,” and it’s equally clear that he will not receive the Republican Party’s nomination. As for the currently declared candidates for the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President, I respect and like several of them as nice people and good Libertarians, but I’d be lying if I said I could get excited about any of them as the nominee.
Bob Barr could generate that excitement. He appeals to both Libertarians (his current party) and Republicans (his former party). He’s huge on civil liberties and privacy, very strong on guns — heck, he’s even gotten good on ending the drug war, which is nothing short of miraculous. As a bonus, he helped lead the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Who wouldn’t pay good money to see Barr and Hillary share a debate stage?
In fact, there is already a lot of buzz on the Internet about the idea of a Bob Barr presidential campaign. The Revolutionaries are ready. Now all we need to do is convince Bob Barr.
To: The Honorable Bob BarrWHEREAS Dr. Ron Paul, through his presidential campaign, has launched a Second American Revolution that has energized and activated a new generation of freedom fighters; and
WHEREAS despite the best efforts of Dr. Paul and his revolutionaries, it is now nearly certain that Dr. Paul will not receive the Republican Party’s nomination for President; and
WHEREAS Dr. Paul has ruled out the possibility of a third-party presidential campaign; and
WHEREAS the Revolution Dr. Paul began WILL continue until we win back a free country; and
WHEREAS the currently declared candidates for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, while honorable men and women, lack the public stature to serve as the face of the Revolution on the national stage; and
WHEREAS the Honorable Bob Barr has distinguished himself as a statesman committed to highest ideals of freedom, peace and prosperity; and
WHEREAS Bob Barr has further distinguished himself as a leader within the Libertarian Party;
WE THE UNDERSIGNED respectfully beseech and implore Bob Barr to seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President of the United States, or to accept the nomination if it is offered to him at the Libertarian Party’s 2008 National Convention.
Sincerely,
One can sign the petition here.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Don’t tell me that you understand Barr’s stances until you hear the man.
February 13th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Justin Raimondo has a pretty scathing piece on Paul today, calling his refusal to run a “betrayal.” I never thought Paul owed anyone a 3rd party run, but he certainly did owe a better primary run. As i was astounded at the pieces that Byron Wolf of abc news wrote(pretty much the only national reporter to cover the campaign) that detailed the level of inactivity of the campaign. Hillary Clinton had twice as many super tuesday events in California alone compared to Paul’s overall Super Tuesday effort. He didn’t even begin Super tuesday campaigning until Jan 31st. The level of incompetence of the early campaign states boggled the mind.
In the end, i think you just have to take him at his word. He was always reluctant to make this run, he never intended to run 3rd party, and when he got the attention and the money, the only intended effort was to induce some “Trotskyan” revolution in the GOP. The only problem with the latter is that the voter demographic of the Paul voter for the most part is not one that is going to stick around in the GOP. Well, I should say that’s a problem for the GOP, not the LP. But it would be the 2nd time libertarians have gotten burnt trying to flame up the paleo wing of the GOP. Time to let that dog die.
The remaining item of interest is what happens if Paul is defeated in his congressional primary run. i wonder what he will think about Trotsky and the Grand Ole Party then?
I,like most LPers, have been pleased about Barr’s move toward libertarianism but not too pleased with associating Libertarianism with conservatism. Maybe at one time, but not anymore. I certainly am not interested in hearing any more of “the one true conservative” spiels.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
The real potential for libertarians & antiwar conservatives is to elect people to Congress who will oppose the warfare-welfare state. A national run by an untested candidate, new to the Libertarian Party, would just be a distraction.
We need to put our efforts behind Murray Sabrin in New Jersey and the new Ron Paul Republican candidates in Maryland etc. Go to www.libertycongress.org and find a candidate to contribute to.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
ka1igu1a,
Raimondo’s was a pretty strong indictment of Paul’s public statement. It’s also inline with “revolution” leaders in my state. The rank-in-file Paul supporters are still hyped about a march and think he will win the GOP nomination—but the leaders are pissed at his message.
Raimondo also wrote about A March to Nowhere.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
The book of the new school election’s game but pundits treat me like RonPaul, insane. Yes to them, but to me I’m a different kind
We’re brothers of the same mind, unblind.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Steve:
i equate the “March on Washington” with the “Brokered Convention” nonsense. Ron paul forums used to be an engaging place full of creativity until it was infected with that “Brokered convention” tripe, making it unreadable. “Brokered Convention” was a code word for “No strategy” and “campaign in absentia.”
The cynic in me is starting to detect the presence of “cynics” at Team Paul, I’m sorry to say.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
This just shows how unorganized the liberty-movement is at the moment.
All the hype and support Paul received should have been directed elsewhere in his message. In his place, I would have found a libertarian candidate who would run 3rd party and then endorse him in my “dropping out” message. Bob Barr announcing his intention the same day as Ron Paul endorsing him would have been golden.
The lack of coordination will cause many supporters to drift off. Ron Paul did something amazing by bringing so many people together. If they drift off into their old places, we would have squandered a great opportunity.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
This Barr thing’s going to start keeping me up at night. Do I jump on the bandwagon or wait & see if RP changes his mind after his primary? Do I wait forever to see if either will accept an LP draft or do I pick one of the “frontrunners” already in the race? This election’s taking more years off my life than my cigarettes.
“The rank-in-file Paul supporters are still hyped about a march and think he will win the GOP nomination—but the leaders are pissed at his message.”
Would you agree with me that the biggest obstacle the RP supporters have been unable to overcome is too much damn optimism? Too many took questionable polling methods to mean that RP was secretly in the lead, took poor early results to mean massive voter fraud, sincerely believed that a brokered convention would favor the candidate all the others can’t stand anyway, and now think that a fight for whatever remaining delegates available means that there’s still a shot (and that he hasn’t dropped out). Odder still are the ones that think Rand Paul’s going to be elected in 2012.
God help the poor bastards that think they’re going to be able to take over the GOP by following the rules. But I guess no one heard that the Buchanan Brigades tried it before. At this point, I can only hope something like an RP switch or Barr endorsement can bring some of the masses into the LP, and from there help to build that up as organization.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Fred C.
A brokered convention (which is still possible, however unlikely) wouldn’t necessarily favor Paul, but it certainly would allow him a chance at victory. We have to remember that many of the delegates that have and will attempt to go on to the national convention will be Paul supporters, many if not most will be bound in the first ballot. However in the second ballot its everyone for themselves. Certain economic conditions could propel many non-paul supporters to go his way, especially since a contest between Huckabee, McCain, and Paul—Paul is the only candidate knoledgable on economics. If Iraq, or terrorism build up again as the prominent issues than you would likely see a McCain landslide.
Anything is possible if yo try. However, if you give up nothing will ever change.
We must stay with Paul until convention. After the convention is when we should make our decisions as to where to go and what to do.
I have always loved the idea of President Paul, however I have always seen this as a movement of change or “Revolution.” To many thought that we were unstoppable, and perhaps with better press we could have fared better in the early contests, but we need see this for what it is and to abandon the movement or Paul now would only embolden the enemy.
February 13th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
The cynic in me is starting to detect the presence of “cynics” at Team Paul, I’m sorry to say.
I know a whole lot of them, from the very top to the grassroots.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Would you agree with me that the biggest obstacle the RP supporters have been unable to overcome is too much damn optimism?
I ran into two subgroupings lately. Group one still thinks he’s going to win the GOP nomination; group two think he has already won a majority of delegates but the CFR or Iluminati or some other group has “stolen” the votes.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
But I guess no one heard that the Buchanan Brigades tried it before.
Good point!
February 13th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
We must stay with Paul until convention. After the convention is when we should make our decisions as to where to go and what to do.
After the GOP convention is way, way, way too late. The other parties have conventions before September where they need to nominate candidates. Ballot access is a cruel issue with cruel deadlines. If people follow your suggestion, not only will Paul not be on the ballot, but there will be no third party alternatives, either.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
We can continue to promote Ron Paul’s ideas and issues up to the Republican convention while qualifying Libertarian candidates for Congress that will carry the antiwar libertarian message into the general election.
Thinking that Bob Barr, Steve Kubby or any of the other LP or Constitution Party hopefuls can generate the energy of the Ron Paul campaign is a fantasy, much like the “brokered convention” fantasy.
Libertarian candidates for Congress injecting themselves into the debate is more realistic.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
You all are missing the real bread-and-butter issue of a Barr candidacy. The coolness of mustaches.
Really, since the early 80’s when the ‘stache went out of style, it has been all down hill for libertarians. The big hair, the mullet, Brandon and Dillon’s sideburns, none of them could hold water for a Selleck ‘stache.
If you want proof that mustaches and liberty go hand-in-hand, look at none other than Mr. Eric Dondero Rittberg. He has maintained the ‘stache so well for so long… He is our most consistent, our greatest champion of liberty. The pubes on his upper lip empower him.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Ka1 is correct. Trotsky, the reincarnation of Christ and the messenger of truth in the throughout the world, is currently using his spiritual power to create revolutions in the Democraitic and Republican parties, using Barack Obama and Ron Paul.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:15 am
If anyone is still scrolling down the page to read this article, we’re on facebook now – http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10197996931
Just thought I’d throw it up there and see if anyone jumps on the bandwagon.
As to the rest of the discussion, I got elected to my county GOP convention as a delegate. I figure I’ll see how far I can go in that before someone figures out I haven’t voted Republican since 2000 and don’t intend to start any time soon then its back the LP. I don’t think we can take over the party, but then again I didn’t think Paul would get as far as he did, I was a bit surprised they even let him in the debates in the first place. I walked into caucus a stranger to most of the people in the room and walked out an elected delegate so maybe it is just that easy.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am
What needs to be happening is the LP needs to start positioning itself to pick up all the soon to be disaffected Obamaphiles.
Republicans are incredibly stubborn and stupid. Look at how they have treated the Ron Paul supporters. They don’t even have any moral compunction.
The other thing you folks have to realize is that no matter how strongly the LP does, no matter how much money is raised, there will be a media blackout and no debates. Ron Paul proved that.
The only thing that is going to change any of this is a demographic shift away from old media and/or a successful foray into old media avenues, such as a “R3volution Channel”.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I wrote this after Mr. Gordon wrote in the previous thread that Bob Barr is as libertarian as Badnarik, Russo, and Paul:
http://partialobserver.com/article.cfm?id=2824
February 14th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I think it is incredibly odd that any libertarian is considering Barr for POTUS. This is the guy that was the laughingstock of Congress, and rightly so.
And if he becomes the LP’s candidate (and figurehead of the LP for the next 2-4 years), we will undo much of what the LP has stood up for the past 37 years. The LP has ALWAYS been at the forefront for civil liberties. Barr has been the figurehead of the opposition through most of the 90’s.
While in Congress, Barr authored the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act”, as if marriage needed defending.
http://english.onu.edu/courses/winter03/111/barr.html
Personnally, I (and most Libertarians I know) don’t care who any church wants to (or refuse to ) marry. Some churches still oppose inter racial marriage, and I suppose that is their right. If some church somewhere wants to marry a same sex couple, who am I to oppose what that church finds to be sancrosanct?
Regrettably, DOMA passed. And now it’s supporters are emboldened enough to want to make it an amendment to the US Constitution. Barr says he opposes this, but he did play a key role in it’s development.
But there are other reasons to oppose Barr than his Congressional opposition to same sex marriage and his well known opposition to any MJ legalization (Medical, industrial, etc).
IF he becomes the LP figurehead, we need to be ready for some rather nutty campaign news releases such as ‘’Barr Blasts Army for Allowing Wiccan Celebration at Texas Base.’’ and ‘’Barr blasts E.P.A. for Promoting Homosexual Behavior.’’
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEFD81F3BF930A1575AC0A9669C8B63
The LP HAS come a long way in it’s 37 years. To throw it all away on some “silver bullet” is worse than lunacy. Because we all know this silver bullet will not work, at least as planned.
PEACE
Steve
February 14th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Steve—if you hadn’t noticed, Barr has done a complete turn around on civil liberties over this decade. He’s even with the ACLU now.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Hitman, yes, I am well aware of this.
I’m just saying that this guy has some SERIOUS baggage. This is far worse than “newslettergate”, IMHO. Most people never heard about the newsletter thing (let alone Ron Paul, who was relatively unknown until this year).
EVERYBODY remembers Bob Barr.
I help the LPO with outreach at events several times a year. Way too many people still associate the LP with Lyndon LaRouche. And there are a LOT of people out there that think David Duke is somehow associated with the LP. Outside of gunshows and HempFests, most people still don’t know who we are.
Somehow, we are pigeonholed as arch conservatives.
I have never met Mr. Barr, he probably has changed his viewpoints. The only people to never change their minds are people that never think.
One of the few communities where the LP does have at least a little credibility is in the gay community. I’d hate top see us throw it away on some silver bullet.
Because the gay community DOES remember Bob Barr. Derisively.
PEACE
Steve
February 14th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
WAR supports all Americans rights to personal freedoms, www.rootforamerica.com including ones right to his/her sexual preferences…
The big government/anti-personal freedom movements in this country must be stopped! I may not agree with someone else’s beliefs but it is none of my business what other citizens believe/do if it’s not hurting someone else.
We must work towards a fiscally responsible smaller government, a strong military to defend our country only in the event of attack by a ‘real enemy’ and more personal/business freedoms.
Ultra-CONS should stay away from the LP.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Steve,
You make some very, very, very strong points.
On the other hand, it’s possible that Barr can make his changes of mind on the issues, rather than his past beliefs, into the story … and that’s a much more powerful story than “yeah, saying the same thing I’ve been saying for 20 years over here.”
There’s a reason why the pro-life movement trots out Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”) at every opportunity. “I was the poster girl for abortion on demand, and now I’m pro-life” is MUCH more powerful propaganda than “My daddy was pro-life, and my grandpappy was pro-life, and by gum I’m pro-life ‘cuz my preacher says I’m going’ to hell if I ain’t.”
Even without an actual partisan conversion, the GOP has found it very profitable propaganda-wise to trot out Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman. “The Republicans are right” is more powerful coming from a known Democrat than from the usual suspects.
When (if) Barr comes out in favor of religious freedom, gay rights and ending the drug war, that’s attention-worthy. And, dare I say it, it tends to “educate the public” because people want to know what the hell made Bob Barr change his mind.
For my part, though, I need to see the real deal. I want to see a definite positive emphasis on liberty from an LP presidential candidate, not just a dog’s breakfast of “states rights” and such. I’ll be interested in seeing whether or not he delivers.
Anyone know if Barr is speaking at the LSLA event this weekend or the California LP convention next weekend? Those would be ideal announcement venues.
Of course, I don’t know whether Steve Gordon and his unindicted co-conspirators cooked this “spontaneous” draft effort up with Barr’s knowledge, consent and cooperation, or if they just did it themselves on spec. If the former, presumably he already knows when and where he’s announcing. If the latter, the timing was perfect—right in advance of a couple of events where he can “reluctantly answer the call of my party” if he decides to, without having to scramble to set up an event.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Yeah, I do wonder if this whole thing is a trial balloon.
You put a real good spin on it, Knapp. Do you think the conversion scenario would be useful for recruiting the soon-to-be-disaffected Obamaphiles after the campaign, or would it matter?
In any case, I need to see positions on the slate of issues. In particular, with respect to Fed.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:12 am
A rap burgler, false media
We don’t need it do we?
It’s fake that’s what it be to ‘ya, dig me?
Don’t believe the hype…
February 15th, 2008 at 9:12 am
“WAR supports all Americans rights to personal freedoms…”
Well, except for the freedom to not pay for occupation of foreign countries. And possibly a few others as well.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Steve L. suggests the LP has come a long way in 37 years. As a longtime LP voter and observer (since the late 70s), I’d have to say the LP has certainly been AROUND for 37 years, but I’m not sure how far it’s come, unfortunately.
February 16th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I would say the best for Barr would be to engage himself within the GOP and see if he can get a congress and or any senator position, now or in two year’s time.
The movement around Ron Paul – given some disappointments – has grown to be much bigger than the Libertarian Party and to associate itself exclusively with the LP, would be to limit itself. Best would be to integrate a part of the LP in the Liberty PAC of the GOP. A third party run by Paul would only mean the movement continue till November and after that not much further. To be successful, it need to be a middle and long term movement. The movement has some frustrating at the moment, this is normal, but will pick up momentum with the remaining primaries. it is also very important to participate in the remaining primaries, so that all those can be counted and mobilise, for the long term. Paul need to be in congress, it would be even better if he can get a senate or governor position. He has learned from the history with the LP and also Reform Party. There are indeed still a variety of factors that could happen. Better media coverage would certainly have resulted in a better performance up to date. That being said, mistakes have also been made and oen should learn from them and continue. If Paul does not get the nomination, the GOP is sure to loose the election and then there will be a unique opportunity to retake control of the GOP. The process of control of the neocon (who would be a fringe without the conservative CHristian vote) influence GOP over many year, cannot necessarily easy be achieved after a year only..
February 17th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Will he stop raising money for republicans if he runs? What the hell is still doing on natcom. oh, i forgot, republicans have taken it over. bleeh…