What does Bob Barr mean to the revolution?

[hayeksrevenge]

I am noticing Bob Barr is starting to make the news. I have read his views and I know about him since he is from a state I have lived in for many years. He is strongly conservative, a strong pro-gun advocate and he speaks against the government's continuing attempts to remove our privacy.

Yes, I realize he signed the Patriot Act, but he has since said he has re-thought this position on the PA and it was a bad thing. (Incidently, he did help get the Sunshine provision in the PA that made the PA expire and have to be re-voted on).

So, what does the Ron Paul community think about him? Will you personally support his candidacy as a Libertarian? Will you actively work against him? More importantly, what does his candidacy mean to the revolution? Should we welcome Barr as another one of us, or not?

 

[MozoVote]

It could serve as a "wake-up call" like Ross Perot's 1992 run did. The GOP takeover of Congress in 1994 and the "Contract with America" grew out of the dissatisfaction people felt about incumbents back then.

 

[Bradley in DC]

It's no secret I'm a fan of Bob Barr's and went public in his defense against idiotic LP attacks six years ago. I'm a fan because I know him and have worked with him defending market economics and civil liberties/privacy and against multilateral organizations.

*If* he is the LP nominee, the LP would get my vote. The others don't particularly interest me. The CP will not be on the ballot where I live.

 

[thx1149]

Bob Barr historically hasn't been much of a libertarian.

* He has spoke out against same sex marriage and authored legislation that would work in that direction. While the legislation did leave it up to that states to make exemptions, it specifically said that marriage was between a man and a woman.

* He was a drug warrior. He said things like, "There is no legitimate use whatsoever for marijuana. This is not medicine. This is bogus witchcraft. It has no place in medicine, no place in pain relief."

* He voted for the patriot act.

* He was upset that the military considered Wicca a religion and wrote letters trying to get them to stop recognizing it.


Right now he is wearing the libertarian costume. He is a good speaker, and he talks like a libertarian. It seems like he is taking an enormous amount of influence from Paul and trying to grab some of his base.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Barr. Paul is an amazingly pure candidate, and we rarely have the opportunity to vote for such a person. Barr has a poor record as a libertarian. Maybe he really has seen the light, but can we as voters be certain of that? He hasn't been a libertarian very long.

Still, if he is on the LP ticket, and it's a match-up between Obama and McCain, I'll probably vote for Barr. If the polls are too close I might vote for Obama, not out of support, but out of fear of McCain. Otherwise Barr will get my symbolic vote for the libertarian principals. Since it is a long shot that Barr can win I am willing to overlook his flaws and vote for the libertarian party itself.

I'd be curious to hear more people's views of Barr. If anyone has more firsthand information on his conversion to libertarianism that would be great to hear about. Also if any interviews or speeches talk about his past actions that were very non-libertarian and how he views them now, please share any links.

 

[Bradley in DC]

Bob Barr historically hasn't been much of a libertarian.

I'd be curious to hear more people's views of Barr. If anyone has more firsthand information on his conversion to libertarianism that would be great to hear about. Also if any interviews or speeches talk about his past actions that were very non-libertarian and how he views them now, please share any links.

Read the link in my post.

 

[ThePieSwindler]

Bob Barr historically hasn't been much of a libertarian.

* He has spoke out against same sex marriage and authored legislation that would work in that direction. While the legislation did leave it up to that states to make exemptions, it specifically said that marriage was between a man and a woman.

* He was a drug warrior. He said things like, "There is no legitimate use whatsoever for marijuana. This is not medicine. This is bogus witchcraft. It has no place in medicine, no place in pain relief."

* He voted for the patriot act.

* He was upset that the military considered Wicca a religion and wrote letters trying to get them to stop recognizing it.


Right now he is wearing the libertarian costume. He is a good speaker, and he talks like a libertarian. It seems like he is taking an enormous amount of influence from Paul and trying to grab some of his base.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Barr. Paul is an amazingly pure candidate, and we rarely have the opportunity to vote for such a person. Barr has a poor record as a libertarian. Maybe he really has seen the light, but can we as voters be certain of that? He hasn't been a libertarian very long.

Still, if he is on the LP ticket, and it's a match-up between Obama and McCain, I'll probably vote for Barr. If the polls are too close I might vote for Obama, not out of support, but out of fear of McCain. Otherwise Barr will get my symbolic vote for the libertarian principals. Since it is a long shot that Barr can win I am willing to overlook his flaws and vote for the libertarian party itself.

I'd be curious to hear more people's views of Barr. If anyone has more firsthand information on his conversion to libertarianism that would be great to hear about. Also if any interviews or speeches talk about his past actions that were very non-libertarian and how he views them now, please share any links.

Yes, because everyone that changes their mind on sometime through introspection and much thought is always just "wearing the clothes". Its good to start out with the rght views, but theres nothing wrong with coming into them much later in a political career. Bob Barr does alot more than just talk like a libertarian.

 

[tremendoustie]

If we're not going to trust that anyone can be convinced of the ideas of liberty -- no one's going to "get it" that doesn't already -- what's the point? I'm going to take Barr on his word about what he believes, and it looks good to me. If worst comes to worst and he is just posturing, it will still be clear to all what those who voted for him were supporting: his stated platform.

But, as I say, I believe the guy, and I think he's a great choice, as is Baldwin. Let's give people the benefit of the doubt after all -- do we really want to go around excluding people who havn't always believed in these ideas?

 

[berrybunches]

I have I mentioned in a couple previous posts that Ron Paul specifically calls out Bob Barr in his book. This is the only candidate Ron Paul even mentions in his book and he does so negatively. I see no reason whey he would even bother unless he was warning us about him. Ron Paul is no fan of Barr's, he obviously does not trust him.
Baldwin is, by far, more consistent than Barr - this is who I will probably support.

 

[ClockwiseSpark]

I listened to Barr's interview and I don't believe him for a second. He stumbled when asked about pagans in the military and said only valid religions should be recognized. When pushed on that he couldn't say who determines what religions are valid.

As far as I'm concerned he's just an opportunist trying to capitalize on this movement.

He supported all the neocon platforms and views until he changed his mind. Incidentally, he had that epiphany after seeing Ron Paul's fund raising prowess.

I won't be supporting the guy.

 

[Bradley in DC]

I have I mentioned in a couple previous posts that Ron Paul specifically calls out Bob Barr in his book. This is the only candidate Ron Paul even mentions in his book and he does so negatively. I see no reason whey he would even bother unless he was warning us about him. Ron Paul is no fan of Barr's, he obviously does not trust him.
Baldwin is, by far, more consistent than Barr - this is who I will probably support.

Dr. Paul has said in interviews that Barr is a friend, that he doesn't expect to endorse McCain, that his supporters are gravitating to Barr and Baldwin and he's okay with that.

 

[yongrel]

I think it's nice that some of us can go to Barr, but I get irritated when he distracts from efforts that actually have a chance of succeeding. Too many folks it seems have an obsession with the presidency at the expense of the other 535 elected offices in DC. If only people would devote the same energy to candidates like BJ Lawson, Vern McKinley, Amit Singh, and Murray Sabrin that they do to Bob Barr.

 

[jbuttell]

Bob Barr historically hasn't been much of a libertarian. Still, if he is on the LP ticket, and it's a match-up between Obama and McCain, I'll probably vote for Barr. If the polls are too close I might vote for Obama, not out of support, but out of fear of McCain. Otherwise Barr will get my symbolic vote for the libertarian principals. Since it is a long shot that Barr can win I am willing to overlook his flaws and vote for the libertarian party itself.

You know, believe it or not, people voted for Bush out of fear that Kerry might get into office. How are they to say how the immensely complicated chain of world events would unfold? They simply didn't and still don't know. So why play this game? Why not just take your stand now - and vote for Obama if you're so worried about McCain going in. What purpose does it serve us for you to be dangling your vote between Barr and Obama? I hope it isn't just to make you feel better about yourself, considering that you *may* not have to vote for one of the 'top' candidates.

 

[carter5434]

Bob Barr historically hasn't been much of a libertarian.

* He has spoke out against same sex marriage and authored legislation that would work in that direction. While the legislation did leave it up to that states to make exemptions, it specifically said that marriage was between a man and a woman.

* He was a drug warrior. He said things like, "There is no legitimate use whatsoever for marijuana. This is not medicine. This is bogus witchcraft. It has no place in medicine, no place in pain relief."

* He voted for the patriot act.

* He was upset that the military considered Wicca a religion and wrote letters trying to get them to stop recognizing it.


Right now he is wearing the libertarian costume. He is a good speaker, and he talks like a libertarian. It seems like he is taking an enormous amount of influence from Paul and trying to grab some of his base.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Barr. Paul is an amazingly pure candidate, and we rarely have the opportunity to vote for such a person. Barr has a poor record as a libertarian. Maybe he really has seen the light, but can we as voters be certain of that? He hasn't been a libertarian very long.

Still, if he is on the LP ticket, and it's a match-up between Obama and McCain, I'll probably vote for Barr. If the polls are too close I might vote for Obama, not out of support, but out of fear of McCain. Otherwise Barr will get my symbolic vote for the libertarian principals. Since it is a long shot that Barr can win I am willing to overlook his flaws and vote for the libertarian party itself.

I'd be curious to hear more people's views of Barr. If anyone has more firsthand information on his conversion to libertarianism that would be great to hear about. Also if any interviews or speeches talk about his past actions that were very non-libertarian and how he views them now, please share any links.

This sums up what I am going to pretty much do too.

 

[tremendoustie]

You know, believe it or not, people voted for Bush out of fear that Kerry might get into office. How are they to say how the immensely complicated chain of world events would unfold? They simply didn't and still don't know. So why play this game? Why not just take your stand now - and vote for Obama if you're so worried about McCain going in. What purpose does it serve us for you to be dangling your vote between Barr and Obama? I hope it isn't just to make you feel better about yourself, considering that you *may* not have to vote for one of the 'top' candidates.

Obama? Why would anyone want Obama to win? He's for huge invasive government, and he's not going to be bringing the troops home from around the world anytime soon, nor is he going to talk about monetary policy ....

I really don't understand why any RP supporter would vote for any of the "big 3". Vote for someone you believe in, otherwise you're just playing the stupid shell game that has kept these two sorry excuses for parties in power for way too long.

You rightly point out that people were foolish to vote for Bush just to keep Kerry out, since they could not know how the chain of world events would unfold. You then go right on to say people should vote for Obama to keep McCain out .... huh?

 

[jbuttell]

Bob Barr historically hasn't been much of a libertarian. Still, if he is on the LP ticket, and it's a match-up between Obama and McCain, I'll probably vote for Barr. If the polls are too close I might vote for Obama, not out of support, but out of fear of McCain. Otherwise Barr will get my symbolic vote for the libertarian principals. Since it is a long shot that Barr can win I am willing to overlook his flaws and vote for the libertarian party itself.QUOTE]

You know, believe it or not, people voted for Bush out of fear that Kerry might get into office. How are they to say how the immensely complicated chain of world events would unfold? They simply didn't and still don't know. So why play this game? Why not just take your stand now - and vote for Obama if you're so worried about McCain going in. What purpose does it serve us for you to be dangling your vote between Barr and Obama? I hope it isn't just to make you feel better about yourself, considering that you *may* not have to vote for one of the 'top' candidates.

 

[yaz]

I heard Fox News say that pretty much Barr or Gravel will get the LP nomination. Then they suggested a Barr/Gravel (or visa-versa) ticket. I definitely do not want to vote for Gravel or a /Gravel ticket.

 

[G-Wohl]

Let's give people the benefit of the doubt

Can we really afford to do this when we're talking about the President of the USA?

 

[jbuttell]

Obama? Why would anyone want Obama to win? He's for huge invasive government, and he's not going to be bringing the troops home from around the world anytime soon, nor is he going to talk about monetary policy ....

I really don't understand why any RP supporter would vote for any of the "big 3". Vote for someone you believe in, otherwise you're just playing the stupid shell game that has kept these two sorry excuses for parties in power for way too long.

You rightly point out that people were foolish to vote for Bush just to keep Kerry out, since they could not know how the chain of world events would unfold. You then go right on to say people should vote for Obama to keep McCain out .... huh?

You misunderstand me. I admit what I said didn't come across very clear. Let me hopefully state this more clearly - I do not think people should vote for Obama or McCain. What bothers me is the idea that some people maintain - that they're somehow doing what's best by voting for 'the lesser of two evils'

As unpopular as it was where I live (Los Angeles - hollywood) I voted for Bush out of concern that Kerry might get into office - similar to what people like thx are proposing to do with Obama. I have some regrets, not so much because it was a vote for Bush (I didn't particularly like him either), but because I strayed from voting for who I felt best represented our Constitution. I did what I don't want to do ever again - vote for the lesser of two evils. In retrospect, I would have voted for the LP ticket as I did in 2000 and will likely do for the foreseable future. I'm not convinced that Democrats would do any better with regards to our fight for freedoms.

With that said, theres a part of me that would want to support the republican candidate for the slim chance that they might not increase taxes. But there's no chance in hell I will with McCain at the wheel or any of the other Republican candidates that were campaigning. I will not support the Republican Party's corrupt 'big-governement' candidates any longer - they've become everything I hate about Democrats.

thx1149 stated that he might vote Obama out of fear that McCain might be elected. If that's how thx feels, I think he/she should quit the political posturing and commit to the candidate who they really support.

Are we to sympathize with voters claiming to support Ron Paul/Libertarian philosophies - that are actually prepared to vote Democrat (swap with Republican other than Ron Paul if you'd like) as soon as they feel threatened that their famililar party may loose?

 

[itshappening]

Bob Barr will be on the ballott and will serve as an effective protest vote for many conservatives, if he's committed to campaigning and getting his name out then I dont see why anyone disgusted by the traitor McCain or the socialist Obama should not support him....

as for changing his mind and the inconsistancies, yes, there are many when he was a bit of GOP careerist but the fact is he is out of the house now and is standing and advocating for a platform that will be attractive to many, I think he can be a huge asset to the LP if he is their nominee, he has some national name recognition and is a known conservative that can outflank McCain and act as an outlet for protest.

he isnt perfect by any means but he'll do for many people I suspect.

 

[itshappening]

I heard Fox News say that pretty much Barr or Gravel will get the LP nomination. Then they suggested a Barr/Gravel (or visa-versa) ticket. I definitely do not want to vote for Gravel or a /Gravel ticket.

Gravel is a socialist *sigh* also he's a terrible communicator, hope Barr' wins.