Why Should I Vote For Bob Barr?

[Theocrat]

As a matter of curiosity, I thought I should ask that question to those fellow Ron Paul supporters of mine who will be voting for Bob Barr in November. Even though I'll be voting for Dr. Chuck Baldwin, I'm still open to voting for Bob Barr, in the event something tragic should happen to Dr. Baldwin or his campaign. Because of this, I would like to know why Bob Barr is a better candidate for President than Dr. Baldwin, based on detailed, reasoned analysis and objective comparisons on the issues.

Providing responses such as "Because he's not a theocrat," or "Because the Constitution Party sucks" will not suffice as answers for why I should vote for Bob Barr. I'll need better reasons than those. As a "rule of thumb" and for the sake of the discussion in this thread, treat me as if I were undecided between voting for Dr. Baldwin and Bob Barr when you post your responses. Your input is encouraged and appreciated.

 

[newyearsrevolution08]

Because he is neither Obama or Mccain. That is the only reason to vote for barr, baldwin or a monkey for that matter.

Barr is hit and miss with so many people BUT baldwin scares people due to the bible thumper issues. They both have their flaws BUT make sure and vote for one of them or ANOTHER 3rd party just so we have our numbers counted for AGAINST obama/mccain.

 

[Cinderella]

i cant think of reasons to vote for him but i can think of many reasons not to vote for him.....


Barr simply can’t be trusted to fully represent the ideals of liberty and freedom even if on the surface it looks as if he is intending to do that. Is some coverage in the establishment media worth having a man at the front of the party with an incredibly dubious past pertaining to freedom and liberty? Although it is possible that Barr might have changed his ways and realized his mistakes for not abiding by the Constitution, his record speaks for itself. Barr voted in favor of the Patriot Act, worked for the CIA throughout the 1970s and supported the phony war on drugs for several years. The Patriot Act is one of the most tyrannical pieces of legislation ever passed in the history of the United States.

Bob Barr voted for The PATRIOT Act, before he was against it.

Bob Barr aided an abetted the gutting of habeas corpus appeals for persons incarcerated in America, and did so in a Bill that was ostensibly supposed to be a terror preventative, which eventually became Public Law No: 104-132. On September 13, 2001, two days after the WTC and Pentagon terrorist attack, Mr. Barr proposed H.J. Res. 62 on the House Floor, which would have simply given complete discretion to Bush to attack just whoever, two days after the 911 attacks. Bob Barr Voted To Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq Bob Barr Voted for the Establishment of The Department of Homeland Security Bob Barr didn’t even bother to show up and vote on Roll Call Vote 483 on November 15, 2002: The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003. He was probably still crying about his electoral loss, and couldn’t be bothered about his honorably sworn Constitutional duty. After losing his House seat, Bob Barr kept his Leadership PAC active, and used it mostly as a personal slush fund, but still managed to donate into very anti-libertarian Republicans’ reelection campaigns, after he had become an LP official.


Barr is a bad joke.............but some will say people deserve a second chance....i guess he suddenly had an awakening

 

[Paul Revered]

I don't completely agree with Barr, nor Baldwin; although I don't completely agree with anyone. Our best hope of blocking unconstitutional legislation is to get one of these men in office. Barr has more support, therefore at this time Barr is our best choice toward reaching this goal. At this time my vote is going to Barr.

 

[OceanMachine7]

Because he has the best chance ever for a libertarian to get into the general election debates, therefore exposing the small government message to literally millions who haven't heard it (at least, lately).

 

[familydog]

i cant think of reasons to vote for him but i can think of many reasons not to vote for him.....


Barr simply can’t be trusted to fully represent the ideals of liberty and freedom even if on the surface it looks as if he is intending to do that. Is some coverage in the establishment media worth having a man at the front of the party with an incredibly dubious past pertaining to freedom and liberty? Although it is possible that Barr might have changed his ways and realized his mistakes for not abiding by the Constitution, his record speaks for itself. Barr voted in favor of the Patriot Act, worked for the CIA throughout the 1970s and supported the phony war on drugs for several years. The Patriot Act is one of the most tyrannical pieces of legislation ever passed in the history of the United States.

Bob Barr voted for The PATRIOT Act, before he was against it.

Bob Barr aided an abetted the gutting of habeas corpus appeals for persons incarcerated in America, and did so in a Bill that was ostensibly supposed to be a terror preventative, which eventually became Public Law No: 104-132. On September 13, 2001, two days after the WTC and Pentagon terrorist attack, Mr. Barr proposed H.J. Res. 62 on the House Floor, which would have simply given complete discretion to Bush to attack just whoever, two days after the 911 attacks. Bob Barr Voted To Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq Bob Barr Voted for the Establishment of The Department of Homeland Security Bob Barr didn’t even bother to show up and vote on Roll Call Vote 483 on November 15, 2002: The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003. He was probably still crying about his electoral loss, and couldn’t be bothered about his honorably sworn Constitutional duty. After losing his House seat, Bob Barr kept his Leadership PAC active, and used it mostly as a personal slush fund, but still managed to donate into very anti-libertarian Republicans’ reelection campaigns, after he had become an LP official.


Barr is a bad joke.............but some will say people deserve a second chance....i guess he suddenly had an awakening

I guess it all depends on whether you want to put your trust in someone that simply says "trust me I changed!" Or in some ways has not said one way or the other if he has changed on his many big government votes.

I'm looking for a good reason to hop on the Barr bandwagon, but I haven't gotten one so far.

 

[Kludge]

Forget Barr vs. Baldwin, Theo.

Who best represents your ideologies? Have you thoroughly read their issues pages?

The only solid differences I'm aware of are how to handle trade and immigration. What are YOUR positions on those two issues?

 

[Truth Warrior]

If you're asking me, you shouldn't.<IMHO>

 

[ARealConservative]

If you're asking me, you shouldn't.<IMHO>

I agree. Nobody should ask you.

 

[Truth Warrior]

I agree. Nobody should ask you.

Theocrat is one of my RPF "friends".

 

[Indy4Chng]

Because he has the best chance ever for a libertarian to get into the general election debates, therefore exposing the small government message to literally millions who haven't heard it (at least, lately).

+10000000000000000000000000000000

Can you imagine McBama trying to respond to libertarian questions? They will not prepare for those ahead of time. Not to mention spread the message... how many people came to the revolution from hearing Paul in the republican debates.

So the question is it better to vote the candidate closest to your ideals and does not have a questionalbe past and hear some GREAT debates between how fast the government should grow and which additional countries we should bomb or send a protest vote that might actually be heard and getting our general message to millions of other thinking americans.

 

[Kade]

Because he has the best chance ever for a libertarian to get into the general election debates, therefore exposing the small government message to literally millions who haven't heard it (at least, lately).

Now that is an interesting point.

If you are wrong, and he does not get into these debates, I consider the LP and their choice, failures.

 

[MRoCkEd]

Now that is an interesting point.

If you are wrong, and he does not get into these debates, I consider the LP and their choice, failures.

historically libs have not polled at all near the requirements to debate but barr is already only four percent away

 

[Freedom 4 all]

Barr is an ex CIA agent and federal prosecutor who voted for the patriot act running as a libertarian. That's like having an ex gay Wiccan abortion doctor running for the head of the US Christian Coalition. Both may be reasonable candidates, but it begs the question about how much a man can change. I do believe a man can change, and I think Barr is pretty good (although nowhere near the level of Paul).

 

[Lucille]

I guess it all depends on whether you want to put your trust in someone that simply says "trust me I changed!" Or in some ways has not said one way or the other if he has changed on his many big government votes.

I'm looking for a good reason to hop on the Barr bandwagon, but I haven't gotten one so far.

I think many Americans can sympathize with Barr's evolution. Liberty Maven put it best:

Why Bob Barr? Simple, Really.

... Bob Barr is a moderate Libertarian. He angers some of the more purist (or radical) libertarians, especially when considering his past anti-liberty voting record. To me this is more of a strength than a weakness. Barr’s transformation mimics many voter’s own transformations. The majority of America supported the Iraq war based on false pretenses. Now the majority is against it. Voter’s can identify with a candidate who has experienced a similar transformation.

This is a pretty good read on his "flip-flops":

How Does Barr Do It?

AFAIC, getting the liberty message out to as many Americans as possible this election season is crucial, and the LP is the party in the best position to do that.

Whether you like Barr or not, whether you're voting for Barr, Baldwin, or writing in Ron, all I ask is that if a pollster calls you, say you're voting for Barr, if only to get him in the debates. (My request goes for online polls as well.)

And please, donate what you can to the Barr campaign, or to the LP. Raising the LP's profile in '08 will help tremendously come '12, when Gary Johnson is drafted for POTUS!

 

[familydog]

I think many Americans can sympathize with Barr's evolution. Liberty Maven put it best:



This is a pretty good read on his "flip-flops":

How Does Barr Do It?

Meh. I have never stated that people cannot change. They can. I have myself changed. It's possible. However, you can't compare the two. Bob Barr has to held to a different standard. He was a member of Congress. He is now running for president and has the possibility to change an entire party platform based on how he performs. He is asking me for money. He is asking me to trust him. He is asking for my vote (something I hold sacred). His chances are slim, but he has the potential to be the most powerful person in the world. There is a difference between someone in his position and someone like me changing positions.

You can point to flip flops on drugs, Iraq War, Partriot Act, immigration, and a whole host of other issues. However, what about the issues he supported while in Congress, but hasn't said one word about since? Does he still support federal involvement in education (beyond NCLB)? Does he still support federal monies for energy research? Does he still support banning flag burning? Does he still support increasing Medicare? Does he still support NASA? Does he still support federalizing airport security? Does he still support federal subsidized housing? Does he still support the line item veto? Does he still support US protection of Taiwan? Does he still think human rights violations around the world are our business? Is he still a strong supporter of the EPA?

Who knows?

If he would come out and name all of his anti-liberty pro-federal government votes, apologize for them, and explain that he had no authoirty under the Constitution to support such things as a U.S. Congressman, I'd be a very happy familydog. It may even sway my support.

 

[tonesforjonesbones]

I am really sick of the Barr bashing on this forum. You all make me dislike baldwin. We have been over this issue so many times. Cinderella, nobody asked for reasons why NOT to vote for Bob Barr. That was not the question.

Bob Barr has been on televison how many times? and Baldwin? Barr is polling what percent nationially? And Baldwin? Barr is on how many ballots? and Baldwin? Barr has what sort of experience? And Baldwin? Barr will resonate with disgruntled conservatives ...and Baldwin? Baldwin..nobody has ever heard of the guy and he just is not going to get anywhere..except with some of the constitution party people..and a few Ron Paul supporters. The answers are so obvious...I'd be very surprised if Baldwin gets 1% of the vote. Tones

 

[Kludge]

*snip*

Sign the peace treaty, leave them to their petty bickering while we go about refining our ideologies

 

[Andrew-Austin]

Well you should consider voting for Barr if Baldwin's campaign does not go anywhere of course. You might consider it worthwhile enough just to push the Libertarian party into the mainstream and break up the two party system, simply making Barr a commonly known name will spread libertarian ideals to the masses.

There’s a sharp divide amongst liberty loving voters about whether to support a candidate like Bob Barr for President. I support him almost whole-heartedly. My only caveat is that my support will disappear if he starts sounding like the “compassionate conservative” he was over 5 years ago.

Most of the candidates I support don’t win elections, but they do their best to morph the debate towards liberty and the Constitution. With the two major party candidates rarely mentioning the “supreme law of the land” it is refreshing to hear a candidate who invokes the Constitution either directly or through implication by rhetoric. Bob Barr is such a candidate.

What makes Barr even more “special” in this regard is that he has extensive media access due to his Republican celebrity past. To me that is a means to an end. An end that has the libertarian message being heard by more people than ever. There is nothing more important than spreading that “voice” to as many people as possible.

Make no mistake though, Bob Barr is a moderate Libertarian. He angers some of the more purist (or radical) libertarians, especially when considering his past anti-liberty voting record. To me this is more of a strength than a weakness. Barr’s transformation mimics many voter’s own transformations. The majority of America supported the Iraq war based on false pretenses. Now the majority is against it. Voter’s can identify with a candidate who has experienced a similar transformation.

The “flip-flop” label is always thrown around for any perceived wavering on an issue. There should be a distinction that “flip-flopping” is only truly “flip-flopping” if it is done purely for political gain. Suggesting Barr, a former popular Republican, joining the Libertarian Party and “adopting” its ideology was for political gain is almost laughable. It is not politically expedient to join the Libertarian Party. No matter what libertarians may personally hope or believe, the party is considered a fringe party by the casual disinterested voters that make up the majority of the electorate.

I support Bob Barr for President because:

His has the capability to spread the libertarian message to the masses.
He is spreading the libertarian message with each opportunity.
He is a moderate conservative libertarian.
He is the candidate most likely to follow his oath of office.
Ron Paul is no longer in the race.
It really is as simple as that.

 

[Kade]

I am really sick of the Barr bashing on this forum. You all make me dislike baldwin. We have been over this issue so many times. Cinderella, nobody asked for reasons why NOT to vote for Bob Barr. That was not the question.

Bob Barr has been on televison how many times? and Baldwin? Barr is polling what percent nationially? And Baldwin? Barr is on how many ballots? and Baldwin? Barr has what sort of experience? And Baldwin? Barr will resonate with disgruntled conservatives ...and Baldwin? Baldwin..nobody has ever heard of the guy and he just is not going to get anywhere..except with some of the constitution party people..and a few Ron Paul supporters. The answers are so obvious...I'd be very surprised if Baldwin gets 1% of the vote. Tones

Barr deserves to be bashed for his voting record. I'm tired of Barrtrolls, especially plants from the campaign, like you.