Time for a Bob Barr Reality Check
I’m noticing a pattern here: Some outfit conducts a poll, throws Bob Barr’s name into the mix, and reports back that the former Georgia congressman and current Libertarian presidential nominee is scoring somewhere in the mid-single-digits. Then, a bunch of news outlets run the same basic story about how Barr is poised to play the spoiler this year. Here are three such stories just from the past few days. Believe me, there are – and will be – plenty of others.
Maybe we need some perspective here.
Yes, it is theoretically possible that this election will come down to a handful of votes in one state, in which case the support that Barr receives – or that any other third-party candidate receives, for that matter – could theoretically swing the election. But it is highly, highly unlikely that Barr will be a consequential player this fall for numerous reasons.
First, his poll numbers are wildly inflated right now. A Zogby survey out today has Barr grabbing 6 percent nationally. Other recent polls show him in that same ball park. (Just as some polls have found Ralph Nader also running at or near 5 percent nationally.) Most of this is a result simply of pollsters including Barr’s name (and Nader’s for that matter) in their surveys, and thus providing an outlet for respondents who for whatever reason aren’t ready to say they’re for Barack Obama or John McCain. Few, if any, respondents are actually volunteering Barr's name, because few (if any) know it.
To actually score 6 percent, or anything close to it, on Election Day is nothing short of a monumental achievement for any third-party candidate. Invariably, most soft third-party supporters decide they don’t want to “waste” their vote once they enter the voting booth. Just consider the electoral history of the Libertarian Party since it first nominated a national ticket in 1972 (note that the party did not attain 50-state ballot access until 1980):
1972: 0.00% (3,674 votes nationally)
1976: 0.2%
1980: 1.1%
1984: 0.3%
1988: 0.47%
1992: 0.28%
1996: 0.5%
2000: 0.36%
2004: .32%
Ah, you say, but this time will be different for the Libertarians because Barr is a much more widely known nominee.
But actually, we’ve been down this road before. Back in ’88, the party also nominated a former congressman – Ron Paul, whose name you may be familiar with. Paul had served eight years in Congress before leaving in 1984, just as Barr represented Georgia for eight years before leaving (well, actually he was forced out by redistricting and the voters) in 2002. Paul’s ’88 national profile was actually quite similar to Barr’s now.
Moreover, we heard the same neat theories in ’88 about Paul’s potential spoiler role: Conservative Republicans, upset by Vice President George H. W. Bush’s unconvincing efforts to distance himself from his supply-side skepticism and other flagrant apostasies, would migrate in surprising numbers to Paul’s camp. Here’s how The New York Times wrote of the Paul threat to Bush Sr. in August 1988:
There are also signs of more general conservative disaffection for Mr. Bush. Howard Phillips, head of the Washington-based Conservative Caucus, and Richard Viguerie, a major fund-raiser for conservative causes and candidates, met with Mr. Paul yesterday in Washington.
Mr. Phillips said in a telephone interview yesterday that while neither he nor Mr. Viguerie endorsed Mr. Paul, they encouraged his running to dramatize conservative economic issues. Mr. Phillips said he would act as an adviser to Mr. Paul but remain a Bush supporter.
And then there was this: Supporters of Pat Robertson, who had fared far better than expected against Bush in the G.O.P. primaries, began mounting a campaign on Paul’s behalf. The Robertson forces specifically targeted Michigan, a state with a sizable evangelical population (particularly in its western half) and where Robertson had done particularly well against Bush. The chairman of the Michigan Conservative Union (and the state chair of the ’80 and ’84 Reagan campaign in the state) endorsed Paul and issued the following warning: “Bush won't carry Michigan without conservative support. From what I can see right now, he's going to have a hard time getting it."
But Bush carried Michigan easily – by eight points and almost 300,000 votes. Paul didn’t even register, in Michigan or nationally. He finished with less than a half of a percent of the national popular vote.
Today, we’re hearing the very same grumblings from the same conservative voices about McCain – and the same talk of a potentially ascendant Libertarian alternative.
There are other reasons to dismiss Barr. For one, as Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com noted recently, he is hardly on pace to make any noise on the fund-raising front. This is significant because the only credible Libertarian showing in a national election came in 1980, when the party was able to air a series of five-minute spots in prime time on national network television. How could they do this? Because Ed Clark tapped David Koch, one of the wealthiest men in the country, to be his running mate – and Koch spent generously on behalf of the ticket and the party.
There is really no reason to believe that Barr will do any better than any previous Libertarian candidate, which means he’ll probably get around one-half percent or so of the vote. Typically, Libertarians run strongest in Western states – their all-time-best mark was 12 percent in Alaska in ’80 – so in theory, his presence on the ballot could sway a potentially competitive state like Montana or Alaska. But if Obama is within a few points of winning either of those states come November, then he’ll almost certainly be in position to score a sweeping electoral college rout, no matter what effect Barr has.
Yes, Bob Barr could affect this election. So could any of the numerous other third-party candidates on various state ballots this year. We don’t hear much about them, and we really don’t need to hear too much more about Barr.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 45.7
- 46.7
- McCain +1.0
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.8
- 35.8
- +20.0
- McCain
- 54.8
- 36.6
- +18.2
You're out of your mind. Bob Barr, the long shot, will win this election. Let's see what you have to say when Bob Barr is polling 20% by the end of Aug. You must think the public is stupid. The momentum has started and the people will be heard. Your candidate Obama will fade just like Big Brown did in the Belmont. Technology by way of computers is the new element that you fail to consider. You're like the rest of MSM, out of touch with what is right for America. Barr/Root2008
80% of the people are not satisfied with Obama or McCain, once the masses are aware of Bar's candidacy the people will be heard.
Nader 2008!!!
Wow! What Biased, Impartial News Reporting! Whos lining your pockets? Is it the Democrats or is it the Republicans? Or is it both?
We Dont Need to Hear about Bob Barr anymore? Is that what the News and Journalism has come to in this day and age? Opinions! Come On People, do your job and report the news, report on the candidates and give people Honest, Unbiased information to make there own choices in the general election!
Instead of Covering Bob Barr and The Libertarian Party and letting the people hear there views, theirs or any other third or fourth party, you are just dismissing it as a waste of time?
Well I guess as much as you call these parties a waste and shouldnt even be bothered hearing from, I guess the same can be said about your little insignificant "news" website.
Im sure just like I accidentally stumbled onto your site, I can just as easily forget and over look this unfair, unjournalistic media source - if you want to even call it that!
PEOPLE: Regardless of you political views it is Necessary in this country to A. Have more than the Standard two Party choice that we are Forced to have because of Biased "news" outlest such as this one B. it is important to do your homework, research a nominee even if you already have a favorite. You might be surprised as to what you learn. Not to mention that knowledge is a key weapon! C. you should always protest and or boycott unbiased sources of "information" like this one here and find a news source that is FAIR & HONEST and Willing to give YOU ALL the Information that is out there.
We dont need to know their opinion, we want to hear about the ISSUES, The SOLUTIONS and The People Offering them.
Remember this is Supposed to Be a Government of the People, For the People, and by the People and WE the People NEED to be INVOLVED and Informed on EVERYTHING Going on in OUR GOVERNMENT. We have FAILED to do that as a Nation in the Past, BUT We Now have a NEW Opportunity, NEW Candidates Like NEVER Before, Options and CHoices to Make - and To Make informed educated choices you need to have the INFORMATION made available to you! Not some petty opinion from some PETTY "news" source!
Do Your Homework American Voters
I don't care how he polls. I can't stand the other's so I'm voting for Barr. I gotta hope more folks will vote to establish a third alternative. Our current two party system stinks as they don't care what the public really thinks and until folks show that a third party can get more then 5% they won't start.
You want change? Vote Barr. Win or lose if he gets more then 5% you will get real change, not just posturing.
I am an independent voter. I have voted both Republican and Democrat. I vote for the infamous "lesser of 2 evils". This should not be the case.
McCain nor Obama has our (LEGAL US CITIZENS) best interest in mind. Those 2 are more concerned with getting elected. I didn't vote for either one of them in the primaries and I won't vote for either one of them in November.
Obama is right about one thing- it is time for a change in the USA. We need to be able to choose from more than 2 out of millions and millions of people. With everyone's support, we can make the change happen by helping out Bob Barr's bid for President!!!
I am an independent voter. I have voted both Republican and Democrat. I vote for the infamous "lesser of 2 evils". This should not be the case.
McCain nor Obama has our (LEGAL US CITIZENS) best interest in mind. Those 2 are more concerned with getting elected. I didn't vote for either one of them in the primaries and I won't vote for either one of them in November.
Obama is right about one thing- it is time for a change in the USA. We need to be able to choose from more than 2 out of millions and millions of people. With everyone's support, we can make the change happen by helping out Bob Barr's bid for President!!!
you guys are dilusional...
I became an official Ron Paul supporter about a year ago, and foolishly believed, like all you nuts out there, that once the American people saw what Dr. Paul had to say... about freedom, fiscal responsibility, and smaller government, they would surely see that the current republican party had indeed lost it's way. Sure, i blamed others... the media, the republican party leadership... but the blame falls on the the American public as a whole. Even with more cash on hand that McCain had throughout the entire primary process, Paul failed to garner any real support or attention(i met people in March 2008 who had still never heard of Dr. Paul), and that was only one party's voters he was trying to influence. There arent ANY legitimate democrats out there that would vote for a libertarian.
Bob Barr has absolutely zero chance of winning in November outside the outlandish scenario where both major party candidates die the day before the election.
"Ron Paul cured my apathy, the 2008 presidential election brought it back"
Despite the bias towards the Libertarians, I am voting for Barr this year.
To the disillusioned guy, picture it this way, Ron Paul was virtually unknown during the early stages of the primaries, he had a very short amount of time between each state to win them overand get them to vote for him. Compare how much support Ron Paul got towards the end of the primaries as opposed to the beginning. And look at how much more popular he got after the primaries, with his book and all. Now lets take a look at Bob Barr, A, he is probably going to get the majority of all those Ron Paul supporters and B. he has from Noe until November to really get things rolling, its not like the primaries where every week to every couple weeks people had to vote. This time they ALL have months to learn about Bob Barr and the Libertarian Party. And if we ALL do OUR part to help Promote Bob Barr/Root and
The Libertarians, If we do web posts, make flyers and pass them around our neighborhoods, if people with extra money take out newspaper ads and so forth, if we make stickers or donate to the campaign we can help Bobn Barr reach a Higher status in this election then if we all just sit back watch and do nothing! So I say lets continue what we started with the Ron PAul R3VOLution and Make this year the YEAR of Our AMERICAN R3VOLution! I know I am doing my part. I donated money already. I make stickers at flyers and piut them up all over the place. I post on craigslist and I also post to message boards like this. So lets get out There and Do OUR Part to Help Win Back this Country!!!
Actually the author is wrong. We need to hear more about Bob Barr and other third party candidates. It's time we have a choice for president that is conservative, supports Liberty and the Constitution, and will do what is right.
What we don't need is more reporters trying to shape and massage the news by telling people how they should vote.
Two words: Ross Perot... He got 19% of the vote in 1992. The voters are even more disgusted today, with 85% of the population saying the country is headed in the wrong direction with $4 gas, the worst housing market in 70 years, and the imminent re-appearance of Jimmy Carter Stagflation.
So please, go right ahead and dismiss Barr’s chances. It will be quite thrilling to see McLame licking his wounds in November.
The Republican Party lost the election for themselves as soon as McCain became their man. He is a big-government liberal Democrat and should have run in their primary if he wanted to win. Supporting the Iraq war does not make you a conservative. If conservatives want a conservative in the White House they need to jump on the Barr/Root bus very soon. In reality, a vote for McCain is a vote for Obama.
The real danger in the Barr/Root campaign is not to the Republicans, but to the Democrats, and the reason is the "blue" Democrats -- the Blue Dogs and the Blue Collars. Current polling (Wall Street Journal) shows 12% of Democrats cannot stomach Obama, and these are primarily the Blues. They likely will not switch to McCain, but in what will be a contentious election, they won't sit it out either. Come time for the debates, they will be open to the small-government pitch of the Libs. The 8% of Republicans who can't stomach McCain may do the same. That's a 4% spread, and enough to influence an election.
But it gets worse for the Democrats. Few Republicans can take the pure-freedom policies of the Libertarians (borders, abortions, drugs, gays, etc) and will not switch. However, these are hot-button issues for Democrats, and ones on which Obama will equivocate as he tries to appeal to the political center. Singe-issue Democrats will defect where as single-issue Republicans won't. Pair this draining of votes with the Nader factor, and it all starts piling up against Obama.
And it gets worse.
For all his charisma, Obama breaks when discussing the details of policy in a confrontational mode. He will wither during the debates when pitted against well-honed warriors like Barr, McCain and Nader. Obama will finish the job the Libs have started.
Enjoy your moment my Democrat friends ... it will be short lived.
Traders currently give Barr a 60% chance of breaking 1% of the popular vote, 25% chance of breaking 2%. See https://www.intrade.com/index.jsp?request_operation=trade&request_type=a...
So the market is optimistic about Barr's chances to do better than any previous LP candidate, but drop off sharply for higher popular vote percentages.
The author of this article is right on -- look at the history of past and similar LP candidates, and there's no reason apart from wishful thinking to believe Barr will make an impact.
People say things like ~enemyartistkristofeR! above every election, often in all caps. Perception that a big change is NECESSARY doesn't make it so.
I agree with the author, Steve Kornacki, re: Barr's impact on the upcoming election. Don't people realize that the mainstream media is "making" news to fit their adgenda, which is to get Obama elected? Bob Barr is playing right into the mainstream media's plans/manipulation. Bob Barr loves to have his ego stroked and feel important.
Bob Barr is this year's Ralph Nader, except Nader is old news, and Barr is this year's potential game changer because the Republican Party is divided, uninspired and is reaching out to non-conformist party alternatives (remember the Ron Paul movement?). While Nader inspired some on the left in his first run, most on the left are now angry with Nader because they believe he is partly responsible for Gore losing the election to Bush. Barr is comparatively fresh on the national presidential election trail and will benefit from the Ron Paul movement. There is actual movement on the right from Libertarian minded Republicans who may actually vote for Barr on principle. Barr has much more potential to influence this year's election than any of the other third party candidates and deserves more attention because of his potential to be a game-changer for the election.
In the end, Barr will be a non-factor in this election, even if he does very well in Georgia, the only state where he is well known. We already know the outcome - Obama wins. The only open question is how many Senate seats go from red to blue at the same time.
The more voters learn about the creepy hypocrite Bob Barr, the worse he will do.
Bob Barr was a staunch denouncer of Roe v. Wade for decades. Then it was revealed that back around 1982 he drove his second wife to a clinic to get an abortion he paid for -- apparently so he would not have to pay child support once he married his mistress who beacme his third wife.
Bob Barr was Congress's main anti-drug warrior and now he has recanted and favors legalization. He supported the Patriot Act that he now opposes.
Funniest of all, he tried to ban wiccans (witches) from the military. I'm sure that's a big problem.
Bob Barr is having his 15 minutes of fame in the polls.
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps Obama is the Neville Chamberlain of the Democ"rat"ic Party, and that is "CHANGE" for the worst.
So let me get this straight, Guy. You think Bob Barr is an advantage for McCain because of blue collar democrats? If Barr gets their vote instead of the disgruntled democrats switching parties and voting Republican, how does that help McCain? And Obama's debate strength has been weak in the past, but practicing against Hillary has made him much better. He will make McCain look old and inept. And you're dreaming if you think Barr and Nader will be included in a televised debate on the major networks.
Most of Kornacki's points are specious. There are plenty of reasons Barr will almost certainly draw the biggest Libertarian vote share in history and has an excellent chance at hitting the 5% threshold that would trigger federal funds after the election. That would put the LP on-track to eventually providing a viable third alternatives to voters.
First, both McCain and Obama are alienated from larger segments of their party base than any nominee in recent history: McCain with elements opposed to gun control, tough on illegal immigration and against suspensions of national and congressional sovereignty in behalf of blind trade; Obama with older and lower-income whites distressed over his perceived elitist, Afrocentric and leftist attitudes and associations.
Barr can appeal these large, diaffected groups if he gets a hearing.
That may not be as difficult as Kornacki contends. Indeed, his whole piece is based on the complaint Barr is actually BEING heard. Democratic operatives are convinced the well-known former Republican congressman will take at least two votes from McCain for every one he takes from their man, so Obama may insist on Barr's inclusion in the debates.
If today's poll numbers hold up, the Democrat could make that demand stick. The public likes having another choice, so the stand would be popular. Scoring in the high double digits and ahead of Nader 3:1, Barr can legitimately be given a debate podium without opening the door further to a circus atmosphere of still more candidates. And at 5-7 points down, McCain will be too desperate to take a walk if Barr is included.
With the exposure and legitimacy conferred by inclusion in the debates, Barr may even begin to contend for a few western states.
It is amazing that you use this phrase, and still pretend objectivity: "thus providing an outlet for respondents who for whatever reason aren’t ready to say they’re for Barack Obama or John McCain"
Aren't ready means what - when they mature in November?
Or does it perhaps mean - they will wake up and change
when they realize the gredatness of the two disheartening candidates?
Perhaps, if you read an election history book you will find that a lot of people "weren't ready" either when they voted for Ross Perot.
Maybe -just maybe, you'll someday come to understand that people actually, with sound wisdom are rejecting what you and your types of non-thinkers call leadership?
Let's keep things simple. Obama has now, with his contorted statement on the Heller decision, made it clear that as president he would pursue a stealth policy to further limit the rights and options of gun owners. Seen in this light, a vote for Barr jeopardizes the 2nd amendment.
The Author shows his complete ignorance of Libertarian Party history throughout the piece. Number One, NEVER BEFORE, has ANY Libertarian Party Presidential candidate polled 6% in any national poll. Not even close. I can remember 1 to 2% showings for LP candidates. But 6%?? This is simply unprecedented.
And Barr has polled 6% in states like Georgia and North Carolina in statewide polls. We're not talking Alaska here. One can easily presume, that if he's at 6% in some southern States, he's much higher in Alaska and Montana.
Barr's been on a steady climb upwards in the poll numbers. That's hardly a recipe for the "typical .5% showing by the LP Presidential candidate."
The word "Libertarian" is far more popular today than it was in past election cycles. It is far more well-known, partly due to Ron Paul's recent Presidential campaign.
Barr has Russ Verney managing his campaign, from the Ross Perot effort of 1992. They're aiming for a 15 to 20 million Perot style vote total. And they'll most likely get it.
Eric Dondero, Publisher
Libertarian Republican blog
Fmr. Travel Aide, Ron Paul for President, 1988
Fmr. Senior Aide, US Congressman Ron Paul, 1997-2003
This article is on the money. The only role Bob Barr can possibly play in this election is determining whether Obama polls 350 electoral votes or 400.
Barack Obama and John McCain are the nominees because they won more votes in their respective parties than anyone else. Ron Paul raised a lot of money and got almost no votes. Dollar for dollar, he spent a great deal more money for each vote of his paltry total. So much for the power of grass roots conservatism.
The modern conservative movement had its chance and proved itself incapable of governance. Stop blaming the media, turncoat Republicans and the Washington influence. You failed because your logic is irrational and based on your perverse view of the world, not any realistic reading of the situation on the ground. You are what the American people want change from.
A Declaration of Withdrawal from the Republican Party
My reasons for leaving the Party that I’ve felt at home in since I became politically aware are numerous. I will start with quoting countless conservatives who feel as I do - I didn’t so much leave the Republican Party, it was the Party that left me. The elected Republican officials failed to implement a conservative agenda, despite having the Presidency and both houses of congress. No Child Left Behind, Prescription Drug Entitlements; they even tried to force Amnesty for illegal aliens upon us. They have given us a government that would make even LBJ blush. Our businesses and land have more regulatory red tape to deal with than ever.
Where is the Republican Party that stood for limited government, personal responsibility, a strong national defense, and against being the world’s policeman? As recently as the 90’s Republicans railed against a foreign policy of “making the world safe for democracy”, (which is historically the Democrats foreign policy, ala Woodrow Wilson) when Bill Clinton was President and he took us to war in Bosnia and Kosovo, without U.N. approval I might add. Which reminds me, the United Nations is something the GOP used to believe we needed to get out of, not an institution to be defended when a rogue nation violates U.N. resolutions.
I am also reminded of former Senator Robert Taft, who was known in his day as Mr. Republican, when he said “I do not believe any policy which has behind it the threat of military force is justified as part of the basic foreign policy of the United States except to defend the liberty of our own people” and my favorite President - Thomas Jefferson, who said “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, and entangling alliances with none.”
From its inception, the Republican Party advocated a humble foreign policy in line with our founding fathers recommendations, now, with John McCain as the leader and voice of the GOP, we are told to get behind his idea for a “League of Democracies” which sounds terrifyingly similar to Wilson and his Progressive Democrats “League of Nations” almost 100 years ago.
We are also being told by McCain that we will have to Cap and Trade our liberty and our pursuit of happiness in the fight against global warming, essentially that if we don’t give government more money and power, utopia will never be reached.
Some have told me that I should support him because he will appoint conservative judges, but I ask these questions - 1. Who’s definition of conservative are we talking about? And 2. Why would I trust the man on this issue when he is one of the “Gang of 14” who was blocking President Bush’s conservative lower federal court and Circuit Courts of Appeal judicial nominees? His long-standing, but little-noticed association with left-wing donors such as George Soros and Teresa Heinz Kerry is receiving new attention among his Republican critics and definitely troubles me. I would also remind you of his historical propensity to appease those even more liberal than himself. His version of “reaching across the aisle” looks more like a group hug when he crafts legislation like the McCain / Kennedy and McCain / Feingold bills. McCain / Feingold happens to be the reason McCain should not get the NRA’s endorsement, the NRA spent years fighting this trampling of our 1st amendment rights. McCain has not been the solid 2nd amendment supporter he would like you to believe he is - he cosponsored legislation which could require registration of attendees at gun shows and even ban such shows. Add to this the barely passing “C” grade from the NRA in his last senate run in 04‘, the “F” grade the Gun Owners of America gives him today and reflect on the work he did in 2000 with Americans for Gun Safety, an anti-gun group with a deceiving name, and you get a very different picture than the one he wants us to see.
The differences between McCain and Obama are minimal, when you consider that both believe big government can save you from yourself, and that we can save other nations from themselves as well. Given McCain’s track record of conciliatory dealings with Democrats, I fear what this man would do with a Democratic House and Senate. I will not play along with the game of lesser of two evils, as I believe that is part of what has plunged this nation into the mess we find ourselves today.
Once upon a time the Republican Party stood against special interests, corruption and abuse of power. Today their candidates campaign is “ of the lobbyist, by the lobbyist, for the lobbyist.” A man who admits Washington’s corruption has tainted him. Google Keating 5 and read all about it.
The Republican Party today would be unrecognizable to my favorite Republicans of yesterday, such as Barry Goldwater, who said “ A government that is big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take it all away.” President Eisenhower, who warned us of the Military Industrial Complex, and one whose party membership is a surprise to many today but shouldn’t be, Martin Luther King Jr. “ Violence is a poor chisel for carving out peaceful tomorrows.” The party is just as unrecognizable to myself and others of my generation.
I had to draw a line in the sand, and the Republican Party wasted no time in crossing it, when they and the President pushed for “economic stimulus checks.” The only problem is this, the money isn’t money that we have, its money we are borrowing, and our excessive borrowing becomes a tax on future generations, as we wont be paying it off any time soon. Want to try to sell this as economically conservative? Excessive borrowing and spending has the added affect of devaluing our currency, so it acts as a hidden tax on us today. As I heard one of the presidential candidates say in regards to these stimulus checks, “ Whose economy are we stimulating here? Ours or Chinas? We are borrowing more money from China so everyone can go buy more stuff made in China.” I get it, others in the GOP get it, so why doesn’t the party leadership?
I can’t take anymore disrespect for conservative values, and unless the Republican Party wakes up and gets it’s head on straight real soon, I will be taking my vote, my time, energy, money, and passion from the GOP and taking it to the Libertarian Party to send a message to the Republican leadership that I will not be taken for granted. I believe that it is solid conservatism that wins the day and elections - limited government, individual responsibility, and a strong national DEFENSE (secure the borders!), not conciliation and surrender to Democrats to the point that our differences become blurry.
The Libertarian Party seems to be a perfect temporary home, the GOP has its work cut out if its sincere about winning me back, even President Reagan said “Libertarianism is the very heart and soul of conservatism.” I will be doing everything I can to sway like minded conservatives to join me in this exodus and vote for Bob Barr for President and Wayne Root for Vice President on the Libertarian ticket. Both of them were recently Republicans, and are among those countless conservatives I‘ve heard myself say “ It wasn’t that I left the Republican Party, it was the Party that left me.”
Thanks and God Bless, from Zak Carter
Lyndon LaRouche is going to win this fall. Stop blinding yourselves.
When one reflects upon the '88 race it is difficult to avoid knowing that, all in all, we would be far better off if Bush had been rejected in that primary cycle.
History proved what most knew then, GHWB was never a Conservative. Truth is he loathed them. His failed term delivered Clinton and then ultimately delivered the throne to his son in '00 as the savior of the GOP brand. It can be reasonably debated whether that now rotting corpse that is the GOP was worth what it has cost to attempt to salvage. After all, under the father’s son that once great party turned into a free for all of corruption and sleaze, reducing it to be approximately equal to the dems in the corruption game.
Leadership is one characteristic that has been sadly lacking in both of the failed Bush administrations. And out of these dysfunctional two is delivered McCain? Mr. Clean, who as a repentant sinner now is surrounded by lobbyists who, to a man, want absolutely nothing from him. Right.
Maybe Barr won't get a lot of votes, but don't use static analysis to complete that equation. It just might be that for ever one vote Barr gets from the disaffected there will be many many many more votes never cast this cycle due to the gag reflex experienced upon contemplation voting McCain. The pressure is on to keep the good times rolling on the hill, K street, and lest we forget at The RNC where many are growing nervous these days. Election day in DC might be like Berlin when the Russians were at the city limits, you couldn’t even find an available razor blade to slit your wrists with. If it goes as it seems one can only say they will get what they have coming. Too bad we must suffer with them.
Ultimately, we must shed ourselves of this ruling class of elected "servants of the people" who once vested with power never wish to relinquish it. A term limits amendment to the Constitution seems our only hope. What was it that great man once said about the tree of liberty?
Finally, a voice of reason among the hysterical punditry. Your analysis is absolutely spot-on. Barr will be nothing but a political trivia question twenty years from now. His best showing would likely be in his home state of Georgia, but Georgia is so Republican that it won't matter.
Zak Carter, you are right on. I couldn't have said it better myself. I didn't leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me.
I'm voting for Barr/Root. There is no way I can hold my nose and vote for McCain, he is no conservative. My vote may cost McCain the election, but I can't vote for the lesser of two evils like I did in the last election.