Libertarian Barr announces run for U.S. president
WASHINGTON —
Former U.S. congressman Bob Barr on Monday announced plans to run for president on the Libertarian Party’s ticket, in a move some analysts say could hurt Republican presumptive nominee John McCain.
“My name is Bob Barr and I’m a candidate for the presidency of the United States of America,” said the former Republican lawmaker, who played a key role in the congressional impeachment of former President Bill Clinton.
Barr said he was running because there was not “currently or anywhere on the horizon” any candidate who understood the principles of fiscal conservatism and basic principles on which he said America was founded.
The former Georgia congressman, who announced his plans at a press conference here, must first win the Libertarian Party’s nomination before throwing himself into the 2008 field for real.
The 59-year-old said he was not concerned about the prospect of damaging McCain, possibly among conservative voters whom the Republican candidate has had trouble courting.
“If Senator McCain does not succeed in winning the presidency, it will be because Senator McCain did not present, and his party did not present, a vision, an agenda, a platform and a series of programs that actually resonated positively with the American people.”
Barr believes spending by the U.S. government is running out of control and says federal authorities have seized powers not granted by the constitution, and believes U.S. forces should be brought home from Iraq.
The Libertarian Party stands for non-interference by the U.S. government in the personal and business lives of Americans, and advocates lower taxes, a smaller government and more individual freedom.
Independent and third parties have faced a tough task in modern U.S. election history of breaking the dominance of the Democratic and Republican parties, though several candidates have played a spoiler role.
Many Democrats still blame consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who has already announced a 2008 run, for depressing former vice president Al Gore’s vote in 2000, and helping George W Bush to capture the presidency.
Some Republicans also blame businessmen Ross Perot, whose idiosyncratic run in 1992 captured 19 percent of the vote, for helping Bill Clinton unseat the first President George Bush.
AFP
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12 Comments
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GrouchyGaijin
Whew! I saw the headline and thought it was Rosanne Barr! Everyone would cover their ears, not their heart each time the national anthem was sung!
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telecasterplayer
Bob Barr could really get the support of the reclusive scary loner demographic, if they read newspapers.
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skipthesong
The Libertarian Party stands for non-interference by the U.S. government in the personal and business lives of Americans, and advocates lower taxes, a smaller government and more individual freedom."
What is so wrong with that? Why haven't they been able to garner more Americans?
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GrouchyGaijin
"The Libertarian Party stands for non-interference by the U.S. government in the personal and business lives of Americans, and advocates lower taxes, a smaller government and more individual freedom." I think that it also would include "no foreign entanglements" a la Jefferson, and while that would be desirable by probably most Americans and non-Americans alike, certain elements, notably the "military industrial complex" that the US was warned about, wouldn't see a profit in an isolationist America. But to answer your question, what is so wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. Time to focus on enemies domestic I think. The "thud-thud-thud" sound you hear is the Founding Fathers spinning in their graves.
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Triumvere
Well, I think we can now officially congratulate President Obama on his historic victory.
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Triumvere
PS. Whats up with the "Cthulhu for President" add? Just a randomly generated coincidence, or are you trying to tell me something?
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RomeoRamenII
His voting record does not look very libertarian to me:
http://www.ontheissues.org/GA/Bob_Barr.htm
RR
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Nessie
Let's hope he's read the Constitution, like Ron Paul has.
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skipthesong
Time to focus on enemies domestic I think." Ah, yeah but when is one an enemy and when is one a patriot? Just because you disagree with an issue doesn't make you an enemy and if you agree with it, it doesn't necessarily make you a patriot.
I think we can now officially congratulate President Obama on his historic victory." I really believe that is going to happen.
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GrouchyGaijin
**skipthesong ** Excellent questions as usual. My rule of thumb is that the Patriot is the one who faithfully fulfills his/her sworn duty to uphold the the US Constitution, say in the case of Americans in public/military service. The domestic enemy is one who attempts or succeeds, by whatever means, to undermine legitimate institutions, authority or orders, while sworn to do the opposite. Treason, in effect, BushCo. et al. As for President Obama, I think that's premature. The Clinton's N E V E R play clean, and I'm sure this will be no different. It ain't over until the gravitationally-challenged lady sings. And, as imperfect as he was, I'm a big fan of Jefferson, and his vision of "no foreign entanglements." Fits with my own Libertarian leanings, Barr none! (Couldn't resist that!)
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skipthesong
So, I think you are proposing that first go for a change in the constitution and then take matters into play?
"no foreign entanglements." Fits with my own Libertarian leanings" can we get by?
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telecasterplayer
Grouchy,
Gee, I always thought they were my fellow Americans, co-workers, neighbors and friends.
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