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DEL.ICIO.USA conversation with Bob Barr, who’s already looking past Nov. 4
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bob Barr, reaching the end of an improbable campaign, is already slipping into post-election mode — a period in which the Libertarian presidential candidate will try to build his party into something more than a quadrennial spoiler.
The former Georgia congressman was at his national office in Smyrna on Friday, a dimly lit collection of cubicles only a few turns off I-285. For a man barely registering in the polls, with only 10 days of campaigning left, he was remarkably upbeat.
An InsiderAdvantage poll, released only minutes before, had shown Democratic rival Barack Obama at 48 percent in Georgia, Republican John McCain at 47 percent, and “other” at 2 percent. Barr wasn’t even mentioned by name — and Matt Towery, chairman and CEO of IA, once shared office space with Barr.
“Unfortunately, we’re used to it. It’s unfortunate that polling organizations do that. I don’t quite understand why. Why they do that I don’t know — other than the fact that polling organizations, by and large, have the same inbred bias against third parties [as] much of the national media,” Barr said.
But the former U.S. attorney is past all that. He expects to do several points better than 2 percent in Georgia — not that this is about small numbers anymore.
His purpose now is to make the difference between Obama and McCain in as many states as possible in the final days, Barr said. Power, and respect, comes with the ability to change the outcome of a given situation.
“We’ve deliberately left the last several days very flexible, depending on what the poll numbers and the spread between Obama and McCain show in several state,” Barr said. Which Ohio, North Carolina — and at least two days here. He’s got a 2 p.m. Monday appearance at the University of Georgia in Athens.
“From what I’m hearing, and looking at the numbers, the dramatic increase in registration, the dramatic numbers of early voters, there is an awful lot of support building for Obama. And I think Republicans have a lot to be worried about in Georgia,” he said.
By proving himself the arbiter in a handful of states, Barr said he would be able to stake a claim in the political debate that follows Nov. 4. Especially now that federal intervention in the economy is likely to be a continuing topic.
The problem with third party movements, whether philosophy-based Libertarians or the personality-driven followers of Ross Perot, is that they deflate after Election Day. The organization and the money fades into the woodwork. “That kills political movements,” Barr said. “We don’t intend to make that mistake.”
Barr said he and Allen Buckley, the Libertarian candidate for Senate, have not coordinated their campaigns here. (Buckley, by the way, says the same thing.)
But Barr also said that the federal bailout of Wall Street means ties their two campaigns together.
“I’d like to think it’s all about me, and that I’m John McCain’s biggest nightmare, but the problem the Republicans have nationally and here in Georgia, goes far deeper than simply Bob Barr,” he said. “It goes to the fact that not only do the Republicans have nothing approaching a vision or a platform for the American people, but they’re embracing big government with such enthusiasm — it’s just really turning people off.”
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Comments
By Christopher
October 24, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
I’m voting for Bob Barr here in my town. I’m a former Republican that cannot accept how the party went from fiscally conservative to religious fundamentalist. I have discussed the Libertarian Party at work and in my neighborhood and I have been greatly surprised by the response I get from people that express their disappointment at the choice of Obama or McCain.
No, we won’t win but we will let the Democrats and Republicans know we exist and that we are not happy with the decisions they have made.
You have the opportunity to say the same. Look into any of the third party or independents that are running for office.
I’m casting my vote for Bob Barr.
Good Luck America
By Christopher
October 24, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
I’m voting for Bob Barr here in my town. I’m a former Republican that cannot accept how the party went from fiscally conservative to religious fundamentalist. I have discussed the Libertarian Party at work and in my neighborhood and I have been greatly surprised by the response I get from people that express their disappointment at the choice of Obama or McCain.
No, we won’t win but we will let the Democrats and Republicans know we exist and that we are not happy with the decisions they have made.
You have the opportunity to say the same. Look into any of the third party or independents that are running for office.
I’m casting my vote for Bob Barr.
Good Luck America
By Christopher
October 24, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
I’m voting for Bob Barr here in my town. I’m a former Republican that cannot accept how the party went from fiscally conservative to religious fundamentalist. I have discussed the Libertarian Party at work and in my neighborhood and I have been greatly surprised by the response I get from people that express their disappointment at the choice of Obama or McCain.
No, we won’t win but we will let the Democrats and Republicans know we exist and that we are not happy with the decisions they have made.
You have the opportunity to say the same. Look into any of the third party or independents that are running for office.
I’m casting my vote for Bob Barr.
Good Luck America
By tom
October 24, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
I think the time is right to show the two party system that we have another choice.
By Christopher
October 24, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
gnchavis…1 man can talk to many. Do what the media does not. Let people know their are alternative choices. It might be a close race and in that case people want to know their vote made a difference but now it is looking like Obama is going to win anyway. Let them know if they disagree with Obama and McCain they should still vote and make their displeasure known. A Dem president with a Dem Congress is trouble. Lets build up the Libertarian base NOW. Let’s prepare for 2012 Now, because we will be needed then. Posted by: TruthSeekingABCviewer 9:53 PM
Admin Link: 21 Yep,,Bob Barr got my vote..and i didn’t vote for any one that voted for the bailout..i am only one man,,and I’ve done all I can do..the rest is up to you Posted by: gnchavis 9:40 PM
Admin Link: 20 I’m voting for Bob Barr here in my town. I’m a former Republican that cannot accept how the party went from fiscally conservative to religious fundamentalist. I have discussed the Libertarian Party at work and in my neighborhood and I have been greatly surprised by the response I get from people that express their disappointment at the choice of Obama or McCain.No, we won’t win but we will let the Democrats and Republicans know we exist and that we are not happy with the decisions they have made. You have the opportunity to say the same.Look into any of the third party or independents that are running for office.I’m casting my vote for Bob Barr.Good Luck America Posted by: TruthSeekingABCviewer 9:15 PM
By JerryT
October 24, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
I don’t think voting for a candidate that has no chance makes a statement. Or at least not the one you intend. History will barely remember that 3rd party candidates ran let alone what they stood for.
I recommend working on local candidates and races. Win some school board seats, some city council and county commission seats, and work your way up.
By Christopher
October 25, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
Jerry, I agree. I’m working on that as well.
By Jeff
October 25, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this
Speaking of “inbred bias against third parties”, I find it a real shame that our own state has the most stringent ballot access laws in the nation. The Libertarians are the only third party on the presidential ballot here in Georgia. Meanwhile you have the Constitution Party, and our own Cynthia McKinney isn’t even on the ballot in her home state because the Green Party has effectively been blacklisted from Georgia ballots as well. Its time to take a stand, Georgia. If you really want “change” your answer lies neither in Obama or McCain, which is like having to choose between French Vanilla and Vanilla Bean. Vote third party and send a real message to Washington that the Republicrats reign is over.
By David
October 25, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
I’m voting for Bob Barr. I’m also voting for John Monds. Just listened to his interview with Herman Cain - http://www.lpgeorgia.com/mondsonhermancain.mp3
By effiffjeno
October 25, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
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By David K. Meller
October 25, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Whatever the results, the really hard work will begin after election day. With Obama (as seems likely) doing his best to complete the ruin of what was the American dollar with more of the same interventionist insanity and inflation begun in large measure by Clinton and Bush Presidencies, and with a neocon foreign policy agenda still firmly in place, the need for a libertarian, Constitutionalist, and “paleoconservative” movement to grow and eventually rescue the country, or be in a position to put the mess back together, will be more evident than ever!
We will have to work closely with Ron Paul and his Campaign for Liberty, we will have to both expand our contacts and our working relations (to the extent permitted by law) with educational foundations like the Mises Institute, Foundation for Economic Education, Independent Institute, antiwar.oom,Fully Informed Jury Association, John Birch Society, Rockford Institute, Gun Owners of America—as opposed to the almost totally worthless NRA—and other pro-freedom advocacy groups.
We will also have to improve our local visibility and fundraising skills, as well as develop alternative media and outreach tools to escape and circimvent the all-too-obvious media embargo we saw during the Ron Paul and Bob Barr campaigns!
PEACE AND FREEDOM!! David K. Meller
By Dave Cahpelle
October 25, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Bob Barr is Dave Chapelle in white face.
By RorThota
October 27, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
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