DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/14/08
Ron Paul's decision Thursday to end his bid for the Republican presidential nomination could provide a major boost for Bob Barr's Libertarian campaign.
Paul, a Texas congressman, had continued his campaign for the GOP bid despite the obvious math that showed he could not win. Many expected Paul to carry his protest campaign all the way to the Republican National Convention in September to try to force his issues before the national party. His decision frees his supporters to back other candidates.
 Curtis Compton/AJC |
| If Ron Paul supporters switch to Libertarian Bob Barr, it could affect the presidential race in some states. Paul told CNN that Barr 'talks our language.' |
Barr's campaign manager says other candidate better fits the Paul mold than Barr, the former Georgia Republican congressman.
The timing is important, too. If Paul's supporters go to Barr, it could help Barr's fund-raising. Paul raised more than $35 million, exceeding all expectations. Paul's supporters could also help Barr reach the 15 percent in national polls he believes he needs to qualify for presidential debates.
"The Ron Paul constituency is one that on Nov. 4 will only vote for Bob Barr," said Russ Verney, who is leading Barr's campaign.
But Barr shouldn't count those votes just yet, said Ike Hall, who coordinated Paul's campaign for the Feb. 5 Georgia Republican primary. Paul's support might yet go other places, Hall said, including Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin.
"And some will vote for John McCain," Hall said. "Ron Paul doesn't encourage or discourage anyone voting for any other candidate. Some may wind up voting for Obama."
Paul took 3 percent in the Georgia primary, finishing fourth.
Jamie Sibold, chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Party, was surprised Paul dropped out when he did. But, he said, "I'm really glad, because maybe now I can co-opt all those people into Republican races."
Ralph Nader, the former Green Party candidate running for president this year as an independent, released a statement Friday claiming to be Paul's natural ally.
"There is a clear choice for those who want to support a candidate who will stand up against the war and stand up for personal liberties and privacy," Nader said.
Even if each of the more than 1.16 million people who cast a Paul ballot in primaries and caucuses this year votes for Barr in November, Barr would still likely badly trail Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama. But, with a close race between those two expected, Barr's total could be the difference in a number of states.
Paul has criticized McCain, and while Paul has not endorsed Barr, he recently praised his former House colleague.
Barr, Paul told CNN, "talks our language, so I do really believe that he can have a very positive effect in this campaign and let the people know that limited government is a very, very important message."
Even without an endorsement, Paul's decision is a boost for Barr, said professor Larry Jacobs, an expert on third-party politics and a political scientist at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.
"It allows him to get traction and have the field of play open up for him," Jacobs said.
With Paul still in the race, "there was a crowded playing court, and now Barr is the biggest name competing for the Libertarian vote," Jacobs said.
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