Bob Barr is the Libertarian Party Candidate for President
The Libertarian Party has selected its presidential and vice-presidential nominees for the 2008 race. They are former Republican Congressman from Georgia, Bob Barr, and Libertarian “evangelist” Wayne Allyn Root.
Barr is perhaps best known for his staunch support for the War on Drugs and blindly signing off on the Patriot Act. A member of the Libertarian Party since 2006, he still struggles to shake off those two very “un-Libertarian” positions. The upside for the LP is the credibility that Barr brings to the ticket. He has solid legislative, fundraising and campaigning experience. The downside to having Barr on the ticket is a relatively high rejection rate among the party purists. I have no specific data to back this up. I’m basing this assumption off of the reactions I’ve heard and read on TV and throughout the blogosphere and I could be wrong. Regardless, he will command more media attention than the usual 15 minutes awarded to Libertarian candidates and for the LP that is always a good thing.
Wayne Allyn Root shared the debate stage with Barr and 5 other presidential hopefuls. At the end of the convention it was Barr who had enough delegates to secure the nomination with Root finishing strongly in second place. Root’s performance in the debate was paradoxical for me. I liked the message but does each and every answer have to be delivered with the same emphasis? The most important messages get lost when you pump up each and every issue. Speeches and platforms need peaks and valleys. Root comes off a bit too “Tony Robbins-ish” for me. Don’t get me wrong, I like Tony Robbins. But both Root and Robbins can sometimes overshadow their own message with their theatrics. It will be interesting to see how their campaign unfolds.
*Daniel E. Williams came up short in the race but did much to establish himself as a dedicated “New libertarian” with the intelligence and resources to spread a message. Barr and Root are on the ticket, but I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Williams.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Daniel Williams | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
Nice piece. Denver was quite interesting. They say politics is show business for ugly people, and that may be true. But it is as down and dirty as you can imagine, with all the essence of smoke-filled rooms and last-minute deals.
I’ve been visiting all the drug reform blogs. As expected, I’ve encountered a lot of skepticism (and cynicism) regarding Bob’s political epiphany on the drug issue.
But I’m here to tell you it is genuine.
I have reminded my friends in drug policy reform that we’ve whole-heartedly embraced Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), and have little problem accepting their epiphany as genuine. LEAP is nearly 10,000 strong, with a core of retired cops, many who served in command positions – and all are adamantly opposed to drug prohibition. And when it comes to drug warriors, these guys take the cake – and make Bob look like a choir boy….
So if we can get our heads and arms around LEAP, we all should be doing the jig behind Bob’s parade, not raining on it. Because for the first time in our history, come November we can vote for a presidential candidate who actually advocates the repeal of drug prohibition.
In my book – no pun intended – it simply does not get any better than that.
James2 | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
I hope to see Dan Williams working for the Barr administration in some capacity. Thanks Dan, for being an honorable man!!!
Daniel Williams | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
James2~
I very much appreciate your sentiments – thanks.
As for Bob’s campaign, I’m now on the finance committee and will be the national spokesman for drug policy. The plan is to put me on network and cable TV talk shows, as well as radio. Plus, we’re working with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) – a campus-based organization with close to 500 chapters – to do a tour once Fall Quarter begins.
I’ve spoken with Ethan Nadelmann, the head of Drug Policy Alliance DPA), and I’m friends with Jack Cole, the head of LEAP. And while both are 501(c) 3 groups (restricted from endorsing any political candidate), there are legal ways for them to help deliver the message. I’m also friends with Howard Simon, past-president of the Florida ACLU, and ACLUs drug policy guy. With everyone pitching in, Bob stands a very good change of making noise and, come November, surprising a bunch of folks.
Here’s why: Ross Perot in 1992 garnered 19% of the vote. The Congressional approval rate back then was identical to what it is today – 19%. But in 1992 the economy was far stronger and we were not at war. So we believe we can do at least as well – and probably better. Plus, Russ Verney, the mastermind behind Perot in ‘92, is now running Bob’s campaign.
Finally, Ron Paul proved there is a large part of the electorate that opposes drug prohibition. I figure at least half of the 35 million dollars he raised came from that demographic – and that it was just the tip of the iceberg.
I’ll keep you and all RHMs readers in the loop as the campaign moves forward.
Thanks again.
charles | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
I was also wondering if Ron Paul did or didnt endorse Barr? How does Paul feel about Wayne Root.? Did Paul endorse or oppose Root? IS Paul thinking about a vp spot with Barr? Ive been looking everywhere for this info. Can find it. They have a couple of videos at http://www.BarrRoot.com but nothing about Paul. The Barr/Root ticket is going to fail without paul. I read an article about Ron Paul maybe being a vp or vice ( veep ) on the libertarian ticket? Would this mean the LP will drop Root and run Bar and Ron Paul? Its a pretty good article but I dont know how true it is. Here is the Link
RHM | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
Charles,
I’ll let someone else, perhaps Daniel, answer that one. But, if I may throw in my two pesos, I think it unlikely. The LP VP candidate is not chosen by the presidential candidate or committee, he/she is chosen by delegates. To have the will of the party members tossed aside would not be good for the party – somethings Libertarians, unlike Reps or Dems, actually care about.
Daniel Williams | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
Ditto.
brian bennett | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
Dan — sounds like all the bits and pieces are in place and have the potential to really make an impact. I can’t wait to see you out there kicking some ass! Nadlemann talks a big game, but when it comes time to play the cards he consistently folds. It will be nice to finally have somebody out there with the balls to stand up and say what needs to be said, and much more importantly — to actually do what needs to be done.
Awesome brother!
Daniel Williams | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
I’m certainly looking forward to the challenge. I was able today to speak with everyone I mentioned earlier, so that was good – and I’m sure we’ll speak again.
Senator Obama has support inside the drug reform movement, even as those supporters understand his drug policy is indefensible. And I believe it’s mainly due to their believing Senator McCain’s war policy is far worse for America than Obama’s drug policy. Of course, in my opinion, both policies are wrong.
And while the pundits may not end up as smart as they consider themselves now, now they believe Bob poses a greater threat to McCain than to Obama. It’s still five months before the election – and that can be a lifetime or two in politics.
Thanks for the conversation.
A. Taveras | Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
Ron Paul was/is the best hope for this movement… without him I’m not sure the LP will have any relevance in this election, other than being a Nader-like spoiler in a few spots.
RHM | Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
I hope not. And I think the Ron Paul phenomenon this campaign season has been about much more than just Ron Paul.
A true movement revolves around ideas, not just one person.
Daniel Williams | Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
Ditto, again.
A. Taveras | Jun 4, 2008 | Reply
I agree the movement is more than Ron Paul. Still in my travels around the net I detect more suspicion than not towards the LP from RP’s supporters. Perhaps they will vote for Barr, but they are as likely to simply not vote.
Daniel Williams | Jun 4, 2008 | Reply
I disagree with A. Taveras. I believe when Ron Paul supporters take a deep breath they will see the wisdom in voting for Bob Barr.
Jason Pratt | Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
To say that Barr blindly signed the Patriot Act is not correct. He was the one that added the sunset clause so that it had to be continually voted on to stay an active law. It’s because of him that the abuse of power that the Patriot Act has become can end.