Ex-Rep. Barr Quits GOP for Libertarians

breitbart ^ | 12 15 06 | BEN EVANS

[flixxx]

A former Georgia congressman who helped spark President Clinton's impeachment has quit the Republican Party to become a Libertarian, saying he is disillusioned with the GOP on issues such as spending and privacy. Bob Barr, who served eight years as a Republican congressman before losing his seat in 2002, announced Friday that he is now a "proud, card-carrying Libertarian." And he encouraged others to join him.

"It's something that's been bothering me for quite some time, the direction in which the party has been going more and more toward big government and disregard toward privacy and civil liberties," said Barr, 58, a lawyer and consultant living in Atlanta. "In terms of where the country needs to be going to get back to our constitutional roots ... I've come to the conclusion that the only way to do that is to work with a party that practices what it preaches, and that is the Libertarian Party."

Barr said he has no plans to run for office. In his new role as the Libertarian Party's regional representative for the South, he will help promote the party's message and recruit candidates, he said.

Barr helped manage the House Republicans' impeachment case before the Senate in 1999.

[flixxx]

I am not a fan of Barr, but I agree with him about the privacy issues and the spending...I just do not think that leaving the GOP will solve anything and will probably hurt the country more than help. We will see what the New Year brings in terms of how the Republicans in Congress work to overcome the November elections.

[cicero's_son]

Interesting.

I hope the party heeds his warning.

[Omega Man II]

While I agree with Barr on a lot of policy questions, it seems that his "disillusionment" with the Republican Party coincides rather nicely with his primary defeat.

Sour grapes, if you ask me.

[JTN]

Ping-a-ling-a-ling!

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Barr was a schmuck when he was a Republican and now he's a Libertarian schmuck. If the Libertarians want him, I say they're welcome to him.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Barr jumps the shark, film at 11.

[Alter Kaker]

Bob Barr is most famous in post-Linder years for eating cheese made from a Kazakh woman's breast milk. Mmmm...

[COEXERJ145]

Good riddance. I wish he'd take the rest of the Donner Party conservatives with him.

[JSDude1]

If we have a Presidental Candidate like Rep Mike Pence in '08, then he and our Policies would be likely to revert most of the libertarian and constitutional types back to the Republican Party..

[billybudd]

I like Bob Barr and agree with his sentiment, but I don't think the Libertarian party is a good vehicle for the reform he wants. Maybe he has something up his sleeve, like drastically reforming the Libertarian party itself.

[NittanyLion]

Bob Barr has been a faithful friend to those who value limited government. I wish him the best of luck no matter what party he joins.

[Jacquerie]

Despite the philosophical Libertarian support found here at FR, it is foolish to vote one for President until they can snag lots of state legislative offices, a few governorships, a couple dozen seats in the House.

[EGPWS]

I like Bob Barr and agree with his sentiment, but I don't think the Libertarian party is a good vehicle for the reform he wants. Maybe he has something up his sleeve, like drastically reforming the Libertarian party itself.

Well said bb.

Perhaps he is just bored and is looking for something to do?

[rodguy911]

Wrong way to go Barr, this party is worth fighting for. If we are infiltrated by a bunch of Rinos time for a little tom DeLay extermination.

[jbwbubba]

Liberal Democrats are very happy!!

[rhombus]

Good riddance. I wish he'd take the rest of the Donner Party conservatives with him.

Still laughing about Donner Party conservatives. They probably have a party cookbook: Compassionate Conservative Cocktails before barbecued RINO steaks. Mmmmm, RINO...

[Minus_The_Bear]

sign of things to come... bump

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

If we have a Presidental Candidate like Rep Mike Pence in '08, then he and our Policies would be likely to revert most of the libertarian and constitutional types back to the Republican Party.

Don't give the stuck-on-stupid GOP any ideas.

[FreeReign]

Wrong way to go Barr, this party is worth fighting for. If we are infiltrated by a bunch of Rinos time for a little tom DeLay extermination.

Apparently, Bob Barr would rather hang out with the ACLU.

[CremeSaver]

"Bob Barr has been a faithful friend to those who value limited government. I wish him the best of luck no matter what party he joins."

I'm with you. I like him and found him to be one of the few Republicans with guts.