Posted on 12/15/2006 3:29:05 PM PST by 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.
Me too.
I'd vote for Bob Barr—and move him right up there with what's-his-name.
The Republicans would control the next US Senate if a Libertarian had not received enough votes to cause the defeat of Republican Burns in Montana.
As much as it pains me to say this, the Republican party is F.U.B.A.R.
Heh, yeah. A hobby project for his retirement.
The Libertarians were a big reason Bob lost in the primaries. His support of the WOD was his undoing. I don't understand this move. Good luck to him, he will need it.
Hey Bob, don't let the door hit you on the a$$.
If Barr is doing this - I wonder how many other, non-famous pubbies are leaving? The spending, the smug arrogance and the corruption sure got to me!
No respect for Barr since he worked with the ACLU.
Damit, had the Libertarians fought within the party (as Reagan did) America would be almost back to it's constitution.
Fractionalization will only screw us all, we need to fight for the heart of the party.
I'll bump to that.
lol; but seriously policy it would be a Good Idea, (from your tag name I am sure you agree)!
It seems that valuing limited government has fallen out of fashion. It apparently didn't survive majority.
On second thought, considering the mess electronic voting is in, and the inability of some voters to make sense of the simple ballots we have, maybe I'm asking too much.
Bob Barr is nuts.
Not for leavng the GOP...lots of people are thinking of that option. Pretty much a useless bunch unless they get their act together, and SOON.
And not for joining the Libertariians--the party that would become viable the instant they changed their Pro-Choice Stance. It's A Life issue, not a Choice Issue.
It has nothing to do with politics. Bob Barr is just nuts.
Well I have become disillusioned with Barr over the last few years so we're equal. AMF.
Burns did his part.
Burns was 100% conservative. I say he earned it.
yawn.
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