Posted on 04/03/2008 11:33:40 AM PDT by 300magnum
Can a conservative former congressman who helped impeach President Clinton, is a board member of the National Rifle Association and has done contract work with the ACLU dent Sen. John McCain's presidential bid?
That's exactly what Mr. McCain would face if Bob Barr, the former Republican who joined the Libertarian Party two years ago, wins his adopted party's presidential nomination.
"Barr obviously is dangerous. At least he negates any possible Nader benefit," said David Norcross, a New Jersey member of the Republican National Committee and its Rules Committee chairman, arguing Mr. Barr would hurt Republicans at least as much as Ralph Nader, who has announced his own independent presidential bid, would hurt Democrats.
Republican campaign pros said a Barr bid could range from causing them some damage all the way to being the equivalent of Ross Perot's 1992 presidential bid, which many Republicans think split their party's voters, unseating then-President Bush and electing Democrat Bill Clinton.
"Sure, it will hurt. We'll just have to see how much. Will it be like Perot's run? Always that chance," said South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson.
Dinan on the Republicans: McCain not an alien
A source familiar with Mr. Barr's thinking says he likely will announce his bid this weekend, at the Heartland Libertarian Conference in Kansas City, Mo., where he is scheduled to speak.
Mr. Barr declined to say whether he would make an announcement, but told The Washington Times, "I will be there certainly, and will be addressing the convention."
He said he has detected "significantly deep dissatisfaction with particularly the Republican Party and the Republican likely nominee," and that leaves an opening for someone with his views.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Do you have inside information the rest of us don't? Former conservative Barr a switch hitter and Hillary's got his file? It that the reason why he has taken up with the American Communists and Labor Union (ACLU)!?
Or could it be just a typo?
“Can a conservative former congressman”
That should read, “FORMER CONSERVATIVE and congresscritter”.
LLS
One sure outcome of putting McCain in office is that it would prove that being a liberal Rino is a winning strategy which would then be repeated ad nauseam nationwide.
No Thanks!
Translated: "The bidding is now open Mr. Soros and for those of you well-healed Republican donors that might want to pay me to stay out of the race. A winner will be announced this weekend.
Gee I wish I'd said that... Oh, wait. I did say that. Sorry to burst your bubble, son.
A so-called conservative that works and praises the ACLU??? Give me a break.
You miss the point, I expect intentionally. Telling those of us that plan to not vote for McCain to stay home hurts the candidates who we do plan to support with our votes. We’d better hope that McCain’s coat tails don’t drag a lot of otherwise good people down with him.
:-) dat be him!
LLS
That was a typo. However, I have no evidence that Bob Barr is not a trans gender. Maybe “Bab” Barr had an addadictomy.
Or, allowing Barack Obama to win would prove that being the most liberal senator is a winning strategy to be repeated.
That knife cuts both ways, doesn’t it?
It is more likely that electing John McCain would only prove that Barack Obama is a loser.
I think you miss my point for reasons that have the most to do with your lack of a sense of humor due to your anger over McCain.
I do not expect McCain to have much coat-tail, but I am trying to figure out how a down-ballot candidate could get “dragged down” by coat-tails. That would be like trying to push on a rope. It just doesn’t work that way.
Ahh - I see the misunderstanding. You stated that you wanted people to stay home rather than vote. That takes votes from undercandidates. It is not a coat tail effect, but the result of people not voting at all. I’m trying to encourage people that will not vote for McCain to vote for Congressional and Senate candidates.
I agree wrt to the "spoiler" comment. But I want to add that the main reason Bob Barr lost his seat was because a Dem-controlled (at the time) legislature here in Georgia redrew the districs and pitted Bob Barr against another incumbent, John Linder (co-author of the FairTax book with Neal Boortz, btw). Barr lost the primary to Linder. That was in 2002, I believe.
As long as the Pubbie candidate is Juan McLame, you are absolutely correct... at least in my case! If needs be, I will write-in Dr. Paul on my ballot.
Ah well, you must have said it in another post because it ain’t in the post I responded to ——DAD. By the way, where’s that damn tuition money you promised.
I did say it in another post, not too far down from the first one. I’ve found that it’s good to check before tossing out the gratuitous insult ... saves the trouble of having to eat crow.
I’d vote for him... I’d vote for Barr.
two words: Runoff Elections. We need it, BAD.
What is there to fear from Socialists like this...?
3%, 4% of the population can't swing an election. It's never been that close. If they could, the GOP might be forced to listen. Can't happen....or maybe it can.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.