The LP is still full of nuts

Proof that the Libertarian Party will be forever the party of kooks (this would also apply to the Constitution Party, but they are even more marginal).  Wayne Allyn Root, who was the VP candidate and is going to make another run just can't get off the kook shows. 

The new big tent?

Five Thirty Eight has an interesting article about how the Barr nomination will lead to the LP becoming the "de facto third party."  This would obviously provide some more choice to the country.  I've thought for some time that the LP was a bit too strict in some of its positions, not even allowing that there are those within their ranks that disagree on certain issues.  

For example, there are some (albeit a minority) of libertarians who are in favor of a government sponsored healthcare plan.  There are also those who are pro and anti immigration.  And abortion is one issue which consistently divides the party.  This is not a bad thing, for a party with disagreements shows a thriving political party.  Not every democratic is pro-choice and not every republican is in the pockets of big business.

By most measures the LP is the largest and most viable third party but it still has a way to go.  Bob Barr will not win this year: you heard it here first.  But I may see a Libertarian in the oval office in my lifetime.

Bob Barr wins LP Nomination

Barr will run as prez, Root as VP.  

Barr definitely has name recognition but he definitely alienated about 1/3 of the party.

Bob Barr - First Thoughts on his LP Run

Bob Barr just threw in his hat in the (crowded) Libertarian Party race. Our candidate in 2004 was embarrassing (Michael Badnarik, not even his mother would vote for him). Ron Paul ran for the LP way back in the 80s. Barr will go toe-to-toe with Mike Gravel, formerly running as a democrat, and the other weirdos the LP fields every year.

Barr is the biggest name recognition we’ve had for a while. He is a former Congressman for Georgia, and made a guest appearance in Borat (he was seen eating cheese and almost threw up). I’m not really sure what to make of Barr. He is the guy who really pushed impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton, authored the Defense of Marriage Act (a gay bashing bill), strongly supported the War on Drugs, and voted for the USA PATRIOT Act. He was even against medical marijuana.

For him to join the LP is absurd. But he did join the LP 2 years ago and is immediately the front runner. In a way, he is like a George W Bush reborn as a Ron Paul.

While he will not be getting my vote, I think that he may do well enough to give Obama the win. McCain only got 75% of the vote in PA and around the same in IN. Barr could function as a Ross Perot / Ralph Nader and eat up just enough of the angry Republican vote (Dems won’t vote for him with such a good candidate like Obama) to give the dems the win in some key swing states.  

You can visit his website here: http://www.bobbarr2008.com/

He is collecting donations now and has a neat live counter, just like Ron Paul did for a while.

Bob Barr may not be the perfect LP candidate, but let's face it, John McCain is a nightmare and I'd much rather cast a vote for Barr than McCain, if I had to pick between the two.  It's also refreshing to see the LP have the potential to have a non-loon running for them.

Full disclosure: I am a card carrying member of the Libertarian Party, but have not paid dues for many years.