Bob Barr: The Libertarians Find a (Surprising) Nominee.
It’s been barely two years since former Representative Bob Barr of Georgia renounced the Republican party, after having made his name as the scathing orator who led Congress’s campaign to impeach President Bill Clinton. “Let’s do it!†was his passionate rallying cry.
As a family-values conservative, Mr. Barr had proudly backed measures to ban gay marriage and block the use of medical marijuana in Washington, D.C.
But that was then. Now Mr. Barr has apologized for both of those big-government-loving positions — and he has just snapped up the Libertarian Party nomination. The party has always been dedicated to ending the war on drugs and it finds gay-bashing the antithesis of its laissez-faire platform.
Dylan – I meant that people in the media and most people who have heard of McKinney think she’s a nut. People who really know who she is probably have a great deal of respect for her.
It’s not ignorant at all actually.
McKinney is not perfect, and it is unlikely I would vote for her, but she is principled, honest and unafraid of taking controversial stands. Traditionally these are things people expect to see from third party candidates.
Barr on the other hand is unprincipled, seemingly dishonest, and most certainly afraid of taking controversial stands.
Gregory’s piece is being misread as a piece about McKinney as a serious libertarian option. Seems to me that the piece was pretty clearly about the style of politician McKinney is in contrast to the style of politician Barr is.
Furthermore, though I’m not a libertarian, I’m not sure why it is surprising that a libertarian would take the position that a long time opponent of the military-industrial complex and this war in particular, might be preferable to a long time beneficiary and participant in the military-industrial complex who is actively campaigning on John Kerry’s “I didn’t really believe that my vote to authorize force was a vote to authorize force” 2004 platform.
G.E. ,
“It was also make Barr look bad because, as Anthony Gregory pointed out, she’s a lot more libertarian than he is on several key issues.”
Still waiting to hear Gregory’s detailed explanation of those issues and how McKinney qualifies in the rarified atmosphere of Lew Rockwell’s purist detectors.
Surprising how those who wish to castigate Bob Barr for being unpure will embrace swine like McKinney.
It’s ignorant.
Ross,
McKinney was considered a hero to the left long before that. Comb through the archives of Counterpunch if you doubt me.
It was also make Barr look bad because, as Anthony Gregory pointed out, she’s a lot more libertarian than he is on several key issues.
I guess Barr fits into the media’s storyline. Not completely sure what it is, but they all seem to be reporting the same thing when it comes to Barr, so the machine looks to be nice and oiled.
Peter – that would make Barr look bad. McKinney is viewed as a complete nut by those who even know who she is. I think her rise to prominence was due to her hitting a security guard with her purse?
Yeah, just like Bad’n & Cobb. Have some fun, eat drink & be merry. Get locked up together & shout righteous anger. Wave your clenched fists in defiance. Waste time & lose.
Good point Steven, but I’ve seen some complaints that McKinney is actually intentionally snubbing MSM coverage. I don’t know about the inner workings of her campaign though, so can’t say for sure.
A former elected federal office-holder making a third party run is a big deal.
Generally I would agree with this sentiment. However, Cynthia McKinney does not seem to be getting near as much publicity in her campaign.
Not that I’m complaining.
PEACE
Steve
Precisely. It’s like an alcohol tax. Every time they mention his name, they get to also throw in the spoiler argument as well, so it’s a winning situation.
A former elected federal office-holder making a third party run is a big deal. Barr has some notoriety for being a splinter in Clinton’s ass too. And, of course, they need to build their spoiler narrative.
What’s with all this publicity he’s getting? What has he done (besides leave the GOP) that everyone seems to be talking about him?