The Austin Chronicle says that “in snubbing Ron Paul, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr may have lost his base.”
The Chronicle reports that the Libertarian Party of Texas hopes to be a “difference maker” in the state’s November elections, but “is worried that its own presidential nominee has sunk that strategy with ‘Snubgate.'”
“I can say that [Barr] has been getting thrashed on Libertarian and Ron Paul blogs,” said Libertarian Party of Texas Executive Director Wes Benedict. In some rapid bridge-mending, Benedict called Debbie RusÂsell, Texas coordinator for Nader-Gonzalez 2008, and Green Party of Texas Co-Chair Kat Swift to apologize personally for Barr’s perceived insult to their candidates. Russell (who, in the convivial realm of Texas third-party politics, served as campaign manager for Benedict’s 2005 council run against Betty Dunkerley) contacted Nader for comment on Snubgate. He succinctly replied, “It always looks bad to have an empty chair.”
But Benedict’s biggest concern is that Barr has damaged party-building efforts. Running a bigger slate in state House races than either Republicans or Democrats, the LPT had hoped for enough presidential race trickle-down to cripple its targeted opponent – the state GOP. (Benedict previously said: “I just feel like the Republicans have been hypocritical for many years. Obama is what the Democrats say they are.”) The thinking was that they could recruit veterans of Paul’s “RevoÂluÂtion” campaign by stressing political principles over party allegiance. “There’s a whole lot of overlap,” said Benedict, “but [Paul] brought in a whole bunch of young people who hadn’t been involved in Libertarian politics.”
Now Benedict, who said he suspects most Libertarians regret Barr’s action, worries that the personal snub to Paul may backfire. “I think [Barr] tried to seize a movement,” BeneÂdict said. “You need to do great things and earn people’s respect, then you don’t have to resort to tricks.”
What’s the Woody Allen line about not joining a club that would have me? Or is that Groucho Marx?
I was a member of the LP for three years. I was a member of the Greens for less than one. I just had the misfortune of being stupid enough to run for office during that time.
Good thinking by Wes Benedict on the communication with the Greens and Nader people. Like the move by the Tenn. chair, it showed not all Libertarians are lacking in class these days.
G.E. opined: “…There is a difference between a jerk like John P Slevin and an outright troll like Catholic Trotskyist…”
Yes, I am neither Catholic nor Trotskyist…just Libertarian, like G.E. was for a brief shining moment (right after he gave the Greens and then the GOP some of his stellar performance).
Now that G.E. has gone Democrat we can look for good things from that crowd (let’s see now, G.E. has given dedicated alliance to 4 parties in what, 3 years? LOL)
come back to LP the dixiecrat conservative cabal.
Registration does keep out the trolls. An obvious troll like Catholic Trotskyist can be banned at our prerogative in keeping with our stated mission. There is a difference between a jerk like John P Slevin and an outright troll like Catholic Trotskyist. If he becomes a problem, we can decide to axe him.
Keaton, Ruwart, Kwiatkowski.
Robert is looking to create his own libertarian breeding program by having a female VP run, or perform some other type of exercise, under him.
Robert Milnes // Sep 22, 2008 at 5:02 am
“There are few more libertarian than MR, KK, AK etc.”
AK = Alaska
MR ? KK ?
darolew // Sep 22, 2008 at 4:47 am
“Indeed, it would make a huge statement to replace non-libertarians like Barr/Root with a ticket who is even less libertarian and likely mentally unstable: Milnes/anybody”
MMMMental Illlllness
MMMM illlllllllness
Ah crap.
“There goes GE’s “registration keeps out the trolls†theory.”
As anyone who posts on message boards could have told him.
There goes GE’s “registration keeps out the trolls” theory.
Richard Shepard,
One of Barr’s own children may have died with his complicity, Richard, that’s seems quite possible. If true, would that be enough dead people for you to appreciate the backlash?
“[Barr] has been getting thrashed on Libertarian and Ron Paul blogs”
What a bunch of children!
OK So Barr erred in snubbing Paul. Did anybody die?
This anti-Barr backlash is killing the patient to conquer the disease.
Yes, thanks for the welcome. It is indeed I, the truly endowed messenger of God and the most devoted follower of the greatest man of our age, Barack H. Obama. TPW is truly in a pitiful state, as everyone can agree. In my discussions here I will try to tone down my rhetoric most of the time, but my core beliefs have not changed. Robert Milnes, the progressive alliance strategy and the fringe alliance strategy are both failures this year, largely because of Bob Barr and Ralph Nader, so better to just vote for Obama, who will help it along in some way.
As for this topic, I think Barr should win his lawsuit in Texas because Obama truly doesn’t have a chance to win there. Also, Nader and McKinney would put a lot of energy into Texas write-in campaigns, meaning they won’t have enough energy for other states.
Praise Jesus, praise Trotsky (who has recently ascended from purgatory to heaven), praise Obama, and of course our Holy Catholic revolutionary Joe Biden. Amen.
btw: Kudos for Wes Benedict for successfully distancing the Texas LP from Barr’s unforgivable actions.
There are few more libertarian than MR, KK, AK etc.
Even the trolls are fleeing TPW.
Ah crap.
Testing testing testing.
“Too late? Maybe to win the election but not to make a political statement of no confidence in Barr/Root AND the LNC.”
Indeed, it would make a huge statement to replace non-libertarians like Barr/Root with a ticket who is even less libertarian and likely mentally unstable: Milnes/anybody.
I have asked MR, KK, AK and others to call on LP state parties to disaffiliate. Upon forming a fusion ticket. & I would call on Greens to do likewise. Then transfer their ballot access. Too late? Maybe to win the election but not to make a political statement of no confidence in Barr/Root AND the LNC.
Quick, Robert Kraus: Add the Austin Chronicle to the media blacklist. Also, tReason, get the memo out that only 7 people read The Chronicle and no one cares about “Snubgate.”