Article

2008-04-01 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Bob Barr considering presidential run on Libertarian ticket

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Posted by Mike 2008-04-01 06:29|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 WHAT'S THAT, BOB? I CAN'T HEAR YOU BECAUSE OF THIS DEAFENING CRICKET CHIRPING...RON WHO IS DOING WHAT?

Posted by tu3031 2008-04-01 09:31|| 2008-04-01 09:31|| Front Page Top

#2 More than anything else, what would give the Libertarians a major boost would be the equivalent of the Contract with America. Say, ten major parts to their campaign platform that could be put on a sign.

This would appeal to a lot of people, and advance their agenda, because clarity is easier to support than complexity, even if you don't fully agree with what is clearly stated.

They could probably double the size of their party if they did this.

1. End the Drug War.
2. There is an individual right to Bear Arms.
3. Eased citizenship for non-criminal immigrants.
4. No mandatory federal ID cards.
5. No warrantless searches.
6. 50% reduction in the size of the federal government.
7. Return of most federal lands to the States.
8. No eminent domain land seizures for private redevelopment.
9. Privatize Social Security and Medicare and abolish federal welfare programs.
10. No federal regulation or subsidy of abortion.

(I wonder how many Rantburgers would look at this list and say yes/no to its items, then compare it to the Republican and Democrat agendas as something they might support.)

Posted by Anonymoose 2008-04-01 11:05|| 2008-04-01 11:05|| Front Page Top

#3 'Moose I was a dues paying member of the LP for 20 years. The myopic stance they have taken in regard to the WOT turned me repub.

It's funny I recall Barr slamming Boortz years ago about Boortz' LP philosophy. They even debated each other in ATL.

Posted by Beavis 2008-04-01 13:07|| 2008-04-01 13:07|| Front Page Top

#4 Like Milton Friedman, I consider myself a libertarian with a little 'l' and a Republican with a big "R".

Which is too bad, because choosing between Barr and McLame is kind of a no brainer.

National Review, BTW, ran a wonderful article many years ago on Republican losses in '96 due to third party libertarian candidates. Given how current Republican leadership seems determined to gut the party, it is unlikely they will do anything to head off this new threat.

Posted by Iblis 2008-04-01 16:10|| 2008-04-01 16:10|| Front Page Top

#5 Beavis: I specifically didn't include some of the truly contentious platforms of the current Libertarian Party, such as national defense. Even abortion, with a "it's not a federal concern" platform is seriously less arguable than an isolationist foreign policy.

That was the big reason that Ron Paul's campaign failed as well. Isolationism is dead. The only choice is how to engage the rest of the world.

Posted by Anonymoose 2008-04-01 20:24|| 2008-04-01 20:24|| Front Page Top

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