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Bob Barr: The Ralph Nader of 2008?
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by Rhonda J Mangus | June 24, 2008 at 05:07 am
426 views | 34 Recommendations | 14 comments
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Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr is viewed as a "spoiler" by some and the "Ralph Nader of 2008" by others.
Bob Barr's Libertarian Party bid for the White House is the longest of long shots, but political experts say he may be able to exploit the unease some die-hard conservatives still feel about Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting. Combined with the surge in turnout among Democrats during the primaries and a difficult political climate for Republicans, they see what could be a recipe for trouble for the GOP.
"Bob could be the Ralph Nader of 2008," said Dan Schnur, a GOP consultant in California who worked on McCain's 2000 campaign but is not involved in this year's contest. Consumer advocate Nader is the third-party candidate many Democrats blame for helping George W. Bush narrowly win in 2000.
Rep. John Linder, a Republican who defeated Barr in 2002 after Georgia's Democratic-controlled Legislature redrew congressional boundaries to put the two lawmakers in the same district, said he didn't think Barr would top 4 percent of the vote.
"But in some states that may be enough," Linder said.
Democrats seem gleeful at the prospect. Tad Devine, a Washington-based Democratic strategist, said Republicans "are crazy if they aren't worried about Barr."
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Milieunet
Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 06:00 on June 24th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. Ya know, no one likes a vote splitter.
at 06:12 on June 24th, 2008
So true, Barry! Thanks for your comments and the Flag!
at 11:49 on June 24th, 2008
Thanks for the Flag, Ifcastro!
at 12:42 on June 24th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. Libertarians usually get about 1% of the total vote. In this political climate, and with Barr being a better known ex-republican, I think that number will rise 5x. 5 percentage points in this polarized country means a great deal. Nader is expected to get 1-2% a take away from the left. 3 percent can make the differance between a win for McCain or a loss.
In some states during primary voting a runnoff election must be held if there is not a clear majority (50% + 1 vote) If we did that in the general election. Nader and Barr would get eliminated and than another election, called a runoff, would be against the two. That would keep spoilers from entering the race.
I do not agree with runnoffs as I think it keeps smaller parties from entering the races as well as a host of other problems.
at 13:43 on June 24th, 2008
politisite, thanks for your comments and the Flag!
at 16:51 on June 24th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
That's the trouble with the US 2-party system. Limited choices that work against each other.
In Australia, we have several political parties, and when we vote (on paper) we select according to preferences. E.g. I want this one 1st, this one 2nd, and so on. Then the smaller parties can create a coalition. e.g. the last federal government was a long-term coalition between the Nationals and the Liberals (both conservative parties).
at 16:28 on July 27th, 2008
Maireid, you right on, our biggest problem as my story on Ralph Nader outlined, is the major parties have no problem with getting on the ballot. But small, under financed, parties or independents has almost no chance of raising the money for the fees and getting enough signers, and whatever else the state asks for. One of our founders said, to be careful, about factions. Alluding that factions would destory the republic. Franklin whhile leaving what is now called constitution hall said to one, "well, you have yourselves a republic, if you can keep it. There are no provisions for parties in the constitution. If Amnerica were to get one more party in good standing and helld 1/3 of the seats of congress, things would get done, deals would be made, and people would come together. It would not cause the republic to tumble as our major parties tell us. It would cause each congressperson to weigh many views. It wouldn't be like a football game, winner take all.
I wish that we could get to that point. No one will be completly happy. its about compromise. our framers did not agree, violiently at times. but they were determined to get a constitution drafted. Each had to give in and each took. Our constitution is not broken as some suggest. It is the people in power and the abuse and delegation of power.
at 17:01 on June 24th, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 02:56 on June 25th, 2008
Hi Maireid, thanks for your comments and the Flag!
at 02:57 on June 25th, 2008
Thanks for the Flag, Paschen!
at 03:52 on July 22nd, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.
So now we have four candidates. Barack Obama, John McCain, Cynthia McKinney and Bob Barr. Who's next??
at 04:23 on July 22nd, 2008
Milieunt, thanks for adding great video coverage on Presidential Candidate Bob Barr to this story, your comments, and the Flag!
at 04:04 on July 22nd, 2008
Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff. Now let's hear from the Green Party!
at 04:28 on July 22nd, 2008
Hi Pep! Thanks for your comments and the Flag! Candidate Barr sees this election as a 3-way election [with a history of presidential elections "locked-in" by the Democrats and Republicans]. I guess that would leave out the "Green Party":)! Thanks again!