Bob Barr Announces Death of Republican Party

Bob Barr, in a move heralded by liberals everywhere as the "greatest fucking news ever" launched a Libertarian Party presidential bid Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative to the status quo who would dramatically cut the federal government. MSNBC reports that his

candidacy throws a wild card into the White House race that many believe could peel away votes from Republican Sen. John McCain given the candidates' similar positions on fiscal policy.

But the best part? Guess who he hired?

Barr, who has hired Ross Perot's former campaign manager, acknowledged that some Republicans have tried to discourage him from running. But he said he's getting in the race to win, not to play spoiler or to make a point.

All I can really say about this is WHOOPEE!!!

But I'll try to contain myself and add enough of my opinion to warrant a diary. More after the fold.

Wikipedia has this to say about Barr:

Robert L. (Bob) Barr, Jr. (born November 5, 1948) is an American attorney and former member of the United States House of Representatives.[1] Barr represented Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Republican from 1995 to 2003.[1][2] He achieved significant notoriety as one of the leaders of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.[1]
Barr joined the Libertarian Party in 2006,[3] and as of 2008 serves on its National Committee.[4][5] On April 5, 2008, Barr announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his seeking the Libertarian nomination for President of the United States in the 2008 election.[6] On May 12, 2008, Barr formally announced his candidacy for the presidency.[7]

It doesn't say he became a Libertarian because he likes hookers and weed. Possibly because it's not true. Who knows for sure, and what kind of Libertarian would he be if he didn't, right? Am I right, all my Libertarian kossacks? You know it's true.

Barr is a strong supporter of the war on drugs and the war on gays, also know as the Defense of Marriage Act. He proposed that adherents of the religion Wicca be tarred and feathered and failing that, at least banned from military service. He is best known for his role as one of the House managers during the Clinton impeachment trial. It was Barr who first introduced a resolution directing Judiciary Committee to inquire into impeachment proceedings -- months before the Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light.

Seems like a real winner, right? But wait, there's more!

Barr hosts a political talk radio show on Radio America called Bob Barr's Laws of the Universe[49], on which he has had guests including Trent Lott, Tom DeLay, Oliver North, and Robert Bork. His first "law of the Universe" is that "the world is full of idiots", and he features an "Idiot of the Week" on his show, along with a top ten of "Idiots of the Year" selected from the Idiots of the Week.

He also likes to defend white supremisists; I

n 2003, Barr served on the defense team for white supremacist Chester Doles

If we can't retake the White House in November, god help us all.

•  Tip Jar.

  Place hookers and weed here.

  by psilocynic on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:07:54 PM PDT

  •  Let Barr take his base.

    Radioheads and racists.  Maybe he'll become the choice of Dittoheads!  Limbaugh still doesn't like McCain.

    by Setrak on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:14:28 PM PDT

  •  "A Libertarian is

    a Republican who owns a bong."
    I read that in a diary here on DailyKos.  I cannot remember who the diarist was.

    by ruleoflaw on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:07:57 PM PDT

    •  or a Democrat with a gun...

      I've seen that before, too.

      by beemerr90s on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:13:32 PM PDT

  •  How ironic...

    here in Georgia we all think Bob Barr is a black man.  If you mention it to him, he gets very angry.

    by Goldie Taylor on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:22:03 PM PDT

•  As I wrote in the last diary written on this

  Don't be absolutely certain that Barr hurts McCain more than Obama.

  There are anti-war, anti-War on Terror tactic libertarians that might vote for Obama.

  We just don't know.

  by seanflynn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:09:25 PM PDT

  •  He is way too crazy conservative to peel votes

    off Obama. He'll hurt McCain in the GE.

    by psilocynic on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:13:13 PM PDT

    •  Especially if we make sure theocons know that

      McCain has embraced the homosexual agenda and amnesty for the illegals and whatnot.

      by DemocraticLuntz on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:20:26 PM PDT

      •  oh

        Barr can simply revive all the trash Buchco smeared McCain with in 2000.  It was designed precisley to appeal to the Barr/Limbaugh/Fucktard demographic.  And it worked wonders.  

        by grasshopper on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:29:10 PM PDT

    •  Sorry, but you don't know that

      Are you a Libertarian? Do you talk to Libertarians?

      For many of them, the biggest issues are opposing Iraq and the anti-freedom parts of the War on Terror. Those are two of Obama's points. If Barr bases his campaign on these as two major planks, of course Obama could lose some votes he otherwise might get.

      Again, I don't know, but neither do you. It is unclear at this point.

      by seanflynn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:23:22 PM PDT

      •  Alternately, it would make McCain have to play

        defense on two fronts on those issues, which just helps Obama contrast the differences that much more.

        by lineatus on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:25:39 PM PDT

        •  But at the same time

          his attacks on Obama's economic positions would remind Libertarians of their differences.

          Also it needs to be noted that his appeal could affect the outcome in different states differently - it could make Georgia closer than it might be, but on the other hand hurt Obama more in competitive states like Colorado and Nevada.

          And his impact could also depend on how close the election seems - if Obama is far ahead and McCain seems like a goner, it could lead to more otherwise-GOP voters to protest. But if it is closer, some of those might be more willing to hold their noses and vote McCain.

          Again, bottom line is - we just can't be certain who this will affect and where.

          by seanflynn on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:45:27 PM PDT

          •  unless we're poblano. :-)

            by lineatus on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:59:37 PM PDT

      •  I used to be. And Barr would hurt McCain more.

        I'm a happy Democrat now and I feel I can speak to this issue with some authority. Libertarians will split for McCain and Obama. The ones that would go to McCain now have a second choice. The ones that would go for Obama would most likely still go for Obama.

        by psilocynic on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:30:30 PM PDT

  •  True

    But a Barr candidacy worries me less than, say, a Bloomberg one..

    by gladkov on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:14:42 PM PDT

    •  Don't worry

      Bloomberg ran the numbers. Not gonna happen.

      by DanK Is Back on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:34:22 PM PDT

•  It's too early to tell yet

  I don't think he has the evangelical stature to attract enough money.  If he can tap into the Ron Paul money tree, then maybe.  This could fizzle out in a month or two.

  by realwischeese on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:11:13 PM PDT

•  Take nothing for granted.

  We still have to work our butts off for Barack to win the White House.

  by Pragmaticus on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:12:30 PM PDT

•  Barr's candidacy will destroy McCain....

  McCain is disliked by Republicans for loads of reasons, such as not being a pure enough conservative, to dumping his first wife, for voting against the original Bush Tax Cut and for lending his very name to what they call the Amnesty Bill of 2007.

  There are many Republicans who are yearning for an acceptable protest vote, and Barr will fill the bill.

  This takes pressure off of Obama.  He need not promise the world to get elected.  Just being who he is should do the trick.

  by veratis on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:13:07 PM PDT

  •  Even if it's

    a few 100,000 votes in a few states, it will help nicely

    by gladkov on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:16:21 PM PDT

  •  Barr has the name recognition

    and the conservative cred to mobilize probably up to 2 percent of the popular vote. And most all of them would be potential GOP voters.

    by GermanAmericanDem on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:24:01 PM PDT

  •  Dumping his first wife costs him GOP support?

    Yeah...

    That crushed Dole, Reagan, and Gingrich didn't it?

    by 8ackgr0und N015e on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:54:36 PM PDT

  •  Since when is wife-dumping a problem

    for Rethugs?  I thought it was a requirement.

    by ruleoflaw on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:11:33 PM PDT

•  If doesn't like hookers and weed

  why is he a libertarian?

  by pragprogress on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:13:39 PM PDT

  •  Lol!

    That explained my vote above.

    by DJ Adequate on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:17:34 PM PDT

•  Recc'd for Ross Perot! nt

  by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:13:53 PM PDT

•  State and national polling w/ Barr is needed...

  to see just what Barr's inclusion means in a general sense.  Kos commissions some polling every so often, so maybe he'll shell out for some polling with Barr in the mix.  My hard right uncle in Boston will be voting Barr, as he thinks McCain is a fake and a fool, and not a true fiscal conservative.  I'd bet a decent amount of fiscal conservatives, and other conservatives for that matter, will give Barr a look.

  by Public Servant on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:14:50 PM PDT

•  Please, please, please

  Not all Libertarians are like that.  Some of us are quite reasonable people.

  It's just the ones who are willing to run as Libertarians who are nuts.

  by VA Classical Liberal on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:15:13 PM PDT

  •  I've got noting against Libertarians. n/t

    by psilocynic on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:20:54 PM PDT

    •  The problem with Libertarians is

      That the ones who are willing to run on the Libertarian ticket are also compelled to tilt at all sorts of odd windmills.  It's an inevitable result of running as a 3rd party in a 2 party system.

      So, while I agree whole-heartedly with most of Libertarian philosophy, our candidates are almost always fatally flawed.

      For example, when Jessie Venture was interviewed by Playboy, I thought 1/3 of what he said was gospel, 1/3 was interesting and 1/3 was just plain nuts.

      by VA Classical Liberal on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:28:52 PM PDT

•  "Defends white supremacists" is a cheap shot

  I'm an attorney.  If I defend someone, it does not mean that you can assume that I support their ideology.  Often -- and especially with reviled groups -- the precedents such cases set in areas like search and seizure law will eventually affect us all.  You should retract that attack on Barr unless you know more about it.

  by Seneca Doane on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:15:51 PM PDT

  •  Bob Barr has been known to make

    racially inflammatory comments on his radio show. There is a huge difference between someone like Bob Barr defending a white supremacist and the ACLU defending a white supremacist. People that work against the interests of minority groups in this country should never be allowed to defend someone that works violently against minority groups. I understand your position on this and would agree with you if it were not Bob Barr we were talking about.

    by psilocynic on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:24:46 PM PDT

    •  You do know that Barr has worked with the ACLU

      right?  I'd need to look at the actual comments you mention before venturing an opinion on them; I can just say that I wouldn't be surprised.

      by Seneca Doane on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:13:58 PM PDT

  •  He does more than merely defend...

    Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia, who touched off the brouhaha by delivering a keynote speech at the CCC's national convention in June 1998, said he had "no idea" what the organization stood for.

    Of course, that made him the only guy in the room who was so stupid.  

    Now, defending Uptown Klan types is one thing, but hobnobbing with them in your off-hours is quite beyond the pale...so to speak.   After all, let's say you defend a guy charged with pimping ho's and beating the crap out of them.   That's one thing.  But going out afterwards to sample the wares before you both beat the snot out of her in an alley is something quite different.  Unfortunately, Barr is in the latter category.

    by 8ackgr0und N015e on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:05:21 PM PDT

    •  Then that should have been part of

      the original charge against him.  As it is, the diary seems to make the point I rebutted.

      by Seneca Doane on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:12:52 PM PDT

•  He's a strong supporter

  ...of lifting the ban on Kazakhstai breast milk cheese.

  by sidwood on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:16:24 PM PDT

  •  WTF????

    BREAST MILK CHEESE????
    As a Wisconsin native, I've learned to appreciate fine cheeses.  I've had cheese from cows, goats and sheep, but...,  Yeesh, I'm speechless.

    by ruleoflaw on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:21:20 PM PDT

•  92 and 96

  An under-reported rebuttal to the various "Bill Clinton" electoral vote totals is that he ran with Ross Perot in the race both times. He failed to get 50% of the popular vote total both times. And, especially in 1992, he would never have won many of the states had it not be for Perot.

  So, I welcome our new Libertarian wannabe overlords. They'll prove very useful in simulating 1992 and 1996, no matter who the candidate is.

  by Addison on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:16:53 PM PDT

•  Barr

  will be the Nader of the right.

  by TheGreatLeapForward on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:18:10 PM PDT

•  barr has worked with the ACLU

  on opposing the patriot act and the rest of the cheney unitary executive, since losing his seat in congress. if he teamed up with gravel or paul. ,i think he could be a factor in some states.

  by wu ming on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:19:15 PM PDT

  •  Barr is increasingly pro-civil liberties

    From Wikipedia

    Departure from Republican Party
    More recently, Barr has become a prominent member of the American Civil Liberties Union, sometimes doing paid consulting on privacy issues. . .

    Barr has been a vocal opponent of President George W. Bush's claim of authorization to wiretap transnational phone calls without individual judicial license. He has said, "What’s wrong with it is several-fold. One, it’s bad policy for our government to be spying on American citizens through the National Security Agency. Secondly, it’s bad to be spying on Americans without court oversight. And thirdly, it’s bad to be spying on Americans apparently in violation of federal laws against doing it without court order."

    . . .

    In 2006 he debated the architect of PATRIOT Act, Viet Dinh, on terrorism and privacy issues.

    . . .

       Since joining the Libertarian Party, Barr has reversed his previous stance on medical marijuana and is now a lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project. Barr still opposes legalization of recreational drugs, but advocates the federalist ideals of State legislation and enforcement over Federal control.

    by C S McCrum on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:40:48 PM PDT

•  First he has to win the Libertarian nomination...

  and it ain't gonna happen. The LP doesn't use a primary system, they choose their candidate at a convention.

  by methylin on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:19:50 PM PDT

•  I don't think "liberty" means what Barr thinks

  it means. This is apparently very common with right-libertarians. What's the deal with Paul? I thought he was libertarian choice? I know he's Republican, but still???

  by jeff in nyc on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:19:51 PM PDT

•  He's NOT a Libertarian - won't get their nod

  I can't see Libertarians going for him given toher options - Barr has too many positions that don;t fit their platform.

  He'll have to start his own party if he wants to run

  by xrepub on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:21:19 PM PDT

  •  Already is ...

    From the Wiki..

    In 2002, he was described as "the idol of the gun-toting, abortion-fighting, IRS-hating hard right wing of American politics".[11]

    Barr joined the Libertarian Party in 2006,[3] and as of 2008 serves on its National Committee.[4][5] On April 5, 2008, Barr announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his seeking the Libertarian nomination for President of the United States in the 2008 election.[6] On May 12, 2008, Barr formally announced his candidacy for the presidency.[7]

    Then his infamous outrage:

    It was Barr who first introduced a resolution directing Judiciary Committee to inquire into impeachment proceedings[34] -- months before the Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light.

    And later his infamous hypocrisy

    Barr, Flynt's investigators found, "was guilty of king-size hypocrisy": An outspoken foe of abortion, the Georgia lawmaker had acquiesced to his then-wife having an abortion in 1983. And he had invoked a legal privilege during his 1985 divorce proceeding so he could refuse to answer questions on whether he'd cheated on his second wife with the woman who is now his third."

    Average Joe's take ... Barr is an idiot

    by joeshwingding on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:26:52 PM PDT

  •  He is a registered Libertarian

    And on their national committee.

    by Pragmaticus on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:26:58 PM PDT

•  no big deal

  I really doubt he'll even have as much impact on the Republican side as Nader will on the Democratic side which is to say none.
  Ron Paul is the libertarian Republican who has people interested, if he had decided to run a third party bid then he might well have hurt McSame badly.
  Paul is staying with the Republican ship as it sinks into the waves however.
  Barr got as much news with his announcement as he is ever going to get for the rest of the race.

  by fat old man on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:21:48 PM PDT

•  Must. Buy. More. Popcorn.

  Barr is a former U.S. Attorney and is firmly opposed to much of the Bush administration's post-9/11 shenanigans. If he gets any airtime, he'll give McCain a case of heartburn.

  by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:23:51 PM PDT

  •  Yes with butter .See Barr Bio

    NBC Evening New gave him the 10 second sound bite
    MCain Rove and Russ got problems
    This is Hillarious

    First elected in 1994, highlights of Rep. Barr's political career include:

    Supporting a constitutional amendment to undermine separation of church and state. "Congress has the opportunity to send enemies of religious freedom a clear message that their attempts to erase religious belief from America's culture by cleverly manipulating the judicial system will not be tolerated," Barr said.
    Becoming the first member of Congress to introduce an "inquiry of impeachment," long before the public had heard of Monica Lewinsky.
    Giving a keynote speech at a gathering of the racist and anti-immigrant Council of Conservative Citizens, a direct descendant of the White Citizens Councils set up across the South in the 1950s to defend segregation.
    Calling hate crimes legislation to protect the rights of gays and lesbians, women and disabled Americans "a backdoor way to obtain protected status for sexual orientation and sexual deviancy."
    Sponsoring the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act. Despite the fact that he was married three times, sued by his second wife, and, according to published reports, was once seen at a fundraising event licking whipped cream off of the chests of two women, Barr explained his sponsorship of DOMA this way: "The flames of hedonism, the flames of self-centered morality are licking at the very foundations of our society: the family unit."
    Earning consistent 100 percent ratings from the Christian Coalition.
    Sponsoring an amendment ­ passed by Congress ­ that barred the Washington D.C. Board of Elections from tallying the votes on a referendum to legalize the use of marijuana for patients suffering from cancer, AIDS or glaucoma. Officials estimate it would have cost only $1.64 to count the votes.
    Campaigning on a pledge to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.
    Voting to cut funding for Head Start, Medicare, Aid to Families with Dependent Children and student loans

    by RomeyDa on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:37:42 PM PDT

•  Didn't he do a few good things on civil liberties

  and related matters?  Not enough good that I'd even look at him twice, but maybe it will further put pressure on McCain on those issues.  

  by lineatus on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:23:54 PM PDT

•  You forgot

  "Barr is secretly a black man"

  This was one of those rumors that circulated 'round NW Georgia for years. Part of the rumor was that he really flipped his lid when people, er, brought it up.

  Enjoy. :)

  by maxomai on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:24:42 PM PDT

  •  Yup! I heard it too!

    by Goldie Taylor on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:23:26 PM PDT

•  Doesn't

  make a damned bit of difference to me who runs. Or,why. We need to focus on what we need to do. Which is continue to push as hard as we can to get a D in the WH.

  by RustyBrown on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:24:58 PM PDT

•  Hookers and weed, baby!

  by Dr Funkenstein on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:30:37 PM PDT

•  I have already posted an ...

  ... announcement for Bob Barr's bid for the Presidency on two boards, telling the denizens there that, if McCain's laissez faire immigration and same-sex marriage policies upset them, they'll want to get to know Bob Barr. I also gave 'em a fake quote:

  Rush Limbaugh [about Barr]: "He makes me look like a Code Pink protestor."

  If he hooks up into a Paul/Barr bid, it could be lights out for Republand. Spread the joy!  

  P.S. No disrespect to Code Pink, but I do know how to get the attention of Joe DeerHunter.

  by Tortmaster on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:53:45 PM PDT

•  He will pull 1-5% in some states and can be the

  difference in Barack winning and losing in Nov.It is definitely something to watch for the next few months.

  by erick770 on Mon May 12, 2008 at 04:57:42 PM PDT

•  The problem (one, anyway) with libertarians is

  that they apply the same hands-off philosophy to corporations, not just people.  That doesn't work so well.

  by hooper on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:15:34 PM PDT

•  The diarist is a tard

  He also likes to defend white supremisists; I

     n 2003, Barr served on the defense team for white supremacist Chester Doles

  Dude, you can't even spell "supremacist" correctly even though you cut and paste an entry from Wikipedia and quote it right afterwards.

  Oh, and by your guilt by association logic the ACLU is also a bunch of cunts since they've defended the Nazis, the Klan, Ollie North, Rush Limbaugh and quite a few other right wingers over the years. Also there's this wacky principle enshrined in US values called "innocent until proven guilty" and these wacky Constitutional amendments that guarantee the right to a trial, habeas corpus and the right to counsel. Admittedly the Bush administration has been doing its level best to destroy those, but they're still there and they apply to everyone, regardless of their skin color or how odious their political beliefs may be, something that a lot of so-called "liberals" need to be reminded of.

  Oh, and as far as Bob Barr goes he's an asshole on the social conservative issues but then look at Dianne Feinstein. For the last seven years that fascist bitch has given George W. Bush everything he asked for, but since she's a woman, pro-choice and likes gay people most Democrats are willing to eat shit straight from her asshole like the stars of the "two girls, one cup" video, even as she works to shred the rest of the Bill of Rights and keep the war in Iraq going so her husband's defense contracts don't suffer. At least Bob Barr came out against the PATRIOT act and said that he was sorry to have voted for it. Feinstein though was too corrupt apparently too fucking stupid to have learned from years of Bush administration abuse of power and lying and not only refused to ask Michael Mukasey any hard questions about civil liberties or torture when his nomination was before the Senate Judiciary Committee but also voted for amending the Constitution to ban flag burning, voted in favor of extending the PATRIOT act saying that she was "...never in favor of allowing any provisions of the PATRIOT act to expire." and voted in favor of the warrantless wiretap provisions of the FISA bill.

  I find it depressing that so many Democrats will get their panties in a bunch over Bob Barr but then turn around and give fascists like Feinstein a pass. Who needs to worry about crazy conservatives when you have Democrats like Feinstein in the Senate?

  by Wile E Quixote on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:15:44 PM PDT

  •  The diarist is a trusted user.

    HR'd

    by psilocynic on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:25:55 PM PDT

•  "Application Disarray"

  This could be similar to "Operation Chaos." Bob Barr is NOT going to take many votes from Barack Obama (except, maybe, the ones who would have pressed the wrong Diebold button). See, I've seen Bob Barr speak, and I've listened to him. He will play to the disaffected ultra-conservative.  

  I'm going to pump this guy on some websites and begin "Application Disarray."  

  by Tortmaster on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:35:40 PM PDT

•  Protested Barr in 1998

  not much has changed.

  Took these to Atlanta:

  Click thumbnail for larger image.
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  My first protest ever and did not know how these would be received.  Many folks loved them and had their pictures taken holding them.

  by SomeStones on Mon May 12, 2008 at 05:49:46 PM PDT

•  Dude, I am totally gunna get baked...

  and send this guy a donation.  ;)
  /snark

  by protothad on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:18:55 PM PDT

•  Cool. Georgia's in play

  by SaintCog on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:33:45 PM PDT