Former Republican Congressman and strident Bill Clinton impeachment pursuer Bob Barr has been confirmed as the presidential candidate for the libertarian party.
With the GOP running around like headless chickens following the embarrassing losses in recent special elections, the news that a former colleague, Bush critic and Iraq pull-out advocate, is to stand against them will no doubt raise their blood pressure further as they face their Nader moment.
Meanwhile John McCain (almost 73) follows up his Bush - Katrina cake celebration with a tactical BBQ to determine who would be the least likely VP to worsen his chances in November, trading off Right Wing Christian support v Florida votes with Romney as backup for traditional sheer slimy arrogance.
more below:
First the news:
Ex-Republican aims for presidency
Libertarian Party picks Barr for president
MAN WHO HELPED GO AFTER BILL CLINTON COULD GET GOP VOTES
DENVER -- The Libertarian Party picked former Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia as its presidential candidate Sunday, a move that could attract some conservatives turned off by the GOP.
Jake Tapper at ABC
ABC: Libertarians Sidle Up to Barr
"I'm sure we will emerge here with the strongest ticket in the history of the Libertarian Party," Barr said. "I want everybody to remember that we only have 163 days to win this election. We cannot waste one single day."
Barr was controversial among Libertarians for having voted for the PATRIOT Act and the Defense of Marriage Act, but he told delegates he had changed and would kill the former and tweak the latter.
Ralph Nader's candidacy in 2000 is widely believed to have hampered Al Gore's bid for the presidency by capturing a small but significant percentage of Liberal leaning independents.
Now the shoe is on the other foot. A majority of traditional Republicans are disillusioned over the disastrous Bush presidency and have little interest in pursuing his policies, especially the continued farcical occupation of Iraq. McCain is far from the universally preferred choice to lead in an election that few Republicans privately expect to have a hope in hell of winning.
It is the Ron Paul voters who are most likely to be attracted by the Libertarian's 'small government' stance. Ron Paul has attracted a loyal and active Intertube following from frustrated young Republicans. Unlike Obama, McCain's abject failure to understand the significance of the online inter-connected psyche leaves him unable to effectively defend his position.
Will this hurt Obama?
Although there will be some independents, frustrated with the conformity limitations of a 2 party system who will vote for a third party out of principle, there is little in the Libertarian politics that would attract Democrats over Obama.
Small government precludes federal support for universal health care and the rebuilding of US industry through substantial investment new in 'green jobs'. Also, Barr's historic persecution of Bill Clinton will all but rule him out from anyone old enough to vote who remembers his permanent TV presence during the 'scandal'.
Conclusion:
Given the historic participatory cost of this election to date, it is unlikely that a 3rd party will have the same effect as it would have in previous elections, however they may capitalize on severe discontent and disarray in the Republican party and further diminish the voter pool for McCain.
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UPDATE:
There have been some interesting issues raised in the comments which should be added to the diary:
1) Impact of 3rd Party Candidates
What has been the historic significance of 3rd party candidates:
realwischeese rightly questions the significance of Nader's influence on the outcome of the 2004 election.
Although above the noise, it was less significant than in 2000 Gore v Bush election. Only Wisconsin was close enough that Nader's votes could have tipped the balance.
Perhaps the 2000 election is a better measure, as in 2004 Bush essentially ran on fear and patriotism as the incumbent.
In 2000, Ralph Nader ran as an independent candidate. Although he failed to come even close to the front runners, there are a number of states where his percentage would have been sufficient to change the outcome:
Nader got his highest percentage (10%) in Alaska.
He also got an important
2% in Iowa where the result was 48-49 for Gore,
4% in New Hampshire that went by 1% to Bush
4% in New Mexico where it was a 48/48 tie
5% in Oregon that was a 47/47 tie
4% in Wisconsin that was a 48/48 tie
Others that were close enough that his votes could have made a difference include Minnesota, Washington, and Maine.
The state where he made the most difference was his 2% in Florida.
2) Immigration
One issue raised by RokkiBlueboa that may feature strongly in a Republican's decision to vote for Barr, is immigration.
Most of their policy statement (from their website) is straightforward 'secure our borders' rhetoric, but see the last bit which is the real policy...
Libertarians in Immigration
Solutions: Borders will be secure, with free entry to those who have demonstrated compliance with certain requirements. The terms and conditions of entry into the United States must be simple and clearly spelled out. Documenting the entry of individuals must be restricted to screening for criminal background and threats to public health and national security. It is the obligation of the prospective immigrant to demonstrate compliance with these requirements. Once effective immigration policies are in place, general amnesties will no longer be necessary.
Transitional Action: Ensure immigration requirements include only appropriate documentation, screening for criminal background and threats to public health and national security. Simplifying the immigration process and redeployment of surveillance technology to focus on the borders will encourage the use of regular and monitored entry points, thus preventing trespass and saving lives. End federal requirements that benefits and services be provided to those in the country illegally. Repeal all measures that punish employers for hiring undocumented workers. Repeal all immigration quotas.