Bob Barr up to par? Libertarians rejoice.
Daniel Nichanian, Huffington Post
Libertarians looking to have a higher-profile candidate than they did in 2004 are rejoicing this week-end as former Congressman Bob Barr announced that he is forming a presidential explanatory committee. He made this announcement at a Libertarian conference in Kansas City, Missouri; it will take a few more weeks, naturally, for any formal declaration of candidacy, and then to see what Barr’s chances are to get the Libertarian line on the ballot.
Bob Barr became a darling of conservatives in the 1990s for taking the lead in anti-Clinton efforts and particularly in becoming one of the main congressional figures pushing for the President’s impeachment. Since he left office, he has served on the NRA and on the American Conservative Union Foundation.
Yet, the issues on which Barr has focused over the past few years should also endear him to left-leaning voters — speaking out against torture, against the war, lobbied on behalf of the ACLU. Thus, there would clearly be some on the Left who will be attracted to his emphasis on civil liberties and his anti-war discourse. Just as Ron Paul drew some of his support from disenchanted Democrats (and reportedly former Kucinich supporters).
But there is little doubt that Barr would draw most of his supporters from voters who lean Republican in federal elections. Libertarians usually vote for the GOP when they cast a ballot for one of the major parties (there is a reason Ron Paul was running for the Republican nomination).