Bob Barr: GOP's Ralph Nader of '08?

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/bob_barr_gops_ralph_nader_of_0.html

Posted June 22, 2008 12:00 PM

by Mark Silva

Could Bob Barr, once a leading nemesis of President Bill Clinton, become the spoiler whom Democrats learn to love?

Barr, pictured at left, a former Republican and former congressman from Georgia who will represent the Libertarian Party on the presidential ballot in November, could play a role similar to the spoiler's role that Ralph Nader played in 2000 - at least, that is a scenario that some Democrats are gleeful about and some Republicans worry about.

With unease among the GOP's staunchest conservatives about the party's own nominee, Sen. John McCain, some could well turn to Barr's name on the ballot. And in a close contest in a big state, that could deprive McCain of an electoral victory - the way, for instance, that Nader's name on the ballot in Florida helped deprive Al Gore of an electoral win.

Have you met a Democrat who's gleeful about this?

Georgia, and in Nevada. I wouldn't rule out other western states incuding Montana, and New Mexico as well. Lots and lots of libertarian types, most of them registered R's.

...all of it from Gramps. He could eat 5% in several states...enough to pull Gramps down from being able to steal any states. Barr will attract the Paulbots...more votes away from the GOOP.

The key for Gramps to have ANY chance in November is to pull numbers as close to what Junior did in '04...or poll at least 45% or better in the national polls, over 50% in the red states and 40% or better in the blue ones. If he doesn't, he's toast. That's yer math lesson for today.

Cheers...

And that's fine with me. There are plenty of Republicans who hate McCain, and this will give them an alternative on the right.

According to the Libertarian Party's website Barr is on the ballot in 29 states and petitions are being circulated in a few other states for ballot access. Looks like in most of the states where Barr might run strongest he is on the ballot. Hopefully Barr can Naderize McCain.