Will those Ron Paul Republicans switch and vote for the Libertarian Bob Barr?
Personally, I think Bob Barr is more electible than Ron Paul. He has a better resume than Paul, and the rest of the candidates for that matter. He has been a boardmember of the NRA since 1997. He would repeal the 16th Amendment. He is more charismatic than Paul, at least in my opinion.
The movement that surrounded Ron Paul had intensity, something the conservative (not Republican) base is lacking. Maybe it's just me, but Ron Paul kind of became the default candidate true conservatives could rally around at this time. The other Republican candidates (heck, the party in general) seem more liberal than a decade ago (fiscally, and in terms of privacy). I think that is what generated so much activity around Paul. Could that intensity switch to Bob Barr because I don't know if many will vote for McCain.
Erin2008-06-11T20:42:53Z
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Problem with Barr is he doesn't have the Purity of Ron Paul. He has been married 3 times, says he opposes abortion but one of his wifes had an abortion. He has been a member of 3 political parties (was a democrat turned republican turned libertarian) He worked for the CIA He authored the "defense of marriage act" He was a drug warrior He voted to go into Iraq He voted for the patriot act Then he changed his mind in the last few years on all these things! All and all he seems to be an opportunist, this is most clearly shown in how he pushed himself to the forefront during the Clinton impeachment. It also seems as if he may be purposely trying to ride Paul's wave.
I try not to be so naive to believe we will have a candidate with the consistence and moral integrity that we had in Ron Paul but If I voted for Barr it would not be because I have passion for Barr, like I did for Paul. It will be because I am voting against the 2 party system.
I don't know what I am going to do. There is Chuck Baldwin of the constitution party whose platform is identical to Pauls but he isn't perfect either plus he won't have ballot access in most states. Hold my nose and vote for Barr? Maybe, but thats only because I know he can not win and want my vote registered as a protest.
Many will, but some will still write Ron Paul in on the ballot too. Most will not defect toward McCain or Obama since they are totally different than Ron Paul. The Ron Paul movement toward freedom and libertarian values as an alternative to the Republicrats will continue. The typical candidate really just wants power while Ron Paul's movement aims for change and to put this country on the right track again.
The ones who tell you he voted for the Patriot Act fail to tell you he highly regrets it because it was said it was going to be used "sparingly", but when it came into act, the government misused it. And many, many of the people who voted for the war in Iraq are against it now. Why do the Dems get the "Well, he lied about WMD" defense but he doesn't?? I support Bob Barr even though I am too young to vote. I did used to support Ron Paul, though so I was one of the "Ron Paul Republicans" who switched and supported Bob Barr. ;) I honestly think real Conservatives don't want to vote for McCain, but feel they are "wasting" their vote if they vote for someone who truly matches their Conservative beliefs. It is possible many Ron Paul supporters will turn and go to Barr, but I think most, like many Americans of any Party or Ideology are simply voting for the "lesser of two evils".
Personally I supported Ron Paul but will now be voting Bob Barr. But I'm in CA so it really doesn't matter as this will be "Obama Country" with all the liberals. Oh well, long live Constitutional Rights!!!
obviously the guy woke up and he's realizing that this election is no contest. With Obama, it's Lose-Lose for Libertarians. At least with McCain/Palin, there are some issues on which Libertarians could say that they agree. Too bad he is doing it this late. I hate having to vote for the lesser of two evils, but until we have a good candidate with good chances of winning, we will have to do the best we can. And we can definitelly do better than Obama. No doubt about that.