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aj asked in Politics & GovernmentElections · 1 decade ago

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.

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  • Erin
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    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.

  • 1 decade ago

    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.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    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".

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    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!!!

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  • 5 years ago

    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.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I have decided to vote Libertarian this year. I've always voted Republican. But we need a change from the 2 party system.

    Everyone tells me I'm wasting my vote if I do vote Libertarian, But I say, I've been wasting it for 20 years. What's it got us? Both parties have been in control of the White House and the Congress since I've been voting. It's got us, $ 4.00/gallon gas. Outrageous prices at the grocery store. Unsecure borders.

    Voting Libertarian can't make it any worse, that's for sure

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Please. Ron Paul has a history of over 30 year or honesty. 20 year unbeatable voting record. Barr I feel is a fake. He voted for the war in Iraq, fought hard against war on drugs for years in the past, and voted for Patriot Act! He is a LIBERTARIAN for gods sake. Please. Ron Paul is much more consistent than Bob Barr.

    Charisma? I like Ron Paul's common sense better. He truly speaks from his heart.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Last I heard Ron Paul said he would still be running for president come election

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Probably not. Most voters think voting for a third party is a waste of a vote, since they could be voting for the major party canidate who better represents there views.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    The best move they can make is to run on the same ticket, with Ron Paul as his VP.

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