CNN on Barr and the "spoiler effect"

[Frenchyification]

This lady is dumb. No actual libertarian would even consider voting for McCain, even if it meant their single vote would help Obama loose. Because both McCain and Obama were pretty statists alright.

[MacabreManifesto]

There will never be a viable third party in first past the post. First past the post is not democracy, or it is forced democracy. If there were actually six candidates and five got 16% each and then the sixth got 20% then 20% would basically have say over the country. The forced democracy makes it so that people only ever look at two parties because only those two are seen as having a chance at winning, or you feel obligated to vote for a dem because you think reps are complete shit, vice versa,

[MacabreManifesto]

@MacabreManifesto And thus make a strategic vote in order to halt the greater of two evils. In Instant runoff voting you could feel fine to vote for this Bob Barr guy and then have a secondary vote for the lesser of two evils major party so that even if Bob Barker loses then your votes will still have power over the election because they are recycled to the major candidates. This way we would actually be a multi party system, multi party system FTW!!!

[Yanirakarola]

I'm all for the push of Libertarian ideals and believe that together America can change this two party system...but there comes a point where common sense has to step in and realize that in the 2008 election, voting for a third party wasn't going to change shit. If so, why not take it a step further, and not vote at all, and just go outside naked and pray for God to come down and give us a leader! I mean, at some point you need to become a realist and ACTUALLY do whats best for the country...

[patriotfreedomfigher]

it would be alsome if one day the 2 partys are "spoilers"

[DonJokeen]

Blame Perot! No blame the voters for being lead to believing the "spoiler lie"

[EuphemiseThis]

One of the big things about third party candidates is that, when the main party sees that the independent party is getting enough voters or support or funding that they thought would go to their major party, they actually look at and address the major issue or issues that the third party built its platform on.

They bring up issues, show major party that some of their base is not happy with decisions or lack of they are making. They will take stronger stand on issue in close states.

[memojuez]

The problem is that Major Media and the Two Headed One Party fails to get it. Many of us would not vote for either candidate to begin with.

[libertarian4u]

well the third party did make a difference in this race

[landgsmith]

Until the ballot access laws are changed, third parties will NEVER have a chance of being considered, let alone elected to high office (. Oklahoma is a prime example. Third parties have to get somewhere around 60,000 valid signatures just to get on the presidential ballot, whereas the Demopublican and Republicrat parties need just a few hundred.

[stabcat2]

I'm so god damn tired of third party candidates being referred to as spoilers. At least people had the balls to not be a bunch of sheep and vote for someone other than republican or democrat.

[cody643]

i dont like mccain or obama im voting for bob

[fortknox78]

To finish my comment below. If Americans start to vote on how they feel and stop being scared maybe a third party candidate would be victorious! In till then lets get the 5%!

[FlavorRed]

If people really vote how they felt this country wouldn't be the same.

[fortknox78]

In response to jrmckamey comment, I couldn't agree more. I asked someone today why they were not voting for a third party candidate. and their response was; "because it will take votes away from McCain and in my opinion is the lesser of the two evils". Although most Americans concur with the beliefs of third party candidates they are scared to vote for them thinking;"the greater evil of the two majority party's would win".

[klkbk]

Keep up the good work, lets get 5%.

[jrmckamey]

In my opinion, this talk of a "SPOILER" is just spin to scare votes away from Barr. This "spoiler" story is the REAL SPOILER. If people think Bob Barr should be president they should vote for him. There is no reason to believe that Barr is "stealing" votes. While I'm sure that we will see a republican or democrat as president, I'm sick of people being scared into voting for one of the big parties.

[ronarprfct]

Here's an idea: let's have a Borda count or Condorcet count. Then no one candidate can steal support from any other, and the true will of the people will be represented.

[22KingRat]

Your vote for Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr is 'guaranteed' to improve America's future! If he gets at least 5% of the popular vote in this year's election, his party's Presidential campaign in 2012 can receive millions of dollars in voluntary taxpayer funds. It will also automatically qualify to be on all state ballots, thereby avoiding long and costly signature petition drives. So do the 'most patriotic good' with your vote, help America build a 3rd major political party!!!

[carolm62]

Spoiler...? Only if you believe the major political parties OWN you and your vote and that you are stealing their rightful property if you exercise your franchise elsewhere.

If they don't earn MY vote, they don't get MY vote.

[blaqheart27]

these guys never win it seems like a waste of a vote. but then again iam not really knowledgeable about politics but some of these guys have some good ideas. It seems that there ruining election when they know they will never win! it seems selfish to me or there just dilusional.

[TheLB2k6]

Not at all. I may just vote third party in this election... Not for this election, as there isn't enough media coverage or funding for it, but maybe that if I were to, that in a later election, someone who can truly change America will have a chance. I used to have the same opinion, that it's a throwaway vote... But, you see, it's not just an individual opinion as much as it is a mentality. Just like people sitting at home, not voting with the idea that they think their candidate will win anyway

[blaqheart27]

hhhhmmm well put!! i thought i was gonna get bashed for my comment but i didnt mean any offense. peace

[FlavorRed]

"It seems that there ruining election when they know they will never win! it seems selfish to me or there just dilusional."

What is delusional is the myth of a "two party" system. The media tries to keep the myth alive. And me voting for Barr wasn't a wasted vote because I disagreed with both Obama and McCain and I actually voted for the guy I agreed with. If I voted for the "lesser of the two evils" I would have wasted my vote.

[blaqheart27]

coooooooooool!well good luck! and keep voting for who you feel is the best for you!! even though they will never win in our life time!! lol! j/k peace!

[FlavorRed]

Ha ha! Yeah. I'm hoping eventually a 3rd party candidate will become president. (A Libertarian mainly.) If Obama is unpopular by the time his term is up then people just might say,"Bush and the Republicans fucked up! Obama and the Democrats fucked up! I might see the other options out there." Who knows, in 2012 the Libertarians might have a reason to win. Like when alcoholics hit rock bottom before they realize they need to quit drinking, the US might hit rock bottom and vote Libertarian. :D

[elexisandbri]

i love bob barr

[Brak2002]

Are you kidding me University of Georgia? Here at the University of Florida when Bob Barr came to speak early this year, we had hundreds of people come out and hear him speak. I think CNN is trying to marginalize Barr with the pathetic turnout UGA showed and saying this is the size crowds Barr normally gets.

[ronarprfct]

Of course they are, since he isn't part of their puppet show.

[cneums4]

I am oting for Bob Barr as well in AZ

[jmotz3]

I voted for Bob Barr yesterday!

[ohiogrown1]

its not the republicans and democrats anymore; it's the liberals vs. the socialists. time for a real change. do it Bob

[rhumal]

McCain is a liberal in the sense that he supports massive spending and government handouts to badly-run corporations.

[LATINO9USA]

McCain liberal? ..don't make me laugh.

The liberals people try to discredit McCain: "McCain is not conservative enough", so " Hard conservative " try to find others candidates and give more opportunity to Obama to win.

[numbcheese]

A good majority of McCain's major policies are liberal. Nation building, high spending, larger federal government, more government control... all things that are anti-conservative.

[LATINO9USA]

If you vote "Barr", you vote "Obama".

[PTTHOR]

Yea that makes sense ?

[RobCorvette]

No, if you vote "Barr" you vote for "an effective leader who knows what conservatism is all about."

[farhadcoyote]

I am writing in RON PAUL.

[straightshoot]

Barr, you make me sick! You called for Clinton's impeachment before you got busted by Larry Flynt for the same damn thing you accused Clinton! When is the Lib party going to stop housing rejects from the Democrat & Republican parties and find a real candidate that can win? Who's next to join, John Edwards?? Sen.Mike Gravel should have won the nomination. It is disgusting that Barr became the nominee and this is why no one takes the 3rd party seriously anymore!

[spam38]

If the "spoiler effect" is such a problem, why don't we use a voting method that's immune to it? Approval voting would be easy to implement and any of the Condorcet methods would be even better.

[dankeschone]

PimpCoop is half correct. And one of those independents is me. I judge candidate's by voting records. Barr fails that.

McCain is the most liberal Republican I've ever seen. And if it wasn't for Palin, I wouldn't give him a second look.

Now for the legitimate fear of impending doom. Obama is the one guy that can align the Pres, Senate, and replace 2 Supreme Court justices. It'll be a full house of communists. It's already started with the media. Next are arms.

[PimpCoop]

This fucking sucks and they are right. People are going to not vote for Barr and vote for McCain just so Obama does not win. I thought people in US were smarter then that, but I guess I was wrong. America is not to smart as I thought they once were. We have someone who is PERFECT and they rather vote for someone so another person does not win. This is an outrage.

The only way to bust his poll number is if everyone stands out front of there polling place and gives out brochures of Bob Barr!

[gotpudding91]

ROFL

[Piscivorus]

There's no such thing as a "spoiler". That's MSM BS. You're supposed to vote for the person who best supports your views. Anything else is a waste.

You're also responsible for whatever happens under the administration of whoever you vote for, if they take office.

[McConsumer]

lol I didn't catch that one. If he wins, who's game would that "spoil" lol good catch

[PTTHOR]

Wrong! You are supposed to vot for the person who best supports our Constitution, that's what they swear to uphold- no matter what your, or my personal views are.

[LATINO9USA]

Barr is "conservative," McCain is "conservative," Barr only going to get 2 or 3% of the vote, has no chance to beat Obama, McCain may lose by 2 or 3% with Obama, if you vote for Barr , you are helping Obama.

[silvercondouloboy06]

You are a fool. McCain is a liberal as far as I'm concerned. -,-

[numbcheese]

Good. Then maybe the republican party will go back to sticking to the platform.

[LATINO9USA]

I am a conservative, my question is, do you want Obama wins the White House? .. the only way to avoid this, is voting for McCain, is not other way , Barr is a good person, is conservative, but has no chance to win the election.

[ClearFire1]

McCain is not a conservative, the term big government statist would be more fitting. Vote for who you think best represents your values and is most qualified or don't vote at all. If McCain does not deserve your vote, don't give it to him. Its simple, democracy is already a horrid failure don't make it even worse by 'voting to win'.

[jmotz3]

Why would you let the polls change your mind?

So you are not using your own mind to vote, you are letting things outside choose for you

[waluum]

One of the reasons why I like Bob Barr is that his campaign will post a video like this, that might otherwise be seen as encouraging to Conservatives to leave Barr or Baldwin in favor of McCain so that Obama will not win.  You won't see that for one of the other vote-desperate candidates.

[LibbyViddy]

Thing we want to SPIOL

Socialism

High taxes

The war

Corporate welfare

Government

Useless Government programs

The Two party system

Democrats and republicans want to spoil the USA.

[Dreepa]

Isn't Barr the only Republican running? :)

Google Free State Project!

Make difference!

[LibbyViddy]

We would LOVE to SPOIL the two party system!!!!!!!!

[votethirdpartynow]

the only spoiler here and every day is Blitzer

[ParapaDrifter]

dont vote CFR.

[ParapaDrifter]

"blah blah blah blah blah I love Zionism and hate America" ~Wolf Blitzer

dont blame candidates... blame lack of integrity with the two non-candidates

[enotdetcelfer]

This is disingenuous. The truth is that Bob Barr is going to get votes from people who Aren't going to vote Republican because of John McCain. Its not like they are choosing between McCain and Barr. They want to vote but won't vote for either.

[TheAwakenedOne]

Obama is the only one that cannot win. If he takes office without proving that he was born on US soil, it will further erode the US Constitution.

[gadsden74]

What Constitution?

It's been irrelevant for most of our lifetimes.

Keynesian economics and social relativism is all most of us have been conditioned for. Those few of us who are stubborn enough to think otherwise are (some sooner, some later) acknowledging the fact that our federal government is no longer held accountable by the Constitution. Therefore, if you bother voting at all, then vote for your principles, period. Forget about all of the nonsensical game the media plays with "spoilers" ...

[feeknocks]

the constitution is already finished.

[TheAwakenedOne]

I beg to differ.  The 1st Admendment still works as demonstrated here in this unmoderated posting, and the 2nd Admendment however restricted is still viable. Don't let the demoncrats takes these away.

[feeknocks]

The first amendment is restricted, and the gubment's grip on it is tightening.

But don't worry, us and our fellow patriots won't let this charade go on for any longer.

[Concreet420]

"Third Parties are like bees, they sting once and die." Giving the American People a choice in politics, is a stupid little bug that dies every time it tries. This asshole wants me to pick between a Socialist, and a Liberal Republican, both of which lean towards socialism, Mccain's bad. However Obama embodies early stages of Marxism. I agree with the college kid, voting for Mccain and Obama is a wasted vote.

How can socialism really be alive though? it fails to painfully Every Single Time.

[Go4Br0ke]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[Narrator007]

Considering the above, I would really like to see the average GPA for history courses taken by journalists.

[TheAtheistPaladin]

Nader at 4%? He never got more than 1% in previous elections.

[Go4Br0ke]

Didn't he say Nader is clearly from the left? If he did then I don't believe CNN's polls because they have always been left biased.

[Narrator007]

Also, that poll was for Colorado ONLY.

[Andy120290Returns]

All this "spoiler" stuff is bullshit. In 1992, Bush, Sr. lost for Bush, Sr. Not because Perot lost for him. Peort WON 20% of the popular vote. Same thing in 2000.

I cannot even stand to watch this whole video.

Good luck to Nader, Baldwin, McKinney, and especially to Barr this year.

[TrueConservative123]

I am a registered Republican and even if there were no alternate parties I still would not vote for McCain. Barr, I would agree is better than McCain but he has some worrysome things in his record as well. My vote will be for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party. And yes I live in the "Battle Ground" state of N.C. From now on, I will be voting based on principle rather than the wasted vote system of the "lesser of two evils".

Baldwin08(dot)com or ConstitutionParty(dot)com

[deejayfore]

I agree. Why do these assholes think we would magically vote for Obama or McCain if there were no third parties? If Barr wasn't running I certainly wouldn't vote for McCain. I live in Ohio.

[vandaliegh]

Third parties are NOT the "spoilers"! The medias lack of inclusion of third parties is what spoiles it for the American voter. Include all viable third party candidates for the beginning and you would see dramatically different numbers.

[DavidCJensen]

The more people vote third party, the better for America, I think.

[gsuitter]

It's the GOP and McCain who spoiled things.

Baldwin 08.

[drunkenjerk]

What if Chuck Baldwin gets more votes than Barr?

[Narrator007]

If that happens, I'll eat 50 Javanero peppers and wash it down a bottle Tobasco