Bob Barr on "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer"

[DarthByss]

Barr needs to run for ofice again. We need him!

[windward619]

The Republican Party has looted the treasury like a mob of criminally-insane communists on methamphetamine. Never in the history of the homo sapiens species has an organization wasted and stolen so much money. Barr did the right thing by jumping ship - anyone still working with those maniacal kleptocrats is a whore and an enemy of the people.

[stealthswimmer]

I disagree. We gotta change it from within cus the platform is still pretty libertarian. The thing is that many politicians go against the platform and the people still elect them. People need to hold their representatives accountable and vote for a different person if their representatives go against the party platform in a big way especially in significant ways like if they massively increase spending or increase regulations and/or taxes and/or if they vote for infringing on civil liberties.

[thecoolestkid112255]

This whole 2 party thing sucks d. the libertarian party is very necessary in this country. They want people to get off their asses and actually work and not give handouts like welfare.

[cheddar21]

Although hes not even mentioned for this election if he keeps running, he could! The Libertarian party is a Rapidly growing party! The People are PISSED OFF and they should be! If you dont want to riot, at least vote libertarian!!

[truefaith00]

As much as I love Chuck Baldwin, my vote will have to go to Mr. Barr. Baldwin seems honest and trustworthy, but I don't see much substance to his words. Barr has the experience and knowledge in these crucial issues, IMO.

Whether you vote for Barr or not, it's safe to say No McBama!

[jaym222]

Imagine if Bob Barr was allowed to be part of the debates?? The kool-aid drinkers would be unmoved but i think people with an open mind would have really been motivated to vote for him and not one of these 'major' party hacks. It is a damn shame.

[kakayona08]

I'd like to shit directly in Mcain's mouth.

O'bama too.

[deut429]

I will vote for Bob Barr

[mfdjais]

bob barr ate tit cheese prepared by borats wife

[Pazrayna]

that takes a real maverick

[swordnshield08]

"she made it with milk from her tit"

[Brainardman17]

Ron Paul, Bob Barr, and Ralph Nader - The REAL Mavericks!

[MooseOfReason]

Hah, could you imagine a sitcom?

Barr and Nader would be a real 'Odd Couple', hehehe.

[24klc67]

I see now why both the Democrats and the Republicans did everything they could to keep Bob Barr out of the debates.If Bob Barr had been invited, it wouldn't been much of a debate.Bob would have embarrassed both Obama and McCain and killed their chances to become President.I hope that everyone remembers this election and will support the Libertarian Party financially in the next election. This country needs a choice other than what is given to us every four years.

[Wilsontheterrible]

You've got it there. Bob Barr would have talked circles around Obama and McCain who seem to be more content with reading out of their party handbooks than forming independent thought. He is the first candidate I've seen in this race that seems to know what they're talking about.

[MannyBeatzTV]

Hey bob barr how u doin?? im good..hey i have an interesting ?...do u really think anyone is gonna vote for u???...Im Jhon Mc Cain n i aprove this comment!!!

[suckfist]

Then John McCain is even more illiterate than I thought.

[24klc67]

Well, Mr. McCain maybe you can explain to me and the rest of the voters why you tried to have Bob taken off the ballot in Pennsylvania. You not a coward, are you Mr. McCain????

[betomas]

Bob Barr has such an interesting history with the Libertarian Party--they basically never really liked him (ran TV ads against him and had him ousted out of the 7th district) and now you have Libers that are ALL ABOUT BARR? Give me an f'n break. Barr was a member of the CIA and he voted for the Patriot Act and I don't care if he says it was a mistake. That's bullshit. Nader is the only candidate I trust in '08.

[gunnerfor3]

ralph nader!

[lockplay]

I agree! Let's abolish this bullshit two-party system who always blame each other things and implement a third party who actually has a chance~! I am totally FOR the Libertarian ideology and their will to back up the Constitution! I'm tired of choosing between the lesser of 'two evils.' Let the public decide between 3 parties 'fairly.'

[meximeltdown]

I will vote for Bob Barr~ and yes the Media is a tool for the elite~ to hell with self-serving manipulators! Bob Barr #1

[22KingRat]

Libertarian U.S. Presidential candidate Bob Barr is less government, less taxes and more freedom!!! That makes him America's Solution!!! So let's Raise The Barr for President!!! Raise The Barr for the Libertarian Party!!! Raise The Barr for the 3rd Party Political Movement!!! Raise The Barr for America!!! By voting for 'The Biggest Change' on November 4th, vote for Bob Barr for President of the United States!!!!!!

[FlavorRed]

Wow! Thanks PBS! Because god knows the fucking mainstream media would want you to believe there are only two people running for president and that only two political parties exist. Fuck the media!

[WonjuEnglishSchool]

Nice job Bob!

This was a great interview.

Bob Barr

Libertarian for President

2008

Vote: Barr for President!

[Arlo003]

I agreed almost 100% until this talk about finding all the terrorists. Our intervention turns people into terrorists. I'm still proud of my vote for Bob Barr though. But this talk of fighting a tactic such as terrorism is foolish.

[liberty0517]

Instead of debating about Barr's approach and how fundamental he is or is not, we should support the guy and help create some serious momentum for this party. That way we could get a candidate that has an equal chance in the next election. Debating Barr's Libertarian views at this point is counter productive. As the previous commenter said, "this is our guy".

[Soviet257]

Look, if you like the principles of the LP, this is the only legitimate candidate you've got. Forget his past and forget people who aren't running anymore, this is our guy.

[liberty0517]

Libertarians are complaining about Barr's use of the term 'mainstream'. What he's trying to do here is introduce the party to as many Americans as possible before the election. Therefore if he came out and said "the Libertarians are as extremist as you can imagine", interviews like this probably wouldn't serve the purpose. We all need to introduce this party to everyone that will listen, but do it in such a way that doesn't make then turn and run.

[wanj101982]

im just voting to get the government out of everyones face and wallet. he may not be the best libertarian, but remember politicians are chumps by nature. the government has a vast ability do do harm to citizens, while comparatively little power to help us. voting libertarian allows you to reduce that harmful ability, thereby bolstering YOUR ability to find some stability and contentment.

[imitatefirst]

Come on people - Libertarian principles are fundamental truths we must STRIVE to build upon. But Barr is also a pragmatist. Far too few of us revere the principles of liberty; Barr (and we) have to work with those of other persuasions. A policy of strict libertarianism would never get him elected (not a sell-out) and it gets us no further towards the goal of returning the country to those principles. It can not be a revolution - it must be a progessive return - we move in that direction.

[libertylearner]

it's too bad he's not a true Libertarian.

he does not sound any better than the "lesser of two evil".

[kevinabt]

Barr is controlled opposition. The libertarian principles, which this country was founded on and which are enshrined in the constitution, are a major impediment to the empire and domestic tyrants. There is a concerted effort ongoing to destroy these principles. The political party which is supposed to champion them has clearly been infiltrated, wolves in sheep's clothing placed at the top.

[fortuenti]

The GOP has become no more the party of Ronald Reagan than the Democrats are the party of JFK. Neither have proven fit to govern and champion "traditional American values" such as those embraced by the Founding Fathers.

[akai1sora]

I hate to say it but after following Barr since he became the Libertarian candidate, I have to agree with you. I was really hoping he would be so much more, but he doesn't seem libertarian at all.

[kevinabt]

I was disappointed too. I take it as the thousandth reminder that Washington is a foreign power, divorced from the best interests of America. We should stop looking to Washington for solutions or help but instead divest them of their power over us and establish new guards for our liberty and security locally.

[jthongb4ker]

for shame barr.... you practically go against the true libertarians, such as ron paul. why are you trying ruin the image of libertarians with this neo-con nonesense!

[imitatefirst]

First time I've heard Bob Barr speak - I think he makes a lot of sense. The moderator couldn't seem to catch on that we need a drastic change in policies - she kept asking question like "What would you do about the crises?" Bob's answer was bang on - our elected leaders have strayed so far from Constitutional principles that the Founding Fathers wouldn't recognize America today. The Constitution is the only bedrock we have to build on in the shifting sand of our modern world.

[fortuenti]

You got that right!! These statists like to call the Constitution a "living" document and look at it like it's some sort of MENU from which they can pick and choose but it just ain't so but they get away with it and people keep electing them.

[peroxion]

His history alone makes him an unacceptable Libertarian candidate.

[jimbabb]

Barr libertarianism = prosecute, prosecute, prosecute

I'm staying home on election day.

[btbblack]

I do like Bob Barr, Much more so than either major party candidate. However, I don't hear him speaking about the constitution anything like what Ron Paul nails home. (For instance he speaks of leaving some troops, or some government intervention, when the constitution does not allow it. I now understand why Ron Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin instead.

[CH3MIS7RY]

bob...you've got my vote in FL

[dandaman2206]

I love Barr he exposes the Republocrats so bad...He shows that Republicans and Democrats are for more Goverment... Republicans say they are for smaller Goverment but Our Gov. Right now is huge in spending!

[PorkyPants]

cookie, one does not have to be anti-war to be a libertarian. But, congress must declare war.

[psxwarrior]

How 'bout doing away with the fed, period.

[SailorGoth]

It may be too little too late.

[gold95]

Sorry Bob, I am a Libertarian, but you sound like most of the politicians, with just a few interesting point. Our goal in international affairs should be to STAY OUT of their affairs and be friendly with other nations, not to figure out what our interest is.

[gold95]

Why isn't he saying that some of the banks should have just failed, like any other business? That is what is frustrating.

[lexrex3]

A vote for Barr is a vote for something I believe in not just a vote to stop another candadate from winning.

[rphaigh]

Well done Bob.

Please get a debate with Nader on CSPAN !!!

[SierraWolf]

Very good interview Congressman Barr.

[0aprildark]

Well done, Bob!

C'mon media, let's hear more!!!!!!!!!!

Vote for Bob Barr!

[AOEGuy]

Barr 08'

[jordanswiener]

Only if more people knew about Bob Barr's message.

[cookimonstizzle]

Neocon

[gold95]

Do you have the definition of a neocon? Its the opposite.

[cookimonstizzle]

Leader in the war on drugs, votes for USA PATRIOT Act + war.

"Neocon"

[tfboyle]

and he has fought hard against those things once he was finally converted, so good for him.

[cookimonstizzle]

That far of a switch of positions in that short amount of time should raise questions.

Plus, he's not even anti-war.

[SierraWolf]

cookimonstizzle,

1. People change their positions when they realize something is not functioning properly.

It's an indication of wisdom.

2. You are in Netherlands. I suggest you concern yourself with the HYPOCRITES in Netherlands Govt. It's funny how so many Dutch Liberals/Socialists seem to keep their assets in Netherlands Antilles/Aruba/Bahamas to avoid Dutch Taxes.

If You want to meet members of Dutch Parliment, go to Caribbean.

[cookimonstizzle]

The U.S. Gov has a direct impact on the rest of the world. And changing your mind on a few issues is fine, but a drastic conversion (left congress in 2003), and running for president?

Bit much.

[SierraWolf]

cookimon....

It could said that the weak position of Netherlands Govt on Terrorism has a direct impact on the rest of the world also.

I offer three words as proof:

Theo van Gogh

I suggest that Netherlands look at it's self before pointing at USA,

Furthermore:

Netherlands never complained when we were projecting MILITARY FORCE/WAR against the Nazis and driving them from Holland.

[cookimonstizzle]

I support free speech and justice- do not use my country's policies to paint me with a similar light, just as I wouldn't suggest all Americans are imperialist morons like those in their government.

Also, the comparison to the Nazis is ridiculous- who exactly is trying to take over the world in this century? Surely, it's the United States.

[dellsprospects22]

oh god damnit..the united states government is just doing what it's told! the fight to resist tyranny from the intl bankers is on and we're losing..it's the same assholes who engineered the first depression..rockefeller, jp morgan, it's not an AMERICAN thing it's a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT thing..google search international bankers conspiracy

[cookimonstizzle]

I'm going to assume you listen to Alex Jones. The same Alex Jones who says that Google was at Bilderberg. Why would you believe their searches, since Alex claims Google removes his videos?

[dellsprospects22]

alex jones is controlled opposition, hey since everything is peachy why don't you go volunteer for the new avian flu vaccine, you can get it at the redstone arsenal in huntsville on the 28th..lemme know how it goes

[kevinabt]

1. People pretend to change their positions in order to take control of the opposition and prevent a real possibility of change from materializing. The lack of any real principles displayed by Barr during his career makes it obvious that he is only acting in order to misdirect the libertarians who are inattentive into voting for a non-change.

[SierraWolf]

kevinabt,

I'm not an expert on Congressman Barr's career, however, I have met many people with deep Republican/Conservitive ties, close connections with high ranking RNC members, that have departed the Republican Party with DISGUST. There must be something to this. (Hmmmmmm???)

I view Congressman Barr in this context. Something is happening to cause the Republican Party to implode. Barr likely seen this coming...

[kevinabt]

That is what Barr would have you believe. That he has truely seen the error of his ways and will now devote himself to the philosophy of libertarianism. Unfortunately, even in what he has been saying lately he either A) does not understand libertarianism. B) is compromising libertarianism to win votes and political capital. or C) really means what he says and is trying to move libertarianism in that direction to prevent it from challenging the status quo.

[bighitter42]

I voted for him today.

[DealerDirekt]

yeah bwoy!!!

[jordanswiener]

Barr 08'