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Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Bob Barr asks Ron Paul to join his ticket
Press release:
Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party nominee for president,
has invited GOP Congressman Ron Paul to be his running mate in the
upcoming election. In a letter sent to Paul, Barr called Paul one of
the "few American patriots" who exist in today's society, and asked him
to "seriously consider this final offer as an opportunity to show true,
lasting leadership beyond party politics."
Barr cited Paul's 1987 letter to then-GOP Chairman Frank
Fahrenkopf, in which Paul stated that, "after years of trying to work
through the Republican Party both in and out of government. . .
concluded that efforts must be carried on outside the Republican Party."
Though
recognizing Paul's personal investment in the Republican Party and his
recent attempts to reform the party from inside, Barr said he disagreed
with Paul's strategy. "Better options remain that will carry a message
of liberty onto the ballot in November and beyond," Barr stated, adding
at a news conference called today at the National Press Club, that
"change in politics and public policy in America cannot and will not be
done from within the current, two-party system."
Barr continued, "'The status quo will not change the status
quo' and impact comes entirely from gaining votes in the General
Election." That is why Barr said he would remain focused on the
Libertarian Party's electoral effort and clear message, and why he
invited Paul to join him.
"While you declined my offer to seek
the Libertarian presidential nomination many months ago, I ask that you
seriously consider this final offer as an opportunity to show true,
lasting leadership beyond party politics," Barr stated in his letter to
Paul.
Barr's running mate, Wayne Allyn Root, expressed support: "As the
Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee, I believe in one thing
above all else-principle. There can be no compromise on the ideals of
limited government, lower taxes, lower spending, and more freedom for
the American people. Those are the principles to which I've dedicated
my life. The GOP and Democratic candidates only give lip service-at
best-to these ideals and principles. It is only an act at election time
every four years."
"I want to end the charade once and for all," Root continued. "I am
willing to sacrifice anything to advance the cause of liberty, freedom,
smaller government and to enable the American taxpayer to keep more of
their own money and property. Understanding Dr. Ron Paul's reputation
and name recognition in the freedom movement, I am willing to step
aside as Libertarian vice presidential candidate if he would be willing
to take my place. I will pledge to work day and night, just as I have
as the vice presidential nominee, to support Dr. Paul. I believe this
is a wonderful opportunity for the Libertarian and freedom movements. I
encourage Dr. Paul to accept Congressman Barr's offer. The campaign is
making this offer because we believe there is no sacrifice too large
when it comes to improving the lives of the American people and
American taxpayers."
Barr's letter to Paul can be found here.
Paul's letter to the GOP can be found here.
UPDATE: Check out Paul's press conference, and the really, really stupid response from the Barr campaign here
Posted by P.M. Jaworski on September 10, 2008 in International Politics | Permalink
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Comments
Former United Stated Senator from Alaska:
Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel
Got history cred?
Posted by: nader paul kucinich gravel | 2008-09-10 1:22:58 PM
What utter rot. At least according to multiple posts at the dailypaul and ronpaulforums:
"This comes from Don Rasmussen, Events Coordinator for C4L
The following reflect my personal feelings and is not endorsed by Dr. Paul or Campaign for Liberty.
I am deeply disappointed by Bob Barr's decision not to participate in today's press conference just as I have been disappointed with the Barr campaign throughout this election cycle.
The idea that he was busy is absurd. I am sitting in the National Press Club right now waiting for his hastily called press conference to begin. This is the same building where Dr. Paul's presser just ended. Barr committed to participate, but had his campaign manager call us minutes before it started to tell us that Bob thinks "it just isn't worth it." I look forward to hearing him explain how breaking a promise to Congressman Paul constitutes a wise campaign strategy.
It is my great hope that the alternative parties will present the American people with quality candidates that offer a real option. Clearly the Libertarian Party has failed to do so. Bob Barr has repeatedly broken his promises to Dr. Paul, showed up uninvited at C4L events, and made statement contrary to Dr. Paul's beliefs while still claiming the mantle of heir to the R3VOLution.
Bob Barr is done VUCK BOB BARR. Not worth it? who the VUCK DOES HE THINK HE IS? HE IS A NECON PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
MY VOTE GOES TO CHUCK BALDWIN WWW.BALDWIN2008.COM
"
I guess mine does too, even though in California that means I will have to write him in.
Posted by: spinnikerca | 2008-09-10 1:28:02 PM
Hmm..
My longer post seems to have been deleted. However, it won't take anyone following liberty long to discover on the internet why Ron Paul supporters are unlikely to vote for the current Libertarian party Presidential candidate .... who must not be named.
Posted by: spinnikerca | 2008-09-10 1:34:14 PM
Sorry, my other post is there now. For some reason it didn't come up last time I checked for comments.
Posted by: spinnikerca | 2008-09-10 1:35:21 PM
spinnikerca: Sometimes, you have to press "refresh" to get your comments to show up. Don't worry, the comment is staying put.
Posted by: P.M. Jaworski | 2008-09-10 1:36:28 PM
Looks like Barr is not sucking up to Dr. Paul for votes like the other candidates. Good for Bob Barr, he has a mind of his own and I think Dr. Paul actually likes that.
Obviously Barr and Dr. Paul are from different political parties and Barr feels the Republican Party is going in a very bad direction.
Posted by: Joe Lawson | 2008-09-10 2:02:40 PM
Say NO to McBama!
Say NO to Republicrats!
Say NO to Establishment media outlets!
Say NO to bipartisan trashing of the Constitution!
Cast a protest vote for a 3rd party presidential candidate of your choice.
Tell everyone why you will vote against the lesser of two evils.
Tell everyone who you will vote for.
Tell everyone what you think.
Be heard: http://SayNO2008.com
"The strongest message can be sent by rejecting the two party system... This can be accomplished by voting for one of the non-establishment, principled candidates." - Ron Paul
Posted by: SayNO2008.com | 2008-09-10 3:31:10 PM
"it won't take anyone following liberty long to discover on the internet why Ron Paul supporters are unlikely to vote for the current Libertarian party Presidential candidate" - spinnikerca
That's the problem. Too many people are relying on the opinions of people that have an axe to grind, and have been against Bob Barr from the outset. Usually these opinions are loosely based on fact, but quickly descend into slanted speculation, jumping to conclusions, and putting words into Bob Barr's mouth. Too few people are relying on solid facts and analysis from reliable sources that simply tell the truth instead of trying to make a persuasive argument for or against.
Posted by: Anonymous | 2008-09-10 4:26:48 PM
We know in politics, negative campaigns work. They always suppress enthusiasm from core supporters.
The reality is that one of the other minor parties, spent the entire election campaign, posing as Libertarians in internet forums, and pretending they were dissatisfied with the choice.
Ex CP'ers are already admitting to this, there was a kind of obsession inside the CP party, with the Libertarians.
I hate to admit it, but the LP being both very internet conscious and prone to fighting anyway, kind of got stung, big time.
Bob Barr is actually a great candidate. Yes, he's ex-Republican, but very much a person of great conviction that genuinely promotes Libertarian goals for many years now.
Harming the cause of Liberty does not bother the CP party, they are not libertarians at all, but a quasi-religious bunch, kind of in the modern George Bush style of power is a goal unto itself, style philosophy.
Posted by: Robert | 2008-09-11 9:49:04 PM
So whom then should we vote for? My most important "issue" is Free Market Capitalism... obviously not Nader...
It seemd the L party bases its stands on Philosophy whereas the C party bases its stand on a single awesome document (which I happen to agree with) rather than a larger philosophy.
I am still thinking Barr.
Posted by: Shepard Humphries | 2008-09-12 6:58:41 AM
Barr has his faults, but he is still the best of the bunch.
Baldwin and the Constitution party have nothing to do with the freedom movement. Read their platform. They want to ban pornography and have a problem with gambling. Regulations against the activities of consenting adults is completely antithetical to the concept of freedom.
Write-ins are not counted or reported.
My choices are either not voting or holding my nose and voting for Barr.
Posted by: Jay | 2008-09-12 1:24:27 PM
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