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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Barr Could Be the Ralph Nader of 2008: GOP

Republicans fear Libertarian will pull votes from McCain

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(Newser) – A former ally has Republicans sweating the possibility that he could siphon votes away from John McCain, the AP says. Bob Barr, an outspoken ex-GOP congressman and Libertarian Party presidential nominee, is now trying to get on the ballot in 20 states in time for November. “Bob could be the Ralph Nader of 2008,” warned a Republican consultant.

And that suits Democrats just fine: One strategist said Republicans “are crazy if they aren’t worried about Barr.” Newt Gingrich insisted the GOP isn’t threatened by Barr’s candidacy: “No reasonable conservative is going to vote for anyone except McCain.” But Barr, an NRA member who denies playing the role of a spoiler, could benefit from dissatisfaction with McCain, experts say.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said voting for Bob Barr is the same as voting for Barack Obama.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said voting for Bob Barr is the same as voting for Barack Obama. "No reasonable conservative is going to vote for anyone except McCain," Gingrich said.   (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Political experts say Bob Barr may be able to exploit the unease some die-hard conservatives still feel about Sen. John McCain.
Political experts say Bob Barr may be able to exploit the unease some die-hard conservatives still feel about Sen. John McCain. "Bob could be the Ralph Nader of 2008," said a GOP consultant.   (AP Photo)
Some Republicans fear Libertarian presidential nominee Bob Barr could pull votes away from their candidate, John McCain.
Some Republicans fear Libertarian presidential nominee Bob Barr could pull votes away from their candidate, John McCain.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Libertarian Party hasn't cracked 1 percent of the national popular vote in a presidential race, but it bills itself as the third-largest political party.
The Libertarian Party hasn't cracked 1 percent of the national popular vote in a presidential race, but it bills itself as the third-largest political party.   (AP Photo/Will Powers)
Barr has earned a reputation as an iconoclast. An NRA board member, he has joined with the liberal ACLU against the Bush administration-backed Patriot Act.
Barr has earned a reputation as an iconoclast. An NRA board member, he has joined with the liberal ACLU against the Bush administration-backed Patriot Act.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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