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Libertarian Barr Not Here for the Party Unity

Greets Ron Paul's 'undorsement' with snub, solo event

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Sep 11, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – When Ron Paul convened a coalition of third-party candidates yesterday and endorsed them all, he dashed Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr’s hopes of a solo Paul endorsement, writes Dana Milbank in the Washington Post. So Barr staged a separate press conference, where he announced that he’s not here to make friends.

“I'm not interested in third parties getting the most possible votes," Barr said."I'm interested in Bob Barr as the nominee for the Libertarian Party getting the most possible votes." Which is too bad, Milbank notes, because with figures like Ted Stevens and Charles Rangel under suspicion for corruption, and Obama and McCain bickering over non-issues, the major parties are themselves making a good case for an alternative.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a former 2008 presidential candidate, left, takes part in a news conference with third-party candidates at the National Press Club in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Libertarian Party presidential nominee, former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr leaves a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Wednesday, June 25,2008. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a former 2008 presidential candidate, gestures during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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I'm not interested in third parties getting the most possible votes. I'm interested in Bob Barr as the nominee for the Libertarian Party getting the most possible votes.
- Bob Barr

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Libertarian Barr Not Here for the Party Unity