Bob Barr

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3 States to Feds: You Can't 'Unmarry' Gay Marriages

DOMA is gone, but fights over law's provisions continue

(Newser) - The Defense of Marriage Act was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge in February, but that ruling did not touch on the most controversial aspect of DOMA, the federalist test—that is, whether gay marriages have to be legally recognized in other states or by the federal government. With a...

Ex-GOP Rep Helping Baby Doc Get His Cash

Duvalier says he wants Swiss funds to help Haiti

(Newser) - Ex-congressman Bob Barr is helping “Baby Doc” Duvalier gain access to frozen funds left in Swiss banks. The former dictator “is very interested in trying to get those funds freed up, not for himself, but so they can be used to help the situation in Haiti,” Barr,...

Conservatives to GOP: Stop Gitmo 'Scaremongering'

Bob Barr, others write letter supporting Obama's plan

(Newser) - Three leading conservatives sought to quash what they called “scaremongering” by Republican politicians over plans to relocate Guantanamo Bay detainees to a prison in Illinois. In a joint statement, Bob Barr, David Keene, and Grover Norquist said the prison was secure enough to hold the detainees. “The federal...

Third-Party Picks Causing Barely a Ripple

Barr, Nader not polling high enough to be game-changers

(Newser) - Third-party candidates across the nations are highly unlikely to siphon off anywhere near a significant number of votes this election day, Time reports. Libertarian Bob Barr is polling around 1%—down from a peak of 6% in the summer—with Ralph Nader faring the same. The longshot candidates say their...

Nader, Barr Could Still Tip Some Tight Races

Third-party candidates could play a role in some states

(Newser) - Third-party candidates haven’t won much attention in this election, but in some hotly contested states their candidacies could still affect the outcome, the Boston Globe reports. Independent Ralph Nader and Libertarian Bob Barr could play a role in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, and Ohio, among others, the paper reports—...

Obama Pulls Ahead in Montana

Poll shows first-time lead for Democrat

(Newser) - For the first time, Barack Obama is leading John McCain in Montana, 44% to 40%, a poll suggests. Obama is seen as stronger on the economy by 48% to McCain’s 42%, though voters prefer McCain on foreign policy, 52% to 42%. Obama’s overall lead is within the MSU-Billings...

Barr, Nader Each on 40+ States' Nov. Ballots

Best-known third-party candidates get 3.3% in polls, but experts say that may ebb

(Newser) - Voters in most states in the US will see Ralph Nader and Bob Barr on the presidential ballot, Politico reports. Nader made it in 45 states and the District of Columbia, though the independent missed Texas. Barr’s Libertarian bid made the ballot in 44 states. The two combined for...

Libertarian Barr Not Here for the Party Unity
Libertarian Barr Not Here for
the Party Unity
OPINION

Libertarian Barr Not Here for the Party Unity

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

(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...

Libertarian Bets $1M His GPA Tops Obama's

VP candidate says skin color helped senator get into Harvard

(Newser) - One of Barack Obama’s election opponents is putting his millions where his grades are. Wayne Allyn Root, the Las Vegas handicapper running for vice president on the Libertarian ticket with Bob Barr, has bet $1 million that he had a better GPA at Columbia University than classmate Obama. Root...

Barr May Bring Libertarians Into Big Leagues
Barr May Bring Libertarians Into Big Leagues
OPINION

Barr May Bring Libertarians Into Big Leagues

He's got the experience to draw votes and make his party relevant

(Newser) - Though still far on the periphery of the American political scene, the Libertarian Party stands to reach unprecedented visibility with its nomination of former Republican congressman Bob Barr, writes David Weigel in Reason. By picking its "most well-known and politically astute" candidate—and one who doesn’t compromise its...

Poll: McCain Trails by 3 in Arizona

Libertarian Barr seen into GOP candidate's rightward flank

(Newser) - A new online poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain 42%-39% in the Republican’s home state of Arizona. Libertarian hopeful Bob Barr is playing a sizable spoiler role, the Washington Independent reports, with 7% of Arizona voters giving him their backing—including 16% who call themselves very conservative. (Independent...

Barr's Run Has Many in GOP Worried
Barr's Run
Has Many in GOP Worried
OPINION

Barr's Run Has Many in GOP Worried

Libertarian candidate could play spoiler, but lacks key resources

(Newser) - Bob Barr’s former GOP colleagues have been beseeching the Libertarian Party presidential nominee not to run against John McCain. “Please don’t do it,” Barr happily recounts being told. They fear he could do to McCain what Nader did to Gore in states such as Georgia, Alaska,...

Barr Could Be the Ralph Nader of 2008: GOP

Republicans fear Libertarian will pull votes from McCain

(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...

How Obama Could Get Gored
 How Obama Could Get Gored 
analysis

How Obama Could Get Gored

As in 2000, Dem could win popular vote, lose Electoral College to Republican

(Newser) - Observers are speculating about a split decision in November, with John McCain winning the presidency while Barack Obama takes the popular vote—and Harry Siegel, in Politico, says the chances might not be that slim. Obama looks likely to build massive margins in coastal states (already safely Democratic) while making...

Barr Set for Libertarians
 Barr Set for Libertarians 

Barr Set for Libertarians

Ex-Republican nabs nomination, names running mate

(Newser) - Bob Barr won the Libertarian nomination yesterday, beating scientist Mary Ruwart 324-276 after six rounds of voting. The former GOP congressman from Georgia then swiftly named fifth-round dropout Wayne Allyn Root as his vice-presidential choice. Former Democratic candidate Mike Gravel, meanwhile, dropped out in the fourth round.

Libertarian's Run May Raise Barr for McCain
Libertarian's Run May Raise Barr for McCain
ANALYSIS

Libertarian's Run May Raise Barr for McCain

Possible candidate could benefit from Mac's ties to Bush

(Newser) - Many Americans don't know Bob Barr, but they may become familiar with him as John McCain’s Ralph Nader in the 2008 election, the Economist reports. The former GOP lawmaker is seeking the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, and his viability shows that McCain still has work to do to...

Bob Barr Tosses Hat Into Presidential Ring

Ex-GOP rep., now Libertarian, could be McCain's Nader

(Newser) - Bob Barr is running for president as a Libertarian, the former Republican congressman announced today. Once a conservative superstar who headed the impeachment crusade against Bill Clinton, Barr grew into a vocal Bush critic, and left the GOP in 2006. Barr says America wants a choice outside the two parties—...

Poll: McCain Ties Obama, Beats Clinton Narrowly

Republican is trusted more than either Democrat on economy

(Newser) - John McCain is tied with Barack Obama and has a 5-point edge over Hillary Clinton in a Reuters poll out today—an improvement for the Democrats. On economic stewardship, the Republican had a 3-point margin over Obama and a 5-point margin over Clinton. The pollster said the Dems continue hurting...

Barr Considers Libertarian Bid for White House

Ex-GOP rep launches exploratory committee for 2008 race

(Newser) - With only seven months left in the presidential race, Republican-turned-Libertarian Bob Barr is considering tossing his hat belatedly into the ring, the Hill reports. The ex-congressman said it was up to the Libertarians to give the American people a "real choice." "They deserve better than the choices...

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