April 3, 2008
Posted: 05:40 PM ET
Bob Barr is pondering a Libertarian presidential run.
Bob Barr is pondering a Libertarian presidential run.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Republican Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia is inching closer to seeking the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party, and plans to shed some light on his plans at a weekend party gathering in Kansas City.

Two sources familiar with Barr’s deliberations say it is their understanding he will make clear he is ready to seek the Libertarian nomination if there is evidence of significant support within the party. Both sources are active in Libertarian politics and spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity.

Barr is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at a regional Libertarian Party gathering this weekend.

Contacted Thursday evening in Atlanta, the former congressman confirmed he was considering such a campaign, but would not discuss the specifics of what he planned to tell the weekend meeting.

“I am planning to address the delegates and I will say I am not planning on wasting their time,” Barr said in a telephone interview. “I am planning to have something fairly significant to say.”

–CNN Chief National Correspondent John King

Filed under: Bob Barr


Ca Native   April 3rd, 2008 7:34 pm ET

LOL… go ahead Bob. You and Ron whats-his-name can battle Nader for the fringe ~ irrelevant edges of this election.

carmen   April 3rd, 2008 7:42 pm ET

Oh God, not another one

Grif   April 3rd, 2008 7:52 pm ET

Robert. Bar you're Dreams, your not so much unlike, Obama's Cuckoo idea's of a "Dog Given Right"… But… Leave it alone…
Go and chew on you're Bone…..You may get eaten by a Wolf…

John "Man of the Moment" McCain.. Just may use your Skin for Boots. Next Winter….

M. Felder   April 3rd, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Bob Barr. We are not interested in your run. Let it go.

Tex   April 3rd, 2008 7:54 pm ET

Hearing this news simply makes my day complete and I can now sleep better at night!

Ike in Atlanta   April 3rd, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Oh God!
Do they have superdelegates too?

Gnosticman   April 3rd, 2008 7:55 pm ET

This is great for the Dems!! This guy will suck votes right out from under McCain!!!!!

HRC, it's over babe   April 3rd, 2008 7:56 pm ET

Good, get some votes away from McBush.
If I remember very well, this irrelevant guy used to be a GOP from Georgia and he was not much loved, even within his party.

linda   April 3rd, 2008 7:57 pm ET

Hey folks for those of you that do not know Bob Barr is a very angry person that appears to still be fighting the civil war.

Bayou Joe   April 3rd, 2008 7:57 pm ET

Bob Who? What happen to the senile candidate from Texas, was his name Ron. I thought he was the Libertarian running as a Republican.

Yes, DM again Arlington, TX   April 3rd, 2008 7:58 pm ET

Bob Barr, is still a republican he is smart he will likely take votes from John McCain. Look over his past voting record. Again, Bob Barr is cool keep the dream alive….

Carl from Pa   April 3rd, 2008 7:59 pm ET

I hope, that might balance out all the democrats that will vote for Nader, if republicans vote for Barr.

Brian   April 3rd, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Go Bob Barr!

Concerned Canadian   April 3rd, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Obama already asked him if he wants a job in his cabinet.

James, MI   April 3rd, 2008 8:03 pm ET

These Jonny come latelys make me sick. They don't have the nerve or the drive to make a real go at the presidency, but they want to ride on somebody else's limelight. At least Clinton, and Obama and McCain have been out there. Where has this guy been?

Give me a break.

Richard, St. Paul, MN   April 3rd, 2008 8:04 pm ET

We need a third party to balance out the elitism of the Republicans and the Democrats. But the current spate of whackos that espouse a third party have been less than impressive.

Sue   April 3rd, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Oh, why throw another name in to the race. This would be great-Weather Vane McCain might have some votes stolen from him. Is this election over yet?

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   April 3rd, 2008 8:18 pm ET

The voters are leary to say the least. He is a Republican!!!
He is a Republican. He is a Republican. He is a Republican.
Withe Republican values. Which are 0 values!!!!!!!!!!!

Utah Teacher   April 3rd, 2008 8:23 pm ET

YESSS! Any crazy groups that will splinter McClain's base are VERY welcome to join this fray!

Jean Alex   April 3rd, 2008 8:23 pm ET

Please run LOL

Utah Teacher   April 3rd, 2008 8:24 pm ET

YESSS! Any crazy groups that will splinter McCain's base are VERY welcome to join this fray!

Utah Teacher   April 3rd, 2008 8:27 pm ET

All are welcome…Paul, Barr, Huckabee…come to the light. There is peace and serenity (for the Dems) in the light…

jdona   April 3rd, 2008 8:29 pm ET

Well, its possible the Dems who would otherwise sit out the election if their candidate doesn't win, or who would otherwise vote McCain, might decide to go with him. Either way, he could help siphon off enough votes from the Dems to have an influence. Maybe he and Nader will join forces.

Mike   April 3rd, 2008 8:36 pm ET

DO IT MAN !

We (Dems) could use a flood of Huckabee GOP SPOILERS right now to gang up on McCain as third party candidates! That would be one heck of a plot twist after all the Clinton/Obama thing has put voters through …

cathy   April 3rd, 2008 8:40 pm ET

BOB BARR??? LOL This is the funniest thing I have heard all day. April 1st was a couple of days ago though.

Venus   April 3rd, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Hi Bob! Welcome to the party - I know McCain can use your help!

Alison, FL   April 3rd, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Cool…take McCain's votes so the Dems don't have to worry so much. What a loser!

Gorbashov, Long Beach, Ca.   April 3rd, 2008 9:07 pm ET

Don't forget Gravel!

rosemergy   April 3rd, 2008 9:17 pm ET

So this guy is going to be battling Gravel for the Libertarian nomination?

Ernest   April 3rd, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Is saul also among the prophets?

Sheila   April 3rd, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Why not? Stranger things have happened..

Conan   April 3rd, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Sweet, a four way. Maybe Nader has a chance……

KCBob   April 3rd, 2008 9:21 pm ET

Having more choices is always a good thing.

Perhaps Bob's supports are able to spell… from reading the posts here the HRC supporters appear to be illiterate fools! I guess thats to be expected though.

As long as Hillary or McCain dont end up in thw whitehouse we will see 4 years of an administration that will work for the people and not corporations.

Save America! Anyone other than McCain or Hillary!

Right now Obama is my choice.

aware   April 3rd, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Forget it Bob!

You were part of the hate fringe, and people still remember! You can't revive hell on wheels again for the Conservatives. The lunatic fringe on the far right has shrunk. Try the far left . It is just picking up steam! :(

Kris   April 3rd, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Is it unheard of to think Barr could be serious? Is it so awful to have a third party, just because you're afraid your precious TV Star Candidate won't get all those independent votes? I'm happy to see a viable Libertarian candidate in the race, no matter the odds of him winning.

Then again, I don't vote for the "winner." I vote for the person whom I believe in.

sylvia   April 3rd, 2008 9:36 pm ET

Hillary needs to run independent!

Cal Jim 2   April 3rd, 2008 9:40 pm ET

Look out Barr. If Hillary loses the Dem. nomination, she should run as an Independent or a Libertarian. That would put a twist on the Nov. G.E., don't you think so? I bet Obama and the Obamanations of America would love it.

Pamela   April 3rd, 2008 9:43 pm ET

Didn't the Georgians vote Barr out of office? Go away Bob.

Joelle Racine, WI   April 3rd, 2008 10:21 pm ET

Much better for AMERICA is Bob Barr than McCain or Obama!

NEVER McCain!

Never Obama!

Bubba   April 3rd, 2008 10:42 pm ET

The egos of politicians never cease to amaze me ! ! ! But go ahead and run…and lose.

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