May 25, 2008
Posted: 05:50 PM ET

From ,
Bob Barr has clashed with his former party over policy.
Bob Barr has clashed with his former party over policy.

(CNN) — Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr is now the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee — and a potential headache for John McCain, as he reaches out to conservative voters who might otherwise vote for the GOP nominee in November.

The former Georgia congressman — who left the Republican Party two years ago, citing differences over fiscal policy and concerns over civil liberties — was nominated on the sixth ballot at the party’s convention in Denver. The vote on the sixth ballot was 324 for Barr, and 276 for Mary Ruwart, the last remaining candidate out of 14 originally seeking the Libertarian nomination.

Filed under: Bob Barr


Uncle Sam   May 25th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

As a supporter Of Sen. McCain, I am not worried about Rep. Barr's entry into the presidential race. I believe that, as this election year continues, the American people will come to realize the historic candidacy of John McCain. Given the unpopularity of Pres. Bush and the Republican party, along with the novelty and excitement of Sen. Obama, the uniqueness of the McCain candidacy has been overlooked in the process. But by November, I am confident that more and more of my fellow Americans will come to see what I see: A man whose love for this country and service to it transcends self-interest, and who will bring an independence of partisan politics to our government and to our country. To the surprise of many, John McCain will turn out to be the American president Americans have been waiting for.

Americans for McCain '08

yinka   May 25th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

cnn, I will be surprize if you post this . I just want to say that there is still a lot of people who do not like Obama because He is Black and His mother is White .Obama donot hate White people .I found out something. I have been living in this great country for 57 years . i am Black and born here.I never thought that so many White people would vote for a Black man to be president of the USA. There is a change in the peoples heart for sure. The whole world can see the change .No more judging by the color of skin. the world would be a better place.

1984   May 25th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

Another BIG LIE….when is Billary gonna stop insulting our intelligence. After her latest blunder…during her apology she said she regrets making the remarks if anyone was offended. OFFENDED..hellz yeah i was OFFENDED and then to say that your remarks were made as a result of "thinking of the Kennedys these past few days" SPARE ME….that was a pathetic excuse…YOU MADE THAT REMARK NOT ONCE…BUT TWICE…before and got away with it by the mainstream media. I saw Keith Olberman's commentary on Friday and he said whatz been on most people's minds these days…at least the non zombies and politically educated few of us…who reserve our rights not to be brainwashed by the Hillary Campaign.. Where did I hear this same pathetic excuse before…oh yeah…after she dodged sniper fire.
GET OUT! AND SAVE FACE!…SHAME ON YOU.

Anonymous   May 25th, 2008 10:49 pm ET

Just like Nader

Trollmaster   May 25th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

When the Republicans lose, I can just see them use Bob Barr as an excuse for why they lost, instead of blaming their loss on their own failures.

Just like they did with Ross Perot.

Anna, SW Missouri   May 25th, 2008 10:42 pm ET

Can't wait for him to start spilling the beans on McCain and Bush. This is going to be interesting since so many conservatives may see this as a option to vote against McCain.

Richard   May 25th, 2008 10:41 pm ET

Take votes away from McCain.. I like this guy!

jim t   May 25th, 2008 10:40 pm ET

snowball chance in h*ll

Eric in New York   May 25th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

If Obama doesn't choose Hillary Clinton as his runningmate Barr is going to be my choice for President. Make the right decision Obama, cause I'm not the only one who won't vote for you if Hillarys not on the ticket.

Chris   May 25th, 2008 10:36 pm ET

So they went for this nut-job… it says a lot about Libertarians.

El Máximo Gutierrez   May 25th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

We love jou Senator OBAMA!!

JES WE CAN jes we can JES WE CAN jes we can JES WE CAN

OBAMA '08 & '12

adam   May 25th, 2008 10:33 pm ET

GO BARR, GO!! I'll switch my vote for you. We need a true conservative in the White House. Barr 08

JJS   May 25th, 2008 10:29 pm ET

Hey, I'll vote for him. Maybe not if the GOP had bothered to put up a conservative to vote for, but as it is…

john   May 25th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

your comments are out of touch. doesnot matter to obama.

Concerned Canadian   May 25th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

This guy could beat Obama but Obama won't be nominated.

Ron R   May 25th, 2008 10:21 pm ET

Uhhhhhhh….does anyone care?

Drew, Central FL   May 25th, 2008 10:17 pm ET

Good. I hope he siphons a lot of McSame votes.

Dave, SC   May 25th, 2008 10:15 pm ET

This guy is another joke like Barack Obama. What is happening to American politics? Where are the sensible people?

Ito   May 25th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

What does he hope to accomplish? Marijuana laws?

for Obama   May 25th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

As long as Hillary leaves, everything will be fine.

Edwin, Fayetteville, NC   May 25th, 2008 10:07 pm ET

I think that it's unfair to allow someone to enter the race at the end of the campaign. Anyone wanting to run for President should have to declare at the beginning like the other candidates who have to campaign. It is unfair to the candidates for someone to enter at the end in order to disrupt the election process.

Doug Thompson   May 25th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

Hope he at least cancels out Nadar's votes.

After further review,Texas   May 25th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

Good,Lets hope he can take votes from McCain.

Chris   May 25th, 2008 10:04 pm ET

A victory for the socialist party

Osagie From Montgomery   May 25th, 2008 10:04 pm ET

Here comes McCains Bad Luck!

Brian   May 25th, 2008 10:01 pm ET

Smart Repubbies vote for Barr!

Roy   May 25th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

I'll need to know more about the Libertarian platform before I give Mr. Barr my vote. I really don't think I will vote for McCain or any liberal like him though.

Teresa W. of Newport Bch, CA   May 25th, 2008 9:53 pm ET

Obama has the ticket. He has proven to me he can handle the job. He has been hit every which way during the campaign and has done so with dignity. All you anti-Obama people can say what you want…he got my vote.

Obama 2008/2012

Jaun   May 25th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

This is going to kill McCain chances of the stage he thought he had for November…but at least Obama is going to get some sensible opposition.
Hope he brings new vigor to the table.
OBAMA 08′

Chris   May 25th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

It seems both parties think he’s a fool!

Robert Hewitt   May 25th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

Is there a reason that my comments never got approved?!? It's been more than 2 hours.

I wonder how many other posters took the time to write something that never got posted. Red flag: there are 2 comments on this 4-hour-old thread!

This is really ridiculous! Keep it up CNN and people will blog elsewhere.

bill anderson   May 25th, 2008 9:45 pm ET

Because of Ronald Reagan I switched from the democrat party to the Republican party in 1980. Because the Republicans did not cut the size of government spending and allowed McCain to be it's nominee I will now become a Libertarian. Bob Barr is a wonderful well qualified candidate. Bob will bring about the change that Obama talks about. He will unite the disgusted Democrats and estranged Republicans with the existing Libertarians into a broad winning coalition. Fair tax instead of income tax. Yea baby!!!! Run Bob Run.

Bridgette - PA   May 25th, 2008 9:44 pm ET

McCain will need alot more influence than……who is this guy again? It doesn't matter, OBAMA will be our next President……get used to it :)

OBAMA-08!

William Caine   May 25th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

With any luck, Barr will suck off enough voters from McCain that we'll get a (desperately needed) Democrat in the White House.

Rob R   May 25th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

This could be payback for 2000. Barr would most certainlly steal more votes away from McCain than Obama. If anything, he should cancel out any votes for Nader.

Why Barr thinks he has a snowballs chance in hell of winning anything is beyond me, but let him run.

Obama is the next President of the United States.

Boomer   May 25th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

Say goodnight, John McSame!

Wasn't Born Yesterday   May 25th, 2008 9:31 pm ET

YES!

Hey Rush Limbaugh,

Whatsoever a man soweth , that shall he also reap and with what measure he meant ti , it will be returned to him. Bob Barr is your Operation Chaos reaped and the damage you meant to cause Democrats , will be returned unto the Republican.

Extinct   May 25th, 2008 9:29 pm ET

Maybe Barr can make Hillary as his VP.

james   May 25th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Yes, help McCain take it - anyone but Obama.

Hillary is the smartest and best choice but the ignorant youth have destroyed that.

Hillary '12

Christoffel van Vuuren - Montreal Canada   May 25th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

They are Libertarians in name only.

Jennifer   May 25th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

WHO IS BOB BARR???

independant chris   May 25th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

Welcome to the Show, Mr Nader…I mean, Mr Barr! Hehehe if Obama was going to win by a landslide before, it will now be total obliteration =)

Tom   May 25th, 2008 9:21 pm ET

The Ralph Nader equalizer! Thank you, Libertarian Party!

John   May 25th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Finally, a true conservative is running (besides Ron Paul). Either Paul or Barr will have my November vote.

Reta   May 25th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

I'll vote for Barr over McCain any day.

The O   May 25th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

You go Barr the Republicans suck you need to get as many as you can, and you might just win…

BARACK / SEBELIUS 08

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!!!

Donald   May 25th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

McCain just lost my vote.

Ted Clark Me   May 25th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

We really need to all get behind Hillary Clinton right now.

Erik B   May 25th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

YES WE CAN!!!

Obama 08

Diamond Gallow   May 25th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

I do not think that he will inflence senator obama, i think he will lessen the votes toward mc cain, and help obama win! THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!!!!

Sushi   May 25th, 2008 9:10 pm ET

CNN I have lost count of how many times you have refused to put my comment up despite there being nothing crude, or otherwise in it. Just because you don't agree with what i'm saying doesn't mean you can refuse to put it on here. It's called FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
This nomination is fairly irrelevant, other than the fact that Barr will steal some votes away from John McCain. He also might expose some of McCain's many flaws, which only helps the democratic nominee.

Ann Robertsen   May 25th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

I want the press to answer for Mr. Obama what it is that he is going to do. He is going to improve everything. Who is going to pay for it? When will he start giving us stuff. Also where are the jobs for the soldiers that are all coming home in the first few weeks Obama is in office.
Ann Robertsen

mel   May 25th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

Can you bet mccain,he is another Mr.bush and Bush will have a
third term thru mccain. Mccain is not to be president,he have mind
that will go off at any given moment. !63 days to take his voter. You
will need the larger states.

The G Blog   May 25th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

Bob Barr may have just put Georgia into play by winning tonight. He may take just enough votes to give Obama a chance.

Seems funny the Libertarian Party nominated someone who actually voted for the Patriot Act

Ali Tabesh   May 25th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

I am so delighted that Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr is running for 2008 presidential election. He is a man of integrity and charm who would take the votes from Senator McCain whom is running for Bush's third term. This would allow Senator Obama to defeat the republicans and win the election.

We love you Bob!

Alex Lotorto   May 25th, 2008 9:06 pm ET

Third parties have no place trying to win the presidency in this country. Thank you CNN for only covering the third parties when they declare and when they ultimately lose to the two supreme parties.

The Constitution explicitly limits the amount of candidates that are allowed to run for President.

The presidential campaign was invented to boost your ratings and margins.

I heard that you send around internal e-mails instructing the Ticker employees not to cover candidates who take public financing and who are polling low.

Which came first the chicken or the egg? Your coverage or the low poll numbers? There is no justification.

CNN, no one benefits from your disinformation, just you and your advertisers.

Enjoy the primaries!

deborah jean P, washington DC   May 25th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

the dream ticket for us independent libertarians: Rep. Barr and Rep. Paul!

i 've just made $100 contribution. i will send a check every month! it's more than worth it!

Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

Republican in Training   May 25th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

Barr won't be a problem for McCain in November.

keke   May 25th, 2008 8:57 pm ET

It's unlikely that I'd vote for Barr, but I welcome any effort to get rid of the two party system we have in this country.

CHUKWUKA E.   May 25th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

Who cares where Bob or wherever is springing out from.

Look folks, Mccain is an old man 71yrs who will be controlled from texas ranch.Physically and healthwise,he is gone.

Hillary talks without thinking and lies alot,remember her story about cross fire,all lies.She want to continue from her husband's racist ideology.

OBAMA. or my God.God bless you and bless the good citizens of the united states that would look beyong colour and send you to the white house.With your name alone, our enemies has vowed to be peaceful.Go ahead we are behind you.

Ron Nebraska   May 25th, 2008 8:49 pm ET

Good deal! One more nut for the wacko right to vote for.

Michael McCarthy   May 25th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

He won't get 1%.

number1tfan   May 25th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

WHO CARES WHAT J.cARTER THINKS… and by the way, why is there a sub named after him???? Time to rename it!!!!

Alison, FL   May 25th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Yay!!…congrats Mr. Barr! Take votes from McCain!

New Day   May 25th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

So Sad - u forsee the Libertarian party pulling off the surprise of a lifetime? hehehe I dont think we'll have to worry much about Mr Barr.

Tom, Boston MA   May 25th, 2008 8:42 pm ET

Now, finally someone i can get excited about and proudly vote for!
i won't have to hold my nose and vote for McInsane!

David   May 25th, 2008 8:41 pm ET

In '92, Perot conspired with Klinton to steal the elcection. In '96, he did it to keep the election. Now, I wonder what Obama Hussein an the Muslims have offered Barr to put the most liberal (read communist) senator in the country in the White House?

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia in CA   May 25th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

This guy is scary.

Dana in Maryland   May 25th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

I don't get how Barr is a Libertarian. He seems ready to ram his own idea of government down everyone else's throat. That is the opposite of what I thought they stood for.

louis Allen   May 25th, 2008 8:39 pm ET

Bob Barr, a hypocrite who was doing his own thing while working to impeach Clinton. Who needs him? However, he and I agree on civil liberties. If you look hard, anyone can have a useful judgment now and then. The only useful thing he can do now is siphon votes from McCain.

why   May 25th, 2008 8:39 pm ET

Mccain needs to stay focused, and stop looking so confused. Maybe with this new face in the running and his misfortune with most conservatives he will realize to stop and think before sounding off. You can only milk that military experience so far. So to Barr good luck!
The GOP better watch out!

robert boose   May 25th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

obama will not lose any votes to barr but mc cain will lose quite a few votes to barr.

Chris, Middletown, CT   May 25th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

1…..2……3…..Who Cares!!!!

Kev   May 25th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

Go Bob. McCain needs a Nadar!

CB   May 25th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

No government = anarchy. Its that simple. I want to drive on nice roads, shall I pave them myself??? I want environmental protections for predatory corporations who would pollute at free will - shall I stand on these sensitive areas 24 hours a day with a gun in my hand myself? Government - and good government - is the mark of a good democracy.

robert boose   May 25th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

barr will hurt the republican party with his conservative veiws . he will never hurt obama with because he is far to liberal and no liberal would vote for barr.

Matthew from Houston   May 25th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

The only thing this will affect is the republicans. It'll tip the scales just enough to insure that the democrats will win. Thanks Mr. Barr, it's appreciated.

Ridgeway   May 25th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

Maybe we would be better of with a monarchy. It's like the people who run for public office have no better concept of what to do than a king or queen. Think about who runs for President. Just people with the money really. Makes you wonder how many smart, ethical people there are that would make a really good President but they'll never have the chance.
None of the ones running really give a crap about any of us. They just want to say they're President. If you think I'm wrong you probably think Barry Bonds never used steriods or OJ Simpson is innocent.

James Gilson   May 25th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

Just another clown to join the circus.

Ennis, LA   May 25th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

A real Republican at last. He's got my vote!

David, Santa Rosa, CA   May 25th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

This is GREAT!!!! The Ralph Nader of the GOP! It almost seems a shame to spend so many millions and millions knowing now, what the result will be in Nov. It will be all for naught!

John McCain, the sacraficial lamb.

Lordy, lordy we Dems are gonna have fun over the next few months on into November. We better enjoy the fun now, because come Jan. 21, we have one heck of a lot of work to do.

Bless you Barr.

susie   May 25th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

I will still vote McCain over Obama.

What if?   May 25th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Spoken like a person living in 1900's.

Yup...   May 25th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

Uh OH!!!!! Watch your back, Obama!!! Here's another lunatic claiming to have a shot at the presidency!

JC   May 25th, 2008 8:10 pm ET

Why isn't Dr. Ron Paul the nominee?

Russ-Jacksonville fl   May 25th, 2008 8:09 pm ET

Run Barr run, Now the GOP will know, as the saying goes, "What's good for the goose…

Obama 08

Jerry in Fresno   May 25th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

Will Barr lead a shift of extremists to the Libertarian Party?

Brandon   May 25th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

too bad Mr. Barr will forever be known as that silly politician that ate cheese made from Borat's wife's milk.

NBC   May 25th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Go Bob…..A true Republican. Not fake like Mc Cain!!! Bob all the way.

Christopher in Silicon Valley   May 25th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

He and Nader are the only real choices left in this thing. Hillary, Obama, McCain, are just marketing shells for the status quo.

lol   May 25th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

yeah, whatever.

Son   May 25th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Good. I'm glad to see there's a serious politician who's running as a third party. This is no slight to Ralph Nader, but he's not a politician. Bob Barr is. I think this is a great step for the political system in America.

Sean Deason   May 25th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Did someone draw a mustache on that photo?? Okay kids, enough with your shenanagins! This is serious stuff here! Give the man some respect!

brittan   May 25th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

hmmm, dont know anything about him, but as long as he is going to steal votes from MCBUSH, I am all for him!!

Mike   May 25th, 2008 7:49 pm ET

Awesome!

Any chance McCain had just left the building. Of course all the Boortzs and Becks out there won't be espousing the joys of pseudo-Libertarianism for much longer. Don't look for help from them Barr - wolves in sheep's clothing…

Perhaps their listeners are too far gone in believing the cries of "Libertarianism" to be swayed - either way, it spells trouble for McCain.

Robert Hewitt   May 25th, 2008 7:49 pm ET

Looking at the numbers…

If Barr could raise $1M and get his message out, suddenly Montana is in play for the Dems and it could be just enough to tip a close Nevada Obama's way.

And even if a strong Barr would never be enough to put third-party-loving, red states like Alaska in play for the Dems. He would take away from McCain's popular vote total and draw him back to defend the right wing.

We learned during Nader/Gore a very painful, instructive lesson. Let's get Barr in the national spotlight so that disaffected conservatives see him as an option and so McCain cannot afford to just throw Bush under the bus.

Donate to Barr today.

Obama 08!

lol   May 25th, 2008 7:49 pm ET

great that he got the nod, now let hillary start her independent campaign, and send obama back to his shady chicago politics. the democratic party is a joke, under howard dean. hillary doesn't owe the democrats anything. take your 17 million plus votes and run an independent campaign, you will win.

Venus   May 25th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

YES! Good to have you Sir! Give John Mc Cain hell!

Go Bam!

Alonzo Demetrius - FL   May 25th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Waste of time!

IS CARTER A TURKEY?   May 25th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Carter telling Hillary to give it up is like a young person telling him to go to leave the earth.

Yes, he has a right to speak, but he is such a turkey who wants to listen. Isn't he the one who botched rescuing our POW's in Iran and let Ron Reagan do that. He is such a quitter that maybe he thinks everyone should be a quitter.

By the way, why are all the anti Hillary people so angry and hateful.

Why not gather around the mother hen and let he choose the inexperienced one term US Senator as a VP. That is all he is qualified to be from my point of view.

1926   May 25th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

Who cares, except he may influence Senator Mccains run. I dont care what he does to Obama.

Paul C.   May 25th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

Although Obama promises to be a breath of fresh air in the stink of politics I think the Libertarian party should be given a chance. I would love to see them win the Presidency but unfortunately the Republicans and Democrats would see to it that they accomplish nothing.

Jeanne   May 25th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

I watched some of the Libertarian convention and thought they had a diverse selection of people running with Barr being the most conservative. Barr and Gravel were the only names I recognized. After listening to each of the candidates speak, I decided I wasn't interested in voting for a Libertarian.

Listen Carefully! And Libertarians Don't Sound So Bad!   May 25th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

JIMMY CARTER was a one-time president. The most obvious factor was lack of previous experience in Washington. Like Obama, he ran on a "leadership crisis" and skepticism about "Washington,” with confidence that his own personal qualities could end the crisis. His campaign in 1975 stressed Washington's defects and his own virtues — NOT SPECIFIC ISSUES OR A CLEARLY DEFINED IDEOLOGY. He sensed a yearning for “change,” and tried to persuade the “disenchanted” that he had the personality and values the situation demanded.
Many voters found Carter puzzling—even contradictory—and UNTESTED. Carter only squeaked through to victory, with a popular vote of 40.8 million to Ford's 39.1 million and an electoral vote of 297 to 240.
What Carter failed at was to have a compelling vision AND POLITICAL SKILL.
Not surprisingly, Carter was a one-term president and even had to struggle to even obtain the re-nomination by his own party.

mjaber   May 25th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

Barr is a good presedential candidate to run, because he has an economy efficient plan to stop the war on drugs, (which is just a waste of tax payer money) and to quit useing the patriot act to freely wiretap americans freedoms of privacy. The Libertarians just believe in liberty. (AKA thats why they're called Libertarians)

james   May 25th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

Oh my god - what a freakin crook! You can just look at him and say crook with no doubt!

d   May 25th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

Good, I am SO GLAD to see someone else enter this race.

Robert Hewitt   May 25th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

FELLOW OBAMA SUPPORTERS…

Join me in donating to Bob Barr today.

Think about it…

If Barr gets 1/4 the momentum that Ron Paul has had through the primaries, he'll wreak havok on McCain in the Interior West and may even shakeup Georgia.

If this right-leaning protest-vote-magnet can get on the national radar, McCain will be forced to return to appeasing the base (which means alienating moderates and Independents).

Giving $10 to Barr does more to get Barack in the White House than giving $100 directly to him.

Bart, Springfield   May 25th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

Bu bye, McLame.

Mildred   May 25th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

Watch out McCain.

Temitayo Gidado 4 obama   May 25th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

thank God, now u can cut from McCain lead hahahaha.. God does things in Miraculous ways!

McCain is prolly MAD!

Obama 08

So Sad   May 25th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

Oh Yeah…the guy who pushed Arlington VA to spend 6 figures to replace all the metro signs to state that National Airport was now Ronald Reagan National Airport is running for Prez…. Thats what we need a guy with really messed up priorities running this country.

beverly   May 25th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

who's mr bob barr, he a little early for the next nomination that would be 2012 huh???????????

David- Dallas Tx   May 25th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

This is not going to do anything to him Barr nor Mcain, but if he insist he could cause a havoc to republican party, we hope he does it quickly so that Democrats Obama could come to power.

Maria   May 25th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Maybe this will siphon enough Republican votes off that Democrats will still win November, in spite of doing virtually everything that they can to divide the party and lose a winnable election.

Keith   May 25th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

Ok, Obama for president. And if Hillary eliminates Obama like she let slip out in her despicable interview. Then Barr for President.
ABC = anybody but Clinton.

Libertarians Right, Consider Obama, Carter Deja-Vu   May 25th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

While I admire Carter's post-presidency work, I can understand why he might "embrace" Obama. Their campaigns are very similar, and just like Ted Kennedy hoping to restore "Camelot" just one last time, so Carter might want to lend credibility to his own, failed presidency. .

The reality is that JIMMY CARTER was a one-time president. The most obvious factor was lack of previous experience in Washington. Like Obama, he ran on a "leadership crisis" and skepticism about "Washington,” with confidence that his own personal qualities could end the crisis. His campaign in 1975 stressed Washington's defects and his own virtues — NOT SPECIFIC ISSUES OR A CLEARLY DEFINED IDEOLOGY. He sensed a yearning for “change,” and tried to persuade the “disenchanted” that he had the personality and values the situation demanded.
Many voters found Carter puzzling—even contradictory—and UNTESTED. Carter only squeaked through to victory, with a popular vote of 40.8 million to Ford's 39.1 million and an electoral vote of 297 to 240.
What Carter failed at was to have a compelling vision AND POLITICAL SKILL.
Not surprisingly, Carter was a one-term president and even had to struggle to even obtain the re-nomination by his own party.

Deja-vu all over with Obama!

Realistic   May 25th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

Every time I see Barr I can only think of that scene from Borat where he is offered the cheese . . .

Clinton / Lewinsky '08

Kevin   May 25th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

…and we care because?

Sue   May 25th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

Well Hillary is my first choice. Now I have two second choices.

Gary in VA   May 25th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

Thank you Bob Barr I love you. Obama 08.

Alex   May 25th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

This nomination is fairly irrelevant, other than the fact that Barr will steal some of the votes away from John McCain. Also, more importantly than just stealing votes, Barr may expose a few of McCain's weaknesses.

beverly   May 25th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

WHO'S BOB BARR, he a little early for the next nominations isn't he???

John   May 25th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

This is potentially good for the Democrats, if he can draw vital votes away from John McCain, the Independents that he needs to become Presidetnt, and Ralph Nader pulls the conservative Independents away from John McCain, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama could easily become president. The only thing that worries me is what happens if too many Independents and left-leaning Libertarians pull away from the democrats and support their own party. That could become troublesome down the road.

carolinas   May 25th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Good to see another party to contest as presidential candidate.

CJ   May 25th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

Good for him, bad for McCain. But what happened to Mike Gravel?

Ray   May 25th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

A Libertarian candidate with name recognition, decent reputation and political savvy. This is good for us. He can act as a spoiler for McCain, saving our nation from another 4 years of destructive, nonsense policies.

Go Bob, go. I might even donate to your campaign.

Ed   May 25th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Is this guy a true Libertarian or just another loser who couldn't get any
else's attention?

Eddy   May 25th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Can anybody take seriously the political views of a person who punctuates every comment with 3 exclamation marks?

Or SHOUTS in cpaitals?

Jerry Lee   May 25th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

who??

Jordan Fitzpatrick   May 25th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

CLINTON SUPPORTERS- Don't help McCain in the fall- if you refuse to vote for Obama, vote for Barr!

Mr DE   May 25th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

ANY OBAMA SUPPORTERS can do what ever they want.
But in reality there is no dem candidates have reach the magic number.

You all might wonder why many super delegates have not cash their votes yet, Im very sure they will wait till convention.

There are about 73 pledge delegates remaining and about 206 super delegates remaining.

Obama needs about 55 total delegates and Hillary needs about 245 total delegates to claim a nomination.

As of 05/24/2008….in general election.
Obama vs McCain…. 45 - 47 McCain will WIN
Hillary vs McCain.. 49 - 44 Hillary will WIN…

You decided who you want your next president…..

FYI.

1972 Democratic Primary popular vote
Hubert Humphrey 4,121,372 (25.77%)
George McGovern 4,053,451 (25.34%)
Henry M. Jackson 505,198 (3.16%)

1972 Democratic National Convention
Delegate Vote for Presidential Nomination
George McGovern 1,865
Henry M. Jackson 525
Hubert Humphrey 67

So it seems not always popular vote will get nominee.

1972 General Election
Richard Nixon (R) 520 electoral vote
George McGovern (D) 17 electoral vot

B   May 25th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Republicans, you just lost some votes in the General.

Bubba   May 25th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

I watched a little of the Convention this afternoon. What a concoction of wannabe's ! ! ! Small fish in a puddle, at best.

Susan   May 25th, 2008 7:02 pm ET

McCain now has two people to spar with. Barr will drain some of his voters.

Justin from West Haven, CT   May 25th, 2008 7:02 pm ET

I encourage all conservatives to vote Barr instead of McSame.

carl   May 25th, 2008 7:02 pm ET

THANKS MR. H ROSS PEROT, TAKE THEM REPUB. VOTES FROM MCBUSH.

South Sider   May 25th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

How wonderful for the Dems, a split GOP making it easier for us to get in the Big House.

Obama '08

Willis, Texas   May 25th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

THIS SHOULD PROVE INTERESTING! HOW WILL OLD MCBAG OF BONES HANDLE COMPETITION?

Les   May 25th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

With Barr in the race, Goodbye MCCain hello President Obama

YeOldeHoosier   May 25th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Politics as usual. He cuts a deal to make the third place candidate the vice president. Mary Ruwart, a long time Libertarian, gets rolled by a Republican. What were the delegates thinking?

Bridgette   May 25th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

I guess now the Republicans have their Ralph Nader. This is going to be a very interesting race.

dave   May 25th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Go ahead Bob Barr.

Rack up all those conservative votes. We all know McCain is not a true conservative.

Go Democrats 2008

Mary   May 25th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

"The vote on the sixth ballot was 324 for Barr, and 276 for Mary Ruwart"

Wow that was close!!! The one in second didn't complain?

It looks like the DEMs need to check how others do it.

This nomination didn't take forever and more importantly the one who finished second new it and didn't complain that she deserved it more than the candidate in first place!!! REFRESHING!

Of course, Clintonites will say it went to the convention!!! Clintonites don't care about the party.

John, OH   May 25th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Barr is the real Republican nominee. McCain is a flip flopper.

Barr 08!!!

Plainsman   May 25th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

It sure would be nice to see the Repubs get their own Ralph Nader.

Herman in LA   May 25th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Who cares…

Katherine, Michigan   May 25th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

Alright, now that's what I'm talking about. All conservatives should vote BOB BARR!

Good luck with that Mcbush.

As for me, I'm still planning on doing the right thing and voting for the best candidate for president, Barack Obama.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   May 25th, 2008 6:42 pm ET

With Bob Barr and Ron Paul taking the "paleo-Conservative" votes–i.e., those of people disgusted by the big-government, authoritarian, war mongering, "neo-Conservative" nuts–McCain hasn't a chance in November.

Jerry   May 25th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

This creep is a real nexium moment…………….

Carl   May 25th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

I think what this country needs is for Hillary to run as an independent.

Barr (if asked to join the debates) will get 15% of the vote or more, because MANY republicans have McCain because he is simply more like LBJ than Reagan in terms of politics.

Obama is too far left to ever win, and I just want to see a log jam to prove that those running are horrible alternatives.

Dem in AL   May 25th, 2008 6:37 pm ET

Remember Bob Barr from the impeachment? He made the rounds of the talk shows. He didn't make a lot of sense, but he certainly made an impression.

Keith   May 25th, 2008 6:37 pm ET

Awesome

RichardC   May 25th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

All Republicans, Constitutionalists and Libertarians of conscience should either vote Bob Barr in November or write in Ron Paul. If you're a Neocon or RINO (ie, a social conservative) go ahead and vote for McCain, you deserve him. Apparently you like wars, big government, being taxed to death, and your immoral Republican party.

Thank god that version of the Republican party is a shrinking minority ready and waiting to be stomped out.

Republican for obama   May 25th, 2008 6:34 pm ET

Yay! Go Bob Barr!
All conservatives should vote Bob Barr!
Good luck with that mcbush.

Meanwhile, I think I'll still be voting for Obama.

Rafael San Juan PR   May 25th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Why is this news?

same ppl=same idea. new folks = change   May 25th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

now what?

2012   May 25th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

Wow! Is this the same "Libertarian Party" whose primary agenda used to be "Legalize Pot"?

I do like some of his tax cut ideas and especially his plan to limit welfare to two years and reduce welfare spending………..Bet I hit a nerve with a bunch of Obama supporters with that one……LOL!

Dem in Chicago   May 25th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Barr win = Democrat win. Good day for the democrats.

McCAIN THREW MEN OF GOD UNDER THE BUS!   May 25th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

Well this should tear the Republicans apart. By the time he gets finished explaining why he left the party and all I'm sure he'll convince some to defect.

calif   May 25th, 2008 6:26 pm ET

mccain you are in trouble. hahaha… as a conservative i think u have to knee down for vote in nov cos obama have the presidency. no two ways about it.

blackwater66   May 25th, 2008 6:25 pm ET

Stay out the race, let Big John McCain defeat the Dems in November, you can't do nothing but hurt the Republicans chance of staying in control of the Whitehouse and the war on Terror. The War must go on !! Will you give Amnesty to the illegals ???

Stay Out !!!!

No McSame   May 25th, 2008 6:23 pm ET

Run Bob run. Anybody but McSame or Clinton.

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