It's unfortunate that Ron Paul isn't prepared to endorse the 2008 Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr. His support would go a long way toward making a big splash for a third party candidate. Barr might even get enough backing to earn a spot in the presidential debates. What Paul won't do, however, his supporters should do.
Ron Paul Revolution
Paul ran for president as the Libertarian Party's candidate in 1988 against Bush Sr. and Dukakis; he had left the Republican party, disappointed in their move away from Goldwater's libertarian principles. In the mid-90s, he changed tactics and decided to create a revolution from within the GOP. "Dr. No," a nickname he earned for casting his congressional vote against any and all legislation not strictly mandated in the constitution, gathered a surprisingly large and energetic backing for someone whose political views are outside the current mainstream.
Ron Paul Republicans: What About Third Parties?
One would think that Paul's former involvement with the Libertarian Party would endear him to Barr's candidacy enough to endorse him. Paul has lamented the undemocratic nature of the current two-party political system, in which other parties are not allowed into the debates and have virtually no chance at winning the presidency. While Paul seems to be a fan of Barr, he doesn't plan to formally endorse him, choosing instead to focus on revolutionizing the Republican Party by a slow takeover at local congressional levels. "Ron Paul Republicans" are popping up everywhere, not just as supporters, but as challengers for congressional seats.
This may simply be Paul's realistic view of things: he doesn't like the two party system, but better to work within it for change than to put one's support behind a losing effort. Of course, that's the kind of thing that people said about Ron Paul's rogue campaign in the first place: better to pick a candidate who can win than support Ron Paul.
Or maybe Paul just doesn't want to lose his congressional seat, from which he can exert the most influence. That makes sense.
Ron Paul's Supporters Should Vote for Bob Barr
Ron Paul Republicans still need a presidential candidate, because, by definition, they do not support John McCain, whose positions on the size of federal government and foreign policy are the furthest thing imaginable from historic conservatism. Many will be tempted toward a Ron Paul write-in. This would be a mistake. If libertarian-minded Republicans want to send a message to the GOP, they should unify behind Bob Barr. His platform is exceedingly similar to Paul's, but he's far more politically savvy than Paul. He's a former Republican who left because of the GOP's neoconservative turn, and he's made a few turns from bad policies himself. He's got name recognition among Republicans, making him an appealing candidate to the party's disgruntled members, and widespread Barr would send a clear message from historic conservatives to the neoconservative GOP: "We're not heading in the direction of bigger government and worldwide empire."
Barr will need 1992 Perot-like polling numbers to get into the presidential debates. Getting the Libertarians and the Ron Paul Republicans behind him might just make that happen. For historic conservatives, Bob Barr is the politically expedient choice, because he has greatest potential to get Washington's attention.
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Travis Prinzi - Travis Prinzi is the author of a forthcoming book on the Harry Potter series from Zossima Press (Fall 2008). He holds a graduate degree in ...
