Bob Barr gains ground
August 27th, 2008 by Russ VerneyIn case you missed it, I have good news. A new Zogby poll shows that nationally we are holding steady at 6% support from likely voters, but in several of our targeted states, we have gained ground into the double digits!
This poll silences those critics who called the first poll in early July a fluke or inaccurate.
And, as more people get to know Bob Barr and his principled stands on issues, the higher his support will grow and the more difficult it will be to deny him participation in the nationally televised debates next month and in October.
As the Democrats meet this week to officially nominate Barack Obama and Joe Biden it will become more and more apparent that when it comes to the hard issues facing our nation, they have no realistic plans for our future. Instead, they will offer various schemes to expand numerous existing government programs, add agencies, offices and departments and generally grow the federal bureaucracy and increase our taxes.
To the extent that they even mention our federal deficit, the national debt and foreign policy, it will only be in the context of attacking George Bush and John McCain. The biggest problems facing our nation today are being ignored in the public policy debate.
Why? Because both the Democrats and Republicans are beholden to big-government special interests. It’s been that way for several decades and it isn’t going to change now.
Unless . . .
Millions of voters join you and me and rise up in a civil, political revolution and demand change!
While we are certainly pleased that the Bob Barr campaign is gaining momentum and attention, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that it is a long shot for us to win. But I ask you, does it mean we lose if we don’t get the most votes on Election Day?
No, of course not. Bob Barr is in this race to win, but that may not mean being elected the next President of the United States.
On November 5th, politicians and pundits alike won’t just be looking at vote totals to see who won (Because right now it is practically guaranteed that whoever wins won’t get 50% of the popular votes cast). Every observer in the media and every elected official from the State Legislature to the White House will be seeing how many votes Bob Barr got among their respective constituencies.
Every pundit and every politician knows that those courageous patriots who took the time and energy to vote for Bob Barr are a powerful force and they are the margin between victory and defeat for the future. Furthermore, they know that Bob Barr voters aren’t voting against someone and they aren’t swayed by some cult of personality. Bob Barr voters support the man because of what he stands for.
It isn’t about fluff or spin. It is pure and simple.
Thanks to you and thousands of other activists, we have a strong foundation for the future in place. As of today, there are ten weeks until the election. Just 70 short days.
If we win 6% of the votes on Election Day, it will be historic. But if we can double or even triple that level it will be a result that will be noticed in every community in America.
The establishment - both Republicans and Democrats alike - want you to believe you are throwing away a vote when you cast a ballot for Bob Barr. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
That’s the message we have to get across to our target audience - which incidentally, I believe is easily large enough to win the election outright. A strong majority of voters have already made it clear that they want a balanced budget, a reduction in our national debt, lower taxes and smaller government.
Now we just have to convince them that they are not alone in this epic campaign.
This week, Bob is already scheduled to appear on several prominent nationally-televised news programs. He will be able to get across the differences between him and Barack Obama. (Please be sure to encourage your friends and neighbors to pay attention to what Bob has to say!)
Next week, he will similarly have the opportunity to contrast his positions with that of John McCain. But after that, we are in a sprint to get to the threshold required for participation in the national debates.
To win that sprint requires us to elevate campaign activities in September to a higher level. We will need to begin broadcast advertising to build awareness of Bob’s candidacy.
But to launch this campaign, we need to raise money. Thanks to your support we are in a great position, but I need you to help again as we raise money to buy radio and TV ads.
Please consider sending a gift of $25, $50, $100 or more to help at this critical stage of the race.
Click here
to donate online or learn how you can mail in your generous gift.
Tomorrow, I hope to report to Bob when he calls in that we raised $10,000 today from grass-roots activists like you. Thanks for your help.
August 27th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Where is this poll??
I can’t find it…
August 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Get Barr in the thick of the 2 conventions next week Russ! He should have been in Denver popping up on news interviews as an alternative choice for disgruntled Hillary supporters. The media would have taken the bait hook, line, and sinker on that one as they have been combing the convention inside and out for all angles regarding dissension and possible McCain votes from the Hillary fans.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
As I mention in abother post was polled yesterday by “National Review”; I wonder how he does in it. I threw off the poller when the question asked who would I vote for if only “the two parties” were on the the ballot, “I replied I would go to Vote and turn in an unmarked ballot of ‘No Vote’ for president and write in myself for all others where allowed”
I’m hoping they follow up with emailed questions.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I have failed to see where this poll is mentioned. Most I see, including the recent ones, give Barr 2 or 3 %. I hope like hell Bob does get 10+ percent by election day.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Stephen: great idea! Bob really is a good choice for Hillary supporters who don’t want to vote for Obama and have no love for McCain.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:23 am
With all due respect, I agree with Barr’s quote on Colbert that disgruntled Hillary supporters wouldn’t be looking for Barr. The major things that Hillaryites want (as articulated by their candidate, at least), are the opposite of what Barr and his crowd want. The only thing that Barr might give — or help to give — to vengeful Hillary supporters is the defeat of Obama.
On the other hand, many disaffected DEMOCRATS who aren’t comfortable with the cavalier treatment that civil liberties are likely to get by either President Obama or President Hillary (not to mention President McCain!) , might have good reason to vote Barr in 2008.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
While on the face, being at Denver sounds like a good idea I don’t believe that Bob would have gotten any significant airtime. The networks have come down clearly on the side of D’s candidate and would not be obliged to give any free airtime in the middle of his coronation.
At the GOP convention it will be a different story. Bob could pick up significant amounts of airtime because the networks will see it as an opportunity to siphon votes from the GOP knowing full well that not many D’s will be watching.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
We’ll never know for sure what would have happened if Bob went to Denver. He might not have gotten much coverage, but what would have been the downside by trying? How much would it have cost versus how much publicity would he have received?
With limited resources you have to take a shot where you can afford to. Clearly Bob could have afforded to go to Denver. That’s why they have that old saying “nothing ventured, nothing gained. Well, nothing gained in Denver this week, for sure.
I’m guessing that Bob would have received some air time, as a visit by him would have been unexpected. I think some people would have liked his tenacity by going to Denver. There are people other than democrats watching coverage of the convention. Independents watch TV too.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Two quick responses:
James: It is true that some of the delegate crowd of Hillary supporters might not be possible Barr supporters, but those swirling outside the arena and thousands upon thousands of the blue collar families out in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and such are DEFINITELY reachable. They are anything but left wing liberal types, and if approached properly could be converts. There is a fertile anti-war crowd that could be appealed to, who are now a little shaken by the Biden addition. Libertarianism appeals to both conservatives and liberals, and Bob is misguided to dismiss this potential appeal to a segment of Hillary supporters outright. I hope he rethinks his approach to this group.
Steve: I worked in two television news stations before taking my odyssey of becoming a writer/filmmaker…and I have kept up interaction with media individuals on a regular basis. From this background, I am VERY confident that Bob would have gotten some attention in Denver. The media was on a hunt for any angle involving dissension between the Obama and Clinton camps, and much of it was couched in the concern about whether Clinton supporters would move to McCain. Bob would have been quite an anomaly if he had stuck his hat into the ring to say that Clinton supporters did not have to vote for McCain, but could have voted for Barr. He would have become a story in himself just being there as a third party candidate.
The thing is, there were 4,000 delegates and 15,000 media passes filling up that arena. The national media is concentrated there. All kinds of access to media on every level, from CNN to bloggers. I say that Bob should stir the waters whenever possible, and when the media is so concentrated in back to back conventions over a two week period, I see a very prime opportunity that should not be wasted. What an opportunity to access media personnel in one spot.
August 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I’m glad Bob stated the disgruntled voters of Hillary (translation-PUMA organization) would not be interested in him. We do not need to have the media think that if Bob does get double digits in states come election
time, it was merely because “some nuts” of the Democratic Party
voted this way to “spoil the Obama win”. We need votes from regular voters so that the Media can not dismiss the Libertarian Party as just a bunch of nuts. Bob Barr was smart enough to see that - therefore not to publicly encourage their vote.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Somehow, Bob Barr needs to get on the MSNBC show called
MORNING JOE. They sure helped Mike Huckabee get recognition. The time has never been more right for a third party candidate.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Bob Barr deserves to part of the presidential debates. The public has a right to know that they don’t have to be forced to vote for “the lesser of two evils.” Go get ‘em, Bob!
August 27th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Once this gets out, hopefully we’ll see Barr’s numbers skyrocket.
Out of Iraq, Into the World
http://www.reason.com/convention2008/show/128344.html
It’s foreign policy day in Denver, so I’ve been taking a walk through the 94-page Democratic Party Platform. This bit seems important (page 33):
“We believe we must also be willing to consider using military force in circumstances beyond self defense in order to provide for the common security that underpins global stability-to support friends, participate in stability and reconstruction operations, or confront mass atrocities.”
Um, I could be wrong, but isn’t that a fairly radical new doctrine on the use of military force? At the very least, it would certainly allow a wide range of interventions overseas. There are probably a dozen situations in the world today that would meet this test. Indeed, on page 39, we get this gem:
“We will defend democracy and stand up for the rule of law when it is under assault, such as Zimbabwe.”
The 82nd Airborne maybe be coming home from Iraq in an Obama Administration, but they might want to keep their duffle bags by the door.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
At the Democratic convention tonight, Montana Governor Schweitzer brought up Bob Barr at least 2 or 3 times in an interview with John King of CNN….he mentioned how voters concerned about Gun Rights issues are “probably going to vote for Bob Barr” as Obama and McCain are both heavier on Gun Control. (he also mentioned that Barr is the only one with an A rating versus the other two)…Now why didn’t the NRA endorse Barr?
August 27th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I am 17 years old, and I will be turning 18 next month. It will be a privelige to vote in the election, but I am not very excited with the two mainstream canidates. I am a mix between a conservative and a centrist; I believe in capitalism and lassiez faire ( keeping government out of businesses and trade). I am also a conservative on personal issues. I am strongly pro life, and against economic disasters such as socalist style universial healthcare. Back in June, I was watching Glenn Beck, and saw the interview with Bob Barr; I was “hooked.” Since then my views have modified from just southern democrat/conservative republican, to also libertarian. With God’s will, the election can be won by a TRUE canidate for change.
Good luck with the upcoming events!
August 27th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I am a former Hillary supporter and thrilled to be here. I was originally thinking of voting for McCain and have been very depressed about this. I looked and looked for a third party candidate that seemed to represent my values and I am excited to be here. I am also trying to spread the word to my friends and family. I would LOVE to see you inviting more Hillary supporters this way. I think a lot of us are feeling lost right now. I am so disgusted with the democratic party and I just can not vote for Obama. I would rather not vote than vote for him.
I contributed for the first time and hope that my small contribution will help spread the word. I also ordered one of your very cute pink hats and plan to wear it often.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Thank you Mom in Michigan! You are the kind of person I was referring to. I know there are thousands and thousands more out there in your position, because I have talked to several right here. This is why Bob needed to be in Denver.
On another note: Any illusions that Obama is antiwar just got torpedoed in a big way in the Joe Biden speech….the way in which he characterized the Russia/Georgia conflict, and the way that Beau Biden characterized the Kosovo conflict (despite mountains of facts that have come to light since that debacle) shows that an Obama administration is going to be very, very dangerous. (Unless you like the idea of a war with Russia and/or China of course).
Bob should be able to hit hard on this and scoop up a ton of anti-war democrats as well.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:01 am
James & Stephen, you both may be right. My thinking was more of a bang-for-the-buck since this campaign isn’t as flush with cash as the D’s and R’s. Instead of carpet bombing with dollars they are picking and choosing. It trust that the staff knows what they are doing.
In the meantime I will keep spreading the word to anyone that will listen that there is a choice. And “wasting your vote” is still better than voting for the lesser of two evils.
I will also keep pointing out that Obama isn’t an anti-war candidate. He an anti-Iraq-war candidate. I fully expect that any withdraws made in Iraq will quickly wind up in Afghanistan.
I’d love to see Bob make a tour of secondary media markets where the media would be more willing to give him some time. For example, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market in PA also serves a large portion of the same households that the NY markets reach. It’s just a thought and I’m sure Stephen would know better than I.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Stephen I am trying to persuade my parents to vote for Bob Barr. I find this election the most unusual ever. My parents are divorced and my dad almost always votes democrat (I think he voted for Perot once) and my mom is very republican and so I was shocked to hear who the two of them were thinking of voting for. My dad, the democrat, is thinking of voting for McCain and my mom, the republican, is thinking of voting for Obama! I was so floored when she said that. I have talked to them both about Bob Barr and am hoping to win them over. I know that it is going to be a lot of work to see Barr in the running but I really think there are a lot of people, both republican and democrat, that are disatisfied with their choices.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Mom in Michigan….
Not sure if youre still looking over the site, but here are a few videos that you could show them on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y395Tftgz0E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dma6AQA33Bs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p06yOxtiYg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMLeamM7Jkk
The link to a recently Obama/Biden sponsored bill is:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-2433&version=rs&nid=
Check out the amount of money involved in the (9)th paragraph.