by Mark Silva
DENVER -- Bob Barr, the presidential candidate who can't get a seat in the fall debates - well, one of many minor party candidates who won't be invited - has found a forum of his own: The Colbert Report.
Barr will represent the Libertarians on the presidential ballot - "a political party that believes that it is my right as an American to varnish in an unventilated room,'' Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert explains in this interview.
Here, Barr tells of having a cigar with Al Gore.
"Different cigars... not one cigar,'' Colbert helps him clarify.
"The campaign is going good... about 6 percent across the country,'' says Barr, a former Republican congressman from Georgia who left his party. He says his party has gotten a spot on the ballots of 48 states.
Barr, who played an aggressive role in the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, is asked if he might go after some of those "disgruntled Hillary supporters'' who say they will vote for Republican John McCain.'' No, he replies, "I don't think the disgruntled Hillary supporters would be big on Bob Barr...
"You underestimate your mustache, sir,'' Colbert says.
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Comments
Bob Barr can't really be lumped in with the other minor party candidates. If this was 1992, his participation in the debates would be probable. The rules have changed since. Requiring an average of fifteen percent in often times bias public opinion poles make it virtually impossible for any third party to make the debates.
Most real conservatives don't like McCain, and Independent voters have been dissappointed with the Democrats performance in congress. If Bob Barr was included in the debates, I would guess the election results would look like 40% Obama, 35%McCain, 24% Barr, 1% Nader.
Posted by: Sean | August 27, 2008 3:58 PM
Some sort of miracle in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, New Jersey, and about 6 southern states would need to be pulled off in less than 70 days for Bob Barr to win the white house. Simply put Barr will not be the next president it just won’t happen. I for one hate the two party system and by proxy hate the media, the republicans, the democrats and most of all the sheeple who can’t see the real problems we have.
Posted by: Jimster | August 27, 2008 4:34 PM
Winning just one state could make a minor party "king maker" in a close election. That would allow that party to negotiate for election reform, or key cabinet positions etc.
Also a third party getting 10% or more nationally is needed for them to get matching funds.
There is EVERY reason in the world to vote for a third party candidate. I encourage everyone that is not happy with McCain or Obama to pick one of the third parties and vote for them.
If nothing else you get to send a message, and in that respect, a vote for a third party has 10 times the impact of a vote tossed into the pool of Democrat and Republican sheeple.
Posted by: AFH | August 27, 2008 5:01 PM
Winning just one state could make a minor party "king maker" in a close election. That would allow that party to negotiate for election reform, or key cabinet positions etc.
Also a third party getting 10% or more nationally is needed for them to get matching funds.
There is EVERY reason in the world to vote for a third party candidate. I encourage everyone that is not happy with McCain or Obama to pick one of the third parties and vote for them.
If nothing else you get to send a message, and in that respect, a vote for a third party has 10 times the impact of a vote tossed into the pool of Democrat and Republican sheeple.
Posted by: AFH | August 27, 2008 7:10 PM
Jimster: One miracle may have already occurred. Due to a missed deadline, Obama and McCain won't be on the Texas ballot. Bob Barr, however, will. This could be a great boost for his campaign.
Posted by: Jim | August 28, 2008 11:33 AM