Paul, Barr may be forging an alliance - 3d party

David Traver

"Signs are emerging of a possible alliance this fall between Ron Paul, the libertarian-minded rebel Republican, and Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee.
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Paul was the Libertarian nominee in 1988, and many of his supporters are libertarian-minded on economic and social issues. Just before formally ending his presidential bid Thursday night, the Texas congressman praised Barr, and in a statement yesterday, Barr reciprocated." Foon Rhee, Paul, Barr may be forging an alliance for fall election, at http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/14/paul_barr_may_be_forging_an_alliance_for_fall_election/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Top+political+stories (June 14, 2008).

David Traver · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 03:31 pm Post subject:

"Jun 22nd, 2008 | ATLANTA -- A fiery former GOP congressman who gained national prominence for doggedly pursuing impeachment of President Clinton has some Republicans worried he'll play spoiler in a tight presidential contest.

Bob Barr's Libertarian Party bid for the White House is the longest of long shots, but political experts say he may be able to exploit the unease some die-hard conservatives still feel about Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting. Combined with the surge in turnout among Democrats during the primaries and a difficult political climate for Republicans, they see what could be a recipe for trouble for the GOP.

'Bob could be the Ralph Nader of 2008,' said Dan Schnur, a GOP consultant in California who worked on McCain's 2000 campaign but is not involved in this year's contest. Consumer advocate Nader is the third-party candidate many Democrats blame for helping George W. Bush narrowly win in 2000.

Rep. John Linder, a Republican who defeated Barr in 2002 after Georgia's Democratic-controlled Legislature redrew congressional boundaries to put the two lawmakers in the same district, said he didn't think Barr would top 4 percent of the vote.

'But in some states that may be enough,' Linder said.

Democrats seem gleeful at the prospect. Tad Devine, a Washington-based Democratic strategist, said Republicans 'are crazy if they aren't worried about Barr.'

'Undoubtedly any votes he gets come out of McCain's votes,' Devine said. 'He hurts them.'" SHANNON McCAFFREY, GOP frets Barr could play spoiler in prez race - Salon.com, at http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/06/22/D91F6NQ80_bob_barr/index.html?source=rss&aim=wires (last visited June 22, 2008).