Bob Barr, former Republican Congressman and US Attorney, is seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination for President. Many see this as an opportunity to rekindle the energy of the Ron Paul campaign, and consider a Barr candidacy a a continuation of the rEVOLution. The Ron Paul campaign, though, was so exciting precisely because of Paul's radical libertarian stances. While it is understandable that many Libertarians are excited at the prospect of enhanced press coverage and debate opportunities that a Barr candidacy would provide, a simple fact remains which makes Barr an unacceptable candidate: He is not a libertarian!
That Barr is not a libertarian is a conclusion easily reached after reviewing his stances on key issues. Perhaps it is possible to argue that a libertarian could hold one or two of these positions - as Murray Rothbard said, everyone is entitled to one deviation. However, putting together Barr's positions paints a clear picture of a right-wing conservative, albeit perhaps one with more libertarian leanings than is usual. Such a person should be invited to participate with the party, to learn more about our positions, and perhaps to run for lower office. The LP's Presidential candidate, though, must be a through and through libertarian. For better or worse, this person will be the public face of the party, and will determine how the party, and by extension the philosophy, is largely viewed for the next several years.
What positions has Barr taken that clearly identify him as a non-libertarian? For fairness, we will only look at positions publicly affirmed since joining the Libertarian Party and the National Committee. Here's the list:
- Barr espouses an interventionist foreign policy, arguing for intervention in Iran and South America, among other places. He praises Bush because "the surge is working," and expressed regret when crazed neocon John Bolton stepped down as US Ambassador to the UN. More information
- Barr voted for the Patriot Act, and favored reauthorization of that act. More information
- Barr favors a national sales tax. More information
- Barr opposes legalization of hard drugs, and is famous as a drug warrior. More information
- Barr has an unclear position on private property, as he believes that businesses should be coerced into allowing their employees and visitors to bring guns onto company property, company policy notwithstanding. More information
- Barr argues for stronger border protection and advocates for stringent controls on people entering the country. More information
- Barr holds a strong view of intellectual property - far stronger than his view of real property! He regards Google as a major threat to intellectual property, and wishes to use government force to restrain the company.
- Barr finds it entirely acceptable for an 17 year old boy to spend 10 years in prison for having oral sex with his 15 year old girlfriend, and believes releasing him would be unconscionable - even though the law he was convicted under was repealed. More information