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Home » News » Energy

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Barr chiseling into McCain voter base

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Libertarian candidate could nab votes in dissatisfied red states

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guyshomenet

As a delegate at Denver Libertarian convention, I saw a friendly divide between the ideological purist (you know, the ones that keep the Libertarian party focused) and the pragmatics who know that Barr -- backed by Russ Verney's strategy skills and Richard Viguerie's fundraising prowess -- will get the Libs into the debates. That's where the Obama Express will derail. The real danger in the Barr/Root campaign is not to the Republicans, but to the Democrats, and the reason is the "blue" Democrats -- the Blue Dogs and the Blue Collars. Current polling shows 12% of Democrats cannot stomach Obama, and these are primarily the Blues. They likely will not switch to McCain either, but in what will be a contentious election, they won't sit it out either. Come time for the debates, they will be open to the small-government pitch of the Libs. The 8% of Republicans who can't stomach McCain may do the same. That's a 4% spread, and enough to influence an election. But it gets worse for the Democrats. Few Republicans can take the pure-freedom policies of the Libertarians (borders, abortions, drugs, gays, etc) and will not switch. However, these are hot-button issues for Democrats, and ones on which Obama will equivocate. Singe-issue Democrats will defect where as single-issue Republicans won't. Pair this draining of votes with the Nader factor, and it all starts piling up against Obama. And it gets worse. For all his charisma, Obama breaks when discussing the details of policy in a confrontational mode. He will wither during the debates when pitted against well-honed warriors like Barr, McCain and Nader. Obama will finish the job the Libs have started. Enjoy your moment my Democrat friends ... it will be short lived.
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truthteller2

Wow, the previous commenter is certainly living in a parallel universe if he thinks (hopes, more likely) that Bob Barr's candidacy will hurt Obama more than McCain. It's amazing how many Republicans think they can rationalize their way into believing in a McCain victory against Obama. Sean Hannity and the drug-addled gasbag, Rush Limbaugh, are the worst, but we'll see them eat their words in November. I relish this presidential race. If anyone witnessed the contrast between the doddering old fossil's and the young upstart's speeches last Tuesday, they would know that Obama is going to win in a landslide. Keep dreaming, folks, and we'll see who has the last laugh!
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