Shortly, we'll have the Libertarian Convention and we'll choose a Candidate to run for President. Before our delegates head off to vote, I'd be interested in some opinions about our various candidates.

I just saw a news story suggesting that Bob Barr is likely to make his candidacy official next Monday or Tuesday. Do any of our delegates have any thoughts they'd like to share about him and/or any of the other candidates?

Bob

wilbpa wrote In the interest of full disclosure I will not be at the convention. However as a candidate I have a vested stake in the quality of our nominee. I think it's obvious that all of serious contenders favor a drastic reduction in the power and scope of government. The question is not who is the "most Libertarian" or who has the longest LP membership. It is who has the potential to help us grow the party and win elections. None of the candidates has rock star or celebrity appeal, but Barr and Root can reach more people through name recognition and fundraising potential. Outside of these two and Gravel no other candidate has any name recognition outside party circles.

Agreed. My concern with Barr is that he seems to have an awful lot of personal baggage that could hurt his credibility as the representative of the Party. Granted, he is the best known candidate, but he makes me uncomfortable.

Bob

Barr has attracted an enormous (for an LP candidate) amount of media attention this week. I have seen several spots on CNN alone and frankly I was pretty impressed with his presentation.

Bob - I have some of the same reservations you do about Barr. On the other hand I myself have not been a lifelong LP person and at one time supported some of the same initiatives that Barr has renounced. I am convinced that he has seen the light and realizes the GOP is a lost cause. If he convinces current disgruntled GOP members to vote LP in Nov then I will be thrilled.

As I said before the only candidates I am convinced can run a viable national campaign are Barr and Root (perhaps Gravel but that is problematic for several reasons). I have tremendous respect for the other LP candidates, but I can't see how they can organize a national campaign and gain name recognition in non-LP circles in the next 6 months. If someone feels differently I am keeping an open mind.