Libertarians Nominate Conservative Bob Barr, Why?

I was almost hoping that I’d have to make a tough decision between the presidential Libertarian candidate and Obama. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for the Democrats, the Libertarian Party has selected former Congressman Bob Barr as their nominee.

A quick skim through Barr’s Wikipedia page confirms that he is more confused and washed up Republican than Libertarian. Barr was once one of the War On Drugs’ biggest supporters, but in recent years he has lobbied for a pro-medical marijuana organization. He was the author of the “Defense of Marriage Act” (the law that says a federally recognized marriage must be between a man and a woman). It seems like the reason he doesn’t support the “Federal Marriage Amendment” is not because it harms the civil liberties of homosexuals, but because it violates states’ rights. He voted for the PATRIOT ACT and the war in Iraq. He is pro-life. He has even suggested that the military ban the practice of Wicca in their ranks.

Other than perhaps the recent switch to promoting medical marijuana, Barr is not socially libertarian at all. Of course, the other half of libertarian philosophy is the economic side, and he seems to fit that, but when the Libertarian Party showed up at Warped Tour a few years back, they sure weren’t promoting economic policy.

The future of the Libertarian Party is in their social policies, because that is where they can attract many of the same voters that Obama is attracting. Instead of recognizing that, they have gone for a candidate who is going to steal votes from John McCain, and have set back their potential for growth for another four years.

Like I said though, for the democrats, this is a great thing. Barr is polling 2% ahead of Ralph Nader, and taking most of those votes from people who would otherwise vote for McCain. Maybe there is a hidden agenda here. The libertarians know that they can’t win, so they make sure that McCain can’t either, and then somebody who is at least open to new ideas and might listen to them can become president.