Former Georgia Republican representative Bob Barr may run as the Libertarian Presidential Candidide in the fall. He is scheduled to speak today at the National Press Club. He is staunch conservative who left the Republican party in 2006 amid disagreements on where the Republican party was heading.
Barack Obama would be very pleased if Mr. Barr does enter the race as he will siphon votes and fundraising from McCain. The last time there was a third party candidate with conservative credentials was in 1992 and 1996 when Ross Perot was in the race and Bill Clinton won back to back terms.
Ralph Nader candidacy in 2000 is widely credited with electing George Bush as President since he siphoned more than enough votes in Florida which would have put Al Gore over the top.
Barr has hinted that Republican leaders have put pressure on him to stay clear of the race as he might tilt the race to the Democrats in a close election.
Newt Gingrich chimed in with this on a potential Barr candidacy, "Bob Barr will make it marginally easier for Barack Obama to become president. That outcome threatens every libertarian value Barr professes to champion."
