All Blog Posts from Horserace

Former Rep. Bob Barr announced today that he will seek the Libertarian presidential nomination, a move that could raise concern among Republicans nervous about anything that might siphon voters from John McCain this fall.

Barr, who became nationally known as one of the lead House members in President Clinton’s impeachment, is enough of a name to potentially attract disgruntled conservatives. “I've heard from Americans from all walks of life,” Barr said in announcing his run. “They want a choice. They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us."

In order to succeed, Barr will have to win the party’s nomination at the national convention which begins on May 22. Driving concerns among the GOP is Ron Paul, whose bid for the Republican nomination has attracted a vocal and dedicated following. Paul was the Libertarian candidate for president in 1988 and, while he has said he won’t seek to run on a third party ticket, any credible conservative could prove problematic. Barr lost his bid for re-election in 2002 after two GOP districts were thrown together in redistricting and later publicly announced he was leaving the Republican Party.

Bob Barr, spoiler?

The Associated Press is reporting that the former GOP congressman is "hinting strongly that he'll jump into the presidential race as a Libertarian."

Barr, who left the Republican Party two years ago, citing excessive spending and erosions in civil liberties, will make an announcement Saturday in Kansas City, the AP notes.

Barr is perhaps best known for his early and fervent criticism of Bill Clinton following the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and is more likely to take votes from a Republican candidate than a Democrat. John McCain, who has yet to win over some skeptical conservatives, could be particularly susceptible to a strong third-party challenge.

A Libertarian Party spokesman told the AP it would be "thrilled" to have Barr run for the nomination.

Mike Gravel, the former Democratic senator from Alaska whose run for the Democratic nomination generated little support, has also expressed interest in the Libertarian nomination.