The Occasional Observer

Bob Barr has announced that he will be running for president as a Libertarian. Make no mistake: if he combines forces with Ron Paul, it could have a devastating impact on the outcome of this election. Ron Paul has already demonstrated that while his following is relatively small, they are exceptionally well-funded, highly-motivated, and energized. Barr will similarly attract a passionate crowd that has grown dissatisfied with the direction and policies of the Republican party.

I have mixed feelings about this turn of events. On the one hand, if this move hands the election to Obama this is very bad. On the other hand, if something this dramatic is what it takes to fix the Republican party, then it is good in the long-term. By "fix" I mean return it to its position as the party of small government.

I previously complained that campaigns today were becoming too focused on 30-second sound bites and minutia, rather than providing more comprehensive and honest discussions to increasingly complex and critical problems. Newt Gingrich has made the same point over at AmSol. Possibly the moves by Barr on the right and Nader on the left will force a change in this dynamic.