Comments on: Bob Barr Pledges To Repeal DOMA

By: John

John — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:14:58 +0000

He hasnâ€™t changed his mind, heâ€™s simply just another politician who is trying to stay in game somehow – if that means saying something that pleases the Libertarians – so be it.
One doesnâ€™t make these kinds of mistakes on fundamental issues – mistakes are â€˜potatoeâ€™. Just another example of a crass politician.

Probably, but in a perverse sort of way it is interesting to see them try and twist and spin to justify their newfound “beliefs”…

By: Leah

Leah — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:05:38 +0000

Iâ€™m not sure about the Libertarian Partyâ€™s position on DADT but I wonder if Barr is simply conforming his views to the partyâ€™s platform in order to shore up support among Libertarian voters.

That was my immediate reaction on seeing the clip. What a panderer, he is speaking at the Libertarian convention, to a bunch of people who want the government out of most aspects of our lives. Most of those people don’t think the government should be in the marriage business – period!

He hasn’t changed his mind, he’s simply just another politician who is trying to stay in game somehow – if that means saying something that pleases the Libertarians – so be it.
One doesn’t make these kinds of mistakes on fundamental issues – mistakes are ‘potatoe’. Just another example of a crass politician.

By: Trace Phelps

Trace Phelps — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:03 +0000

I’m not sure about the Libertarian Party’s position on DADT but I wonder if Barr is simply conforming his views to the party’s platform in order to shore up support among Libertarian voters.

The Libertarian Party convention was worth a few laughs, watching some of the politicians convince delegates they’re really Libertarians. The biggest joke was the ultra-liberal Mike Gravel, formerly something in Alaska — either governor or U. S. Senator — and most recently a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, trying to wer the Libertarian hat.

By: Houndentenor

Houndentenor — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:16:27 +0000

Now that he doesn’t need to appease the social conservatives, I wonder if this is his real opinion or if it’s just what he needs to say to libertarians who are against any government intrusion into private matters. Who knows? Who cares. But like the Republicans who urged on Hillary, I’m thinking about giving some support to Barr. He’s the Ralph Nader of 2008 and not a moment too soon.

By: NaturallyGay

NaturallyGay — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:02:34 +0000

I see Barrâ€™s view as sincere

I plead ignorance on Bob Barr’s views. Has he ever spoken out against DOMA prior to running for president? If not, his comments seem too conveniently timed, much like Clinton’s comments during his wife’s campaign.

By: John

John — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:58:50 +0000

I see nothing wrong when a politician has come to take the opposition that he once didâ€¦ as long as itâ€™s sincere.

Oh I’m glad to see the change, but it’s still annoying that it took place long after the damage was done. As for Kerry, he was a lying tard regardless and no, I haven’t forgotten his behavior towards the vets in the 1970s.

By: heliotrope

heliotrope — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:32:44 +0000

Every vote counts if you are truly in the running. Bob Barr siphoning off the gay vote is merely a struggle to pile up enough votes to get federal funding for his self absorbed dalliance with making a point without making a point. I hope he chooses Roseanne Barr for his running mate. We could use a Bob and Roseanne White House. Unfortunately, Bob is all roost and no chickens. They are all crapped out.

By: Vince P

Vince P — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:26:39 +0000

I see nothing wrong when a politician has come to take the opposition that he once did… as long as it’s sincere.

I see Barr’s view as sincere, I viewed Kerry as being pandering.

By: John

John — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:14:28 +0000

Good point. Still, it is annoying to see people like Barr have such a change of heart years after the damage they did was put into place. I have more in mind Clinton Era officials and military officers who’ve done an about-face on DADT.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:01:44 +0000

I think the difference is that Kerry actually thought it would help him win votes by changing. In Barr’s case 1) I don’t think he actually believes he can win the election and 2) it will lose him votes from the “family values” crowd. So it may be that he really has come to a new view on DOMA.

By: John

John — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:31:34 +0000

Indeed. Such is par for the course among our politicians these days. I’d personally like to see DOMA repealed, though I’m realistic and don’t expect it to happen. Eh, I guess I should just be happy he wants to repeal something he pushed to be enacted and leave it at that. Yet, this does remind me a bit of Kerry’s “voted for it before voting against it” schtick.

By: NaturallyGay

NaturallyGay — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:09:09 +0000

I don't know much about Bob Barr. It is certainly a huge turnaround to vow to repeal DOMA, which he authored. The statements towards the end where he says DOMA was "abused and misused" sound suspiciously like Bill Clinton's rewrite of DADT history. (Yes, that's a shameless link to my own little blog, but it has the video to which I am referring.)