Bob Barr

[[File:Bob_Barr-2008_cropped.jpg|thumb|165px|Bob Barr]]{{uspolitics}}
'''Bob Barr''' {{lived|1948}}, a former [[Republican]] U.S. Congressman from [[Georgia]], was the [[Libertarian Party]]'s [[2008 U.S. Presidential Election|2008 presidential candidate]] at their 2008 national convention in Denver, [[Colorado]]. He also formerly worked for the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] as a foreign affairs analyst.

There seem to be some questions about his position on [[global warming]]. He once declared, "[[Bullshit|Global warming is a myth]]" to [[Glenn Beck]],<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDNz0d8Salo</ref> and later declared "Global warming is a reality as most every organization that has studied the matter has concluded, whether conservative-leaning, liberal-oriented or independent. I am, however, also aware that scientists differ on its causes, impact and remedies. I remain firmly committed to [[free market]] solutions and innovations to address this issue; not [[tax]]-driven policies."<ref>"[http://www.nolanchart.com/article4323-bob-barr-on-climate-change.html Bob Barr on Climate Change]"</ref> So, essentially, do nothing.

==Pseudo-libertarianism==
Barr voted to pass the [[USA Patriot Act]] and the [[Defense of Marriage Act]], so his [[libertarianism]] was in some question to begin with.  He did profusely apologize for voting for those two laws when he sought the Libertarian Party nomination and promised to work to repeal them. Too bad he couldn't find the energy to oppose them when it counted. Further undermining his yet-to-be-elaborated libertarian credentials, Barr was "[[pro-life]]", pro-[[death penalty]], and pro-teacher-led [[prayer]] in [[public schools]]. This says a lot more about the Libertarian Party at that particular point in time than it does about [[First Amendment|First-Amendment]]-disregarding Bob Barr.

His libertarianism was eventually proven to be a sham. In the [[2012 U.S. Presidential Election]], Barr endorsed [[Newt Gingrich]],<ref>http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/27/bob-barr-libertarians-should-vote-for-gingrich/</ref> despite the latter's strong anti-libertarian record.<ref>[http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/01/appalling-moments-in-newtspeak Appalling Moments in Newtspeak], ''[[ Reason (magazine)|Reason]]''</ref> Barr has made a full return to the GOP and in 2014 ran and lost a race for a seat in Congress again as a Republican.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2014/07/22/former-congressman-bob-barr-loses-in-georgia-runoff/?utm_term=.b9587c45e694 Former congressman Bob Barr loses in Georgia runoff] by Sean Sullivan (July 22, 2014) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>

He has made contradictory statements in regards to whether or not he supports equal rights for [[LGBT]] people. In an interview to ''The Advocate'', he expressed vague support for [[marriage equality]] while saying that he ultimately prefers government to be [[Same-sex marriage#No marriage at all|completely uninvolved in the recognition of marriage]].<ref>http://www.advocate.com/news/news-features/2011/05/03/bob-barr-doma?page=0,1</ref> Later on, he said that while he supports [[states rights]] on the issue of same-sex marriage, he would personally prefer his home state to continue legally defining marriage as existing only between a man and a woman.<ref>http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/06/26/doma-author-bob-barr-clams-up-about-supreme-court-decision</ref>

Barr once addressed the [[Council of Conservative Citizens]], which is a hate group. He later claimed that he found the group's views "repugnant" and had he known about them he wouldn't have spoken. He could have just asked the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990317-2,00.html</ref>

==Recent activity==
Currently, Barr serves as a freelance columnist/[[pundit]] for various publications and websites. He also briefly hosted a radio show in the late 2000s. In May 2024, he became president of the [[NRA]].<ref>[https://thehill.com/business/4676862-bob-barr-elected-nra-president/ Former Rep. Bob Barr elected new NRA president], Filip Timotija, ''The Hill'' 21 May 2024</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

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[[Category:2008 US Presidential candidates]]
[[Category:Chickenhawks]]
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[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
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[[Category:United States politicians]]

Categories: 2008 US Presidential candidates, Chickenhawks, Denialists, Former United States Representatives, Global warming denialists, Gun nuts, Lawyers, Libertarians, Living people, Pseudoscience promoters, Political pundits, Radio, Shysters, United States politicians