Bob Barr backs Gitmo move…

2008 Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr is backing the move of Guantanamo Bay prisoners to a prison in Illinois. Jordan Fabian writes on TheHill.com that Barr signed on to a letter with American Conservative Union founder David Keene and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist saying the move makes sense.

The letter includes, “The scaremongering about (an increased terror threat) should stop… It makes sense for the community, which will benefit from the related employment and has absolutely no reason to fear that prisoners will escape or be released into their communities… But most of all it makes sense for America because it is a critical link in the process of closing Guantanamo and getting this country back to using its tried and true, constitutionally sound institutions.”

SOURCE:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/67913-three-conservative-leaders-back-gitmo-prisoner-transfer-plan

The attack on cigarettes begins…

The attack on cigarettes begins according to 2008 Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr. Barr writes on his blog for the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the The Food and Drug Administration is trying to ban clove cigarettes.

Barr writes, “…if someone enjoys the taste of burning cloves and wants to smoke a cigarette containing the substance, what the heck — it’s fine with me. Well, it’s apparently not fine with the freedom-loving folks at the FDA, and they recently banned clove cigarettes.”

Barr wraps-up saying other tobacco better watch out their favorite product may be gone, “This clearly is an agency flexing its regulatory muscles, and is on the prowl for new and bigger game to bag.”

SOURCE:

http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2009/11/06/fda-begins-its-move-against-cigarettes/?cxntfid=blogs_bob_barr_blog

West Virginia getting help from Texas…

West Virginia getting help from Texas… to grow the party.

The Libertarian Party of West Virginia has called in support from Texas to get help in getting candidates on ballots. Wes Benedict, the Former Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Texas, has written a letter to West Virginia Libertarians about ballot access and candidate recruitment.

He writes of having a goal of 10 Libertarian candidates on the November 2010 ballot in West Virginia. The letter mentions last Libertarian Party candidate on the West Virginia ran candidates for office was Michael Badnarik’s 2004 President campaign. Bob Barr failed to get onto the 2008 ballot.

Benedict ends the letter, “I can’t guarantee that they’ll be successful or that nothing will go wrong. I’m in Texas, not West Virginia. However, I do hope that others will recognize that Matt Harris and the LPWV are showing initiative and making things happen…” He also asked for donations to help in ballot access efforts.

SOURCE:

http://www.lpwv.org/2009/06/01/help-the-lpwv-put-candidates-into-office/

Texas now getting ready for indys...

Texas now getting ready for indys... thanks to Texas House Bill 1193.  On Tuesday the bill was placed on the placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar.  The bill, which passed committee about one month ago, now is rolling along.

The bill is good for both major and minor parties.  The bill keeps the most rules in place, but the big change is allowing filing for Presidential Candidates up until one day after a party's convention.

This was a big concern in the 2008 election.  The old rules said a candidate had to file 70 days before the general election.  With conventions moving later on the calendar a number of parties were in the danger zone of not qualifying for the Texas ballot (and all of those electoral votes).

There was even a lawsuit involving Bob Barr (Lib).

SOURCES:

Representative Kelly Hancock - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist91/hancock.php

Representative John E. Davis - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist129/davis.php

Representative Dan Flynn - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist2/flynn.php

Texas House - http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/Actions.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1193&Sort=A

DallasNews.com "Libertarian Bob Barr sues to have McCain, Obama cast off Texas' ballot" - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-barr_19pol.ART.State.Edition1.268aa61.html