SelectSmart.com 2008 SelectSmart.com
Presidential Candidate Selector
Candidate Positions

Bob Barr - Libertarian
Robert L. (Bob) Barr, Jr. (born November 5, 1948 in Iowa City, Iowa) is an attorney and former member of the United States House of Representatives.[

  • IRAQ WAR “What we’ve fallen into in recent years — not just since 9/11, but particularly since 9/11 — is this notion that, in order to protect ourselves, we have to preemptively go into and — in the case of Iraq — occupy another sovereign nation,” Barr said. “Simply saying, ‘Gee, it’s better to fight over in this other nation and destroy another nation, so we’re not potentially attacked here, is the height of arrogance.” Source
  • LEAVING IRAQ Would support a deadline for withdrawal in Iraq.
  • BALANCING CIVIL LIBERTIES & SECURITY Would lean toward protecting civil liberties even though it might risk our security. "Unfortunately, in recent years government at all levels has shown growing disrespect for the Constitution, particularly the Fourth Amendment that protects citizens from unlawful searches and seizures. The sustained government attack on the sanctity of the rights of the individual, including their right to be secure in their privacy and property, has created a moral and Constitutional crisis." Source
  • SOCIAL SECURITY Would consider other options, including privatization.
  • EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH View not known.
  • SCHOOL CHOICE Would support publicly funded "voucher" program that allows students to choose to attend any of various participating private and public schools.
  • GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES One of America’s most determined foes of gay rights could become one of the cause’s most important allies. Former Georgia congressman Bob Barr, who was the architect of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, is now one of the nation’s loudest critics of a proposed federal constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. His argument: DOMA, which allows states to refuse to recognize gay marriages performed in other states, is sufficient. A constitutional amendment would only hurt the country, he says. Source
  • TRADE ISSUES Would support free trade policies.
  • TAXES & GOVERNMENT SERVICES "To the extent that we can what we should start doing is cutting back on federal spending, reducing taxes, returning that money to the taxpayers themselves." Source
  • DEFICIT Would not support tax increases.
  • BUSINESS & LABOR Would favor the pro-business positions of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and similar groups.
  • ABORTION Opposed abortion as a member of Congress. Source
  • CAPITAL PUNISHMENT As a congressperson supported the death penalty.
  • MARIJUANA "I believe that those (drug laws) are precisely the type of issues that ought to be up to the voters of the states. There may very well be some aspects of those laws that do bring them within certain aspects of federal jurisdiction, but fundamentally those are states rights issues." Source
  • GUN CONTROL Would oppose gun control legislation. Supports positions of groups such as the NRA and the Gun Owners of America. Source
  • MINIMUM WAGE Would have a history of opposing increases in the minimum wage.
  • HEALTH CARE Barr posted this quote (not his own) on his site, "Here's a better idea: Free up the health care market, which drives down prices and expands choices for patients."
  • PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Would favor allowing citizens to purchase drugs from Canada and elsewhere abroad. It is not known if he would favor or not the federal government negotiating with drug manufacturers to get the best possible price.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Would oppose positions of environmental groups like the League of Conservation Voters.
  • LEGAL IMMIGRATION Would favor a more open immigration policy.
  • ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION "Our borders are currently neither open, closed, nor secure. This situation restricts the labor pool, encouraging employers to hire undocumented workers, while leaving those workers neither subject to nor protected by the law. A completely open border allows foreign criminals, carriers of communicable diseases, terrorists and other potential threats to enter the country unchecked. Pandering politicians guarantee access to public services for undocumented aliens, to the detriment of those who would enter to work productively, and increasing the burden on taxpayers." Source
  • SLAVERY REPARATIONS Would not advocate reparations for slavery
  • Campaign website