In response to Jerry Glenn’s letter (June 26, Barr for Obama?) I would respectfully disagree with his assertion that Bob Barr’s candidacy supports Barack Obama. 

I believe that Mr. Glenn has fallen into the ill logic that is promoted by the much of the mainstream media that equates Bob Barr’s candidacy to Ralph Nader’s independent run in 2000. 

First and foremost Bob Barr is running as a small government Libertarian candidate which neither Barrack Obama nor John McCain are doing. Libertarian candidates like Bob Barr are for minimizing government influence over our lives and shrinking the governmental apparatus. 

Al Gore was “Naderized” due to the fact that Ralph Nader ran on very similar issues to the Democrats but simply put an anti-establishment spin on it which resonated with many younger liberal voters.  Bob Barr ,on the other hand, has serious differences with both John McCain and Barrack Obama regarding the war in Iraq, how to deal with Iran, the overblown fiscal budget, border security, the detainees in Guantanamo and many other issues. 

Secondly, not only is Ralph Nader also in this race but so is Cynthia McKinney, who is running for the Green Party.  She is not only a former Democratic congresswoman but she is also an African American. Both Nader and McKinney will put a drag on Barrack Obama rather than John McCain.

There are clear distinctions on the Libertarian sides of the major issues facing our country as opposed to both the Republican and Democratic sides.  I would hope that Americans would be much more responsible in looking closely at the candidates rather than simply whining that a third candidate only hurts their candidate’s chances of winning. 

When it comes down to it, if there is more merit in John McCain’s positions he won’t have to worry about Barack Obama nor Bob Barr.  Personally, I think you should look at where Bob Barr stands before deciding against him.

Gary Dale Cearley, Tulsa

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 and is filed under Letters to the Editor.