There's a lot of finger pointing right now in the blogosphere between "big-L" Libertarians and "small-l" libertarians and libertarian-leaning folks and especially the supporters of Paul and Barr over Paul's press conference today.

I thought I might share my perspective and opinion in the one place where it might be respected.

First, the Barr campaign was entirely justified in pulling out of the event. Some of the details were not released to Barr's campaign staff until just hours before the launch of the event. Barr rightfully took exception to a few things:

1) Not receiving a true endorsement. The Libertarian Party is not a party of "not the other guys" but a party of principle. Paul's blanket endorsement of anyone but McCain or Obama is a slap in the face to the party he represented in 1988. We constantly tell people that in order to not waste their vote, they should vote as if their vote alone will decide the election. As a party of principle, we cannot accept the idea of voting for McKinney, Nader, or even Baldwin because these candidates DO NOT represent the principles of limited government and individual liberty.

2) Being equated to Nader, McKinney, and Baldwin. The Libertarian Party is not comparable to the Green or Constitution Party because it has more members, more candidates, more ballot access, and a more legitimate claim to the attention of the voters and the media than those fourth-parties or Nader's independent movement. Imagine for a moment that McCain and Obama both dropped out of the race nationwide. The LP ticket would win this election in a landslide because, first and foremost, Barr is on the ballot. In many ways, the LP is more like the Democratic and Republican Parties than it is like these minor players.

Of course, that's exactly why Barr did not appear at Paul's event. Barr rightfully understands that he does not belong at an "anyone but the big two" function because it serves to de-legitimize the hard work done by the LP to compete with the big two on their playing field. Barr belongs in debates with Obama and McCain, not debates with Nader and Baldwin and McKinney.

3) Being snubbed by Barr's efforts to unite Paul and the LP under one banner. Paul refused Barr's request that Paul seek the LP nomination in Denver, and it appears that he will also snub Wayne Root's gracious offer to step aside and put Paul on the Barr ticket - a ticket that (in my opinion) would easily earn over 10% nationally and probably get Barr into the presidential and Paul into the vice-presidential debate. Some Paul supporters and "small-l" libertarians blast Barr for his old Republican ways, but I wonder... who is Paul helping with his efforts today? Not Bob Barr and the Libertarian Party and arguably not Obama - but John McCain and the GOP. I respect Paul's voting record and think that he is a good advocate for liberty-minded ideas, but his political maneuvers seem to be helping *his* political party, the one that Barr left.

All people sympathetic to the cause of liberty should realize that it is Bob Barr that is moving the cause forward now and Ron Paul that is fragmenting that cause's support. As a side note, I want to commend Wayne Root for his devotion to the cause of liberty. His magnanimity in offering to step aside for Paul shows a true commitment to principle above his personal interest. I think that someone should point out that he is a much better VP candidate than either Biden or Palin, and as a business owner, he has more executive experience than both of them. The minute that Paul turns down Barr's offer, Bob Barr should issue a statement about the principles and qualifications of his current running mate.

Respectfully,
T. Evan Fisher

Former Chair
Libertarian Party of Dallas County

Do you think I'm wrong? Argue with me by e-mailing fish2006@sbcglobal.net.