Bob Barr Asks Ron Paul to Be His Running Mate

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 04:31 PM CDT

Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party nominee for president, has invited GOP Congressman Ron Paul to be his running mate in the upcoming election. In a letter sent to Paul, Barr called Paul one of the "few American patriots" who exist in today's society, and asked him to "seriously consider this final offer as an opportunity to show true, lasting leadership beyond party politics."

The incredible part about this isn't that a Barr is asking Paul to be his running mate, it's the fact that we still aren't hearing anything about the lack of unity in the Republican Party.

Ron Paul was a candidate to be the Republican nominee for President.  He is already on the Montana ballot this November. Now, he has been asked by a third party to leave his party completely and join the Libertarian Party to run against John McCain.

It's not a total stretch, Paul ran for President as a Libertarian in 1988.

Barr's offer seems real.

Barr's running mate, Wayne Allyn Root, expressed support: "As the Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee, I believe in one thing above all else-principle. There can be no compromise on the ideals of limited government, lower taxes, lower spending, and more freedom for the American people. Those are the principles to which I've dedicated my life. The GOP and Democratic candidates only give lip service-at best-to these ideals and principles. It is only an act at election time every four years."

This signals that the Republican Party is still fractured. It also helps our statewides as the small government right are drawn to the Libertarian party.  Not to mention the effects it has on the straight ticket vote.

This all assumes two things-- Ron Paul accepts and Suzanna Hupp doesn't find a way to get Barr and Paul to drop out of the race.

Update: This just gets better.

Republican Rep. Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning Texas lawmaker who attracted a devoted following in the GOP primaries, said Wednesday he rejected an appeal to endorse John McCain's presidential bid.

Paul said the request came from Phil Gramm, the former McCain adviser and ex-senator whom the campaign jettisoned after he said the country was a "nation of whiners" about the economy. Gramm defeated Paul in the Republican primary for the Senate in 1984.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Paul said Gramm called him this week and told him, "You need to endorse McCain." The Texas congressman said he refused.

"The idea was that he would do less harm than the other candidate," Paul said.

Democracy for American Endorses John McClelland

by: Matt Glazer

Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 06:01 PM CDT

"John McClelland is part of the new type of grassroots leaders who are reshaping politics throughout Texas and Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA.  "Nobody needs to tell John what grassroots, people-powered organizing is about because he's been doing it for years."

McClelland is well known voice here on BOR and around the Texas blogospher.  He is active in the Denton County Democratic Party where he has been involved with Project Farm Team and worked to recruit and train precinct chairs.  He is currently President of the Denton County Stonewall Democrats chapter.

"I am incredibly honored to be endorsed by Democracy for America because DFA was one of the first organizations I felt a connection with after the 2004 elections.  Howard Dean was the first Democrat I voted for in a Democratic Primary," said John McClelland. "Having the support of grassroots Democrats as well as the endorsement of a respected and admired national organization like DFA is crucial to victory in local races. I am very proud and humbled to receive this endorsement."

"John McClelland knows we need to fully fund our public schools to ensure our children are ready to contribute to and compete in the 21st Century economy.  John McClelland is a forward thinker bringing to the table solutions like implementing a truly modern mass transit system for North Texas and across the state," said Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of DFA.  "John McClelland won't wait to solve the health care crisis that is wreaking havoc on the lives of working men and women.  He will work to bring affordable health care to all Texans."

House District 64, has also been in the news recently because of Republican Suzanna Hupp and Tom Craddick working to get the libertarian candidate out of the race.

Visit McClelland on DFA or on ActBlue.

Tom Craddick, Suzanna Hupp Continue to Silence Voters

by: Matt Glazer

Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:30 AM CDT

PDiddle first reported on this story Sunday calling it "Republican Desperation".

Suzanna Hupp and Tom Craddick are rightfully concerned.  We have strong Democratic incumbents and challengers like TexBlog PAC endorsed Chris Turner, Diana Maldonado, Sherrie Matula, and others like Robert Miklos, Joel Redmond, Joe Moody, and many many more.

The scary thing is the blatant disregard the Republican Party has toward Texas voters.  Their desire for power and control means they are trying to actively remove third party candidates from the ballot.

Today, Laylan Copelin is reporting that Craddick is meeting with Libertarian's in the Speaker's office to ask them to remove their names.  This is tantamount to being called into the principal's office and being asked to go to a different school or just drop out.

Craddick and Hupp are aggressively asking Libertarians to remove their name and remove options for the voters.

The scary thing is, it has worked in at least one high profile race.

The only Libertarian candidate to drop off the ballot in Central Texas so far is Alan Hultgren, who was running against state Rep. Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, and Republican Donna Keel.

With less than three months to go, it is clear Craddick is afraid of losing his job.  It is obvious we have him against the ropes, and he isn't going down with out a fight.  To complete the sports metaphor, it is entirely possible Craddick lands a lucky punch and our hopes to win back the House are dashed.

Remember, this is the same Republican party that drew congressional districts that silenced tens of thousands of Hispanic and African American voters.  Congressional districts ruled unconstitutional by the most conservative Supreme Court we have had in decades.  This is the party that will swift boat, TRMPAC, DeLay, their way to victory.

If you aren't volunteering for your county party or for a candidate do it today.  If you haven't donated to TexBlog PAC, do it today. Scare the Republican Party of Texas, make your voice heard today.

Former Rep. Suzanna Hupp Calls On Libertarian Candidates to Drop Out

by: PDiddie

Sun Aug 03, 2008 at 05:39 PM CDT

Austin American-Statesman: A former Republican state representative called three Libertarian Party candidates for the state House on Friday to request that they drop out of their races rather than take votes from their Republican opponents.

Suzanna Hupp, who represented District 54 in Central Texas for 10 years, said she made the calls Friday because of concerns that the Libertarian candidates would take Republican votes and ultimately give Democrats control over state and national seats.

"The fact is, we've got redistricting coming up in a few years," said Hupp, from Lampasas, who served in the House from 1997 to 2007, "and if the Republicans lose the (Texas) House of Representatives because there are a handful of people mad at them and vote for the Libertarians instead, then we could be in big trouble at the federal level."

One day later, though, she could only recall two of the three districts (HD-64, incumbent Crownover, and HD-9, incumbent Christian) where she made calls to the Lib candidates asking them to quit.

Total lack of recall strikes again.  Hilarious.