Barr Could Be the Ralph Nader of 2008: GOP

A former ally has Republicans sweating the possibility that he could siphon votes away from John McCain, the AP says. Bob Barr, an outspoken ex-GOP congressman and Libertarian Party presidential nominee, is now trying to get on the ballot in 20 states in time for November. “Bob could be the Ralph Nader of 2008,” warned a Republican consultant.

And that suits Democrats just fine: One strategist said Republicans “are crazy if they aren’t worried about Barr.” Newt Gingrich insisted the GOP isn’t threatened by Barr’s candidacy: “No reasonable conservative is going to vote for anyone except McCain.” But Barr, an NRA member who denies playing the role of a spoiler, could benefit from dissatisfaction with McCain, experts say. (More Bob Barr stories.)