Bob Barr in Newsweek

On Civil Rights: Threats to liberty in post-9/11 world require libertarianism

A: I’ve had the opportunity over the last few years to work with the Libertarians. They’ve had a chance to get to know me. Of course, there are always going to be some naysayers, but the vast majority of Libertarians that I’ve worked with have come to understand my views and my commitment to the Libertarian Party and its principles. I also have explained many times to Libertarians that the post-9/11 world is a very different world from the one I served in Congress. The threats to our liberty in a post-9/11 world are dramatically greater than prior to that. The changes have really necessitated--in my case and I think in the eyes of a lot of Americans--a re-evaluation of where we stand on a whole range of issues regarding government power and have highlighted the need to start rolling those back with greater urgency.

On Principles & Values: Expects votes to come from those who would sit out election

A: They have no idea why I’m doing it, and, plus, that’s just a knee-jerk reaction. Does anybody getting into the race plan to ask the tough questions or plan to point out some of the areas where McCain is less conservative than he would like people to believe? Those pundits have no idea where my votes would come from, nor do they know about the issues I stand for. As a matter of fact, I suspect the votes I will get will come from folks who would be more inclined to sit out the election, because there’s not a real conservative in the race. The votes are not going to come from people that are committed to voting for McCain.

On Principles & Values: Rejects “spolier” label; expects to win electoral votes

A: History provides no blueprint for the future in politics. We know that by looking at the dynamics of this particular race, which are very different in terms of the significant increase of new younger voters, the deep dissatisfaction with the status quo, the more than 70% of voters who believe that the country i on the wrong track. I’m a very different candidate from the Libertarians and other candidates who have run in the past.

Q: Take me through your strategy. In which states will you be most competitive?

A: We’re not going to disclose that at this point. There are a number of states that we believe, based on our analysis, give us a greater chance for carrying those states. But I don’t think it would be appropriate to lay those out right now. But that is a very tangible part of our strategy.