Bait& Switch By New Libertarian Bob Barr, Screws Republican Donors?
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/19/2008 - 12:40pm
For Barr's PAC, 'it costs money to raise money'
Full article at: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
05/18/08
On April 1, former Congressman Bob Barr wrote to rally conservatives across the country to stop liberals from solidifying control of Congress.
"If we don't act fast – I'm afraid conservatives may well lose out again!" he implored in a letter sent by his political action committee.
Bob Barr's PAC is unusual for paying him from funds raised and using donations to raise more funds, a nonpartisan analyst said.
The Bob Barr Leadership Fund, he wrote, has played a "tremendous role" in helping conservative Republicans defeat liberal congressmen. Since 2003, Barr's PAC has raised $4.3 million with similar mailings.
But only a small portion of that money has made its way to Republican campaigns.
In the last five years the fund has given $125,200 — about three cents of every dollar raised — to federal candidates and other campaign committees, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has found in a review of reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Another $81,875 went to state and local campaigns.
The fund spent more than $710,000 in that period on administrative costs, including office expenses, $41,109 in salary for Barr's son Derek and a $500 political consulting fee for his son Adrian. It also paid $865 for travel for Barr's wife, Jeri.
Most of the fund's spending — $3.3 million, or about 78 percent of all gifts from donors — paid for raising more money, including mailing lists, postage and telemarketing.
Few issues.
1. Barr is not necessarily a "new" Libertarian. He didn't leave the Republican Party just a couple of months ago and join the Libertarian Party just to run for office. He joined the Libertarian Party in 2006.
2. I don't see the big deal here, other than that it's kind of stupid to spend 78% of your revenue on raising more money if you are raising seven figures.
Happy Birthday Bob Barr?
1. Barr is not necessarily a "new" Libertarian. He didn't leave the Republican Party just a couple of months ago and join the Libertarian Party just to run for office. He joined the Libertarian Party in 2006* P
In some family circles, being a 2 year old is still consider a baby in a family.
What some folks don't know, in Bob's early political career in his first political race for a local state house seat in 1984, he ran on a libertarian platform and got his clock clean by another local republican in the primary. Bob can be anything if the wind is blowing in the right direction for money.
In all fairness...
Aside from his unfortunate stances on drugs, DOMA, and a wacky fixation on Wicca in the military, Bob has been pretty good on civil liberties issues his entire career. He was a critic of the Reno DOJ and measures by the Clinton Administration that threatened civil liberties. He worked to get sunset clauses inserted into the Patriot Act (unfortunately, like David Price, he proceeded to vote for it, but he at least thought enough to get the sunset clauses in). I think his evolution over the last six years has been genuine.
His he a perfect libertarian? No, but then again many libertarians would probably have problems with me on some issues. I do think, though, he has come to be solidly libertarian at the federal level, which, while not perfect on issues like drugs and marriage, is still progress.
Bob Bobbing along for Libertarism in all the wrong places?
His he a perfect libertarian? No, but then again many libertarians would probably have problems with me on some issues*P
What makes you think you are important in Libertarian circles like Bob Barr?
Bob is a professional political ho who is always trying to make a living out of politics since day one of his former CIA and political career. Bob is like many in politics who continue to use his former connections with known losers. Poor Bob! It's not his evolutionary process toward Libertarians politics, but simply another stage to enhanced his dream of getting on somebody bandwagon for mainstream approval. I know Bob! And he is no Jesse Ventura nor a answer for the future of this country nor will the establishment club of politics ever let him into the club again. By the way, I like Bob as a person, and he really believes in what he thinks.
DOMA is not a minor issue,
and it is a civil rights issue. And....his fixation on Wiccans in the military was comical, but frightening, because that was civil rights issue as well. So don't make excuses for this guy.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
What's not to like?
Ever since Barr lost his seat in Congress, he's been doing fun things.
First, he joined up with the ACLU, making me think that he had symptoms of true conservatism (all real conservatives should belong to the ACLU, of course).
Next he started running for President in 2008. Maybe he'll siphon some votes from McCain.
Now Max the Dog points out that he's siphoning money from Republicans.
What's not to like!!??
-- ge
Besta é tu se você não viver nesse mundo
http://george.entenman.name
Besta é tu se você não viver nesse mundo
http://zabouti.tumblr.com
Spending that much on "fundraising" isn't cool
especially when it looks like family and friends are reaping the benefits. The rule for non-profits is that under 10% of money should go toward administrative costs and fundraising ... if a political campaign or PAC is spending more than that I get wary though it's not uncommon, but if it's above 10% for fundraising or above 25% for administration as a whole, I know my money is being wasted.
I ♥ NC General Statute § 163‑211.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks
Interesting
I'll keep those numbers in mind while researching.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
It's not a rule for nonprofits - just a rule of thumb.
And it ain't easy running a business on 8 to 10% admin. Trust me.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors
Well, I was trying to avoid using that cliche
due to its historical baggage.
The rule I threw out there is based on how Charity Navigator does their NPO ratings. They're one of if not the best at what they do.
Probably the most interesting class I had at Davidson was an investigation of the Non-Profit Sector's practices, which culminated in the administration of a $10K grant. It was a crash course where I learned a lot of this stuff, and while there are a ton of metrics for NPOs - and a few that should be adjusted given the slow economy - some of the fundraising cost percentages I saw in that article surprised me. Especially a few of the Democrats.
Now, a PAC isn't an NPO in the traditional sense. Donors don't get the tax write-off when they give to political campaigns. Also, Charity Navigator has no metric for 501(c)4 organizations. And sure, 10-15% overhead is a hard goal to reach - but why should someone give money to politicians that may lose when they can't live by the standards of an organization that is producing tangible positive results in a community? I want my money to go as far as it can.
I ♥ NC General Statute § 163‑211.
I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks
Another interesting comment
You're just full of words of wisdom.....and that sounds like a very, very interesting class.
Emily loved what she saw of Davidson, but the traffic was terrible.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
Bob 'n Vernon
Bob Barr and Vernon Robinson have the same MO. Spend a lot of money to rake in a lot to make a tiny profit by scaring the hell out of retirees. Bob did some fundraising for Vernon and has contributed to his campaign. I kind of like it because they are pumping the Republican well dry.
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul or Robbing Vernon to Pay Bob?
I kind of like because they are pumping the Republican well dry* Great Architect
In fact Vernon and Bob have the same fund raising manual. It's call robbing Vernon to pay Bob or Robbing Vernon donors and paying Bob Expenses or Vernon taking Bob's donation and asking no questions.
It appears that the Well is now dry after this story for Vernon and Bob.
Bob Barr Political Adviser BS's the American Voter?
Memo: Political Assessment
From: Russell Verney (info@bobbarr2008.com)
Sent: Tue 5/20/08 5:20 AM
To: MEMORANDUM
FROM: Russ Verney
Campaign Manager, Bob Barr '08
TO: Friends and Associates
RE: Political Assessment
DATE: May 19, 2008
These days, politics seems to revolve around polling and predictions. I'm not convinced it's the best use of anyone's time — especially for someone like me who's spent his whole life in full-time campaign activities — but consider this outline :
early October: 7% in national surveys
Mid October: wins televised Presidential debate
late October: 12% in national surveys
election day: captures 19% of national vote
That's what happened in a previous election I was involved with: Ross Perot in 1992. That could have been the case with Ron Paul if he had opted to run on a third party ticket.
I believe former Congressman Bob Barr has the same potential. Maybe better. Don't be mislead, however: I am no cheerleader by nature. But I do agree with our Senior Policy Advisor, Doug Bandow, in an e-mail I received from him yesterday:
"I've just read the early polling data and your election game plan — phenomenal. Congressman Barr is poised to have a huge impact on the public policy debates and political history. His will be no ordinary presidential campaign."
That's not going to happen without your involvement, but at this point I'm asking you to just to think about participating and to mull over the following ... November 4th is light years away. In terms of laying the foundation for a dynamic and influencial campaign, the pieces for Barr 2008 are already in place. Consider ...
America is swamped in Libertarian information:
Congressman Ron Paul's new book is the number one best-seller in the nation according to the New York Times
Neal Boortz has 4,000,000 radio listeners daily
On TV, John Stossel broadcasts such opinions as: "I am a libertarian in that I believe in limited government and as much individual freedom as possible."
Finally, you may not have heard this from many media pundits, but nearly 130,000 people — 16% of the Republican primary turnout in Pennsylvania — got out of their easy chairs and voted for Ron Paul and against John McCain ... that was after John McCain had won the nomination.
Politically and ideologically, Bob Barr is plowing fertile ground.
It will take an articulate candidate and a powerful message to build the meaning of the Libertarian messages voters are receiving. We have both in the Barr 2008 campaign.
That's why we need your participation: your investment of time, talent, and financial resources is vital as the campaign builds, from the ground floor, the alternative to politics-as-usual.
Will you take a moment to go to our website
and contribute $25, $50, $100 or even $500 today?
I'd also like you to consider a pledge of support so we may plot out our post-convention strategy. Consider making a $25 contribution today — and a further investment of $25 or $50 on June 1st. Your gift of $50 or even $100 right away, with a pledge of another $25, $50 or perhaps $250 on June 1st, will allow us to set some ambitious campaign plans in place now.
If you cannot donate today or tomorrow, please do make a pledge payable on June 1st. Our budget process is the first responsibility I have to deal with.
With just a few days before what I believe will be great news coming out of the Libertarian Party convention, please be sure to act on this memo today so we can further our momentum.
While you are at the website, look around (there are lots more news and information posted) and take time to volunteer. I'd like to count on your support of just one hour a week in June, two hours a week in July, three in August.
Will you help?
Please let me hear from you right away. Your investment in this campaign of $50, $25, $500, or $100 will really be of help right now. We will put the contributions into good use immediately, and if you can volunteer just an hour a week I assure you will be productively busy. Two more things ...
Bob Schoen, in his book cited above, also stated, "I have a clear and unambiguous sense that the most important person in the 1996 election was Ross Perot, who in 1995 shaped and prefaced the outcome of the election the next year." That's regrdless of Perot earning some 9% of the vote in comparison to 19% in 1992.
There are more than 430 elected Libertarian Party officials in the U.S. How many more do you think a successful Bob Barr campaign will hep elect? I am convinced Bob Barr can match or beat the Perot votes of '92 and '96. Please be generous with a contribution, a pledge of further support, and your time.
Our fitting legacy of success — yours and Bob's — would be the impact of a vibrant, effective Libertarian Party. You can make that happen, my friend.
Paid for by Barr 2008 Presidential Committee.
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Republican Conservatives Seize Libertarian Party! Founder Piss!
Is Richard Viguerie Trying to Buy the Libertarian Party?
by David F. Nolan [Founder of LP]
Key developments in the weeks leading up to the Libertarian Party National Convention, which takes place this weekend, show a disturbing pattern. While none of them is sinister in itself, taken together they add up to a strong indication that outside forces are in the process of trying to take over the LP and turn it into an arm of the conservative movement.
Some of the principal officials working on the campaign for former Georgia Republican Congressman Bob Barr appear to be veteran "partyjackers." Barr finance operative Richard Viguerie, a longtime conservative fundraiser, mounted an unsuccessful hostile takeover attempt on the American Independent Party back in 1976. In 2000, Russ Verney, now Barr’s campaign manager, first opened the Reform Party up to a successful takeover by "the Buchanan Brigades," then defected and ran a rump convention to further split the party by nominating Natural Law Party invader John Hagelin.
Recent events within the LP show a similarly disturbing trend.
The convention organizers were told that they must invite Neal Boortz, a conservative Barr supporter, to be the speaker at the Sunday Banquet. Boortz had to cancel because of knee surgery, but the pattern of placing Barr supporters in many of the prominent speaking spots has continued.
The convention organizers were told that they must have Barr himself as the convention’s keynote speaker. After Barr launched his presidential exploratory committee, they were then told that his replacement would be Richard Viguerie. This choice of having Viguerie, a movement conservative, deliver the keynote was imposed on the convention organizers contrary to their own desire, which was to fill the slot with one of the many Libertarian speakers available and eager to fill the keynote slot.
The LP’s former Executive Director, Shane Cory, used the national office to release without authorization a statement that many considered to be openly hostile to candidate Mary Ruwart. He then resigned and has since accepted a position within Viguerie’s organization. (The unauthorized press release appears to have been taken down, but here’s the text.)
Sunday, it was announced that Mr. Viguerie has purchased the popular blog Third Party Watch, which until now has been a largely unmoderated site where proponents and opponents of all third party candidates could freely express their views.
Monday morning, longtime libertarian activist and Third Party Watch contributor Tom Knapp attempted to post a piece about a highly critical story appearing in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Bob Barr’s fundraising practices. Within minutes, his piece was deleted and his previous posting privileges on the site were revoked.
Clearly, Barr and Viguerie are attempting to gain control of the LP so that Barr can campaign on a conservative/libertarian hybrid platform and Viguerie can extend his fundraising empire into the libertarian quadrant of the political universe. If they succeed, the Libertarian Party will become just one more mouthpiece for malcontent Republicans.
This makes the attempts of some Libertarians to get back to first principles, such as by restoring the 2004 platform, all the more important.