New York Times and Politico agree. . . Bob Barr wins!
September 30, 2008
Yesterday’s vote in Congress confirms to me that only Bob Barr is in touch with the American people, and both the Democrats and Republicans are following Bob’s lead!
The New York Times reports:
But a majority of the House voted along with Bob Barr, the Libertarian who said, “We need to make Wall Street take the hit for its irresponsible investment decisions. . .”
And the highly read Politico.com slams both McCain and Obama saying:
There was, however, one presidential “contender” who got on the right side of this issue: former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr. Barr called today’s bill “the bailout from hell ” and warned it would make Henry Paulson “an economic dictator, empowered to reengineer the economy as he sees fit.”
Of course, it isn’t just Bob Barr who scored major political points yesterday, it was redemption for the American people when the vote - which wasn’t even close - went against Wall Street and in favor of average Americans.
Many of Bob supporters - old and new - took a moment to show their appreciation for this initiative by making generous gifts to the campaign yesterday and today. (Perhaps you would like to join now with a gift to keep the pressure on. Thanks!)
But of course, the powerful corporate special interests, with both of Bob’s opponents backing them in the Senate, aren’t going to give up. The Bush administration continues in their efforts to scare Americans and convince them that only his bill can provide salvation for our economy.
Another vote is going to come, and it may be within the next 48 hours, or sooner.
To appease a few interests, they are likely to make some cosmetic change but the bottom line is that it will still be a bad bill — and taxpayers are going to be soaked with $700 Billion in bailout funds for Wall Street. And when a Treasury Department official was asked by Forbes.com how this amount was chosen, the response: “It’s not based on any particular data point. We just wanted to choose a really large number.”
We must not retreat in our opposition to this outrageous scheme. Today Bob is giving speeches on the campaign trail and he is drawing larger crowds, greater enthusiasm, and the media is taking notice. Just as the New York Times acknowledged, only Bob Barr’s approach to fiscal sanity will work.
I encourage you to keep up the heat. Call your Representative in Congress. If they voted the right way, thank them and encourage them to hold the line. If they voted wrong, turn up the heat and grant them a chance to change their mind.
Next, I ask you to help me fund the next stage of this important campaign. We have a radio ad ready for national distribution and plans for TV commercials as well. Your gift will help us spread the word that there is an alternative to the Bush-McCain-Obama Wall Street bailout. Any amount is a big help, but a gift of $50 or $100 goes a long way.
P.S. - By the way, I personally believe that this is just the beginning of a very bad trend. First there was money for Bear Stearn and AIG. Then home mortgage payouts of $300 Billion and $25 Billion for the auto Industry this year (and another $25 Billion for next year). Next, $200 Billion to clean up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and now $700 billion for big banks and Wall Street moguls. Who else will be “bailed out?” Some are suggesting that $700 Billion may just be a down payment for Wall Street. Others needing “bailouts” include local and state governments. Have you noticed how state and local bureaucrats are crying about a decline in revenue? Mark my word, they will seek bailout protection, too.
New York Times and Politico agree. . . Bob Barr wins!
Only Barr in-sync with voters on bailout
September 30, 2008
Over at The American Spectator, Robert Stacy McCain joins the crowd pointing out that Bob Barr got it right on the bailout:
Members of Congress didn’t need to consult the polls to know how unpopular the bailout was — their phones were ringing off the hook with calls from citizens angrily opposed to the plan.
[...]
Despite such opposition, congressional leaders in both parties announced early Sunday morning that a deal had been reached, and it looked as if the plan would be rammed through Congress quickly. Even as the House prepared to vote, however, Barr sounded a warning.“The leaders of both the Republican and Democratic Parties are rushing ahead with their $700 billion bill,” Barr said in a statement. “Without a single hearing and without considering other solutions, Congress is preparing to put the typical American family on the hook for more than $8,000. Legislators in both parties need to stand up for the American people and say no.”
Only Barr in-sync with voters on bailout
Reason Counter-Debate Part 2
September 30, 2008
The second and final part of the Reason counter-debate with Libertarian Party presidential nominee Bob Barr is now available. You can watch it here. Part 1 is available here.
We here at Bob Barr 2008 would like to thank Reason magazine for the amazing job they did putting this event together. Several of us on the campaign are subscribers to Reason, myself included. We’d like to encourage you to consider subscribing to the magazine of free minds and free markets.
Politico: Monday goes to Barr
September 30, 2008
The Politico gives Monday to Bob Barr:
Didn’t see that one coming, did you?
Today’s bailout vote in the House embarrassed President Bush, the congressional leaders of both parties – and, to some extent, both major-party presidential candidates. Obama and McCain both endorsed the bailout proposal, and its failure to pass the House puts the two men in an awkward position as negotiations start all over again.
There was, however, one presidential “contender” who got on the right side of this issue: former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr. Barr called today’s bill “the bailout from hell” and warned it would make Henry Paulson “an economic dictator, empowered to reengineer the economy as he sees fit.” As Obama and McCain carefully parse their language in response to developments on the Hill, Barr has no such burden: he got what he wanted.
Of the two major-party candidates, McCain finds himself in a somewhat more uncomfortable position going forward, having watched congressional Republicans desert the bailout bill after one of his campaign aides bragged about McCain’s role in corralling GOP support. But after this afternoon’s surprise revolt against the bailout, it’s hard to say either he or Obama had a really good day. Barr, on the other hand, had an unexpected moment in the sun.
Politico: Game Day keeps a score of who wins each day on the campaign trail, whether it is good press or good soundbites.
Five campaign stops today
September 30, 2008
Bob Barr is a busy guy today:
Libertarian presidential candidate and former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr will make five campaign stops in Charleston today as he tries to drum up support for his long-shot bid. He also likely will talk a lot about the failure of the financial rescue bill — a bill that he opposed.
Bob BarrBarr will give a 10 a.m. speech at The Citadel’s Wachovia Auditorium inside Bond Hall, and he will speak to the Charleston Rotary Club at 12:30 p.m.
He also will give a speech at the College of Charleston’s Physicians Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. before returning to The Citadel to give a speech to an MBA class at Bond Hall at 5:45 p.m. He will be at a 7 p.m. fundraiser at Sunfire Grill, 1090 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. in West Ashley.
Come on by if you’re in the area.
Obama in Reno: "We cannot have another day like yesterday"
September 30, 2008
Senator Obama just finished holding a Change We Need rally in Reno, Nevada. In his opening remarks, he discussed the current financial situation and the Economic Rescue Plan. He stated his plan to call for expanding the federal deposit insurance for families and small businesses across America…
This morning – like so many others over the last few months – we woke up to some very sobering news about our economy. Over the course of a few hours, the failure to pass the economic rescue plan in Washington led to the single largest decline of the stock market in two decades.
Over one trillion dollars of wealth was lost by the time the markets closed on Monday. And it wasn’t just the wealth of a few CEOs or Wall Street executives. The 401Ks and retirement accounts that millions count on for their family’s future are now smaller. The state pension funds of teachers and government employees lost billions upon billions of dollars. Hardworking Americans who invested their nest egg to watch it grow are now watching it disappear.
But while the decline of the stock market is devastating, the consequences of the credit crisis that caused it will be even worse if we do not act and act immediately.
Because of the housing crisis, we are now in a very dangerous situation where financial institutions across this country are afraid to lend money. If all that meant was the failure of a few big banks on Wall Street, it would be one thing.
But that’s not what it means. What it means is that if we do not act, it will be harder for you to get a mortgage for your home or the loans you need to buy a car or send your children to college. What it means is that businesses won’t be able to get the loans they need to open new factories, or hire more workers, or make payroll for the workers they have. What it means is that thousands of businesses could close. Millions of jobs could be lost. A long and painful recession could follow.…This morning, I proposed one such idea that might increase bipartisan support for this plan and shore up our economy at the same time: expanding federal deposit insurance for families and small businesses across America who have invested their money in our banks.
The majority of American families should rest assured that the deposits they have in our banks of up to $100,000 are still guaranteed by the federal government. That guarantee is more than adequate for most families, but it is insufficient for many small businesses to meet their payroll, buy their supplies, and create new jobs. The current insurance limit of $100,000 was set 28 years ago and has not been adjusted for inflation. I’ve proposed raising the FDIC limit to $250,000 – a step that would boost small businesses, make our banking system more secure, and help restore confidence by reassuring families that their money is safe. That’s one idea. If there are others that can help shore up support for this plan and shore up our economy, I encourage Democrats and Republicans to offer them. But we must act and we must act now. We cannot have another day like yesterday. We cannot risk another week or another month where American businesses are afraid to extend credit and lend money. That is not an option for this country.
For the rest of today and as long as it takes, I will continue to reach out to leaders in both parties and do whatever I can to help pass a rescue plan. To the Democrats and Republicans who opposed this plan yesterday, I say – step up to the plate and do what’s right for this country. And to all Americans, I say this – if I am President of the United States, this rescue plan will not be the end of what we do to strengthen this economy – it will only be the beginning.
Read Barack’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery…
Obama in Reno: "We cannot have another day like yesterday"
LIVE: Barack in Reno, Nevada
September 30, 2008
Barack is currently holding a rally in Reno, Nevada where he will discuss the current economic crisis. You can watch the event live below…
[UPDATE] This event has ended. Check back for more coverage from our road team.
Translator
-
Subscribe To Our Feeds
-