For Immediate Release Monday, September 15, 2008
“It’s a great day for Pennsylvania voters,” says Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party’s presidential nominee, after defeating a Republican challenge to his right to be on the ballot in Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit, filed by a Republican Party official in Cumberland County, PA, sought to remove Barr’s name from the ballot — contrary to promises made by John McCain during his first bid for the presidency after then Texas Governor George Bush tried to have McCain blocked from the New York primary ballot. “I would never consider, ever consider,” McCain said during his 2000 campaign, “allowing a supporter of mine to challenge [an opponent’s] right to be on the ballot in all 50 states.”
McCain went on to call such tactics, “Stalinist politics.”
“We’re happy that the Pennsylvania courts recognized the absurd nature of the Republican’s lawsuit,” says Russell Verney, Barr’s campaign manager. “It was very hypocritical of McCain to allow one of his agents to try to block a legitimate candidate like Congressman Bob Barr from the ballot. Fortunately, these hypocritical tactics of McCain’s agents failed.”
The court ruled that the Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania “simply took reasonable action to abide by the Election Code while furthering its legitimate interest.”
“After today’s ruling, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama will have to compete for the votes of Pennsylvania citizens instead of taking them for granted,” says Verney. “Competition is key to a healthy Republic.”
Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.LP.org . The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
