BarrHQ.com

A quick search of the Zogby website shows that Zogby’s presidential polls include “libertarian” as an option along with very conservative, conservative, moderate, etc.   Further, Zogby provides the option of “Libertarian” along with Republican, Democrat, and Independent. 

Looking at Zogby’s press release on Barr’s recent 6% result, it appears that Barr is receiving 43% support from people who describe themselves as libertarian (as opposed to conservative or liberal.)   The percent of libertarians wasn’t reported, but past polling has shown about 2%.   Those who describe themselves as Libertarians, rather than Republican and Democrats, are about 1/2 of one percent of voters.  

Barr’s results are consistent with receiving the support of all partisan Libertarian voters, and about 1/3 of those self-described libertarians who have not traditionally supported the Libertarian Party.    While it doesn’t take much of a search of libertarian-oriented discussion sites on the web to find some Libertarian partisans who aren’t backing Barr, their numbers are overwhelmed by other libertarians who do.  

I have a anecdotal story, however, that suggests that many Libertarian and libertarians are just not aware that Bob Barr is the Libertarian nominee.   Last week, I was at the monthly meeting of the Bastiat Society in Charleston, South Carolina, listening to a talk by libertarian economist Matt Kibbe of Freedomworks.   Naturally, I was wearing my Bob Barr pin.   I ran into a loyal LP supporter who had no idea that Barr was our nominee and was, of course, willing to support him.   I also ran into a retired colleague from The Citadel.   He is a libertarian conservative Republican, who frequently votes Libertarian.   He also had no idea that Bob Barr was our nominee.   “Where is my button?” he asked. 

Zogby included Barr in a poll on April 16th, before the nomination.   Barr polled at 2% among likely voters, and was supported by 22% of “libertarians.”   The improvement to 43%  over the last three months will likely continue as more and more libertarians become exposed to the campaign’s remarkable success in the mass media.

Zogby measured support for  the Libertarian presidential candidate in 2004, Michael Badnarik, and the nominee in 2000, Harry Browne.   In 2004, Zogby reported a 1% result for Badnarik in mid-August.  However, by late August, the result was .3%.   He was up to 1.2% in September, but that was to be the high point, and Bardnarik was showing up at .2% in the days leading up the the election.   Badnarik actually received .32%.

Zogby included Browne in a May 2000 poll.  Browne showed .7% support.   By June it was down to .4%, but there was a July bump up to 1.7%.   However, by the end of the month, the polls were showing .6% and soon after, .4%.   Browne has a 1% result in late August, but then down to .3% in September.    This was close to Browne’s actual .362% result. 

So far, Barr’s polling results run from a low of 2% to a high of 7%.   Compare this to polls that run from - to 1.7%.   This is the year where the Libertarian Party can break through.  Americans who support smaller government, a more humble foreign policy, and respect for our Constitutional liberties finally have an opportunity to make a real change.