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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ex-Republican aims for president | Ex-Republican aims for president |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A former Republican congressman, Bob Barr, has announced he hopes to run for president of the United States - for the Libertarian Party. | A former Republican congressman, Bob Barr, has announced he hopes to run for president of the United States - for the Libertarian Party. |
| "I've heard from Americans from all walks of life... they want a choice," said Mr Barr, announcing his candidacy. | "I've heard from Americans from all walks of life... they want a choice," said Mr Barr, announcing his candidacy. |
| The Libertarian Party, a small group with limited support, will choose its presidential runner later this month. | |
| But America's political system is dominated by the two major parties, which enjoy almost all support. | |
| Third-party candidates always run the risk of being little more than a sideshow. | Third-party candidates always run the risk of being little more than a sideshow. |
| Mr Barr wants to change that. | Mr Barr wants to change that. |
| He hopes many voters will be drawn to his plan to slash government spending, withdraw from Iraq and halt immigration. | He hopes many voters will be drawn to his plan to slash government spending, withdraw from Iraq and halt immigration. |
| "They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us," he said. | "They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us," he said. |
| Threat to McCain? | Threat to McCain? |
| Mr Barr is the clear favourite to win the Libertarian nomination. | Mr Barr is the clear favourite to win the Libertarian nomination. |
| Winning the White House is quite another matter - he would need a miracle for that. | Winning the White House is quite another matter - he would need a miracle for that. |
| But he may prove a major thorn in the side for the Republican candidate John McCain. | But he may prove a major thorn in the side for the Republican candidate John McCain. |
| Right-wing voters may be tempted to switch to Mr Barr - which would cost the Republicans very dear. | Right-wing voters may be tempted to switch to Mr Barr - which would cost the Republicans very dear. |