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Ex-Republican aims for presidency | |
(about 11 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. | The Libertarian Party, a small group with limited support, will choose its presidential runner later this month. |
But the US political system is dominated by the two major parties, which enjoy almost all support. | |
As a result, third-party candidates tend to run the risk of being little more than a sideshow. | |
However, Mr Barr, 59, hopes many voters will be drawn to his plans 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, who was a congressman for Georgia from 1995 to 2003, left the Republican Party two years ago saying he was disappointed by its failure to shrink the role of government. | |
He was also disillusioned by the Bush administration's readiness to undermine civil liberties as part of its fight against terrorism, he said. | |
The Libertarian Party, which believes in fiscal conservatism and limited government, will pick its candidate at its national convention in Denver, starting on 22 May. | |
Mr Barr is the clear favourite to win that nomination, says the BBC's Jack Izzard in Washington. | |
Winning the White House is quite another matter though - he would need a miracle for that, our correspondent says. | |
Nonetheless, he may prove a major thorn in the side for the Republican candidate John McCain. | |
Some right-wing voters may be tempted to switch to Mr Barr - which could cost the Republicans dear, our correspondent adds. |