Will Russert offer Libertarian candidate Barr the same Meet the Press platform he gave Nader?

[DeepModem Mom]

Media Matters for America: Will Russert offer Libertarian candidate Barr the same Meet the Press platform he gave Nader?

On the February 24 edition of NBC's Meet the Press, host Tim Russert interviewed activist Ralph Nader, who announced his 2008 run for the presidency on the program. On May 12, former Republican congressman Bob Barr (GA) announced his candidacy for the Libertarian Party nomination for president. In a May 13 article on Barr's announcement, the Los Angeles Times reported: "Political commentators debated the effect of Barr's entry into the campaign. Some argued that -- as with Ralph Nader, who in 2000 pulled votes away from Democrat Al Gore -- Barr could take enough votes from McCain in 2008 to give the Democratic nominee the election." In the 2004 presidential election, Nader received 465,650 votes, or .38 percent of the popular vote, while Libertarian Party candidate Michael Badnarik received 397,265 votes, or .32 percent. This raises the question: Will Russert invite Barr to be interviewed on Meet the Press, giving Barr the same platform to discuss his candidacy that Russert gave Nader?...

http://mediamatters.org/items/200805130004?f=h_latest

[Pawel K]

1. of course not.

[racaulk]

2. It's a fair question to ask, but I highly doubt Russert would do that. n/t

[onehandle]

3. I hope so. In fact we should suggest it...

Dear Mr. Russert,

I would really like to see Bob Barr on your fine programs. As often as possible.

Sincerly,
John Q. American

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. I'll bet he will, especiallly if Barr indicates he wants to be guest.

Barr is not exactly an unknown politician.

If Nader can be on, why not Barr?

Conservatives are dying to have an alternative to JohnBoy.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. honestly there's no reason to

nader has an actual track record of getting enough votes to flip an election. Barr doesn't. It would be purely speculative to have him on the show.

If Barr runs, gets 3% of the vote, and costs McCain the election, then in 2012 if he runs again, you can have him on MTP.

But Nader being on the show had actual news value, as he has actual history with running for president and being historically noteworthy.

Barr does not.