This kind of "mud-slinging" is issues based, and I am happy to see it. Here in Texas, we have a governor's race between Bush's successor (Rick Perry) and a Texas oil man (Tony Sanchez). Not much of a decision, and a wonderful opportunity for third party candidates, save the fact that 68% of Texas voted Bush for president, which should tell you a thing or two about the politics in this state. I don't care for either candidate, but I love watching their ads because all they do is sling mud back and forth about the issues. I'd rather see them slinging mud about the issues than not addressing the issues at all.

So, when I hear that the Libertarian Party's ads had an impact on sending Bob Barr packing, I say "Thank You, Libertarians!" And I hope they have plenty of mud left in their arsenals for the next crooked politicians on their list.

In the story, the LP crows about how it brought Barr down, but nothing is said about Linder's position.

Another small detail. Barr was one of the few voices in congress questioning GW Bush and the war on terrorism.

Here are a few stats the way I keep track of them. I see such variation in stats on the Net that I don't know what is right or how you tell but front page hits and accessed times on the articles I understand. This is the total on this month so far. This is about the average lately if anyone wants to know.

3,120 Front Page Hits Today ( I write them down everyday at the same time that's how I know.) - Today was in the top ten for page hits ever.

1230376 Total Hits up until August 20th
391446 Total PAGE Hits

----So here is the MPP press release:-------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 20, 2002

Medical Marijuana Patients Celebrate: Georgia Rep. Bob Barr Defeated in GOP Primary

ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), perhaps the most rabid enemy medical marijuana patients faced in the U.S. House of Representatives, was defeated in Georgia's 7th District Republican primary today.

"This is glorious news for people who need medical marijuana to help them battle the symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other terrible illnesses," said Robert Kampia, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). "This will re-energize our campaign to protect medical marijuana patients here in the District of Columbia." MPP is sponsoring Initiative 63, the Medical Marijuana Initiative of 2002, which is expected to be on this November's ballot in Washington, D.C.

D.C. voters passed a medical marijuana measure, Initiative 59, by a two-to-one margin in 1998, but a series of amendments sponsored by Barr have prevented the initiative from taking effect. "Barr showed his contempt for democracy by trying to stop the votes from being counted," Kampia recalled. "When that got shot down in court, he still succeeded in thwarting the will of the District's voters by attaching a rider to the D.C. appropriations bill barring the measure from taking effect."

When Cheryl Miller, who uses marijuana to relieve the disabling pain and spasms of multiple sclerosis, joined two other medical marijuana patients at an October 1999 protest at Barr's Capitol office, the congressman scornfully referred to her as a "prop."

But Miller appears to have had the last laugh. She appeared in an emotional television commercial on behalf of Carol Ann Rand, the Libertarian Party's 7th district candidate. In the ad, shown over 3,000 times on local cable and broadcast TV, Miller -- bedridden and obviously very ill -- says, "Bob Barr thinks I should be in jail for using my medicine. Why would you do that to me, Bob?"

While victorious Rep. John Linder has not been a supporter of medical marijuana, he has not been a leader of the opposition like Barr. "This is a huge boost for our new Washington, D.C., medical marijuana initiative," Kampia said. "With our most vicious opponent out of the way, we now have a real chance to protect patients here in the nation's capital."

“Both Barr and Linder ran personality-based, feel-good ads -- leaving us a huge opportunity to inject our issue into the public debate,” he said.

I love seeing intelligence like this working so well - may this be a benchmark example of how strong grass root campaigning can make a BIG difference in the outcome...

I hope to see results like this all over the states until each of the prohibitionists are out of office and in the unemployment line....YES !!!

State Representative District 57

They should come to consider Our Ire their quick and certain demise.

Wed Aug 21, 5:21 PM ET

By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Coming up next -- Politicians who don't inhale and the people who love them! Which is better, boxers or briefs? And, when is sex NOT sex? All this and more on ... "Today with Bill."

Network executives aren't talking, but informed sources said Wednesday that representatives of former President Bill Clinton are in discussions with CBS about developing a syndicated talk show to be hosted by the 56-year-old former commander-in-chief.