SMYRNA - Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr's wife, as well as state and local officials, are weighing in on the Smyrna resident's Monday announcement that he will run for president of the United States on the Libertarian ticket.

Wife Jeri Barr said every American citizen is taught they can grow up to be president.

"However, I never even thought the words 'my husband is running for President of the United States of America' would come from my lips." said Jeri Barr, who is the CEO of the Center for Family Resources.

Asked when her husband sought her permission to run for the most powerful office in the world, Jeri Barr said, "He does not need my permission to run. Of course, I and the whole family support him. We have two grandsons who will be able to vote in their first presidential election and they can vote for their grandfather - very cool!"

As for how this will impact Jeri Barr's job, she told the Center for Family Resources board and staff she intends to continue working just as she did when Barr was a congressman.

"It is too soon to really know how this campaign will be different from congressional campaigns. I have always been able to balance work and family with my responsibilities as a political wife. I expect to continue to do the same," she said.

Jeri Barr said her husband is "a very credible candidate and he would be an excellent president."

"I will be there for him whenever or wherever he needs me," she said.

Former Gov. Roy Barnes said he's so unhappy with the current three presidential hopefuls that he just may consider Bob Barr.

"I'm not happy with any of them. Maybe I'll give Bob Barr a good look," Barnes said.

Barnes said Barack Obama lacks experience. He said he doesn't like "a Bush following a Bush or a Clinton following a Clinton," and John McCain lacks seasoning when it comes to domestic affairs.

Barnes suspects Bob Barr is running for president to draw attention to the government's encroachments on American civil liberties, something Barnes is also troubled by, citing government eavesdropping on citizens.

Barr has an uphill battle. The 2004 Libertarian presidential candidate, Michael Barack, took less than 1 percent of the vote, placing fourth behind President Bush, Democrat John Kerry and Independent Ralph Nader."I think it's very difficult for any third party candidate to win," Barnes said.

Dr. Kerwin Swint, an elections specialist at Kennesaw State University, put it more bluntly, saying Bob Barr knows he doesn't stand a chance.

"He knows," Swint said.

Swint said winning the presidency is not what Bob Barr is after. Bob Barr's goal is to draw attention to his libertarian principles, which call for maximum liberty from government.

Libertarians normally take votes from Republicans, but not enough to make a great deal of difference, Swint said.

"In a presidential election it doesn't amount to very much," Swint said.

David Chastain of Acworth, a leader in Georgia Libertarian circles, acknowledged that the 2004 Libertarian presidential candidate won only 1 percent.

But, "every election cycle is different," he said.

"John McCain is going to be more of the same. There are so many people who want to vote for an alternative candidate. I think Bob Barr is going to do a whole lot better than one percent," Chastain said, listing Barr's resume as a former Marine, former congressman, former U.S. attorney and CIA official.

Abraham Lincoln was a third party candidate, Chastain said.

And don't forget that it would be much better to have Jeri Barr as First Lady over some of the other choices, he said.

State Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), a friend of Bob Barr's, said Barr has a great record.

"He is a very principled man who understands the importance of Constitutional based governance. While running as a Libertarian is a considerable challenge, I am certain he will bring a much needed perspective on limited government to the debate," Rogers said.

Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens said while he backs McCain, "I have much respect for Bob Barr and his solid conservative views. Like Senators McCain, Isakson and Chambliss, Bob tells you his opinion whether it is popular or not. Too few politicians are willing to tell you their opinions without ambiguity," Olens said.

jgillooly@mdjonline.com

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