MARIETTA - Rumors continue to flood political blogs that Smyrna resident and former U.S. Congressman Bob Barr will soon announce a third-party bid for president.

The political blog FITSNews has reported that Barr will announce a Libertarian campaign, and that Ron Paul will endorse Barr. Paul, a Texas Congressman, is the only Republican presidential candidate who has yet to withdraw from that race, even though U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has enough delegates to win the party's nomination.

Barr plans to deliver a speech at the Heartland Libertarian Conference on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

Neither Barr nor his spokesman, Derek Barr, could be reached for comment.

Two weeks ago, Barr's office issued this statement concerning the speculation: "Former Congressman Bob Barr has been receiving numerous calls for him to consider seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party for the presidency of the United States," the statement said.

"He understands this reflects in part the deep dissatisfaction prevalent among voters with the candidates of the two major parties. Congressman Barr is grateful for the many and continuing expressions of support for his potential candidacy. He has, however, made no decision in that regard."

Barr, a onetime Republican, served in Congress from 1995 to 2003. He previously had served as a U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and with the Central Intelligence Agency.

He now practices law in the Atlanta firm of Edwin Marger and runs Liberty Strategies consulting firm, working with national organizations on issues related to privacy and national security.

ahungerford@mdjonline.com

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