Barr blasts presidential debates

ATLANTA --- Libertarian presidential hopeful Bob Barr on Thursday mocked debates held in the race for the White House as "nonsensical," saying the scripted format told American voters nothing about how the candidates would respond in a crisis.

Mr. Barr, who is pulling only about 1 percent of likely voters in recent polls, was excluded from the three presidential debates.

Speaking to about 200 students and faculty Thursday at Georgia Tech, he labeled the debates "stale." He complained that the final debate contained multiple references to "Joe the plumber" and none to the Constitution.

Mr. Barr also faulted the debate moderators for "sitting there like a bump on a log" while the candidates were allowed "to bloviate about whatever they want."

"By and large they are found wanting. They don't ask the right questions," Mr. Barr said of the media.

The former Georgia congressman and federal prosecutor outlined his platform of small government and assailed the $700 billion government bailout of the financial industry.

Mr. Barr gained a national reputation as an early crusader for President Bill Clinton's impeachment. Some Republicans worry he could peel votes away from Sen. John McCain from disaffected Republicans.