Kevin Barrett made headlines while as a UW instructor he took aim at the US government saying it was behind the 9/11 attacks. Now he's taking aim at the 3rd Congressional District Seat running as a Libertarian Party candidate. Barrett taught at UW-Madison for one semester, according to university spokesman John Lucas.
Barrett says he brings the ability to bring more votes than LP candidates traditionally do, rather than the usual 2 percent vote he believes he can pull 11 percent of votes against a Democrat or Republican.
Part of Barrett's strategy involves educating people on his opposition to the Iraq War and incumbent Democrat Ron Kind's support of it.
“Once people hear that Ron Kind voted repeatedly for the Iraq War every one I talked to says 'I'm voting for you”
Businessman Ben Olson III has also filed for the LP candidacy. Barrett says Olson come from the old libertarian thought that often wants to “shut down every aspect of the government overnight.” Barrett calls himself a new libertarian.
“The government actually needs to be strengthened in a certain way so it can go after the worst abuses of private power.”
Barrett cites big banks and corporate powers among these abusers. He considers himself in the tradition of “Fighting” Bob Lafollette, an early 20th century progressive Wisconsin politician who fought against large companies and their public policy influence.
