Recognizing Barr's precarious situation, the Libertarian Party seized on the opportunity to oust one of the federal drug war's most vocal proponents (Barr), and ran TV ads criticizing Barr's opposition to medical marijuana.[23] Barr was soundly defeated by a 2-to-1 margin.[23] The extent to which the issue of medical marijuana shaped the election is unclear. Some have argued that Barr's huge loss simply reflected the nature of the new 7th district, which was primarly redrawn from Linder's old 11th district.[21] However, before the medical marijuana ads were aired,[23] the Linder campaign acknowledged the race as being tight;[24] and Pat Gartland, southeastern director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, saw the race as "too close to call".[22]
Barr's defeat was applauded by many Democrats and Libertarians. Rob Kampia of the Marijuana Policy Project called it "glorious news".[25] Ron Crickenberger, producer of the TV ads, was quick to warn other drug warriors:
With this victory, we have fired a warning shot for every drug warrior in Congress to hear. And any member of Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- who introduces legislation to make federal drug laws even more oppressive could be next on our list.
Ron Crickenberger, Libertarian Party Political Director, August 2002[23]
However, some individuals within these groups lamented Barr's defeat as a setback for privacy rights,[26] and libertarian causes in general.[24] Libertarian J. Bradley Jansen put it bluntly:
The LP has a historic opportunity to present itself as a viable alternative to the big parties, instead of spending its money and energy trying to defeat one of libertarianism's few friends in Congress just because they disagree with him on one issue.
if you can't beat em join em
