Don't Barr me from the story

I did not stay very long after finding the rooms in the back. "The elevator is around the corner", I thought as I made my second right turn past the lobby 30 ft. from the elevators...

I had a brief, terse conversation with this sistah, whose disdain for the proceedings made me question why she had a camera and wanted to 'report' the story. I tried to engage her about the "Barr snub" her take being 'America has never stood for what it meant" which I could sympathize with but damn...as a REPORTER don't you wanna further develop this story. But her type of lefty elitism with "radical hair" never sees "dissenting art" in their camera and pen...just politics. She left a bad taste in my mouth; I turn and thankfully walk into the open elevator.

On the way down to the lobby I stoked up a conversation with a man who was also inside the conference; he thought Paul was doing a service not adding his name preferring to return to congress. I dissented explaining that if things are this dire than the person with the largest voice of "dissent" MUST offer himself no matter the ideological differences. Besides the four candidates had already con sensed on the four principles; also I my comment to his belief that any of the four could not forsake each party to form a "unity" ticket on the grounds of ideology. "If things in Asia heat up; the managed conflict becomes unmanageable then screw abortion we all will be aborted." He agreed, the doors opened we said our good-byes and headed out to the summer mid day sun.

I had parked my bike down on E St. in front of the National Theater; it stood undisturbed ad waiting for me as I changed my shirt and began to push the bike up the hill again to F st. I thought seriously about coming back to cover the Barr conference; my reporters instincts were tingling and since it was just half hour away and I always wanted to spend time at the K&B newsstand on 10Th St. I got on my bike for the quick ride to 10Th St.

On the way towards the K&B, I briefly stopped and spoke with a camera man who had just been inside the presser; we agreed that more was at work than was said and he promised he was going to be there; I thanked him for his openness and continued down F ST. as I briefly got on my bike.
The K&B had the great mix newsstand, smoke shop, and adult arcade in the back: old downtown dc shop for the man who has many "taste"...
I spent a good 25 minutes shooting the shit with "Curt" the grandson operator who was one of the coolest cats I had met here in Capital City in many years. In fact, it was he who suggested that I return to "give em shit" at the Barr presser. I was extremely appreciative of the advice but most of all appreciative of the man who had given it too me.

That place is a "godsend"!

10, 11, 12, 13Th floor I counted as the doors to the elevator opens, I again pass the desk at the lobby turn right and head to the small conference room at the back. Unlike the much larger and wealthier Paul ensemble the Barr Campaign had a table set out front with eats an drinks. Seeing my arrival is directly on the nose I grab a small ginger ale and step inside the open door in the back. As I take a small sip of the soda I hear my name: "Allen" I look over and seated in the last row was Adam Kokesh I signal my acknowledgment as the conference begins to open.

At the podium stood candidate Barr and his campaign manager Russ Verney, who I remember from the Perot campaigns of the early 1990's. The two old pros' stood side by side as Barr read his announcement. Using words like "bold"and phrases such as "votes equal power" and "strong change demands tremendous opportunity" he quickly began to define himself against the earlier group which to his credit did not offer anything bold in that they had an agenda but no consensus candidates to promote it in this time of crisis. I tended to agree with his read on this election; it does demand a strong candidate who will command the attention of an electorate that is in need of leadership for these crisis ridden times. To further highlight the split with the earlier crowd headed by Paul he quotes extensively from a Ron Paul letter from 1987, in which he says "change from the outside" is not possible. Barr uses this to prove his point: no real change can be possible from inside the two, large parties; this from author Ron Paul himself. This obvious dig at Paul strikes at his character, an attack I could agree with in principle nut tactically I had reservations. Because he was not only dismissing his current activities during the past year but also his integrity; was calling him a hypocrite...

Hardcore and juicy!

The first question dealt with the obvious: why did he not attend the earlier press conference?
To which he replied " that amorphous gathering does not offer a direct aggressive leadership" adding he support the agenda but not the format being offered earlier.
I was able to quest third and it spoke to my earlier questions to Paul: you stated during your speech that you believe that it will take aggressive and bold leadership; now if it shows that the other candidate have brought that to the point that they have risen in the polls can you step aside and support them or is you candidacy so important and the Libertarian agenda too that your candidacy must go forward to election?
Without a pause he answered:Yes to the latter....
Wow, thought, that was firm and definitive something I did admire him for in relation to his speech. But I did not like the tack; the nation is in dire circumstances and unified ticket could help bring about realignment and a long tern change in our system. But his answer did not for bode this tactic.

His unwillingness to compromise brought out the dissenters from amongst the crowd. Adam Kokesh stood and demanded "why he would not work with Paul instead of dividing the Libertarians?" After being told to sit, his persistence pays as they answer his question: " we cannot see a way to compromise". With his dismissal Kokesh withdraws his support and bitterly sits down. Another man seated a row ahead of Kokesh follows suit re claiming his endorsement too.

The last round of questions deals with the growing acrimony between he and Paul which the former Representative from Georgia deftly side steps as he assures the audience that he has no animosity for Paul. If fact he had offered the Vice Presidential spot on the ticket which he reminds us Paul declined.
After the questions had been sufficiently answered the conference ends. As quickly as it ends, Kokesh stand gathers his things and leaves; I ask him as he abruptly leaves " what do you think" to which he replies "it stinks" as he blows by.
I wanted to continue our conversation but he was in a hurry; I was not going to rush and just hopped the elevators were their customary slow selves. "Good" I thought as the doors were just about to open as I walk behind him. He, the other former Barr supporter myself and a young Asian man get on. i quickly ask the other dissenter his impression; he remarks how dissatisfied he was in the performance. i g on to suggest that no one today offered much in the way of unifying behind a ticket to challenge the status quo: same old "Washingtoon" I said.
To which the silent Kokesh said: you are right...

We all exit the elevator still debating future moves; no one felt assure of the future seeing only division and chances left standing alone on used podiums.

As we walked out into the mid day sun Kokesh turns and asks me if I am going to the Kucinich conference at the Rayburn building. To which I say" I guess so"; I was on a roll and I never get a chance to spend any time in action with the marine and besides...what else was I gonna do.

I agree turning with him, and the Asian man, and head up 14Th St.; marching forward to slay another dragon he feels stands stubbornly in his way. If he only knew that theyalways disappear just as he is about to strike a real blow...