Gary is more like the typical baby boomer in terms of lifestyle and temperament, he left his wife for another woman, and most unfortunately, his ex-wife happened to die a little less than a year after the divorce which isn't going to play well.
Having reviewed the comments on this thread ----and having known and worked with Gary Johnson since 1993 when we engaged on his first campaign for Governor of New Mexico ---and someone who talks with Gary on a daily basis----I believe I should respond to a couple of posts.
To start with Gary will not be running for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico. There is 0% chance of that happening, as he has no interest whatsoever in serving in that capacity. However, I am sure that whatever aspirations Gary may personally have he will undertake them with the same vigor and passion as he does with all of his actions in life. He is tireless, with an energy level for work that is astounding. There is no doubt that Gary will have worn down even the most ardent volunteers on a campaign long before Gary is ready to call it a night. Retail politics has met it's match when it comes to Gary Johnson.
As has been noted, Gary has started a 501c4 and has been traveling basically non-stop since January to over 24 different states.....talking about issues and listening and learning about what is important and what is right with America.
Learning and listening to the opinions of Americans....it is an important and an often forgotten concept in American politics. Criticism and providing suggestion on issues are always welcome and open dialogue and free speech are the basis of what America is all about.
But comments that are untrue ......well, that is a different issue. Clarification must be made on an un-truth that was posted earlier on this thread. After Gary had served as Governor of New Mexico his marriage with Dee fell on hard times (and may I note that I knew Dee very well). The difficulty had begun during his last term .....but they stayed together until he had finished his time in office.
Gary chose to separate and to initiate the divorce. It was not an easy decision....it was a very difficult and emotional experience. The separation did not involve another women as there was no other women in Gary's life. It involved a very difficult and personal situation. Something that I have no interest in discussing in scope --although I have no doubt it will probably be made public at some time by others. Gary felt that the separation and eventual divorce was a very private matter and he refused to answer any questions about the subject with the press. Although, speculation circled that there must be another women and that this was the reason for the separation......this was simply not the case.
After a long period of separation the divorce was finalized. By then Dee's health had deteriorated and she passed away from a heart ailment only a few months after the divorce.
The situation has been a very tragic one for the Johnson family. Many years have passed now since the divorce ---the two adult children and Gary have each moved on with their lives.
Gary maintains a very strong relationship with his children. He has also met a women that he has developed a deep attachment and love with....they have been together for almost two years. They are engaged and are planning towards a marriage soon.
Over the years I have worked with hundreds of political candidates and office holders. I can say soundly that Gary Johnson's integrity and resolve to a life of principle is solid. He is a man of commitment and follows the commitments that he makes.
When Gary left office in 2002 he had done his job----a very good one at that---and now was looking forward to a private and personal life. But like many of you---the current situation in this country was not something that can be ignored.
I believe you will find something with Gary that you might not have seen before.....not just someone that believes or talks about liberty based ideals but someone that has taken words and turned them into actions. Gary is someone that is willing to truly stand up for what he believes to be right......not just in his personal life but in his public undertakings. When he committed to not allow any taxes to be raised in New Mexico and to create a government that treated everyone equally no matter who they were.....that is exactly what he did.....even if it took 750 vetoes and thousands of line items to make it happen.
Now my opinion is a biased one....in the fact that I know Gary well. If you don't know of Gary...take a look and for heaven sake don't marginalize him. He stands up for the same principles that we each believe in. We all witnessed what marginalization of a candidate by the media did in 2008------are we now going to do it to one of our own? I should hope not.
……and if you have not heard Gary speak since earlier this year.......come to an event and listen again. He is not as rusty as he may have been 7 or 8 months ago. But let me say with caution---- that Gary is not a speaker of mere platitudes and "feel good" one liners. He speaks direct and talks about real solutions and he never backs away from dealing with the difficult problems in the fear of loosing the support of his audience.
Please let me know of your comments and if there are other questions that I can answer about Gary or what he is doing currently…..I am happy to do so.
