Gary Johnson Gary Johnson just announced that he is running for President

[specsaregood]

Aren't all political posters:

No, not really. Let me know when Dr. Paul puts out a similar poster to one I linked.

 

[mCsenget]

His posters say "Ron Paul" in huge letters. Campaigns are about people. Get over it!

 

[Brett85]

Is adding an earmark actually spending money? I thought it was simply proposing it. Do not earmarks have to be voted upon to be added? Does not the budget itself have to be voted upon?

Earmarks account for 1% of the budget, so it is spending money. No, they don't actually vote to add the earmarks to the budget. They simply add them and then vote on the budget as a whole. The earmarks themselves are not found anywhere in the Constitution.

 

[TNforPaul45]

I was a strong supporter of Ron Paul back in 2008, even running one of his campaign offices, but my support is going to Gary Johnson this time around. While I'm glad to have Ron Paul in the race again, I'm hoping he will choose the right time to step aside and give his full support for Gov. Johnson as the next POTUS.

No!

 

[jmdrake]

Give Gary Johnson some credit: he's being decisive and acting like he wants it. An official announcement, a website, taking donations, media reports, etc.

All the stuff we wish Ron Paul would do while Paul continues with the inexplicable delays.

Yeah. Gary Johnson is getting free "first one in" publicity from this.

 

[nelsonwinters]

With the primaries still a long way off and the debates right around the corner, right now I'm interested to see how the debate gets framed. In 2008, all the candidates, short of Ron Paul, pretty much agreed on everything. No mention of liberty or the Constitution or cutting spending. To the extent that the debates provide a forum for a broader discussion of the issues I believe that having both Paul and Johnson in the debates is a good thing (assuming Gary Johnson represents himself and this movement well). One step at a time. I also do believe that Doug Wead is correct in placing great importance on the upcoming Iowa Ames Straw Poll on August 13, 2011.

 

[RonPaulFanInGA]

Everyone who thinks both Ron Paul and Gary Johnson running simultaneously is going to be a magical experience, and that they'll back each other up in the debates and both spread the message and the 'liberty movement' will grow leaps and bounds and we'll all just be sitting here singing 'Kumbaya' is in for a shock.

Hope after months of this impending, tedious bickering that crowd will at least admit to how naive they were. Them both running ensures neither has a real shot at taking off; that's the sad and painful reality.

 

[sailingaway]

Congress has the authority to determine where all the money it brings in is spent. It's the executive branch that has no Constitutional authority to earmark money.

this.

 

[mCsenget]

FanInGA, how can you be so sure?

 

[sailingaway]

With the primaries still a long way off and the debates right around the corner, right now I'm interested to see how the debate gets framed. In 2008, all the candidates, short of Ron Paul, pretty much agreed on everything. No mention of liberty or the Constitution or cutting spending. To the extent that the debates provide a forum for a broader discussion of the issues I believe that having both Paul and Johnson in the debates is a good thing (assuming Gary Johnson represents himself and this movement well). One step at a time. I also do believe that Doug Wead is correct in placing great importance on the upcoming Iowa Ames Straw Poll on August 13, 2011.

and having Gary in the straw poll, like with the RSLC, will hurt Ron's chances to use that to advantage.

 

[specsaregood]

Earmarks account for 1% of the budget, so it is spending money. No, they don't actually vote to add the earmarks to the budget. They simply add them and then vote on the budget as a whole. The earmarks themselves are not found anywhere in the Constitution.

Oh really? How does an earmark get into a bill? You claim there is no approval process? So by your claim, every single one of Dr. Pauls earmarks are actually awarded? I think not.

 

[CUnknown]

So, GJ is basically a diluted RP with an ego? No thanks. If he supports RP in the debates and eventually sends his support RP's way when it's clear he doesn't have the money to compete, I'm happy to have him in the race. If he tries to "take on" RP in any way -- utter fail. I'll take the good, humble doctor Paul any day over him.

I think one of RPs biggest unrecognized advantages is that he doesn't have an overinflated ego like every other politician in existence. People notice this stuff.

 

[sailingaway]

FanInGA, how can you be so sure?

We aren't interested in Gary. There is no upside, from my point of view, to having Gary in.

 

[BamaFanNKy]

Everyone who thinks both Ron Paul and Gary Johnson running simultaneously is going to be a magical experience, and that they'll back each other up in the debates and both spread the message and the 'liberty movement' will grow leaps and bounds and we'll all just be sitting here singing 'Kumbaya' is in for a shock.

Hope after months of this impending, tedious bickering that crowd will at least admit to how naive they were. Them both running ensures neither has a real shot at taking off; that's the sad and painful reality.

As I've said before. It's about message and getting speaking roles at the convention. Also, one or the other will drop out pretty early.

 

[jmdrake]

Everyone who thinks both Ron Paul and Gary Johnson running simultaneously is a magical experience and they'll back each other up in the debates and both spread the message and the 'liberty movement' will grow leaps and bounds and we'll all just be sitting here singing 'Kumbaya' is in for a shock.

Hope after months of this impending, tedious bickering that crowd will at least admit to how naive they were. Them both running ensures neither has a real shot at taking off; that's the sad and painful reality.

Here's reality:

God give me the courage to change the things I can...
The serenity to accept the things I cannot...
And the wisdom to know the difference.

A reality that you can't change is that the decision to run belongs to Ron Paul and Gary Johnson alone. I seriously doubt either checked to see how RPF was trending in making their decision. (I could be wrong). With that in mind, the best thing to do is to make the most of the hand we're dealt. For me that is supporting Ron Paul and refraining from attacking Gary Johnson as long as he doesn't attack Ron Paul.

 

[sailingaway]

Earmarks account for 1% of the budget, so it is spending money. No, they don't actually vote to add the earmarks to the budget. They simply add them and then vote on the budget as a whole. The earmarks themselves are not found anywhere in the Constitution.

The ones Ron has done ALL just allocate already authorized money which otherwise the executive branch doles out behind closed doors. AND he doesn't sell his vote for it, because when the bill comes up he votes AGAINST it every time. People say he puts these in bills he knows will pass, but he isn't particular, he'll put them in bills that won't pass, too, it doesn't matter because he considers the spending at ALL no matter how allocated, to be unConstitutional, and he votes against it. And it adds not a penny.

 

[BamaFanNKy]

77 years old vs. 59 year old (age on general election day). Both are in great shape but, I think we'll see Gary do more events due to age and no wife.

 

[sailingaway]

As I've said before. It's about message and getting speaking roles at the convention. Also, one or the other will drop out pretty early.

If Ron drops out, we'd be drafting Rand, over here. But unless Ron (highly unlikely) were to drop out early for that express purpose, I don't see Ron dropping out. He didn't last time.

 

[sailingaway]

77 years old vs. 59 year old (age on general election day). Both are in great shape but, I think we'll see Gary do more events due to age and no wife.

Conway wasn't so out of shape, but who did more events, him or Rand?

Gary isn't Ron. Rand IS Ron's son.

 

[BamaFanNKy]

Remember the days when all our choices were shit. Now we have two options and you people are bitching about it?