Gary Johnson Politico: Gary Johnson "Ron Paul write in meaningless"

[TheTexan]

find the guy patriot with the boot on his head and bring him with you.

Fixed that for you

 

[Weston White]

I think the statement was more along the lines of no one will ever know that Ron Paul got that many votes since write-in votes are generally not even counted. So if you want your protest vote to count, vote for someone who is actually on the ballot.

But then it would not be a "protest vote" would it?

 

[Anti-Neocon]

But then it would not be a "protest vote" would it?

Voting for RP when he's not even going to be counted is as much of a protest as is a 1 man picket in the middle of your bedroom.

A protest or protest vote has no teeth if it's not going to be noticed.

 

[Dr.3D]

I think the statement was more along the lines of no one will ever know that Ron Paul got that many votes since write-in votes are generally not even counted. So if you want your protest vote to count, vote for someone who is actually on the ballot.

That wouldn't be a protest vote. If I didn't like any of the candidates on the ballot, I would again be choosing the lesser evil. A protest is saying, I don't like any of the people on the ballot.

 

[Working Poor]

Since one of the reasons Ron gives for running with Republicans is that 3rd parties do not get much public funding or attention from the media and they don't get much funding because they do not get enough votes I think I will vote for Johnson since he is on the ballot in my state and I would like to do my part to bring 3rd parties forward.

 

[Weston White]

Voting for RP when he's not even going to be counted is as much of a protest as is a 1 man picket in the middle of your bedroom.

A protest or protest vote has no teeth if it's not going to be noticed.

Wrong answer, it will make a vast impression upon both those who ask me who I voted for and those whom I inform of my vote. Compromise, I shall not; be it a protest vote or a vote on principal.

 

[SilentBull]

Why must people react so emotionally? What Gary is saying is that no one will get the message if you write in Ron Paul. No one will even know. At least Gary Johnson's votes will be counted, and it will be clear that his votes took away from Obama's and Romney's total.

 

[Anti-Neocon]

Wrong answer, it will make a vast impression upon both those who ask me who I voted for and those whom I inform of my vote. Compromise, I shall not; be it a protest vote or a vote on principal.

What impression will you leave upon them that you can't by voting for Johnson? It may feel good, but most people will just think you're a bit nuts for voting for someone who isn't even still running. Especially when the man you would be writing in said this about Johnson:

“I think he’s (Gary Johnson) wonderful, and I think he’s doing a good job and people should look at him and every individual should make up his own mind

I'm not even a Gary Johnson fan because I disagree with him on many positions, but voting for someone who will be counted is always better than voting for someone who won't, and the RNC will look and see all the Gary Johnson votes that could have went in their column if they put forth a pro-liberty candidate.

 

[acptulsa]

That wouldn't be a protest vote. If I didn't like any of the candidates on the ballot, I would again be choosing the lesser evil. A protest is saying, I don't like any of the people on the ballot.

Oh, I don't know. Opting out of the 'two major party' monopoly (they're so much alike these days I can't even call it a duopoly) could rightly be considered a protest vote.

I'm in one of several states where Johnson isn't on the ballot. Does that make a vote for him count as a protest, even in those states with less obnoxious ballot access laws than ours?