Gary Johnson What is Gary Johnson doing in this race?

[Bergie Bergeron]

Not in the debates, not even in the top 8 at Ames. What's the point?

 

[steph3n]

He was enjoying a bike race.

 

[Golding]

Eh, Ron Paul wasn't in some of the debates in 2008. Not by his choice. He wasn't topping very many of the "significant" polls. So by your argument the same could be said about him. Gary Johnson is sort of like Ron Paul was a few years back. Tossed to the side in an effort to ignore someone who generally is right in what he says. I feel like his candidacy should be embraced.

I do think his efforts are better suited for the Senate at this time, since that is a place where his influence is sorely needed. But if he needs a presidential candidacy to try to get there, then so be it.

 

[brandon]

Eh, Ron Paul wasn't in some of the debates in 2008. Not by his choice. He wasn't topping very many of the "significant" polls. So by your argument the same could be said about him. Gary Johnson is sort of like Ron Paul was a few years back. Tossed to the side in an effort to ignore someone who generally is right in what he says. I feel like his candidacy should be embraced.

Yea but it seems for him it's nothing but an exercise in ego. Ron was carrying a message that was not represented in 2008. Gary is doing nothing at this point.

 

[anaconda]

Eh, Ron Paul wasn't in some of the debates in 2008. Not by his choice. He wasn't topping very many of the "significant" polls. So by your argument the same could be said about him. Gary Johnson is sort of like Ron Paul was a few years back. Tossed to the side in an effort to ignore someone who generally is right in what he says. I feel like his candidacy should be embraced.

I do think his efforts are better suited for the Senate at this time, since that is a place where his influence is sorely needed. But if he needs a presidential candidacy to try to get there, then so be it.

In a way I see this discussion also relating to Santorum. WTF is he doing in the race? Is he trying to get exposure for another congressional run or something? Or, is he trying to whip up socially conservative voters? Or what?

 

[Johncjackson]

Johnson thinks he can make waves in NH. He won't but he thinks he can, and I think he might be legitimately puzzled about why he doesn't get any attention.

Santorum thinks he is the only true "full spectrum conservative." He does not consider Ron Paul a conservative at all and the others economic or constitutional but not lifestyle cultural conservatives.

 

[TCE]

In a way I see this discussion also relating to Santorum. WTF is he doing in the race? Is he trying to get exposure for another congressional run or something? Or, is he trying to whip up socially conservative voters? Or what?

He's run out of things to do. He has no chance of becoming a Senator again, he'd get destroyed in a Congressional race in Pennsylvania, and so why not cross something off the bucket list and run for President? He probably thinks he's spreading God's message...or something.

Gary Johnson is clearly not looking at this situation clearly. I know he doesn't want to be a Senator, but I don't know how he thought he could compete for the Presidency. The New Mexico Senate Seat could have been his and he could have used that as a springboard for President. Now he will fade into the scenery after this is all over.

 

[sailingaway]

Eh, Ron Paul wasn't in some of the debates in 2008. Not by his choice. He wasn't topping very many of the "significant" polls. So by your argument the same could be said about him. Gary Johnson is sort of like Ron Paul was a few years back. Tossed to the side in an effort to ignore someone who generally is right in what he says. I feel like his candidacy should be embraced.

I do think his efforts are better suited for the Senate at this time, since that is a place where his influence is sorely needed. But if he needs a presidential candidacy to try to get there, then so be it.

I don't embrace it since things like today when we only needed 152 votes to make a huge difference are hurt potentially by it. To me he is just a competitor. However, he certainly has a right to run and his supporters certainly have a right to support whom they please.

 

[erowe1]

Eh, Ron Paul wasn't in some of the debates in 2008. Not by his choice. He wasn't topping very many of the "significant" polls. So by your argument the same could be said about him. Gary Johnson is sort of like Ron Paul was a few years back. Tossed to the side in an effort to ignore someone who generally is right in what he says. I feel like his candidacy should be embraced.

I do think his efforts are better suited for the Senate at this time, since that is a place where his influence is sorely needed. But if he needs a presidential candidacy to try to get there, then so be it.

Johnson is not doing even a tenth as well as Ron Paul was at this time in 2007.

If he ran for senate, he'd be the next Rand Paul. As it is, he's contenting himself to be this year's John Cox.

The high point of 2012 for Johnson if he stays on this course will be edging out Vermin Supreme in the New Hampshire primary. The other high point will be successfully getting on the ballot somewhere besides New Hampshire.

 

[Feeding the Abscess]

Johnson is not doing even a tenth as well as Ron Paul was at this time in 2007.

If he ran for senate, he'd be the next Rand Paul. As it is, he's contenting himself to be this year's John Cox.

The high point of 2012 for Johnson if he stays on this course will be edging out Vermin Supreme in the New Hampshire primary. The other high point will be successfully getting on the ballot somewhere besides New Hampshire.

Based on declared stances, Johnson may well be a better Senator than Rand. It is unfortunate that he may squander an opportunity to become the most pro-liberty voice in Congress after Ron leaves.

 

[low preference guy]

Based on declared stances, Johnson may well be a better Senator than Rand.

Nah, Johnson is unabashed in his support for humanitarian wars. He is also for smoking regulations on the workplace.

It is unfortunate that he may squander an opportunity to become the most pro-liberty voice in Congress after Ron leaves

You are not phrasing this right. Rand will be that because the others are so awful. When you say "the most" you are just comparing Rand to others.

 

[Feeding the Abscess]

Nah, Johnson is unabashed in his support for humanitarian wars. He is also for smoking regulations on the workplace.



You are not phrasing this right. Rand will be that because the others are so awful. When you say "the most" you are just comparing Rand to others.

I stand corrected. Rand's signing of that ridiculous letter calling for sanctions on Iran is sticking in my craw. It clouded my judgment.

I will say that if Karen Kwiatkowski manages to make it to Congress, much joy will be had around here.

 

[low preference guy]

Rand's signing of that ridiculous letter calling for sanctions on Iran is sticking in my craw. It clouded my judgment.

I'd like to see a confirmation. That makes no sense. It's a clear interference in the internal affair of another nation.

 

[ForLibertyFight]

Did he even receive one vote at the Ames Straw Poll?

 

[Feeding the Abscess]

I'd like to see a confirmation. That makes no sense. It's a clear interference in the internal affair of another nation.

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1005-trade/176097-senators-unite-around-punishing-iran

 

[low preference guy]

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1005-trade/176097-senators-unite-around-punishing-iran

yeah. i saw that. i want another confirmation.

it will be clarified in the upcoming days or weeks and i'm just not in a hurry to make a judgement.

 

[anaconda]

Based on declared stances, Johnson may well be a better Senator than Rand. It is unfortunate that he may squander an opportunity to become the most pro-liberty voice in Congress after Ron leaves.

Rand is a far more powerful messenger. He is becoming increasingly likeable, witty, and articulate.

 

[Thomas]

drop out. endorse paul. run for senate.

 

[Johncjackson]

Did he even receive one vote at the Ames Straw Poll?

He wasn't on the ballot. That's probably better than being on the ballot and making a speech but only getting 35 votes.

 

[Johncjackson]

Gary Johnson is clearly not looking at this situation clearly. I know he doesn't want to be a Senator, but I don't know how he thought he could compete for the Presidency. The New Mexico Senate Seat could have been his and he could have used that as a springboard for President. Now he will fade into the scenery after this is all over.

He probably thought Ron Paul wasn't going to run. To be honest, I was surprised that Ron Paul decided to run again this year. I think Johnson was in before anyone knew Paul's plans. I think he saw that there would be a market this year ( larger than in 2008) for a pro-liberty candidate. FWIW, I know many libertarians ( big and small l) have been touting him as a potential candidate at least since 2004.