With the media barrage of Republican candidates all looking to unseat President Barack Obama, one of the original GOP considerations has changed his colors and announced his candidacy for President as a Libertarian candidate.
Gary Johnson is a former two-term Governor for the state of New Mexico and on December 28, 2011, Johnson formally withdrew his candidacy as a Republican contender for the nomination and announced the change in affiliation.
Many say GOP Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (TX) would also fit the bill as a Libertarian candidate – a candidate for the Libertarian party back in 1988 and Johnson would agree, in his candidacy statement, “I believe this election needs a true libertarian voice. While Ron Paul is a good man and a libertarian who I proudly endorsed for president in 2008, there is no guarantee that he will be the Republican nominee.”
Two big issues that set Johnson apart from other major candidates is that he is the only one to publicly declare support for same-sex marriage and he advocates the legalization of marijuana.
With recent actions such as the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and states revising their views on marijuana usage and its medicinal component, the two topics are relevant in current discussion as domestic policy issues, alongside job creation and trying to grow the economy.
In terms of the issue that most Americans have on their minds, the economy, Johnson lays out some of his plans by saying, "I want to end deficit spending and cut federal spending by 43%. – I want to enact the Fair Tax to stimulate real economic growth and job creation." He also echoes Ron Paul when he says, "I want to end the manipulation of our money by the Federal Reserve."
A potential side effect of Johnson’s candidacy has him as a spoiler in New Mexico, possibly splintering the Republican vote. Some say, the heavily-Democratic gay vote may also see a faction shift to the Johnson ticket.
Johnson touted, “If I earn the Libertarian Party nomination, I will be on the ballot in all 50 states. I will not be held hostage to a system rigged for the wealthiest and best-known candidates in a handful of states who happen to have early primaries.”
In his announcement, Johnson said, “Frankly, I have been deeply disappointed by the treatment I received in the Republican nomination process. I had hoped to lay out a real libertarian message on all the issues in the Republican contest. The process was not fair and open.” The candidate had participated in the first Republican debate, aired on FOX News, but was subsequently barred from two debates on CNN and another on FOX.
Johnson reacted to the ban by answering the debate questions via YouTube videos. His response videos from CNN’s New Hampshire debate have notched over 20,000 views.
With a sense of optimism for a rather uphill battle as a third party candidate, Johnson states, "In a recent national poll 63% of Americans said they wished there was a third choice for 2012. There is another choice, and I intend to educate the voters about what we offer America. Together I am convinced we can make history and restore America to greatness."
Musician Willie Nelson and Lt. Dan Choi, who discharged from the military because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” are said to have shown interest in Johnson's campaign.
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