Gary Johnson counting on Ron Paul's backers to switch
Gary Johnson counting on Ron Paul's backers to switch
Libertarian presidential candidate and would-be spoiler Gary Johnson smoked out new campaign cash here this week.
But his hopes are just a pipe dream unless he wins over Republican voters loyal to never-say-quit candidate Ron Paul.
"Hundreds" of Republicans have promised Johnson they will switch his way if the Republican National Convention nominates Mitt Romney on Aug. 30, Johnson said Thursday.
"That's hundreds telling me personally, which means how many more?" Johnson said during a six-day Texas campaign swing.
He predicted a "gigantic influx" of support after Romney is nominated.
"People are holding out hope for Ron," said Johnson, a former New Mexico governor.
"After that, who represents Ron's voice best? Romney? Or me?"
Ten weeks from the start of early voting in Texas, Johnson is nowhere close to qualifying for a presidential debate and has been completely shut out of campaign buzz by the Republican cable-TV and talk-radio echo chamber.
His campaign message is thin enough to fit a GMC Tahoe window: "balance the budget," "end wars," "abolish the IRS" and "end the war on drugs."
Yet even before any Paul voters switch, his current 8 to 13 percent of the vote in Western states might be enough to tip pivotal Electoral College votes for or against Romney or President Barack Obama.
If Johnson takes away a swing state Romney badly needs -- "then let me be the spoiler," Johnson said.
And if he helps Obama win?
"Do I agree with him on dollars-and-cents issues?" Johnson asked. "Absolutely not.
"But we're closer on civil liberties. Actually, I think I take votes away from both Romney and Obama."
In a Deep Ellum restaurant Wednesday night, Johnson drew cheers by mentioning Paul.
"Ron Paul always said that he was a messenger," Johnson said.
"When Ron Paul's campaign comes to an end, who is going to be the best voice for liberty and freedom? ... It's going to be me."
Johnson said he's "the only candidate who doesn't want to bomb Iran" and wants to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.
"I'm the only candidate who talks about marriage equality from the standpoint of it being a constitutionally guaranteed right," he said.
"I'm the only candidate that wants to end the drug wars. Let's legalize marijuana. ... I'm the only candidate who talks about repealing the Patriot Act."
Paul's voters are two weeks away from listening.
Bud Kennedy's column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 817-390-7538
I'm still not sold on Gary Johnson, but he's better than the other two clowns. Some of the RP people will vote for Johnson, some of them will vote for Romney (cringe), some of them will write-in Ron Paul, and some of them will vote for some other 3rd party candidate.
As of last week, the LP still wasn't on the presidential ballot here in MN. Same thing with the CP. It's going to be sad if they don't get enough signatures. I'm probably voting CP again, and Matt will vote for GJ if he's on the ballot.
I don't see 3rd party candidates as a distraction. The more people continue to settle for an R or D the less anything is every going to change.
Not that I think Johnson or Stein will win, but I am voting for Jill Stein because that is who I'd like to see as president.
Quoting thecoffeefairy:
He would possibly be a good candidate but he won't be elected. He's just a distraction. We will either have Romney or Obama. Personally, I would rather have Obama.
I know the RNC hasn't started yet, but will you be voting him in as a write in? If so for which party?
Quoting gammie:For me Ron Paul only!!
Quoting GardenerArtist:I may consider voting for a 3rd candidate.
if I have to write in Ron Paul than I will. But when it comes to the parties I will never vote for a D or R ever again, you have to face it they are a one party system. This is why people are forced to vote for lesser of two Evils. I AM NO SHEEP I will only support the person that respects the Constitution.
Quoting matreshka:I know the RNC hasn't started yet, but will you be voting him in as a write in? If so for which party?
Quoting gammie:For me Ron Paul only!!
But I have been telling people to vote for 3 party if they don't know who to support. Most people don't like O and M. and feel like they have to vote for the party and I tell them hell NO don't wast your vote.
WAKE UP PEOPLE YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUPPORT THE R AND D THEY DON'T GAVE A DAMN ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
Even though it would be nice to have a viable third party candidate I don't think one will ever get elected if things stay the way they are.
How Limbaugh, Thomas, Bean produced conservative warrior Andrew Breitbart
- matreshka
on Aug. 21, 2012 at 3:52 PM