Ignored GOP Candidate Gary Johnson Mulling 3rd Party Bid
When Former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson entered this year's GOP primary contest, he felt like he would receive a seat at the debate table when it came time to debate. He was a relatively unknown figure on a national level, with his only foray into the national scene was when he endorsed the legalization of marijuana as a sitting governor; he is still the highest-level public official to support it. He has since reassessed his Presidential campaign amid rumors he may seek a 3rd Party bid for the run instead.
Gary Johnson made a name for himself in New Mexico where he vetoed over 750 bills with hundreds of other line-item vetoes and subsequently saved taxpayers billions, all in a state who's citizens and state legislature are largely Democrat (about a 2-to-1 margin). He made his term about questioning the intentions of other-wise de facto government programs based on cost-benefit analyses and instead focused on providing the best service of government at the lowest cost to New Mexicans. When the time came, citizens rewarded his successful efforts with a second-term.
When you're a spending-slashing two-term governor of a border-state, one would assume you would be provided the same national media face-time in a Presidential campaign as others with a similar resume and record. This was not the case for Gary Johnson. Out of 16 possible debates up to today, Gov. Johnson has only been included in 2. The first was back in May and in the last on September 22, he made what some say was the biggest moment of the campaign, what I affectionately refer to as "the dog shit line." The clip reverberated around the internet the day after the debate while "gary johnson" was the most searched term on Google. It seemed the highest level of national attention for the unassuming Johnson, even though he only spoke for about 4 minutes in the debate.
Debates can be a great way for nationally-unknown candidates to make their case to the nation on a level playing field with other candidates that might be enjoying mere celebrity status and consequently high poll numbers at the time. After all, when Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton ran for their party's nomination, both were little-known governors from small states and both were given a tremendous boost through televised debates where they could outline their vision for America in a forum that required neither substantial fundraising or national organization. This year's GOP Primary is similar in that debates have let voters get to know candidates, but I believe they have been more influential than ever because sponsoring media outlets have controlled both the format and the selection of candidates allowed on stage. In order to play up conflict and selected storylines, the GOP electorate has been forced to sit through countless hours of charades that give no new insight into the field. How many times can we watch Rick Perry and Mitt Romney "duke it out" over old, rehashed personal issues and character attacks? It is not only fault of the media outlets that distract voters from an actual contest, it is the RNC that allows it to go on. The Republican National Committee has not come to the defense of its well-qualified candidates that have been ignored or censored by ridiculous debate timing rules and preferential questioning. In the case of Gary Johnson, the RNC has said that another podium for the former governor would turn the debates to "utter chaos."
An injury to many Republican and Independent voters seeking a nominee with a strong sense of fiscally conservative values without the baggage of outlandish socially-conservative statements made to appease activists, Gary Johnson has been shielded from view.
So what is the next move for Gary Johnson? He has stated that because of the bold-faced exclusion from the GOP contest, he may seek alternative routes to the Presidency. In an interview with New Mexico Capitol Report Johnson responded to rumors of a run for the Libertarian Party nomination: “It’s exciting, the notion that by doing that I could be on the ballots of all 50 states in the general election and getting to continue to talk about a message.”
For this GOP voter (and former staffer for GJ), I believe this could be the kiss of death for a comatose candidacy. Gary won't like this, but I think he should drop out, save whatever cash he's got and put it towards a run in 2016. A run this year under the LP banner could fully cement the exclusion of Johnson from any future conversation of Republican issues. In fact, it would give the RNC the perfect cover it needs to keep him out forever.
Political Reporter for KOB 4 News in Albuquerque says that Johnson told him he will "almost certainly" drop out and pursue the LP nomination.
Gary Johnson made a name for himself in New Mexico where he vetoed over 750 bills with hundreds of other line-item vetoes and subsequently saved taxpayers billions, all in a state who's citizens and state legislature are largely Democrat (about a 2-to-1 margin). He made his term about questioning the intentions of other-wise de facto government programs based on cost-benefit analyses and instead focused on providing the best service of government at the lowest cost to New Mexicans. When the time came, citizens rewarded his successful efforts with a second-term.
When you're a spending-slashing two-term governor of a border-state, one would assume you would be provided the same national media face-time in a Presidential campaign as others with a similar resume and record. This was not the case for Gary Johnson. Out of 16 possible debates up to today, Gov. Johnson has only been included in 2. The first was back in May and in the last on September 22, he made what some say was the biggest moment of the campaign, what I affectionately refer to as "the dog shit line." The clip reverberated around the internet the day after the debate while "gary johnson" was the most searched term on Google. It seemed the highest level of national attention for the unassuming Johnson, even though he only spoke for about 4 minutes in the debate.
Debates can be a great way for nationally-unknown candidates to make their case to the nation on a level playing field with other candidates that might be enjoying mere celebrity status and consequently high poll numbers at the time. After all, when Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton ran for their party's nomination, both were little-known governors from small states and both were given a tremendous boost through televised debates where they could outline their vision for America in a forum that required neither substantial fundraising or national organization. This year's GOP Primary is similar in that debates have let voters get to know candidates, but I believe they have been more influential than ever because sponsoring media outlets have controlled both the format and the selection of candidates allowed on stage. In order to play up conflict and selected storylines, the GOP electorate has been forced to sit through countless hours of charades that give no new insight into the field. How many times can we watch Rick Perry and Mitt Romney "duke it out" over old, rehashed personal issues and character attacks? It is not only fault of the media outlets that distract voters from an actual contest, it is the RNC that allows it to go on. The Republican National Committee has not come to the defense of its well-qualified candidates that have been ignored or censored by ridiculous debate timing rules and preferential questioning. In the case of Gary Johnson, the RNC has said that another podium for the former governor would turn the debates to "utter chaos."
An injury to many Republican and Independent voters seeking a nominee with a strong sense of fiscally conservative values without the baggage of outlandish socially-conservative statements made to appease activists, Gary Johnson has been shielded from view.
So what is the next move for Gary Johnson? He has stated that because of the bold-faced exclusion from the GOP contest, he may seek alternative routes to the Presidency. In an interview with New Mexico Capitol Report Johnson responded to rumors of a run for the Libertarian Party nomination: “It’s exciting, the notion that by doing that I could be on the ballots of all 50 states in the general election and getting to continue to talk about a message.”
For this GOP voter (and former staffer for GJ), I believe this could be the kiss of death for a comatose candidacy. Gary won't like this, but I think he should drop out, save whatever cash he's got and put it towards a run in 2016. A run this year under the LP banner could fully cement the exclusion of Johnson from any future conversation of Republican issues. In fact, it would give the RNC the perfect cover it needs to keep him out forever.
Political Reporter for KOB 4 News in Albuquerque says that Johnson told him he will "almost certainly" drop out and pursue the LP nomination.
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