I don't know much about Johnson other than he was Governor of New Mexico. Does he have some leanings that permanently disqualify him as a potential GOP nomination such as admitting global warming/climate change, evolution, stance on women's rights, or some other social issue?
Supports legalizing marijuana
Pretty far to the left on immigration
ie., He's a libertarian, and an unapologetic one, unlike Ron Paul.
The fascinating thing is how the media gives attention to Huntsman because he believes in evolution and man-made climate change even though Gary holds those beliefs and more views which are even more controversial.
Ron has been playing down his libertarian views and playing up his so-con views all cycle. It's not a cardinal sin or anything, and he's still better than, well, just about anyone; but Ron, to me, has crossed over from "libertarian" to "small government Republican". Ask him about marijuana and he'll dither; ask him about immigration, and he'll sound like a Republican; ask him about gay marriage and he'll twist himself into knots to sound like a Republican-ish sort of thing.
The media gives attention to Huntsman because he's seen as having the bona fides to compete in a GOP primary. Johnson is seen as more of an outlier, someone whose campaign needs to catch fire before he can be treated with credulity.
It's a shame, because while I like both guys, Johnson strikes me as the one who really could get a lot done and be a rather popular president nationally. That said, he only gets the GOP base half of what it wants and doesn't respect GOP sacred cows, and that's the rub. Huntsman strikes me as a "good governance Republican" and little more, but at least he's electable nationally and his positions are more often in line with my views than most Republicans.
