Could Gary Johnson win Vermont?

[redcommander]

If he were the Republican nominee for President and he chose a running mate that doesn't fit the mold of Neo-Conservatism that turned off a lot of New England voters?

[SvenssonRS]

Political leanings put in perspective? Yes. It'd take some work, but yes.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

Probably not on his first try. If he runs in 2012 and wins, he probably won't carry it. Fast forward to 2016: if he's an popular president, I could see him carrying it easily. From then on, if the Gary Johnson Libertarians have taken over the GOP, they will stand a good chance at carrying VT in elections.

[N.i.K.]

Hell no. He would do better then average Republicans there in a normal year, though.

The only possible way for him to win it is if Obama is seen as Hoover 2.0 in 2012.

Of course, this scenario assumes that we live in a world where Gary Johnson can win the Republican nomination, which is impossible in our actual world.

[SirNick]

Out of all the Republicans, I think I'd mind Gary Johnson the least.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

No.

[King]

No.  I'm not even sure he'd win the GOP primary here in New Mexico.  The people that actually like him here are mostly Democrats and Independents. 

Gary is a great guy and would make a great President, but he's just not very Presidential--if that makes sense.  He doesn't look the part.

[Torie]

For President? Er, no.

[Jbrase]

No.  I'm not even sure he'd win the GOP primary here in New Mexico.  The people that actually like him here are mostly Democrats and Independents. 

He was able to win the GOP primary twice though, does New Mexico have an open primary that allowed him to get cross over support?

[feeblepizza]

In 2012, he could lose it by 5-10%. In 2016, assuming that he's popular, then he could win it narrowly. By then the Johnson-ites will have VT locked up as a Red State once again.

[Zarn]

No, it has become far too left-wing.

[King]

No.  I'm not even sure he'd win the GOP primary here in New Mexico.  The people that actually like him here are mostly Democrats and Independents.  

He was able to win the GOP primary twice though, does New Mexico have an open primary that allowed him to get cross over support?

He won the GOP primary twice 12 and 16 years ago--and if I remember correctly, he didn't really "win" them.  He was originally just a sacrificial lamb to go up against three-term Governor Bruce King and scored a huge upset.

Regardless, the party was a lot more moderate here than it was back then as evident by recent primaries (moderate Heather Wilson losing to far right Steve Pearce in 2008 Senate; Johnson's handpicked candidate Doug Turner only placing 3rd in the GOP primary for Governor) .  

Ironically, his own tax policies towards farmers and industry caused this as more traditional neocons migrated into the Southern part of the state from Texas.  They then proceeded to turn on him when he began pushing for marijuana legalization, gambling legalization, and other hush-hush socially liberal points.  

If allowed to run for a 3rd term in 2010, he wouldn't have beaten Susana Martinez in the primary this year and would have to have been an independent.

[Magic 8-Ball]

No, not that it matters since Gary Johnson can't win the Republican nomination.

[So the Heroes Fall]

No, not that it matters since Gary Johnson can't win the Republican nomination.

And isn't even a very impressive candidate anyway. In 2012 he'll have been out of office for a decade, longer than Giuliani.

[Lunar]

Obviously Gary Johnson would do very well in Obama's second best state and a state that elects an openly socialist U.S. Senator


I expect Obama to lose all of his best states from 2008 in 2012 to his Republican opponent, actually.  

[Vepres]

No, but I could see it have a +5-10 R trend if he is the nominee.

Let's pray he can win the GOP nomination, even though it isn't likely. Remember that McCain almost beat Bush in 2000, and he was openly critical of the religious right.

Gary is a great guy and would make a great President, but he's just not very Presidential--if that makes sense.  He doesn't look the part.

Does this look Presidential to you?

[Fuzzy]

Obviously Gary Johnson would do very well in Obama's second best state and a state that elects an openly socialist U.S. Senator


I expect Obama to lose all of his best states from 2008 in 2012 to his Republican opponent, actually.  

Oh snap.  XD

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The 2012 Republican Presidential nominee, whoever they are, will lose Vermont.

[Sibboleth]

hahahahahaha

[Zarn]

The 2012 Republican Presidential nominee, whoever they are, will lose Vermont.

Unless Obama loses every state.

[A cowboy always follows his beard]

The 2012 Republican Presidential nominee, whoever they are, will lose Vermont.

Unless Obama loses every state.

Which won't happen.

[Vasall des Midas]

The 2012 Republican Presidential nominee, whoever they are, will lose Vermont.

Unless Obama loses every state.

Which won't happen.

Or every state but, at maximum, three or so. Which won't happen either. (Yes, he won Vermont by a larger margin than Rhode Island, but it's still slightly less hilariously unlikely to go GOP again in the near-to-mid future.)

As to the original question: He's more likely to be arrested for shoplifting from Sephora on New York's Eastside.

[Senator Libertas]

Obviously Gary Johnson would do very well in Obama's second best state and a state that elects an openly socialist U.S. Senator


I expect Obama to lose all of his best states from 2008 in 2012 to his Republican opponent, actually.  

Hoover lost Kansas in 1932. Carter lost Arkansas in 1980. Bush lost New Hampshire in 1992.