Sources say Johnson's running no matter what, even if Paul does too

[Mr. Morden]

http://www.tnr.com/article/magazine/78543/Gary-johnson-2012-republican-candidate-new-mexico?page=0,0&passthru=MWFjY2RkZDlmYWRlY2U5YmIyYTk1N2NhZDczMzA2ZDc

Johnson isn’t merely testing the presidential waters; several Johnson confidants told me that nothing—not even another Ron Paul campaign—will stop him from running. “There’s no waiting or seeing,” says one. “It’s a done deal.”

Paul says he'll most likely endorse Johnson, assuming he doesn't run himself:

“Everybody’s been aware of it, even during the last campaign,” says Paul, whom Johnson informed of his intentions in April 2008. “I don’t remember when anybody didn’t assume that he would run for president.” Fortunately for Johnson, Paul, while not ruling out a second act, has shown little appetite for one. (“I have made no plans,” he told me.) And if he doesn’t run, he’ll “most likely” throw his weight behind Johnson. “I can’t imagine endorsing anybody else,” he says.

[dead0man]

Good and good.

[Zarn]

Good and good.

The problem is that since people cannot get their idol Paul, then they would rather see someone like Palin get the nomination than vote for Johnson.

[dead0man]

You think the same people that would vote or have voted for Paul want anything at all to do with Palin?

[Senator Libertas]

I hope this isn't case. Paul has the momentum on his side for 2012. Johnson can run in 2016.

[Joe Republic]

I hope this isn't case. Paul has the momentum on his side for 2012. Johnson can run in 2016.

At least you're acknowledging that Paul won't win in 2012.  You're making progress. 

[Senator Libertas]

I hope this isn't case. Paul has the momentum on his side for 2012. Johnson can run in 2016.

At least you're acknowledging that Paul won't win in 2012.  You're making progress. 

Um, what? I did no such thing. I doubt Paul will run for re-election in 2016.

[Joe Republic]

Ha ha, never mind then!  Keep dreaming, friend.

[Zarn]

You think the same people that would vote or have voted for Paul want anything at all to do with Palin?

I'm not saying they would support her. I'm just saying they would rather watch her win and do nothing than vote for Johnson (or anyone else) out of their love affair for Paul.

[Lunar]

Johnson 2016? Hah.  He last held elected office in 2002?

[Joe Republic]

Johnson 2016? Hah.  He last held elected office in 2002?

In fairness, Newt Gingrich is being touted as a major candidate in 2012...

... but yeah, he ain't going anywhere either, so.

[Meeker]

Wait, Libertas seriously thinks Ron Paul is going to get elected in 2012? Haha, I thought that was just something everyone accused him of thinking to make him look stupid.

[Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey]

The question is, if Gary Johnson and Sarah Palin run, and Ron Paul endorses Gary Johnson, who will Rand Paul endorse? I'm thinking Rand Paul endorses Sarah Palin. Hell, if Ron Paul and Sarah Palin run 2012, will Rand Paul endorse his own father, or not?

[Zarn]

He has no reason to endorse Palin. Palin is going to find out how few allies she really has.

[Mr. Morden]

The question is, if Gary Johnson and Sarah Palin run, and Ron Paul endorses Gary Johnson, who will Rand Paul endorse?

He has no reason to endorse anyone until the last minute.  Like many other sitting senators, he'll probably wait until one candidate has the nomination all but sewn up, and then endorse that person, whoever it is.

[dead0man]

You think the same people that would vote or have voted for Paul want anything at all to do with Palin?

I'm not saying they would support her. I'm just saying they would rather watch her win and do nothing than vote for Johnson (or anyone else) out of their love affair for Paul.

The kind of people that would vote or have voted for Paul would do anything they could to make sure some one like Palin won't get the nomination.  Of course they would vote for Johnson if Paul isn't on the ballot, suggesting they'd stay home and accept the endorsement of Palin is just silly.

[Sibboleth]

Who?

[Joe Republic]

Wait, Libertas seriously thinks Ron Paul is going to get elected in 2012? Haha, I thought that was just something everyone accused him of thinking to make him look stupid.

I strongly doubt he seriously thinks that.  I prefer to believe it's simply a more direct form of wishful thinking.  Libertas may be many things, but he's not that deluded.  I hope.

[dead0man]

Who?

Think a slightly younger, slightly more sane version of Ron Paul...with executive experience (he was a governor).  A little more pro-pot, pro-abortion than him too.  So he has no realistic chance (even though he is much more fiscally conservative than any of the other likely candidates).

wiki on him

Gary Earl Johnson (born January 1, 1953 in Minot, North Dakota) is an American businessman and Republican politician who served as the 29th Governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He is well-known for his low-tax libertarian views and his regular participation in triathlons.

Founder of one of New Mexico's largest construction companies,[1] Johnson entered politics for the first term by running for Governor of New Mexico in 1994. He beat incumbent Democratic governor Bruce King by 50% to 40%. He cut the 10% annual growth in the budget by using his gubernatorial veto on a record 48% of bills.[1]

He sought re-election in 1998, winning by a ten-point margin. In his second term, he concentrated on the issue of school voucher reforms, as well as campaigning for marijuana decriminalization. During his tenure as governor, he adhered strictly to an anti-tax, anti-bureaucracy program, and set state and national records for his use of veto powers:[1] more than the other 49 contemporary governors put together.[2][3] Term-limited, Johnson retired from politics at the end of his second term.

[Keystone Phil]

Great. Split that vote up.

[Joe Republic]

He is well-known for his low-tax libertarian views and his regular participation in triathlons.

Ah, so that's why he's notable.

[Dallasfan65]

Johnson '12.

[Lunar]

Johnson 2016? Hah.  He last held elected office in 2002?

In fairness, Newt Gingrich is being touted as a major candidate in 2012...

... but yeah, he ain't going anywhere either, so.

Also a joke, but at least Gingrich held one of the top positions in government. 

[A dog on every car, a car in every elevator]

Johnson 2016? Hah.  He last held elected office in 2002?

In fairness, Newt Gingrich is being touted as a major candidate in 2012...

... but yeah, he ain't going anywhere either, so.

Also a joke, but at least Gingrich held one of the top positions in government. 

It's not the rust, it's the lust.  If Gingrich had been as successful as Bush Sr. at hiding his sex romps, he'd have a real chance at winning.  Like Johnson's problem is that he's pro-choice and Ron Paul's is that he opposes American status as a military superpower.  Both unacceptable positions to the vast majority of Republicans.

[Lunar]

It's not the rust, it's the lust. 

I like it!