Gary Johnson reaching out to the Libertarian Party?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

This is just a blog, and their is no solid sources, but if it is true, this could make the campaign much more interesting. Will he pull a John Anderson?

http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2011/09/is-gary-johnson-considering-the-libertarian-party/

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

He might be wanting to pull an Anderson... but is closer to pulling a Buchanan in 2000.

[NVGonzalez]

He might be wanting to pull an Anderson... but is closer to pulling a Buchanan in 2000.

[TomC]

Actually, I think he could have the best showing for the Libertarian Party so far. He'd just have to get- what- 1.07%?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

He might be wanting to pull an Anderson... but is closer to pulling a Buchanan in 2000.

[Jacobtm]

I for one would be way more likely to vote for Gary Johnson over Obama or any Republican.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I for one would be way more likely to vote for Gary Johnson over Obama.

[Averroës Nix]

Does anyone more knowledgeable about the Libertarian Party know if Johnson would have a significantly more realistic chance at gaining the nomination than, say, Gravel did in '08?

Personally, I don't see how they could resist this:

[Jacobtm]

I for one would be way more likely to vote for Gary Johnson over Obama.

If it was Obama v. Republican v. Johnson would you vote for any of the Republican nominees?

Would Johnson even take away votes from Republicans really?

I feel like he would attract Ron Paul voters and hippy libertarian types, ie people whose views are not represented by normal Democrats or Republicans.

He might be a 3rd party candidate who doesn't affect the 2 major parties at all, whatever % he gets.

I bet he could get at least 1% nationally, if Bob Barr got .4%.

Amazing though, how little coverage this successful 2 term governor has gotten just because he's come out for Marijuana legalization. That issue freakin kills you with the MSM.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I for one would be way more likely to vote for Gary Johnson over Obama.

If it was Obama v. Republican v. Johnson would you vote for any of the Republican nominees?

Would Johnson even take away votes from Republicans really?

I feel like he would attract Ron Paul voters and hippy libertarian types, ie people whose views are not represented by normal Democrats or Republicans.

He might be a 3rd party candidate who doesn't affect the 2 major parties at all, whatever % he gets.

I bet he could get at least 1% nationally, if Bob Barr got .4%.

Amazing though, how little coverage this successful 2 term governor has gotten just because he's come out for Marijuana legalization. That issue freakin kills you with the MSM.

I think the Republicans nominating a pro-weed Republican would be totally badass, regardless of my own pro or anti position on the issue. He'd definitely have a bigger base of support than Barr given he'd have the Paulites better lined up being a through-and-through Libertarian as opposed to Bob Barr and being a former two-term Governor. In all likelihood I'd support the GOP nominee (I won't be able to vote), but would be rooting for Johnson to get a couple percentage points regardless of the outcome. I like third parties.

[Averroës Nix]

Amazing though, how little coverage this successful 2 term governor has gotten just because he's come out for Marijuana legalization. That issue freakin kills you with the MSM.

It's not the drugs. Johnson's problem is the is, by all accounts, a terrible politician. I think it's the GQ piece (also the source of the awesome picture in my previous post) that describes Johnson apologizing to people for mentioning that he's running for President. How does someone like that run a successful campaign?

[Reluctant Republican]

Johnson would have a great chance at getting the Libertarian nomination, and he does seem to be considering it. They seem to like him, and if they gave it to Barr, they'd have no trouble giving it to Johnson,a  politician who they have always agreed with with on most issues.

I don't think he'd do much better then the average Lib though. Paul would, but that's a large part a personal following. Plus Paul would get some media coverage, being a pretty strong Republican candidate who switched parties. Johnson, not so much.

Now if Mitt's nominated, I could see the Constitution Party doing really well. but I don't think Johnson would be the golden bullet for the Libertarians.

[Thomas D]

He could get 5-10 percent in New Mexico. But I'm not sure who that would help/hurt.

[Jacobtm]

It's not the drugs. Johnson's problem is the is, by all accounts, a terrible politician. I think it's the GQ piece (also the source of the awesome picture in my previous post) that describes Johnson apologizing to people for mentioning that he's running for President. How does someone like that run a successful campaign?

Quite true.

It is humble people like that who we should really be electing, not the prideful, boastful sorts. Of course, humility doesn't gain you votes in the Reality TV era.

Though Johnson is the only one running for the Republican nomination with a positive approval rating in his home state

[Averroës Nix]

It's not the drugs. Johnson's problem is the is, by all accounts, a terrible politician. I think it's the GQ piece (also the source of the awesome picture in my previous post) that describes Johnson apologizing to people for mentioning that he's running for President. How does someone like that run a successful campaign?

Quite true.

It is humble people like that who we should really be electing, not the prideful, boastful sorts. Of course, humility doesn't gain you votes in the Reality TV era.

Agreed. As ineffective a candidate as Johnson is, I do like him, and I wish that more of our political figures shared his personality traits.

[Zarn]

Johnson would have a great chance at getting the Libertarian nomination, and he does seem to be considering it. They seem to like him, and if they gave it to Barr, they'd have no trouble giving it to Johnson,a  politician who they have always agreed with with on most issues.

I don't think he'd do much better then the average Lib though. Paul would, but that's a large part a personal following. Plus Paul would get some media coverage, being a pretty strong Republican candidate who switched parties. Johnson, not so much.

Now if Mitt's nominated, I could see the Constitution Party doing really well. but I don't think Johnson would be the golden bullet for the Libertarians.

Well, I'm sure not voting for Mitt or Cain... be it primary or general.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I hope he'll be the LP nominee cuz chances are I won't like Romney's running mate and won't support him.

[Bull Moose Base]

It's not the drugs. Johnson's problem is the is, by all accounts, a terrible politician. I think it's the GQ piece (also the source of the awesome picture in my previous post) that describes Johnson apologizing to people for mentioning that he's running for President. How does someone like that run a successful campaign?

Quite true.

It is humble people like that who we should really be electing, not the prideful, boastful sorts. Of course, humility doesn't gain you votes in the Reality TV era.

Agreed. As ineffective a candidate as Johnson is, I do like him, and I wish that more of our political figures shared his personality traits.

Seems like a good dude. 

I predicted many months ago he'd run 3rd party and pull roughly equally from Obama and the Republican, or make voters out of non-voters.  Ron Paul would probably endorse him and he could get high single digits.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Johnson pretty much has to run as a Libertarian after today...he missed the NH filing date.

[Frodo]

Looks like Ron Paul is considering running on a third party ticket (likely Libertarian) -curious to see how it would play it out if Gary Johnson also decides he likes the yellow avatar more than the blue.   

[redcommander]

He'll get a whopping 2% of the vote at most, and that support won't hurt Romney.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Looks like Ron Paul is considering running on a third party ticket (likely Libertarian) -curious to see how it would play it out if Gary Johnson also decides he likes the yellow avatar more than the blue.   

It would hurt Rand, he would not do it. I would support him if he did.

[The Mikado]

Paul/Johnson would, jokes aside, very possibly get 2-3% of the vote, which is relatively impressive for a third party candidate.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Paul/Johnson would, jokes aside, very possibly get 2-3% of the vote, which is relatively impressive for a third party candidate.

Paul could get up to 15-20% if he goes independent. If he actually takes the Libertarian nomination, it might actually hurt him. Remeber, the purist like Mary Ruwart want legalized assisted suicide, and open borders. The party holding these kind of views can only hurt Paul. If anything, Paul takes the Constitution Party ballot line.

[Reluctant Republican]

But one advantage to taking the Libertarian party line is that they have ballot access in the most states, meaning less work for his campaign. If Paul ran as an Independent or Constitution, he'd have to struggle a bit more.