Google News says there are 465 news articles about the Libertarian Party national convention this past weekend. Here are some excerpts from them:
The Atlantic: Comparing Gary Johnson To Past Libertarian Nominees
Over the weekend the Libertarian Party decided that Gary Johnson would be its presidential nominee. He’s likely to appear on the ballot in all 50 states. And he’s arguably the strongest candidate they’ve ever run. […] An economic conservative and social liberal, he represents a new direction for a party that has long wrestled with its paleo-libertarian wing. And yet he too is certain to lose on Election Day, as third-party candidates in American presidential elections do. The question is whether he can match his party’s 1980 high-water mark and win 1 percent or more of the vote […]
Reuters: Libertarians nominate ex-Governor Gary Johnson for president
Johnson, 59, is running on a platform that includes slashing government spending to balance the federal budget by 2013, as well as ending the war on drugs, beginning with the legalization of marijuana. Delegates said their preference for Johnson stemmed from his experience as Republican New Mexico governor from 1995 to 2003, which they said gave him a greater chance of success in a national election. Wrights had no prior political experience. […] Wrights, 53, avoided complex policy proposals. Asked about gun control, he said, “I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but you don’t want to be crawling into my window after midnight.” On foreign policy, he said, “Stop being a nosy neighbor and start being a good neighbor.”
CNN: Gary Johnson wins Libertarian Party presidential nomination
He is best known for his support for the legalization of marijuana and the end of the so-called war on drugs. He supports same-sex marriage, an immediate end to the war in Afghanistan, and proposes slashing the federal budget by 43% to eliminate deficit spending. […] Johnson said that were he president at the time, he would have favored military action against al Qaeda in Afghanistan, but would have withdrawn U.S. troops within two to six months.
Wall Street Journal: Gary Johnson Wins Libertarian Nod for President
Among other things, he has called for the elimination of the Education Department, cutting 43% of federal spending and instituting a 23% national sales tax while eliminating the Internal Revenue Service. He also backs gay marriage and supports the legalization of marijuana.
Washington Post (AP): Former GOP presidential contender Gary Johnson wins Libertarian nomination
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is campaigning to win the White House as a Libertarian after receiving scant attention in the Republican presidential race. […] Johnson supports legalized marijuana, low taxes and immigration reform.
NPR: Libertarians Find Their Audience In 2012 Race
Somewhere on the path to the White House this year, a powerful set of ideas began to creep into the mainstream debate over which direction the country will take. These are ideas that not too long ago were written off as marginal, or even worse, a little kooky. They come from Libertarians: free and open markets and extremely limited government. Those ideals are now becoming more mainstream and are influencing the Republican Party. […] That message is one Gary Johnson hopes to continue spreading on the national stage as the Libertarian nominee. He says part of his platform is ending wars the U.S. in involved in, marriage equality and drug reform.
NewsMax: Gary Johnson Will Be Libertarian Presidential Candidate
MarketWatch: Libertarians pick ex-NM Gov. Johnson as candidate
Johnson’s website says that the candidate proposes to cut spending, including “[revising] the terms of entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and social security.” He wants to cut taxes and abolish the Internal Revenue Service. His platform also includes drug-policy reform, including legalizing and regulating marijuana just as alcohol and tobacco are treated. And the candidate wants to simplify the process by which legal immigrants can enter the U.S. and, among other things, give illegal immigrants a two-year grace period to obtain work visas so they can “begin taking part in American society openly.”
Slate: The Libertarian (Ever) Hopeful
“I really believe I’m gonna take it from Obama rather than Romney. I joke, you know—maybe all those pot-smoking, marriage equality, get out of Afghanistan voters for Romney are going to switch to me. Then, boy, he’ll be in trouble!” […]
“I can’t get in to see the Kochs,” says Johnson. “I don’t know when that’s gonna change.” Is it a missed connection or a blow-off? “It’s just a blow-off.” What does he want to say to them? “Well, the fact that they’ve been such activists—I mean, they’ve been terrific! The Cato Institute? That was the Koch brothers! I just want to say, ‘Thanks’! And, ‘Hello.’ ”
New York Times: A Likely Third-Party Candidate for 2012
A: The majority of Americans are fiscally conservative and socially tolerant — I’m in that group. […] Obama’s been a real disappointment on civil liberties: marriage equality, getting out of the wars, getting out of Afghanistan — he doubled down on Afghanistan — drug reform, signing the National Defense Authorization Act with the caveat that now you and I as U.S. citizens can now be detained without being charged. […]
UPI: Johnson wins Libertarian nod for president
The long-shot candidate said the Libertarian platform will offer Americans effective solutions to sluggish economic growth, high unemployment and overseas military commitments that weaken the country’s financially. […] “I am proud. I am invigorated. I am excited,” said Gray, whose goals are to downsize the federal government and legalize marijuana.
The Daily Beast: Don’t Forget Gary Johnson! How the Libertarian Could Shake Up 2012
In an era of infinite political dysfunction, Johnson is rolling the dice with a brand of fiscal responsibility and social tolerance that could make him a real threat in November. […] “The Libertarian candidate is going to be the only candidate talking about gun rights and gay rights in the same sentence, about slashing welfare spending and warfare spending,” Gov. Johnson told The Daily Beast in Las Vegas this weekend. […] When he talks about the president, Johnson gives voice to common liberal and moderate frustrations—spending, marriage equality, drug reform, and ending foreign wars. […]
Certainly Johnson is the only national politician who can step in front of a microphone and declare, “I share the outrage of the Tea Party, but I also share the outrage of Occupy Wall Street.” On civil liberties, drug laws, defense spending and foreign wars, he outflanks President Obama from the left. But with his views on entitlement spending, cutting government agencies and again on civil liberties, he nudges Romney from the right. On subjects ranging from farm subsidies to immigration reform and bank bailouts, Johnson’s independence has given him the luxury of staying ahead of popular opinion on a wide array of issues.
Both Paul and Johnson have very similar fiscally conservative and socially live-and-let-live ideals. They both want smaller government, lower taxes, looser business regulations, and to abolish the Federal Reserve, as well as allow gay unions and legalize marijuana. There are some small differences; both were against going into Iraq and Afghanistan, but Johnson supports some military interventions for humanitarian reasons and Paul doesn’t. Ron Paul is against abortions, while Johnson supports abortion rights.
Welcome to spring training in the big leagues!
Based on this coverage, this looks like excellent positioning and messaging. GJ is carving out the edgy sweet spot, provocative but not loony.
The coverage doesn’t get too deep in the weeds about the 23% consumption tax or closing the embassy in Ottawa…oops, I mean whether all military alliances (explicit or inferred) need to end tomorrow.
So far, so good.
Make book that GJ will say SOMETHING in the next 6 months that will cause an apoplectic response for some Ls. Still, I’d say most Ls should appreciate this campaign.