You can view the original article at the Libertarian Vindicator here.
You know you are officially a viable candidate for the Presidency when you have surrogates appearing on television in your place. Today former Libertarian Presidential candidate Austin Petersen did a fantastic job selling the Libertarian message and the Johnson candidacy. The American people are starting to learn about the Libertarian philosophy and the party has great people to sell that message to the American people.
Yes this was an outstanding performance by Austin Petersen. Another Libertarian who should be running for a state wide office if not this year, then in 2018.
“Surrogate” would imply somebody sent and authorized by the candidate to speak on their behalf. That’s not quite what this is, given the safe assumption that Johnson did not do that.
I agree that Mr. Petersen is not a “surrogate”. Gov. Johnson was clearly not pleased with the showboating tactics of Mr. Petersen during the convention. However, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance on CNN. His answers came across as rational and well-presented. Though he did admit he was more “radical” than Gov. Johnson (much much more in my opinion), he did not undermine the LP candidate in any way.
I do take issue with the CNN commentator who stated that Gov. Johnson would repeal ALL gun laws. I don’t recall him every saying that.
“I do take issue with the CNN commentator who stated that Gov. Johnson would repeal ALL gun laws. I don’t recall him every saying that.”
You don’t recall him saying that for the perfectly good reason that he hasn’t said that. In fact, he’s said exactly the opposite. Which is one of several reasons that the Libertarian National Committee should rescind his nomination and find a libertarian to run instead.
Thankfully, during the Town Hall, he clearly stated that he does not want to repeal gun regulations. Sometimes sanity does happen within the LP. Calling for the opposite would instantly alienate everyone except the die-hard radicals, who do the LP no favors.
Tony:
I agree Johnson/Weld was a powerful display of media respectability politics. Indeed, so effective, that I was to vote, I was duly convinced by Johnson/Weld to vote for Hillary.
“he clearly stated that he does not want to repeal gun regulations. Sometimes sanity does happen within the LP. ”
Correction: Sometimes hypocrisy does happen within the LP.