Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson, former two term governor of New Mexico, has been excluded from every primary debate but two. He has been abandoned by the Republican Party. (People who like to think the media play gatekeeper in the political process, take note of Gary Johnson.) Now, word around the campfire is that he’s mulling a run as the Libertarian Party candidate.
Make no mistake, Gary Johnson is a libertarian, and that term scares many people away. But there are plenty of reasons for conservatives to vote for him, considering the alternatives.
Personality
Gary Johnson is a self made man. He started a one man business, turned it into a big business and sold it for millions of dollars. (Frankly, that’s my own personal life goal, and he’s done it.) But isn’t that someone you want? A man who knows how business works?
The other thing worth mentioning is that he summited Everest six weeks after breaking his leg. I suggest watching the show Everest: Beyond the Limit, it gives a very vivid portrayal of the physical and mental challenges involved in summiting Everest. With all due respect to Newt, Romney and Obama, we all know they’d have no interest in trying.
Looking at this, it looks to me like a man who sees public service as that: service, not a permanent profession. He has his own life and history and personality, he’s not a pure political animal, but rather a businessman and an athlete. He made his fortune not by birth, not on the public dime, but by his own hand, Again: Isn’t that what we should be looking for?
Executive Record
Newt Gingrich is not an executive, neither is Ron Paul, Rick Santorum or Michelle Bachmann. Gary Johnson served two terms (he was term limited) as governor of New Mexico (a blue state) and is considered very successful.
When he was governor in the 1990s, New Mexico boomed. Any politician would and could claim credit for this. How many times did we hear Rick Perry talk about how he created jobs in Texas.
What does Gary Johnson say about the jobs he created?
“Don’t get me wrong. We are proud of this distinction. We had a 11.6 percent job growth that occurred during our two terms in office. But the headlines that accompanied that report – referring to governors, including me, as ‘job creators’ – were just wrong.” ...
“The fact is, I can unequivocally say that I did not create a single job while I was governor. We kept government in check, the budget balanced, and the path to growth clear of unnecessary regulatory obstacles.”
That should really be enough to make the case for the man, because, isn’t that exactly what he should say? Don’t we all wanna scream at the radio every time some blowhard politician lays claim to the jobs he created?
But let me go further. I live in New York, where no matter now asinine the law, it seems like nothing ever seems to get vetoed. The thing that hooked me about Gary Johnson was his veto record. He claims to have vetoed more laws when he was governor than his 49 colleagues combined.
A perfect example of this is the dog walking bill. The legislature passed a bill requiring dogs in pet shops to be walked regularly before they’re sold, for the health of the animal. It seems reasonable. Dogs in pet shops should be walked, Johnson agreed, but realized that if he signed the law he’d have to fund the dog walking police, to ensure the law was enforced. So he vetoed the law.
At this point, you’re sold on Gary Johnson. You’re ready to ring doorbells on his behalf. But let me point to some positions, which perhaps seem too liberal to swallow, that conservatives might have problems with.
1. Gay Rights
For a Republican, Gary Johnson is progressive on gay rights. He takes a libertarian view on gay marriage. He supports civil unions for gay couples, getting government out of the business of marriage. If that’s a complete deal breaker for you, you want to modify the US Constitution, so be it, but for many conservatives, it’s a perfectly acceptable solution.
And he supported the end of Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell. That puts him along side liberal lion Barry Goldwater. If you claim to be a Goldwater conservative and take your cues from him, be aware that’s where AuH20 was at.
2. Marijuana Legalization
Half the public supports it. So does Gary Johnson. There’s a very liberal magazine called National Review that does too.
3. Abortion
Gary Johnson is pro-choice. And I know that’s a complete deal breaker for some people. If that fact by itself is not, then read on. As governor he supported parental notification and a ban on late term abortion.
Gary Johnson opposes government funding of abortion. Short of prohibition, which is not currently feasible politically or legally, that is the best way to reduce the number of abortions. Politicians can claim they want prohibition, but we all know that it is just not going to happen. If anyone claims otherwise, they are lying to you.
There it is. Ask yourself, if the choice is Mitt Romney, who thinks that it’s right, proper and prudent for the state to compel someone to buy something, and Gary Johnson, who do you vote for?
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson is as close as you will get to an isolationist. He stated publicly that he was against the invasion of Iraq to remove Saddam, and he hasn't recanted.
Aug '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
I will say this about Gary Johnson - he has gotten far more votes than Newt Gingrich ever has.
Edited on December 1, 2011 at 5:27pmMar '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Where's Kenneth when we need him?
A vote for Mr Johnson is a vote closer to Mr Obama returning to the White House.
Dec '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Fred Cole
There it is. Ask yourself, if the choice is Mitt Romney, who thinks that it’s right, proper and prudent for the state to compel someone to buy something, and Gary Johnson, who do you vote for? ·
Um... Barack Obama? Yeah, cause if Gary Johnson runs as a Libertarian, he'll make all the Obama-philes' dreams come true.
I'd like a contributor to write about the advantages of the two party system. We hear so much sighing and wailing over having to choose between one or the other, but I much prefer it to having a president elected by 35% of the people.
I've been a great admirer of the Tea Party, because thus far, it seems to understand it must operate within one of the two parties which will hold the majority in Congress. It must either reform the Republican party along Constitutionally limited government principles, or replace it wholesale. I'm not opposed to either option, but I'd prefer not to vote for replacement this year, when leaving power in the hands of the lawless Left is so incredibly dangerous. I'll vote for Mitt first.
Apr '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
One of the advantages to the two-party system is its cheaper to buy off two guys than three.
Feb '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
I saw him on Red Eye and he explicitly stated that if he became the President he would immediately gut the defense buget by 40%. Once I heard that I knew that he was an isolationist even though he tried to mitigate that perception by saying that his view on national security was more of a "defensive" posture rather than an "offensive" one. He was also very supportive of the requirement of restaurants to publish the calorie count of food. It seems that the health enthusiast aspect of him outweighed his libertarian side in that regard.
Jul '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Now you know why he is ignored. The whole game is rigged and insiders only are welcome.
Jul '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
I for one would love a candidate who would really end lobbyists any any bribed politicians influence through a series of public executions. I just haven't found someone to champion my cause though.
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Rosie
I saw him on Red Eye and he explicitly stated that if he became the President he would immediately gut the defense buget by 40%. Once I heard that I knew that he was an isolationist even though he tried to mitigate that perception by saying that his view on national security was more of a "defensive" posture rather than an "offensive" one. He was also very supportive of the requirement of restaurants to publish the calorie count of food. It seems that the health enthusiast aspect of him outweighed his libertarian side in that regard. · Dec 1 at 10:03am
I thought that I remembered something of the sort, and that rules him out for me. I would vote for Obama first.
Jul '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Mendel
So how does a guy like that win two gubenatorial elections?
Not trying to challenge what you said. I simply have never seen the man on television and on paper he sure sounds appealing.
Well New Mexico is a pretty small state (500,000 or so votes cast) and it was more of a red state in 1994 and 1998 when Johnson won it. Also, as Prof Rahe noted Johnson's foreign policy positions were of no consequence. There are cuts worth making everywhere in government, including DOD, but Obama could credibly run as the strong on defense candidate against Gary. Ditching a traditional electoral partisan advantage isn't a winning tactic.
His demeanor doesn't help either. Presidential candidates are on tv a great deal more than gubernatorial candidates and a dude that sounds like a particularly fussy grandmother won't play too well.
Finally, there is exactly one early primary state in which he had half a prayer of getting a tiny bit of support and momentum: New Hampshire. His campaign missed the filing deadline. Whether it's a lack of competence or seriousness, it's pathetic.
Feb '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
This is the crux of the matter with virtually all libertarian candidates. Isolationism is as dead as the Holy Roman Empire. Libertarians can't seem to get that through their heads. I have voted libertarian on occasions, but never when the candidate is running for a national office and I never will. Their views on international relations are too childish and simplistic to ever permit their getting their hands on an office on which the security of the nation depends. Catastrophic as Obama's foreign policy has been, and I never dreamed I would be saying this, I would rather have him at the helm than Johnson or Paul.
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Snow Bird
This is the crux of the matter with virtually all libertarian candidates. Isolationism is as dead as the Holy Roman Empire. Libertarians can't seem to get that through their heads. I have voted libertarian on occasions, but never when the candidate is running for a national office and I never will. Their views on international relations are too childish and simplistic to ever permit their getting their hands on an office on which the security of the nation depends. Catastrophic as Obama's foreign policy has been, and I never dreamed I would be saying this, I would rather have him at the helm than Johnson or Paul. · Dec 1 at 11:48am
I am acquainted with a number of people who call themselves libertarians but do not subscribe to this species of utopianism.
Jun '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
His web site under foreign policy lists two points, the first is that we should bring home all troops from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. The second is:
AMERICA CAN ACHIEVE OUR FOREIGN POLICY GOALS without sacrificing American values.
Jun '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
The debate organizers claim to use a poll number threshold, usually 2%. On Red Eye, Johnson claimed that he meets that threshold when his name is included in the polls, but that most polls omit him.
Anyone know how the pollsters decide which names to include in their polls?
Feb '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Paul A. Rahe
I am acquainted with a number of people who call themselves libertarians but do not subscribe to this species of utopianism.
I will grant there are exceptions, undoubtedly many of them, but they prove the rule, and in my lifetime I have run across very few of them (and, in fairness, I did say candidates). I would have no problem enthusiastically voting for a libertarian who espoused a realistic defense and foreign policy. Johnson and Paul definitely do not fall in that category and the Johnson/Paul world view seems to be the norm for libertarians with presidential ambitions. Perhaps someday someone will prove my cynicism wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.
Edited on December 1, 2011 at 9:48pmJun '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
The 3 legs of the conservative stool are fiscal, social, and defense. Gary may be great on fiscal issues but without the other 2 he has little chance of uniting the GOP base or winning many primaries no matter how many debates invite him.
Jun '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Did you ask for an "Amen"? Amen, brother Greg, Amen!
May '10
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Speaking of the down ballot candidates, I heard a long-form interview with Buddy Roemer the other day. He sounded pretty credible. Of course, by limiting his contributors to giving no more than $100, he'll have a hard time getting the cash to make a serious run. But he seems head and shoulders above Paul. (I know; low threshhold.)
Nov '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Paul A. Rahe
I thought that I remembered something of the sort, and that rules him out for me. I would vote for Obama first. · Dec 1 at 11:15am
And this would be where we diverge.
I frankly have no problem with cutting the defense budget 40%. It would not be pretty, it would upturn many apple carts. (And so, it obviously wouldn't ever happen.).
We all know that the claims of the Sec of Def and any top military official, who say that the slight budget cuts that should happen because of the failure of the Super Committee will "gut" the military are bunk. It's bureaucrats protecting their bureaucracy.
It's just a matter of numbers. The defense budget has grown 70% since 2001. Considering that there is literally no nation that poses an existential threat to the United States, this is spending we can no longer afford.
Nov '11
Re: Conservatives & Gary Johnson
Snow Bird
This is the crux of the matter with virtually all libertarian candidates. Isolationism is as dead as the Holy Roman Empire. Libertarians can't seem to get that through their heads. I have voted libertarian on occasions, but never when the candidate is running for a national office and I never will. Their views on international relations are too childish and simplistic to ever permit their getting their hands on an office on which the security of the nation depends. Catastrophic as Obama's foreign policy has been, and I never dreamed I would be saying this, I would rather have him at the helm than Johnson or Paul. · Dec 1 at 11:48am
Isolationism had two halves:
1. Non-interventionism
2. Protectionism
The first is debatable among rational people. The second is not.
If you subscribe to both, yes, you're an isolationist. But Gary Johnson believes in free trade. So he would be properly termed (as would Ron Paul) a non-interventionist.