By NBC's Anna Tuman
There will be three names on the ballot come this November, and former Governor Gary Johnson is proud of it. Although he’s not currently a household name like Romney or Obama, Johnson is sure he’ll make it on the ballot for all 50 states as the Libertarian party's nominee.
On today’s show he told Chuck, “I’m going to sit here today and tell you there are going to be three candidates on the ballot in all 50 states.”
According to the AP, Johnson has now qualified with the FEC for federal matching campaign funds, and he's been polling anywhere from 6-12 percent in various state polls – a number that could have an impact on Romney and Obama.
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Considering the fact that he's better qualified then Romney or Obama he could have a lot more then "an impact".
I have been reminded that he will not be on the Oklahoma ballot. Did Chuck consider questioning his assertion ?
Court cases have to play themselves out. Currently he is not on the Oklahoma ballot, but OK's deadline was way back in March and the LP made a good faith effort to meet it though it came just short in # of signatures. Since March and April deadlines for presidential petitions almost always are struck down by federal courts, the LP's case looks promising, but it does hang in the balance. The only thing that might hurt is that American's Elect successfully met the March OK deadline, though with no nominee and as a brand new party with no platform its probably much easier to get people to sign your petitions. The REAL Gary Johnson will almost certainly appear on the ballot in MI, the secretary of state there doesn't really have a case.
Gary Johnson gets my vote.
He has no ties to special interests. He will end all wars and protect our civil liberties. He'll stop this mindless spending that funnels tax dollars and borrowings (that mortgage the future of our children), to the pockets of special interests.
In terms of what the next four years hold for us, it would make no difference regardless of whether the president has an (R) or (D) label behind his name, but if it is Gary Johnson, the country will rock again. Besides, if he doesn't win, but garners more than 10% of the vote, the Libertarian Party will become a force in US politics, all for the better.
its wonderful to see the support for gary johnson in the comments! I think that if people just get a chance to hear what he has to say and show with his experience that he'll be the first choice for many, many americans. I think he's just what we need.
I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson! Pro-Choice, Pro-Marriage equality, Anti war Libertarian candidate who wants to balance the budget and legalize marijuana! Johnson is by far the best steward of tax dollars. He came into office with a huge deficit and left 8 yrs later with a 1.5 billion dollar surplus. His staff once asked him how he wanted his name read on the state welcome signs. He said "Don't put my name on those signs! If we change them at all put welcome to New Mexico from the citizens of New Mexico so we dont have to spend money to change them in the future." As Governor he raised the speed limit to 75 on the highway and allowed people to buy beer on Sunday saying "this is a choice the people of New Mexico can make for themselves and don't need the govt telling them on what day they can buy beer." He understand the proper role of govt to protect you from force or fraud but to otherwise leave you alone unless your actions interfere with the rights of another. Check out Two term(one more than Mitt) Governor Gary Johnson! Dont let the media pick your candidate! Johnson's socially liberal and fiscally conservative stances will be attractive to democrat and independent voters in the general election, I think he is the man to beat obummer.. Gary Johnson is who we need in the White House. The People's President!
Pro-Choice, Pro-Marriage Equality, Legalize Marijuana...
Yes, it does seem like Gary will be forcing libertarianism down people's throats, but he is still way better than Obamney. What it boils down to on the issues may in the end prove to be states rights, and in that case he is just as good as Ron Paul - with one important exception. He does not have Ron's insights with regard to the importance of monetary policy.
@Tommy Funebo: It's impossible to "force libertarianism down people's throats". It's more like taking away special interests' power to force THEIR agendas down people's throats.
I'll vote for Johnson if he's on the ballot. He's the only one of the bunch that seems to actually consider information and make rational decisions instead of being driven by pure ideology, or worse, nothingness. I was always very disappointed when he kept getting shut out of debates. Quite frankly, his platform should appeal to a broad range of voters, because it's steeped in common sense. If he's on the ballot, he's gonna take lots of votes from BOTH of the other "sides." Go Gary Johnson!
You can write-in anyone you like if you vote in AL, DE, IA, NH, NJ, OR, VT & WY. Those states don't require registration, and they carry 49 electoral votes.
Only 8 states are hostile to ballot accessibility, among them Oklahoma (check out An American Vision web site for a complete rundown).
Still, don't get hung up on the technicalities. I don't believe a third candidate has won an electoral vote fair and square since the days of Lincoln. Can Gary Johnson or Ron Paul win just one state it will deal a terrific blow to the petrified electoral system in America.
I agree with his statement that he'll be pulling votes from both candidates. Many democrats may view President Obama as a messiah of some sort, and he has the excuse that republicans are simply holding him back. However, those who are closer to the middle will see that Gary Johnson can and will work with both sides.
Gary Johnson disagrees with both candidates on one many issues, but in turn he agrees with both sides on other issues. The Libertarian ideas are not about splitting apart either party, but rather uniting the people to restore American FREEDOM and OPPORTUNITY.
gary has my vote, i hope he will b our next president
No doubt Gary is the best candidate. GOP sucks.
There is something seriously wrong with our news systems and especially the Republican party (well you knew that already) that Gary has been shut out of it as much as he has. This guy has terrific references, is obviously not a politician so much as a humanely and rationally motivated person, and you can tell just from a few minutes watching these interviews that he'll break the stranglehold the two party system, as well as the corruption the big money powers have on us. He's truly right when he says that our biggest security concern is our bankruptcy, not some vague terrorists that we're creating for ourselves by interfering in other countries.
It's high time (heh) that we stopped snickering when someone mentions legalizing pot and instead had a serious, adult conversation about it, void of Puritanical overtones. Thank you to this reporter for having Gary on. Keep it up, a half hour a week is not too much considering how much free publicity the other two get (and neither of them is going to save this country!)
Are there ever as few as three? Last time I recall there being so many third party candidates that it filled one whole page of the ballot.
Gary makes a lot of sense - he has my vote AND my $ contributions. I put my money where my vote is...
BTW - I quit the (D) party and became an (L) because I can't stand either the (D)s or the (R)s... They are both in the pockets of the rich and large corporations/banks. I want a president who represents the people and is both fiscally responsible and socially tolerant.
Gary Johnson needs to be in the debate this fall.
I'm for Gary Johnson and Jim Gray. They are the only candidates in the race that are not looking out for themselves but are truly concerned about the future of our home, America. If you want to see something revolutionary go to Governor Johnson's web site and make a contribution to help him gain enough support reach 15% in the national polls. That will put him in the Fall Presidential debates. Then sit back and watch the fun.