Do you think Gary Johnson can do it? Do you even know who he is?

[Gore]

Gary Johnson is the Libertarian presidential nominee of 2012. He's a pretty stand up fellow from what I've experienced. He is the only nominee that will protect your civil rights AND implement a fiscally responsible budget plan for the upcoming years. He wants to legalize marijuana, end the drug wars, legalize gay marriage, protect our gun rights, and bring home our troops.

This man has the track record to show that he means business. He was a governor of New Mexico for two terms consecutively and when he left office, NM was enjoying a 1 billion dollar surplus. Mostly due to his vetoing of needless bills that would only further spending. He has more executive skill and experience than either RoMoney or Obummer. (sorry i had too;)

I think Gary has a chance if he can get into the debates, if he can get that 15%. If people vote based on what they believe in and not by party, he surely will win. We shall see right?

[wadjet]

If people vote based on what they believe in and not by party, he surely will win.

 
Nope. Partly because that will never happen (people not voting on party lines), and partly because people just don't vote, no matter what their beliefs are. And also because Libertarians unfortunately have a bad name. I know highly intelligent people who would otherwise agree with the Libertarians except that to them Libertarian = Move Everyone Back To The Stone Age. Not everyone wants to be a homesteader. (I do. But most people don't.)

I registered to vote the day I turned 18 and have ever since. Though I confess that sometimes I write in some random names. :whis: Come on, the choice between Bush and Kerry? It was painful. I think I wrote myself that year.

[RandallS]

I think Gary has a chance if he can get into the debates, if he can get that 15%. If people vote based on what they believe in and not by party, he surely will win. We shall see right?

I do vote what I believe in, which is why I would be unlikely to vote for a Libertarian. While I agree with a few of their positions on civil liberties, I would not want to live in a world ran by Libertarian principles -- at least those of American Libertarians.

[Skyth]

While I agree with a few of their positions on civil liberties, I would not want to live in a world ran by Libertarian principles -- at least those of American Libertarians.

 
Exactly.  One can only hope he takes votes away from Romney. (More likely than taking votes away from Obama I believe)

[RandallS]

spending. He has more executive skill and experience than either RoMoney or Obummer. (sorry i had too

A Reminder:

I missed this last night, but I need to point out that name-calling like this is against our Political Discussion Guidelines. If you can't discuss political stuff without pointless kindergarten playground name-calling, you should not be discussing politics on TC. Thank you.

[StudiodeKadent]

Gary Johnson is the Libertarian presidential nominee of 2012. He's a pretty stand up fellow from what I've experienced. He is the only nominee that will protect your civil rights AND implement a fiscally responsible budget plan for the upcoming years. He wants to legalize marijuana, end the drug wars, legalize gay marriage, protect our gun rights, and bring home our troops.

This man has the track record to show that he means business. He was a governor of New Mexico for two terms consecutively and when he left office, NM was enjoying a 1 billion dollar surplus. Mostly due to his vetoing of needless bills that would only further spending. He has more executive skill and experience than either RoMoney or Obummer. (sorry i had too;)

I think Gary has a chance if he can get into the debates, if he can get that 15%. If people vote based on what they believe in and not by party, he surely will win. We shall see right?

As an economist, I'd say Johnson is clearly the best candidate with respect to economics (as well as civil liberties and cultural issues). If I remember correctly, he also directly spoke to the pagan press at one point (in a friendly and respectful manner).

He will not win but he does have a very, very real chance of being a 'spoiler' in this election.

That said, and this is important; his appeal is bipartisan. He won't just take votes from Romney. Johnson is anti-war, pro-gay-marriage-as-a-constitutionally-guaranteed-right, anti-drug-war and anti-PATRIOT-act. He was also elected and re-elected with an increased majority for Governor as a Republican in a state which is two-thirds Democratic.

Johnson is far superior on social and cultural liberties than almost all Democrats and he has proven bipartisan appeal. He does have a real chance of taking votes from Obama, as well as Romney.

[mandrina]

As an economist, I'd say Johnson is clearly the best candidate with respect to economics (as well as civil liberties and cultural issues). If I remember correctly, he also directly spoke to the pagan press at one point (in a friendly and respectful manner).

He will not win but he does have a very, very real chance of being a 'spoiler' in this election.

That said, and this is important; his appeal is bipartisan. He won't just take votes from Romney. Johnson is anti-war, pro-gay-marriage-as-a-constitutionally-guaranteed-right, anti-drug-war and anti-PATRIOT-act. He was also elected and re-elected with an increased majority for Governor as a Republican in a state which is two-thirds Democratic.

Johnson is far superior on social and cultural liberties than almost all Democrats and he has proven bipartisan appeal. He does have a real chance of taking votes from Obama, as well as Romney.

As an economist, I'd have to disagree with your assessment of him as the best for the economy  (Econ, BA, 1989, U of Illinois, UC, just to establish my credentials).  Ask 10 economists a question, get 15 answers.  My teachers were not Chicago school, so I have a different view point on the economy than most conservatives have, I don't know Johnson's school, but I suspect that it wasn't the same as the one I went to, or Prof McMahon would be turning in his grave.

[Holdasown]

Gary Johnson is the Libertarian presidential nominee of 2012. He's a pretty stand up fellow from what I've experienced. He is the only nominee that will protect your civil rights AND implement a fiscally responsible budget plan for the upcoming years. He wants to legalize marijuana, end the drug wars, legalize gay marriage, protect our gun rights, and bring home our troops.

This man has the track record to show that he means business. He was a governor of New Mexico for two terms consecutively and when he left office, NM was enjoying a 1 billion dollar surplus. Mostly due to his vetoing of needless bills that would only further spending. He has more executive skill and experience than either RoMoney or Obummer. (sorry i had too;)

I think Gary has a chance if he can get into the debates, if he can get that 15%. If people vote based on what they believe in and not by party, he surely will win. We shall see right?

I always vote third party president. I know people get freaked when they hear Libertarian but there is a whole congress and Senate to balance it all out. We need to show the two parties they are not going to continue to screw us all over. I can't see anyone letting him into the debates they never have before.

[sailor]

As an economist, I'd have to disagree with your assessment of him as the best for the economy  (Econ, BA, 1989, U of Illinois, UC, just to establish my credentials).  Ask 10 economists a question, get 15 answers.  My teachers were not Chicago school, so I have a different view point on the economy than most conservatives have, I don't know Johnson's school, but I suspect that it wasn't the same as the one I went to, or Prof McMahon would be turning in his grave.

 
Only 15 answers?

[StudiodeKadent]

As an economist, I'd have to disagree with your assessment of him as the best for the economy  (Econ, BA, 1989, U of Illinois, UC, just to establish my credentials).  Ask 10 economists a question, get 15 answers.  My teachers were not Chicago school, so I have a different view point on the economy than most conservatives have, I don't know Johnson's school, but I suspect that it wasn't the same as the one I went to, or Prof McMahon would be turning in his grave.

You're entitled to your perspective and you are correct that economists always disagree with each other. However, a few points..

1) Chicago School economists typically are (ideologically speaking) libertarian rather than conservative; see all the Chicagoite work on the drug war.

2) Conservatives haven't exactly been doing much in the way of following Chicago School economic policy.

3) Johnson's policy is apparently Chicago-oriented although he clearly has an Austrian streak. His economics advisor is Jeffrey Miron from Harvard, who IIRC is Chicago School.

Also, I would like to point out that I am not a conservative (nor is Gary Johnson). Nor am I Chicago School for that matter; I'm Austrian/Evolutionary.

[mandrina]

Only 15 answers?

 
well, ok, 30.

[mandrina]

You're entitled to your perspective and you are correct that economists always disagree with each other. However, a few points..

1) Chicago School economists typically are (ideologically speaking) libertarian rather than conservative; see all the Chicagoite work on the drug war.

2) Conservatives haven't exactly been doing much in the way of following Chicago School economic policy.

3) Johnson's policy is apparently Chicago-oriented although he clearly has an Austrian streak. His economics advisor is Jeffrey Miron from Harvard, who IIRC is Chicago School.

Also, I would like to point out that I am not a conservative (nor is Gary Johnson). Nor am I Chicago School for that matter; I'm Austrian/Evolutionary.

I'm just pointing out that tht there are HUGE of differences between the various schools of economic thought, and i have no intention at this point of arguing anything, I'm just saying that: Saying 'as an economist' is not like saying, 'as a board certified oncologist' or 'as a chemist', There's enough range there that you really do get to pick your expert.

[sailor]

I'm just pointing out that tht there are HUGE of differences between the various schools of economic thought, and i have no intention at this point of arguing anything, I'm just saying that: Saying 'as an economist' is not like saying, 'as a board certified oncologist' or 'as a chemist', There's enough range there that you really do get to pick your expert.

 
If somebody specified what school of economics they were coming from would that make the statement more relevant? Maybe not 90% agreement, but closer than wide open.

[StudiodeKadent]

I'm just pointing out that tht there are HUGE of differences between the various schools of economic thought, and i have no intention at this point of arguing anything, I'm just saying that: Saying 'as an economist' is not like saying, 'as a board certified oncologist' or 'as a chemist', There's enough range there that you really do get to pick your expert.

That's a fair point. That said, being an economist does suggest that one has at least a reasonable argument for why one comes to the economic conclusions one has. Reasonable people can come to different conclusions, after all.

[mandrina]

That's a fair point. That said, being an economist does suggest that one has at least a reasonable argument for why one comes to the economic conclusions one has. Reasonable people can come to different conclusions, after all.

 
Yes, but I'm not going to do that right now, I said so.  Maybe next week, after my folks have gone home and I'm oriented to my new job.

Whine Notice:  I've got to do something this week I haven't done in years.  WOrk 5 days in a row, three of them on days.

happy note:  I've got a job, prn, only 2 days a week, but it's foot in the door with a good comapny and should a full time or part time job come open, I've got a better chance of getting it,.