Tell me about Gary Johnson

[PricklyPete]

It is going to be really hard for me to vote for Trump or Clinton. I really don't align myself with either party and these have got to be some of the worst candidates either have ever offered in my years voting. My leanings are probably more libertarian with a liberal lean.

Just starting to research Gary Johnson. While he seems a little eccentric, I also seem to agree with him on a lot of positions. So this being AT, where we'll call your grandma a wh$@&!, I figure it is as good a place to ask as any. So what is wrong with Gary Johnson?

 

[DigDog]

just found out yesterday there's two more people running for prez; shocking, because i watch a lot of liberal political shows (real time, daily show, john oliver, colbert ..) and you'd think they would mention him once or twice, but no.

 

[dank69]

He's a non-starter just like Stein. Either one is that same as not voting.

 

[glenn1]

The below should help. He has it correct on all the major positions for me. I'm unsure about the tax reform part (e.g. national sales tax or Fair Tax) but that's a matter of getting more familiar with the pros and cons of each alternative - could be great or could be a massive debacle, I would need to spend some more time researching.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Gary_Johnson.htm

 

[TechBoyJK]

He's a non-starter just like Stein. Either one is that same as not voting.

That's a fallacy.

Try and explain that logic further.

 

[Matthiasa]

Does it really matter since he cant win?
The big thing is that he cant win since hes not part of a major party and all other issues become moot with that being the case.

 

[PricklyPete]

just found out yesterday there's two more people running for prez; shocking, because i watch a lot of liberal political shows (real time, daily show, john oliver, colbert ..) and you'd think they would mention him once or twice, but no.

Yeah, and it is generally easy to find out why you might like a candidate...just hoping AT might be able to provide that crucial part of why I should not like him. So far, I am not being turned off by anything big.

 

[hal2kilo]

It is going to be really hard for me to vote for Trump or Clinton. I really don't align myself with either party and these have got to be some of the worst candidates either have ever offered in my years voting. My leanings are probably more libertarian with a liberal lean.

Just starting to research Gary Johnson. While he seems a little eccentric, I also seem to agree with him on a lot of positions. So this being AT, where we'll call your grandma a wh$@&!, I figure it is as good a place to ask as any. So what is wrong with Gary Johnson?

I'm really confused as to why a Sanders supporter would vote for a libertarian. The last thing they want to do is fund anything. Let alone tuition.

 

[theeedude]

He's same as not voting.

 

[PricklyPete]

He's a non-starter just like Stein. Either one is that same as not voting.

I disagree. That mindset is going to stick us with 2 parties for ever.

 

[PricklyPete]

The below should help. He has it correct on all the major positions for me. I'm unsure about the tax reform part (e.g. national sales tax or Fair Tax) but that's a matter of getting more familiar with the pros and cons of each alternative - could be great or could be a massive debacle, I would need to spend some more time researching.



http://www.ontheissues.org/Gary_Johnson.htm

I also need to do more research on tax stuff...but I'm certainly ok with reforms being brought to the table.

Thanks for the link...will read when I get time.

 

[DigDog]

I'm really confused as to why a Sanders supporter would vote for a libertarian. The last thing they want to do is fund anything. Let alone tuition.

??

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Problem with these guys to me is #1 they support the TPP #2 their big goal is to get 15% of the voting population so they can be in the debates. This just isn't a winning plan to me.

 

[Mursilis]

He's a non-starter just like Stein. Either one is that same as not voting.

He's same as not voting.

Yes, just give in to your two-party overlords!

Not surprising to see from two of the bigger Hillary cheerleaders here.

To the OP, all you really need to know about Gary Johnson is this:

He's not Trump or Clinton.

He's almost certainly got no shot so where he stands on the issues isn't all that important, but he's worth a vote just as a form of protest. Jill Stein is also an option. Since the GOP seems intent on committing political suicide, we're going to be left with one dominant major party for a while, and THAT'S always worked out well.

 

[Genx87]

He's a non-starter just like Stein. Either one is that same as not voting.

In many cases voting is the same as non-voting anyways. And imo this is a horrible attitude that contributes to the two pieces of shit we have running for office today.

Whelp can only vote D or R because otherwise our vote is wasted! Derp derp

 

[glenn1]

Problem with these guys to me is #1 they support the TPP #2 their big goal is to get 15% of the voting population so they can be in the debates. This just isn't a winning plan to me.

It's fine if you oppose the TPP but it might not be relevant to OP. If you're going to throw out statements like that you should however take the opportunity to say who you do support so others can compare him/her. OP may not agree with your choice but I don't think he would mind seeing and considering the positions of other candidates even if he didn't choose them in the end.

 

[TheGardener]

Johnson is your guy, if you are a 1 issue voter, and that 1 issue is legalizing weed.

 

[dullard]

It is going to be really hard for me to vote for Trump or Clinton. I really don't align myself with either party and these have got to be some of the worst candidates either have ever offered in my years voting. My leanings are probably more libertarian with a liberal lean.

Gary Johnson is a libertarian (individual rights and defense issues) with a strong conservative lean (domestic and economic issues). Based solely on your post quoted above, it doesn't sound like he'd be a good fit for you. Either that or you don't have a liberal lean.

 

[Guurn]

He is polling around 13 percent so a vote for him is important. Since Hillary and the Donald aren't worth a vote it's not a bad choice just to ensure better choices going forward. This is especially true if you live in a state where your vote is meaningless anyhow.

 

[Genx87]

Johnson is your guy, if you are a 1 issue voter, and that 1 issue is legalizing weed.

Or not being a wall street whore, or xenophobe, or warmonger. There are plenty of issues Stein and Johnson excel over the douche and turd we have running for president.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

It's fine if you oppose the TPP but it might not be relevant to OP. If you're going to throw out statements like that you should however take the opportunity to say who you do support so others can compare him/her. OP may not agree with your choice but I don't think he would mind seeing and considering the positions of other candidates even if he didn't choose them in the end.

Hence why I used the words "to me"

 

[glenn1]

Gary Johnson is a libertarian (individual rights and defense issues) with a strong conservative lean (domestic and economic issues). Based solely on your post quoted above, it doesn't sound like he'd be a good fit for you. Either that or you don't have a liberal lean.

<shrug> Depends on what issues OP leans liberal on. If it's things like abortion he should feel comfortable with Johnson. Other libertarian issues that arguably should fall into the 'liberal' sphere (like civil liberties protections against things like NSA spying) the Democratic Party has done a piss-poor job of being on the correct side.

 

[theeedude]

Yes, just give in to your two-party overlords!

Not surprising to see from two of the bigger Hillary cheerleaders here.

To the OP, all you really need to know about Gary Johnson is this:

He's not Trump or Clinton.

He's almost certainly got no shot so where he stands on the issues isn't all that important, but he's worth a vote just as a form of protest. Jill Stein is also an option. Since the GOP seems intent on committing political suicide, we're going to be left with one dominant major party for a while, and THAT'S always worked out well.

You can vote for him if you want for the placebo effect, but it will be exactly same as not voting for president.

 

[PricklyPete]

It's fine if you oppose the TPP but it might not be relevant to OP. If you're going to throw out statements like that you should however take the opportunity to say who you do support so others can compare him/her. OP may not agree with your choice but I don't think he would mind seeing and considering the positions of other candidates even if he didn't choose them in the end.

It isn't relevant to me, but certainly it is to this thread. I don't have issue with the TPP, but I'm sure some do and that feedback is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[TechBoyJK]

People saying he can't win or it's a wasted vote aren't following the polls.

Hillary nor Trump are making a majority happy. They have vocal minorities behind them. Polls typically put them each at 30-35% at best. In those same polls, Gary is getting 10-15%.

Gary's also been climbing in the polls, quickly. And he's actually doing even better among important demographics. Gary is polling higher among the active military than Donald Trump!

Only about half the country has decided they're Trump or Hillary. There's a huge, huge chunk of the voter base that doesn't like either, and if Gary's the only other legit option (Jill Stein isn't, she doesn't have the traction nor is on all ballots in all states), he might find himself getting a windfall of votes.

Gary's also flat out more qualified for the job than either Trump or Hillary. It's a no contest.