- His PC BS offends us
- The Johnson effect on the election
Seriously, the supposed champion of the “rational party” is incensed by a an entirely rational term. Check out his high dudgeon in this clip from an interview on Blaze TV, later commented on by Blaze analyst Tomi Lahren. It should be noted that Blaze TV is led by Glen Beck who along with most of his media contributors are vociferous in criticizing Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Lahren has enough discernment to know Johnson is no alternative for those sick of political correctness and the degree and costs of illegal immigrant coddling. It is a short clip, important to understanding Johnson’s politics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jv-hNt7P6s
So Johnson is appealing to Democrats, but not blue color Democrats with that expressed attitude on immigration. His support of free-trade will not likely endear him to that element, but will to the one-world internationalists of both parties who refuse to couple trade agreements with unencumbered sovereignty. His pick of a RINO Republican running mate in Weld is an appeal to that fellow RINO’s which does have some cross appeal to Democrats.
Perhaps Johnson thinks he can straddle some issues enough to appeal to some conservative Republicans not on board with Trump. The old “personally opposed to abortion but keep it legal”refrain that Johnson touts is one such appeal. But conservatives are not fooled by the BS because it is a denial of the right to life and the duty to protect, which is a violation of the implied contract of sexuality and parenthood, which should be Libertarian hallmarks. It is certainly not a pro-life position. Johnson is also for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, but we don’t see how he could intellectually argue against polygamy with such an anything goes defense of his position.
Johnson’s foreign/defense policy approach seems to essentially be that whatever China or Iran or Russia or North Korea foment short of directly attacking our territory is not a military concern of ours. That is profoundly dangerous. Unfortunately it has some appeal out there.
Johnson may think he can depend on those Hispanics who are indifferent to borders and demand government largess . . . but why would they actually vote for him with an alternative like Hillary? *
Polling seems to indicate that Johnson pulls from Democrats more so than Republicans probably reflecting the Democrat element with enough fleeting integrity to dislike crooked Hillary and are not all in for a nut job like the Green candidate. The polling reflects a safe for now temper-tantrum respondents want recorded. But they are not a happy lot and we suspect many will return to Hillary as they actually vote.
With a 15% requirement by the sponsoring presidential debate commission, the polling looks like Johnson has not, and is not likely to, achieve enough support to rate inclusion in the presidential debates. However Hillary and Donald Trump are responsible for a very fluid political dynamic. He could still be a go-to guy for many dissatisfied voters. We hope it is more so for otherwise Democrat voters.
R Mall
*An earlier version of this post implied Gary Johnson was part Hispanic. I confused his heritage with Bill Richardson, a previous governor of New Mexico
