Gary Johnson, a Libertarian presidential candidate who has recently polled fairly well despite being a third-party candidate, was invited to speak at UNM Wednesday night by Young Americans for Liberty, UNM chapter.
Johnson, a former businessman, served as governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003, moved to the Land of Enchantment when he was 13 years old. He has been on the campaign trail for about a year, and also ran in 2012.
The Daily Lobo caught up with the former New Mexico governor and had the chance to talk to him about his ongoing pursuit for the presidency.
DL: Was there something that really prompted you to join the race?
Given that the majority of Americans are declaring themselves as independent, given the fact that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump appear to be the nominees, I think these are the two most polarizing figures in American politics today and for the most part they don’t represent the majority of Americans.
DL: What issues are most important to you?
I think that the government is too big that it spends too much, that it taxes too much so it takes away ultimately your and my ability to make decisions in our own lives. I do believe in individual freedom and responsibility, so arguing about social issues, marriage equality, women’s right to choose the fact that crony capitalism is alive and well in this country and that we should stop with our military intervention. Our military interventions are actually making things worse in the world, not better.
DL: What is your opinion on the politics in New Mexico?
I think one of the biggest issues we face in this state right now is that the pension plan for public employees in New Mexico is really in dire straits and that’s really not being recognized as such at all.
DL: What is your step-by-step plan if you were elected?
I would submit a balanced budget to Congress and I would also advocate on the part of eliminating corporate tax and income tax and abolishing the IRS because I think ultimately that would create tens of billions of jobs.
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DL: What have you done to boost your campaign?
Well my name for the first time two weeks ago appeared in a national poll and in that national poll I was (at) 11 percent. For us right now the key is just continuing to be in the national polls. I think if my name continues to be in these national polls I think there’s a really good chance that I will be in the presidential debates in the general election. There’s no way that a third party wins the presidency without being in the presidential debate it’s just not possible.
DL: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Everybody is talking about third party and what’s not being recognized is that the Libertarian party is going to be the only party on the ballot in all 50 states, so by extension the Libertarian nominee is going to be the only third party candidate on the ballot in all 50 states and I think that’s one of those things that’s really not being acknowledged at all.
Regardless of the reason that is the reality. It’s not being recognized as such. If my name will continue to be in the polls then that would absolutely be overcome. It’s impossible right now for anyone to be on the ballot if they were running as an independent or as a third party. Right now, because of time constraints it’s impossible to get on the ballot in all 50 states.
If someone were to embark on becoming a third party today I think it would be next to impossible to get on the ballot in enough states mathematically to be elected president meaning get on the ballot in enough states to garner 270 electoral votes.
DL: And this is possible for you because of the Libertarian party?
Yes, the Libertarian party, which has gone out and in fact will be on the ballot in all 50 (states), states something that the Libertarian party has accomplished many times in the past. And in 2012 I was in third place in the presidential race with 1.3 million votes.
DL: Do you have a specific message that you would like to tell the students at UNM?
Well speaking with a broad brushstroke, being fiscally conservative and socially liberal. What does that mean when it comes to all the issues of today? I think the majority of people in this country are Libertarians; it’s just that they don’t know it.
Nyla Degreff is a staff reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Nyla_Degreff.
