Politics

Gary Johnson: Romney Close To Endorsing Libertarian Ticket

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is considering endorsing the libertarian ticket, according to reports.

Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson said Thursday that Romney “is thinking about” endorsing former Massachussetts Gov. Bill Weld, in an interview with Wolf Blitzer. Bill Weld is the Libertarian nominee for vice president and Johnson’s running mate.  In a previous interview, Romney said he would “get to know Gary Johnson and see if he’s someone who I could end up voting for.” He added, “If Bill Weld were at the top of the ticket, it would be very easy for me to vote for Bill Weld.” Romney expressed reservations about Johnson because of differences over marijuana legalization.

Johnson explained that he did not want to “press the point” with Romney until the Libertarian running mates reach 15 percent in the polls. At that juncture, Johnson can be included in the presidential debates per the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).

The CPD rules say that a candidate must first “appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to have a mathematical chance of winning a majority vote in the Electoral College,” in order to appear in the televised presidential debates.   Johnson and Weld will have ballot access in all 50 states, according to an interview with The Daily Caller in March.

The second requirement is for candidates to average 15 percent popular support “as determined by five selected national public opinion polling organizations.” Recent polls have Johnson as high as 12 percent. If the Libertarian ticket reaches 20 percent, at that point “we are extremely dangerous,” Weld stated.

Televised debates are a golden goose for the Johnson-Weld ticket.  Viewership ranging upwards of 17 million in a nationally televised debate, woud provide a steady boost in polls, reasoned Weld.

Romney is not alone in his decision to go Libertarian.  In related news, Jeb Bush may endorse the duo after his brother, Marvin Bush, announced he would be voting for Johnson.

Romney referred to Trump’s actions as “trickle down racism” and described him as “dangerous to the heart and character of America.”

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