Johnson/Weld Ad

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Good article.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2016/09/13/do-gary-johnsons-endorsements-matter/?utm_term=.5800d5c12938

Quote:Do Gary Johnson’s endorsements matter?

Quote:By Jennifer Rubin
Right Turnopinion
September 13


Following the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the editorial board of another prominent regional paper, the Winston-Salem Journal, has endorsed former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson for president. The editorial board members, confessing that they “surprised even ourselves,” wrote:

Quote:For months, we here at the Journal editorial board wrestled with this endorsement. For most of that time, we looked at Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump. But as the weekly revelations ripped away any hopes we held for finding the “better angels of their nature,” confirming our belief that neither is fit to be president of our still-great land of Lincoln, we began to look harder at Johnson. We refused to let the powerful party behind either Clinton or Trump push us into a bad choice simply because the parties could do no better.

It is noteworthy that the editorial board announced its decision in order to influence polling that might put Johnson past the 15 percent support required for the presidential debates.
On the issues, the editorial board does not sound altogether thrilled with Johnson. (“On public education, he supports more local control. We agree, although we object to his emphasis on eliminating the federal Department of Education and Common Core. . . . We like his emphasis on criminal-justice reform, especially on draconian and unequal drug laws, although we are not with him yet on the legalization of recreational marijuana.”) Conceding Johnson has “much to learn on foreign policy,” the board gives him lavish praise for “defending our civil liberties against big government, especially on our Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure.”
Mostly, this sounds like a plea to let him into the debates. (“This Libertarian ticket has the potential to transform this race from one about insults and scandals to one about issues and honor.”) We are not sure Johnson would have such a dramatic effect on the tone of the race, but we are certain he would knock down Donald Trump’s nonsense on immigration, go after Hillary Clinton for ignoring the entitlement crisis and, most of all, challenge their shabby ethics and insistence on denying voters access to information critical to their decision-making.
We remain skeptical that Johnson can win any states, but we are equally enthusiastic about his participation in the debates. He has qualified for the ballot in all 50 states, which should count for something. The Commission on Presidential Debates is really the Commission on Democratic-Republican Debates, intent on maintaining the two-party duopoly. Nevertheless, the commission may be foiled by poll respondents who would also like to hear from Johnson. If the commission does not let Johnson in, he surely should debate Green Party nominee Jill Stein and independent conservative Evan McMullin. If they are wise, they will spend not a moment attacking one another and instead aim their fire at the two main candidates.


There are two philosophies about voting. One says pick the least bad of the choices, making certain the country is protected from grave harm. The other says everyone has the right and even the obligation to cast a vote for the person who would best serve the country. Even a losing candidate can accumulate impressive vote totals and thereby affect the political landscape.
Newspaper editorials are not going to decide the election. However, if enough editorial boards follow the Winston-Salem Journal and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Johnson’s name ID will go up and his chances for participation in the debates will go up. That would be a rare good news story in a race many Americans find the most distressing of their lives.