Often called “the forgotten presidential candidate,” Gov. Gary Johnson was not included in the last two Republican presidential debates. He spoke to Dylan and the Megapanel today about that, his take on Occupy Wall Street, and how limiting voices in the debates is bad for our democracy.
Johnson points to money and politics as one of the biggest problems in our democracy right now.
“In serving two terms for Governor, good government was easy. It wasn’t hard, and it wasn’t up for sale. And it is currently up for sale. The root of all evil… that is the reality of the predicament that we’re in today,” says Johnson.
In many ways, Johnson said that he shared in the frustrations of the Occupy Wall Street movement. “This country doles it out unfairly. I just think the root of all evil are politicians that accept money, and when they accept money, they dole out favors to individuals, groups, corporations that pay for those favors, and that’s what the country. I think the majority of Americans are outraged over it. This is not a country that’s about a level playing field, and that’s what government should be doing, is doing everything they can to ensure an equal opportunity for everybody,” says Johnson.
Johnson has also been left out of the last two Republican debates.
“So, five CNN polls ago, I’m at 2% of the national vote, which ties me for Cain, puts me ahead of Santorum, puts me ahead of Huntsman. The subsequent four CNN polls, I’m left off all polls. I’m not ON the polls, and that’s who determines is in the debate or not. I think by my measurement, that is not fair,” says Johnson.
He believes that the national media has been making the determination as to who they see as a viable presidential candidate, when that should be left up to the voters. This reduces the full spectrum of Republican opinion represented at the debates.
“The majority of Republicans, for example, are pro-choice. Now, those are registered Republicans. That’s something that really people don’t acknowledge. The overwhelming majority of Republican activists are pro-life. I respect a social conservative, absolutely. But who’s being represented when everyone on stage, for the Republican debate, for example, is a social conservative?” Johnson asks.
Johnson describes how his pro-choice beliefs jibe with libertarianism. “Bottom line, I support a woman’s right to choose. Just absolutely, bottom line. The libertarian position, and I’m running as a Republican here for the Republican nomination, the Libertarian party position is to leave that choice to the woman.”