I have learned that former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson will be making an announcement in three weeks.
I have been unable to verify details, but speculation is mounting that the former Governor is preparing to re-enter the public policy debate.
Over the last sixth months, there have been rumors that Governor Johnson has been considering launching a campaign for the Republican nomination in 2012, although Johnson has not confirmed this.
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Kristofer Lorelli can be contacted at lorville@rogers.com, on Facebook and Twitter/Kris_Lorelli
September 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Announcing for President in 2012 in October 2009?
September 29th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Are you kidding me? It’s “breaking news” that we’ll get an announcement in 3 weeks? Maybe, MAYBE it would be breaking news if the Pope were going to announce whether he planned to step down or not, but announcing that an announcement on running for Pres will be made in 3 weeks?
September 29th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
My money’s on him announcing a bid for Governor, that or a run for House. Could be forming a PAC too. I highly doubt this had anything to do with 2012…yet.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
My stand with my checkbook at the ready.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Should read:
I stand with my checkbook at the ready.
Oops.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I would ask whether he’s on crack, but with Johnson, it’s probably too literal.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Johnson: No politics in my future. I have effectively pulled the pin on my political career with my stance on drugs, and I recognize that up front.
That is how the interview ends, so I wonder what you are talking about. It appears that Johnson has already made his decision not to run for anything anymore.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
In Instapundit’s polls (heavily weighted to libertarians) the only candidate to finish below Huckabee was Johnson. This is equivalent to Santorum’s performance at the Value Voters meeting.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
We need a figure like him to capture this Libertarian streak going on in America. A REAL Libertarian not someone who throws the word around. I doubt it has to do with the presidency but anything in the public eye will be very welcome.
Makes this site worth something possibly.
http://www.johnsonforamerica.com/
September 29th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I hope like heck Johnson runs and siphons some libertarian vote off of Palin.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
IL-guy: He’ll probably siphon about 12 votes per state. In the Instatpundit poll, she got 53%, Johnson got less than 3%.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I don’t think Johnson will be announcing for the presidential election this early, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sort of formal political committee to lay the groundworks for an eventual presidential run.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
As someone who interacts far more frequently with self-described libertarians than card-carrying Republicans, I have to say that Gary Johnson is a much more desirable candidate to libertarians than Sarah Palin. Certainly the libertarian wing of the Republican Party that through a lot of very intense support behind Ron Paul is much more excited by him than by her… in fact, I’d hesitate to use the word “excited” at all in reference to their feelings about Palin.
Things may change, but I think there’s a legitimate chance that whatever libertarian-leaners there are who could be persuaded to vote for Palin would switch to Johnson in a heartbeat, and I also think Johnson could outperform Ron Paul in the primaries if he plays his cards right. If he does decide to run for President, I suspect he’ll actually do quite well for a “lower tier” candidate, and he might even pull off a real upset. (I hope he would!)
But I doubt this announcement is going to be about a run in 2012, as someone I’m acquainted with who’s close to Johnson indicated that he’s considering / preparing for a run, but won’t really bother to decide until others are doing the same.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Gary will start making the talk show / PR rounds here soon to lay the ground work for a Presidential run. If we can get him double the % that Ron (Paul) got in NH, and have him come in no less than 3rd in Iowa, then he might have a shot.
But I can’t reveal my source, let’s just say it’s someone who is prominent, educated, and “in-the-know”.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:36 am
With all of the candidates in New Mexico running, Johnson will need to start backing candidates that he likes. My guess is that the announcement will be about his support for the various contenders.
Either way, go to http://www.garyjohnson2012.com and sign up to show your support.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
[...] This bump is based solely on Kristopher’s rumor report. [...]