Despite being jeered on Saturday at the Libertarian Party Convention, Gary Johnson nonetheless secured the party’s nomination for President at their convention in Orlando, Florida on Sunday. Delegates also approved his selection of former Massachusetts Governor William Weld as his running mate.
On a personal note, I was actually once on the same bill with Johnson. It was four years ago at a Tea Party rally in Worcester, Massachusetts. In fact, I spoke right before Johnson. I didn’t really hear his remarks because I was busy speaking with Tea Party activists and being interviewed. Nor did we have an opportunity to speak later on. So I wasn’t able to get much of an impression one way or the other.
However, I’m willing to consider voting for him in November. Which is more than what I can say for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. With that said, I’m not giving away my vote so easily.
While I have some sympathy for the libertarian point of view, I think they are generally naive on foreign policy. They can talk military non-intervention and the elimination of foreign aid all they want. They can’t wish away the United States’ position in the world.
With this in mind, I can only hope that Johnson has some degree of pragmatism and realism in his thinking. Specifically, I have questions particularly where it concerns the Iran nuclear deal. In 2012, Johnson said he didn’t believe there was significant engagement with Iran and we ought to open trade with them. So I wonder what he thinks of the Iran nuclear deal? heard an excerpt of a speech (which is undated) in which he said Iran is not a military threat he urged Israel not to bomb Iran. Well, Iran is certainly a military threat to Israel. And who can say Iran wouldn’t find another mechanism by which to deploy a nuclear weapon against the United States?
Needless to say, I’m not encouraged. But I would like to hear what Johnson’s current position is on the Iran nuclear deal just so I’m absolutely clear. However, if Johnson still thinks Iran isn’t a threat and that Israel ought not defend itself against Iran then it’s going to be nearly impossible for me to vote for him. Of course, the chances of Gary Johnson becoming President of the United States are next to nil. In which case, Johnson is an option as a protest vote. While I’m willing to keep an open mind where it concerns Johnson, I would like to see if there are any other viable independent candidates of conservative inclination prepared to throw their hat in the ring.
