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Willie Nelson Withdraws Gary Johnson Endorsement To Support Kucinich 2012

by Frances Martel | 7:30 pm, May 19th, 2011

» 20 comments

Legendary musician and outspoken drug legalization advocate Willie Nelson endorsed fellow outspoken drug legalization advocate Gov. Gary Johnson for president earlier this week, only to retract that statement earlier today and choose to endorse no one (yet). This is all fairly humorous, except most of the media outlets reporting this story have been burying the lede: Nelson withdrew his support because he’s “already committed to Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich.” Huh?

It truly is a shame that Newt Gingrich stole the thunder out of this story– and one must admit it lacks the glittery glory of that implosion. But Nelson’s endorsement– and that of his political movement, the “Teapot Party” (yes, it’s exactly what you think it is)– and immediate retraction would be in any other presidential campaign cycles one of the most curious bits of political gaffing in recent memory. Nelson and his team notified Johnson of the endorsement, which was received with open arms on Tuesday, with the governor announcing he was “truly gratified” about the endorsement. Then, 48 hours later, Nelson reneged, apparently because he had already promised Kucinich he would vote for him for president:

“I know I said that,” Nelson replied. “But I think I will wait and see where he stands on other things. My bad. Sorry. I still think he is a good guy but so is Dennis [Kucinich] and if he decided to run I would personally vote for him. If it came down to either him or Gary I’m already committed to Dennis. They both have said they support legal pot.”

In other words, any ad that uses Nelson’s words of endorsement is a falsehood.

But isn’t the more interesting part of this story that Nelson believes there is enough of a viable chance that Kucinich will challenge President Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination that he is reserving his otherwise full endorsement of a man who is actually running for president, and in a party in which– say what you will about Gov. Johnson– he stands a bit more of a chance? Dave Weigel argues that Kucinich’s run “is really an open question,” though that may be selling the possibility a little high, and doesn’t really mean he would make any dent in the 2012 campaign at all. Then again, people are touting the possibility of Texas Gov. Rick Perry running, and he doesn’t even want to be part of America.

Dave Weigel, Democrats, Dennis Kucinich, gary johnson, Republicans, Willie Nelson

WCinWI

In honor of Kucinich, that endorsement is out of this world.

Tee hee.
The Lantern of Truth

Willie always takes the high road .
http://twitter.com/SailRabbits Magister

The endorsement followed by a quick retraction – Short term memory loss?
Color Me Badd

Does Willie know something we don’t? Dennis would never challenge King Obama.
Davo

Just goes to show ya what’ll happen to your brain when ya smoke dope all day every day………………….you’ll turn into a Liberal like Willie.
http://www.perceptionasreality.blogspot.com/ skoorbekim

the dazed haze…
seek

…and this is a story worth print why?
Zandandido

I could seriously care if Willie Nelson “endorses” me. He thinks the USA did 9/11 itself. And this is the first time I’ve heard that Dennis is running for President. And Dennis Kucinich is crazy who makes Donald Trump look sane.
snatchax

poor willie, he doesn’t know what he believes. you don’t go from freedom to tyranny unless you’re senile or playing games in the first place.
Paul G

HAHAHAHAHAHHA….I was WAITING for the Willie Nelson endorsement!!!
Now I can’t wait for the Bieber….HAHAHAHAHHAHA
WCinWI

Paul G said:
HAHAHAHAHAHHA….I was WAITING for the Willie Nelson endorsement!!!
Now I can’t wait for the Bieber….HAHAHAHAHHAHA

Isn’t the Biebs from Canada? Can he vote here? I thought he couldn’t. Dunno – I don’t follow the dude. NSYNC was my generation. :)
LOGICandREASON

This is precisely one of the effects of Marijuana.
JasonMays

Then again, people are touting the possibility of Texas Gov. Rick Perry running, and he doesn’t even want to be part of America.

You mean he doesn’t want to be a part of “Obama’s America”, and i’m in 100% agreement with him. “Obama’s America” sucks.
JasonMays

Color Me Badd said:
Does Willie know something we don’t? Dennis would never challenge King Obama.

You’re an idiot. I’ve seen you posting here, and I always wondered if mediaite was test running a chimpanzee as an ombudsman or something.

People who call criminal politicians “king” in a serious manner should be killed. Or sent to live in San Francisco. Not sure which is worse. I’m guessing Frisco.
JasonMays

WCinWI said:
Isn’t the Biebs from Canada? Can he vote here? I thought he couldn’t. Dunno – I don’t follow the dude. NSYNC was my generation. :)

NSYNC… Dear god. That brought back horrible memories. Thanks a million.
ChiliPeppersFan

I was gonna go to work but then I got high
I just got a new promotion but I got high
now I’m selling dope and I know why (why man?) yea heayy,
- cause I got high [repeat 3X]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAAyNyywhHc

i was gonna endorse johnson, then i got high, then i got high, then i got high,
ChiliPeppersFan

ChiliPeppersFan said:
ChiliPeppersFan says:
May 20, 2011 at 9:19 am (

*in all honesty, got the idea from mcgirk on imus show.
joe7

The media isn’t supposed to report on or anything to do with Gary Johnson.WHAT ARE YOU DOING MEDIAITE! delete delete!
Johnnie Dorman

If Dennis Kucinich had been elected president instead of Obama, the right wingers would have been toast in his first week of his presidency.
Davo

Johnnie Dorman said:
If Dennis Kucinich had been elected president instead of Obama, the right wingers would have been toast in his first week of his presidency.

And then America would have been toast the week after.