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GQ Declares Shirtless Gary Johnson The ‘Sanest’ 2012 Republican Candidate

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by Frances Martel | 9:54 am, September 24th, 2011

» 54 comments

Former governor of New Mexico and seemingly covert candidate to the 2012 Republican presidential nomination Gary Johnson may be polling in the single digits and only just managed to get himself on a debate state this week, but with that appearance made enough of a splash to have caught the media’s eye, and they are intrigued. Shortly after the debate, GQ published an extensive profile on Johnson that reveals he prefers events like the “Porcupine Freedom Festival” to actual fundraisers and seems to apologize every time he mentions he is running for President.

The piece, by Lisa DePaulo, begins with an awkward exchange at a bike shop– awkward because Johnson mumbles something off-handedly about “the president thing” and the store owners seem intrigued, but Johnson insists he would rather not talk about it. One would be forgiven for thinking, “no wonder no one knows who he is.” He has only two campaign staffers who are depicted as at the brink of ripping their hair out every time Johnson refuses to address that he is running for President with a crowd, or every time the campaign credit card defaults (this happens often, apparently). They are with him when he attends the Porcupine Freedom Festival, one of the few places outside of New Mexico where people actually know who Gary Johnson is, but instead of encouraging people to vote for him, Johnson walks around saying nice things and Rep. Ron Paul and warning anarchist youth they should probably pay their taxes. This is a typical exchange in the piece for Johnson:

Then he moves south to the part of the campground dominated by the anarchists, who are separated from the Libertarians by a swing set—and who, by definition, aren’t even going to vote. But Gary doesn’t want to just blow them off. He ends up in a long conversation with a guy named “Puke” and another dude in a red hoodie who wants to tell the presidential candidate how he became “the sovereign king of myself.” Gary listens as the 20-year-old tells him how he doesn’t pay taxes and drives without a license. “I understand how you feel, but listen, son…” And gently but firmly points out that those things could get him arrested. “That wouldn’t be good for you.”

That DiPaulo starts off with what makes Johnson such a long-shot candidate, despite an extensive resume that includes being the only governor in the 2012 race who is actually viewed favorably in his home state, which gives all the reasons he is ignored– the marijuana jokes, the fact that he doesn’t seem to like campaigning all that much– an air of the trivial compared to what he actually did in his home state, at least compared to anyone else on the Republican debate stage. It is not shocking to get Johnson’s assessment of the other candidates and find that he is “fascinated” with Jon Huntsman, one of the several candidates actually trailing Johnson in some polls:

While he has been persona non grata, he has watched as first Bachmann, then Huntsman, and now Perry have each been treated like the Second Coming. Huntsman, in particular, fascinates Gary. And in a weird way, gives him hope. The Utah zillionaire has Annie Leibovitz photographing him for Vogue but is still polling in Gary-territory—worse than Gary territory! Johnson is a point or two above him in the polls right now—despite Huntsman plowing millions of his own money into his campaign and gracing numerous magazine covers. Maybe the media isn’t all that powerful!

The article is also a minefield of extraordinary factoids about Johnson himself, paramount among these that he climbed Mount Everest with a broken leg, and hoped to climb the three of the Seven Summits that have eluded him during his presidential tenure. It rapidly becomes clear that Johnson shatters most conventional definitions of the word “sane,” the key adjective of the profile. Yet there is something comforting, especially compared to the likes of Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, about Johnson’s shameless love of Costco, in how passionately he takes his hobbies and how he shelters his anonymity from any significant attack. It may not win him the presidency, but it’s hard not to view Johnson as, at the very least, one of the more extraordinary Americans currently involved (and I use the term loosely) in national politics.

2012 elections, gary johnson, GQ, Lisa DiPaulo, New Mexico, Republicans

http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

Lol!! GQ just lost whatever credibility they had!!
Archaicoctober

This is a good review about a REAL American. I appreciate this coverage.
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

No man who mountainbikes in spandex will ever get my vote. Where is his shirt? Helmet? Strikes me as an absurd image.
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

No man who mountainbikes in spandex will ever get my vote. Where is his shirt? Helmet? Strikes me as an absurd image.
Anonymous

Nice to see Governor Johnson getting a little bit of respect, finally.
Anonymous

yes, except the profile pic is shirtless and the headline, essentially ignores his achievements as New Mexico government and instead profiles that, yes, he’s not crazy. But don’t worry, the media still thinks its unbiased…

I just hope he’s in the debates now, a good fresh voice for the conservative/libertarians! I really wanted McClotter to poll enough to get involved, so Johnson’s a good substitute.
Anonymous

I’m sure this means on the next post about Obama, Frances will surely include his shirtless pics to be fair….
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

I’m sure he’s a nice guy with no chance of winning the nomination… but my point was couldn’t GQ use a better picture of the politician!! And as Greg stated in above comment, he should have stopped GQ from using the picture of him in spandex… this is not the 80′s!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Caroline-M-Corman/1790826629 Caroline M. Corman

I like Ron Paul, but Gary is the type of GOP that folks should consider voting for. I was shocked that he was left out of the debates. Buddy Romer should be on too, but he is just too populist for the current GOP. If they had a brain, they would run a Romer or Johnson. But, alas, they acquiesce
http://www.facebook.com/people/Caroline-M-Corman/1790826629 Caroline M. Corman

to lesser men with more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Caroline-M-Corman/1790826629 Caroline M. Corman

I am a cycle mama, so a man with tight spandex is just right for me. Especially one as nice as Gary. I am curious Greg, are you as cute in spandex bike pants?
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

Odd question. Spandex is innapropriate for the trail for mostly functional reasons.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ron-Willison/1729099268 Ron Willison

That pic GQ used makes Gary look like Julian Assange’s brother. Many similarities
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

That’s already been done. No more half nude politicians please.
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

That’s already been done. No more half nude politicians please.
Sharpo

leedog is just jealous that gary can wear spandex and not come of looking like a 500lb gorilla like leedog would.
http://twitter.com/apDuneman Andrew

If Republicans had half a brain they would nominate Gary Johnson and forget the rest of current GOP field. He’s the only one who actually has the record we need for the current situation – 8 years of balanced budgets in New Mexico AND a budget surplus when he left office. Not to mention that he’s the only Republican who believes government should stay out of people’s fiscal lives AND their personal lives.
http://twitter.com/apDuneman Andrew

If Republicans had half a brain they would nominate Gary Johnson and forget the rest of current GOP field. He’s the only one who actually has the record we need for the current situation – 8 years of balanced budgets in New Mexico AND a budget surplus when he left office. Not to mention that he’s the only Republican who believes government should stay out of people’s fiscal lives AND their personal lives.
http://twitter.com/apDuneman Andrew

If Republicans had half a brain they would nominate Gary Johnson and forget the rest of current GOP field. He’s the only one who actually has the record we need for the current situation – 8 years of balanced budgets in New Mexico AND a budget surplus when he left office. Not to mention that he’s the only Republican who believes government should stay out of people’s fiscal lives AND their personal lives.
http://twitter.com/apDuneman Andrew

If Republicans had half a brain they would nominate Gary Johnson and forget the rest of current GOP field. He’s the only one who actually has the record we need for the current situation – 8 years of balanced budgets in New Mexico AND a budget surplus when he left office. Not to mention that he’s the only Republican who believes government should stay out of people’s fiscal lives AND their personal lives.
http://twitter.com/apDuneman Andrew

If Republicans had half a brain they would nominate Gary Johnson and forget the rest of current GOP field. He’s the only one who actually has the record we need for the current situation – 8 years of balanced budgets in New Mexico AND a budget surplus when he left office. Not to mention that he’s the only Republican who believes government should stay out of people’s fiscal lives AND their personal lives.
http://twitter.com/apDuneman Andrew

Absurd compared to what? Those pics of Obama wearing a helmet riding a “mountain” bike on a paved bike path?
bodybyjonathan

Gary Johnson is the Best candidate hands down!! End the wars, balance the budget, End the income tax start a fair tax… This is exactly what america needs! I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson The Peoples President!
bodybyjonathan

Gary Johnson is the Best candidate hands down!! End the wars, balance the budget, End the income tax start a fair tax… This is exactly what america needs! I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson The Peoples President!
bodybyjonathan

Gary Johnson is the Best candidate hands down!! End the wars, balance the budget, End the income tax start a fair tax… This is exactly what america needs! I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson The Peoples President!
bodybyjonathan

Gary Johnson is the Best candidate hands down!! End the wars, balance the budget, End the income tax start a fair tax… This is exactly what america needs! I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson The Peoples President!
bodybyjonathan

Gary Johnson is the Best candidate hands down!! End the wars, balance the budget, End the income tax start a fair tax… This is exactly what america needs! I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson The Peoples President!
bodybyjonathan

Gary Johnson is the Best candidate hands down!! End the wars, balance the budget, End the income tax start a fair tax… This is exactly what america needs! I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson The Peoples President!
http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

Casual urban riders stick to the mountain bike with near exclusion. Wearing a helmet is always a good idea. Paved bike paths in Chicago are more dangerous than trail or even city streets as they are heavily populated with those improperly trained in the use of public space. I find the Obama image absolutely mundane and sensible.
joe

he could never win–
anti death pentalty—fair tax—pro gays in military–does not want to let americans without health insurance die..

what kind of Christian is he? he should be run out of the gop with his head on a spit~
screw him.

war, oil, death, blood–kill kill kill—praise Jesus….
war, oil, death, blood–kill kill kill—praise Jesus….
war, oil, death, blood–kill kill kill—praise Jesus….
war, oil, death, blood–kill kill kill—praise Jesus….
war, oil, death, blood–kill kill kill—praise Jesus….
Anonymous

Gary Johnson and Ron Paul are the only candidates worth
voting for. I think that the emergence of Gary Johnson into the race validates
the principles that Ron Paul stands for. They should be No. 1 and No. 2 in the
polls, not Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. Ron Paul’s message of personal and
economic liberty for all individuals is spreading like wildfire. Gary Johnson
is spreading that message as well. If Americans could hear Paul’s positions on
the economy and the Federal Reserve he would be the ONLY candidate. Here’s why:

http://ccapitalist.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-one-listens-to-outcast-until-he-is.html
Anonymous

True, but I think your point misses the mark. If you want to see devil’s around every corner sure, but the fact that he’s shirtless, has some definition, and could probably stand toe to toe with Putin. Sure, Putin dives and pulls up a greek amphorae that someone placed for him to find. Gary Johnson climbed Mt. Everest with a freakin broken leg lol. He doesn’t talk big, he doesn’t talk tough. He just does it. That I can respect, far more than just about anyone else up there.
Anonymous

Well, as Huntsman pointed out quite succinctly in the debate look who were the front runners in 07 then look who was on the ticket in 08. If Johnson and Paul can keep their bases excited they stand a good chance. Unfortunately the entire media, left and right, have already decided that these two are unelectable. And of course they did, with smaller government with tighter restrictions on government these talking heads have no jobs. Their job security is our misery.
Anonymous

My track record since Reagan – not so much voting, but really being for somebody rather than voting against the other guy – hasn’t been all that great, but I can really get behind somebody who wants the government out of personal and financial business. Thank you, GQ and Mediaite for profiling
Gary Johnson.
Anonymous

Ewwww. We don’t need another narcissist in the White House.
Anonymous

Hey, Leedog, I liked it! Who says a few muscles can’t be appreciated? In the last debate he answered questions with a calm kind of certainty which drew my attention. He seemed to be at ease and actually enjoying himself (which many of the others didn’t). I only wish he’d spoken out to criticize the fools who booed the gay service man.
Anonymous

Where does it say he’s mountain-biking? Maybe he’s just wheeling that thing (the bike!) from the truck to the wash rack? Can’t imagine anyone going far without a shirt (sunburn). Give us females a pleasure moment, please Greg.
Anonymous

I agree, Caroline. Ron Paul, Gary Johnson or John Huntsman could get my vote, but the screaming T’s wouldn’t allow that it seems, so they’ll pick another like McCain and lose again. Sigh.
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

Lol!! Funny!!

off*
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

Point Taken!! =)
Wvucima93

finally got around to sending Gary Johnson a few dollars for his campaign. You have to respect this guy.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Vincent-Corriere/648541988 James Vincent Corriere

I lived in NM while Gary Johnson was governor. He brought NM out of the stone age and helped pass a Sunday liquor sales law. Up until he was in office, NM residents couldn’t buy liquor on Sunday! You know, we were all to be god parishioners and attend church on Sunday! I think he could do a good job as president, although some of his Libertarian views may put the US in a political bind where US action my need to be taken .
Nature Freak

I have to admit, even though Vladimir Putin can be a thug, Putin is quite the bad ass.
I sure would not want to mess with Putin. I suspect even Dmitri Medvedev, behind the scenes, is quite scared of Putin.
On a deeper level of course, fear should not be used a primary motivator or deterrent. Carrots are preferable to sticks.
Nature Freak

Hopefully Gary Johnson will be allowed to participate in future debates. I wish him well.
http://societyfordaintydamsels.wordpress.com Fennel

I doubt Gary Johnson is going to the 2012 Republican presidential nominee. He isn’t crazy or far out enough. In other words he won’t get the Tea Party vote. The same group that booed a hypothetical man who didn’t pay health insurance who is in a coma. As was asked by Wolf Blitzer of CNN. I can’t be too certain that if was registered as a Republican I’d vote for him in the state I live in, PA. I’d want to know his stand on health care , including parity (equal coverage for mental and physical health), ALEC with the Koch brothers, Grover Norquist and photo IDs that hurts the chances of the disabled, senior citizens and college students to vote. Who btw tend to vote Democrat.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dick-Haid/100002927072379 Dick Haid

SHOW US YOUR TITS. First Vlad the Putin and now this Johnson character.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dick-Haid/100002927072379 Dick Haid

Dubaggers criticizing teabaggers. How funny. HONKYS FOR CAIN
Sharpo

his website is totally clear of any healthcare related stuff. i suspect he’d be in favor of ending the insurance antitrust exemption and really regulating the insurance companies. mandatory % on actual healthcare spending.. and then removing most of obamacare (not all)
Sharpo

hottie women should show men their tits more often

if batsh*z republicans disagree with that, then they are beyond prayer.
randall

Here’s a republican saying “ Vote Gary Johnson.”
Guest

I declare the guy from the “Rent is too damn high” party to be the sanest Democrat since…well, ever I guess.
Anonymous

Johnson’s take on borders as I understand it is, we can’t build fences high enough to keep people out (12 foot fences, 13 foot ladders…). He’s for giving immigrants work visas and SS numbers and requiring them to pay taxes on any income earned here, thereby contributing their fair share. I see nothing wrong with this, and it’s a helluva lot saner than advocating a 5000 mile fence and ‘boots on the ground’ all along the border shooting at everything that moves, which we cannot afford in any event. What with a new natural disaster almost every week, the National Guard has better uses.

The bike photo was just that, a photo-op. There’s plenty of pictures of him wearing a helmet and shirt, but a helmet especially would not have been appropriate for something trying to show his face. Maybe you’d prefer Mitt Romney’s non-spandexed, Ken-doll facade with its Mormon-fake smile?

As to the main article here, what a swamp of a hit piece. The writer seems to equate humbleness with campaign reticence, when Johnson has been going to the people and interviewing everywhere he can for over a year now. Please everyone, go and read the wonderful GQ article and ignore the writer here, who is second rate at best.
Anonymous

He’s a narcissist because he was photographed without a shirt on, or because he was apparently reticent to campaign? Whaaaaat? I think you need to look up the definition of ‘narcissist’. You’ll find it comes with pictures of Gingrich, Palin, Bachmann, Perry and Romney, but Johnson will be conspicuously missing…
Derek B

That is exactly a Dwight Schrute answer!