Remember This Guy? He’s Back, and Wants to Be President in 2016
It’s tough to keep track of the exact number of Republican candidates who are officially running for the nomination. I don’t mean the top three of four that most people can name; I’m talking down and dirty, the real fringe of the fringe guys, the Gilmores and Jindals and Santorums of the world (quick quiz: two of the candidates I just named are still in the running, one is not. Know who?)
Despite the incredibly crowded field on the right, a new potential Commander in Chief has emerged from the pack declaring he would seek a nomination for President of the United States: Gary Johnson, whose job application in 2012 in front of the American people fell short with only 1.2 million votes, compared to President Barack Obama‘s 69 million and Governor Mitt Romney‘s 61.
Regardless, Johnson feels primed to take the Libertarian movement by storm again, looking to toss existing party favorite Rand Paul aside. Johnson, the former New Mexico Governor, revealed his intention of entering the race on Wednesday’s Coast to Coast with host Neil Cavuto. Johnson noted:
“My voice has not been heard, and speaking with a broad brush stroke, that is someone who is fiscally conservative and socially liberal… At the end of the day, on my deathbed I know that I’m going to reflect on life and believe that I was the voice of reason in all this. Will that result in any better showing than last [election cycle]? Will that result in even being the nominee? Who is to say?”
Johnson offered a harsh rebuke of Rand Paul, saying in October that the Kentucky Senator has sold out on his principles — “and he is paying [the price].”
According to Politico, Johnson most recently left his position as CEO of Cannabis Sativa, Inc., a packaging and distribution company that specialized in goods relating to the burgeoning medical marijuana industry. Johnson confirmed his plans on Twitter following his Fox Business appearance Wednesday:
Game on! America deserves another choice in #2016presidentialelections. #libertarian https://t.co/cRtLWvbPTs
— Gov. Gary Johnson (@GovGaryJohnson) January 6, 2016
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Johnson would be seeking the GOP nomination for President; he has instead declared himself a candidate for the Libertarian party once again.
[image via Twitter]
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