Gary Johnson vs. Mark Sanford 2012

[Eric P]

Hey guys, everyone here seems to be pretty convinced already that in 2012 Governor Gary Johnson or Governor Mark Sanford are our best bet. So this thread is to discuss the pro's and con's of each.

Personally, I don't understand why we would possibly support Sanford over Johnson (of course, this is just my opinion, I'm open to hearing yours if you disagree). Johnson endorsed Ron Paul, Sanford did not. Johnson attended the Rally for the Republic, Sanford did not. Johnson has risked political life to speak out against the failed War on Drugs, Sanford is a drug hawk (think old Bob Barr). Johnson seems like a legitimate limited government principled politician whereas Sanford seems like a little more of a beltway status quo conservative Republican.

Thoughts?

[itshappening]

I agree Eric 100%.

also Johnson can win in New Hampshire.

[klamath]

The biggest problem I see with Gary Johnston is his stance on the drug war, not because he is against it but because it defined him. Do a search for Gary johnston on google and what comes up and what is the immediate image a new voter gets of him. He smoked weed and supported it's legalization. This is not bad but I can't find anything on any of his other policies. The most I could find on him was his speech to the rally whitch was not the best speech in the world. Speeches at the rally should have been addressing general freedom ideas and not repeating twenty times "I did this, I did that, I,I,I,I,I,I,I...... Pretty strong egomania there. This is not to say I won't vote for him if he runs because between the "I's" what he said was good.

[itshappening]

Johnson will not run as the anti-drug war candidate, infact, if he was smart he wouldnt even mention it except to say "this is a state issue... "

he will need to articulate a coherent conservative message, he can play up his veto's and his record as governor, no tax rises and the fact that he won 2 terms in a Democrat state means he has what it takes to win those important states in 2012 to take on Obama and BEAT him, that's all that matters!

he just needs to make the case, he won't be defined as the anti-drug war candidate unless he repeatedly runs on it like Tancredo did on immigration, which I doubt he will.

[tajitj]

Here is Gary Johnoson's speech at the Rally for the Republic
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2EhAVQS2V8
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcu8jWD2Qs0


Here is Governor Sanfords youtube channel. If you like him go subscribe to his channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GovernorSanford

[klamath]

Johnson will not run as the anti-drug war candidate, infact, if he was smart he wouldnt even mention it except to say "this is a state issue... "

he will need to articulate a coherent conservative message, he can play up his veto's and his record as governor, no tax rises and the fact that he won 2 terms in a Democrat state means he has what it takes to win those important states in 2012 to take on Obama and BEAT him, that's all that matters!

he just needs to make the case, he won't be defined as the anti-drug war candidate unless he repeatedly runs on it like Tancredo did on immigration, which I doubt he will.

It is not that Johnston will run on that it is the first impression people get of him that will be reinforced by his political enemies. A really good example is "He is an isolationist! He is an isolationist!.............
Johnston is going to have to work extra exra hard trying to shed that image. Even Rachel in her after rally interview reinforced the drug image.

[Shotdown1027]

"The biggest problem I see with Gary Johnston is his stance on the drug war, not because he is against it but because it defined him. Do a search for Gary johnston on google and what comes up and what is the immediate image a new voter gets of him. He smoked weed and supported it's legalization."

This is easily solved by a little SEO Consulting. We create a few articles about him slashing taxes and vetoing spending bills and they float to the top of Google with help from an SEO company.

[MRoCkEd]

Good point. He should only mention his drug stance when explicitly asked about it. His campaign needs to focus on dramatically reducing the size of government to a fiscally conservative, constitutional size. He can strongly argue for letting americans keep their own money and spend it how they choose.

[itshappening]

if Romney attacks Johnson on drug issue he only needs to point to Romney's own state who have decriminalized weed and say 'look this is a state issue, if the people of Massachusetts want to do that the Federal government shouldn't get in the way'.

I highly doubt this will damage him, are there really that many Republicans who this would be an issue for? there are far more pressing issues!

[RonPaulVolunteer]

"The biggest problem I see with Gary Johnston is his stance on the drug war, not because he is against it but because it defined him. Do a search for Gary johnston on google and what comes up and what is the immediate image a new voter gets of him. He smoked weed and supported it's legalization."

This is easily solved by a little SEO Consulting. We create a few articles about him slashing taxes and vetoing spending bills and they float to the top of Google with help from an SEO company.

What are you doing here?

[Kotin]

I don't even know why we consider Sanford.. hes a bilderberger and a compassionate conservative.


Johnson is our man and if not him, Jesse Ventura is.

[ifthenwouldi]

I think you are all grossly overestimating the reasoning abilities of Republican primary voters.

The "drug issue" will matter, and is significant enough that we should be looking at other options. Sanford is about as good as RP Republicans are going to get as far as electability, but I don't think he stands much of a shot vs. Jindal.

Let's hope someone else will pop up over the next 2 years who is better than either.

(Besides, we really need to be concentrating on local/state offices anyway).

[Chieftain1776]

I am a fan of Mark Sanford's but man am I worried about his speaking ability...I gave him a pass after I saw the blank out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2nNSMZKv_A)but I just watched him on MSNBC a few minutes ago and it seems like he's another Bush speaking ability wise. It's really sad because I think he might be one of us (or at least close) and would run as such. He's taken a lead in opposing the bailout (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/25/AR2008092503602.html)and recently testified (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsS-6euWOf4) on Capitol Hill in opposition to federal handouts while all the other governors were there for the express purpose of suckling at the public teat. Also he even brought in live pigs to protest his own Republican legislatures pork barreling (http://www.statehousereport.com/columns/04.0530.pork.htm). When he was in congress he slept in his office rather than take a housing allowance. He's also now going to be chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

He has a channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/GovernorSanford)on youtube so I'm pretty sure he wants to run. The videos don't have much views and I think I may have been one of the first few to discover his channel (if it's really his...I think it is though b/c they have common themes). Maybe for our movement to be the initial push it would help our movement's profile...so that may be a reason to support his campaign.

I think he would be a great President(as much as a president can be great) but again I don't know if he could survive the campaign itself.

Gary Johnson has the same problem... he looked uncomfortable speaking in the video of the Rally 4 the Republic... and doesn't have the contacts Sanford does.

Take a look at the video's though...if he could somehow getting a speaking coach...he would be pretty good for the cause of liberty.

[yongrel]

This. Does. Not. Matter.

The key to restoring liberty isn't making the big time, it's making the big time WHERE YOU ARE.

Think global, act local. Yadda yadda yadda.

Or ignore me and continue with your flights of fancy.

[AbolishTheGovt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4qtgTAg_7o

'Nuff said.

[klamath]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4qtgTAg_7o

'Nuff said.

That was pretty sad job.:(

[itshappening]

I think it's pretty clear that Johnson is the closest thing we have even though nobody is perfect and im sure someone will find fault....

the big thing is he stuck his neck out for Ron Paul and that should be rewarded. Sanford seems a bit George Bush to me, appealing Governor from a big/important state who says the right things but WILL he follow through? has he been tapped?

besides, being a southern governor can he win the western states that he needs to in 2012? I suggest NOT.

[TruthAtLast]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4qtgTAg_7o

'Nuff said.

haha, he sounds like the stuttering lawyer in "My Cousin Vinnie" :D

http://thumbnails.hulu.com/10/71/33274_512x288_generated__No1mxsyQx0K7jva+H88T9A.jp g

[tsopranos]

haha, he sounds like the stuttering lawyer in "My Cousin Vinnie" :D

http://thumbnails.hulu.com/10/71/33274_512x288_generated__No1mxsyQx0K7jva+H88T9A.jp g

Haha, that movie was a classic

[scandinaviany3]

I think you are all grossly overestimating the reasoning abilities of Republican primary voters.

The "drug issue" will matter, and is significant enough that we should be looking at other options. Sanford is about as good as RP Republicans are going to get as far as electability, but I don't think he stands much of a shot vs. Jindal.

Let's hope someone else will pop up over the next 2 years who is better than either.

(Besides, we really need to be concentrating on local/state offices anyway).

agreed on it WILL make a big difference...he will seem like a one issue candidate and they will attack him on this to make sure he spends most of this time saying these things.

Look at what they did to people like tancredo on illegal immigration, or huckabee on faith, or ron on anti social security talk in florida...

Dont be fooled we are talking about the big leagues here...every scrap of info that can tear down a person will be used, over and over again...

the legalizing marijuana in the republican party is a pariah for a candidate to run for president...

Great issue to run as a democrat but not as a republican

[scandinaviany3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4qtgTAg_7o

'Nuff said.

least he cant lie..been a while since we have had and honest president...

:D

[itshappening]

agreed on it WILL make a big difference...he will seem like a one issue candidate and they will attack him on this to make sure he spends most of this time saying these things.

Look at what they did to people like tancredo on illegal immigration, or huckabee on faith, or ron on anti social security talk in florida...

Dont be fooled we are talking about the big leagues here...every scrap of info that can tear down a person will be used, over and over again...

the legalizing marijuana in the republican party is a pariah for a candidate to run for president...

Great issue to run as a democrat but not as a republican

all Johnson has to say is that he supports states rights and point to some of the states that have voted for it... next question!

[BKom]

least he cant lie..been a while since we have had and honest president...

:D

Yeah, I guess that's something. Actually, I saw him defending some other McCain positions during the campaign, when he was still possible as the VP candidate, and he did so good a job that I became disenchanted.

Truthfully, you could be the most eloquent speaker in the world and fumble over McCain's economic policies. They stink. No way to defend them. Or even restate them since he didn't have any to speak of.

"Well, Wolf, I would say that Senator McCain will do whatever he's told on economic issues, by, you know, the folks who run the economy, . . . . the one's behind the scenes who run the Obama economic policy too. Cough Cough. Wheeze. Choke."

[scandinaviany3]

run them both...best to always have more voices of liberty rather than less

Why should we be outnumbered on the stage...the neo cons need to be hammered by two candidates for once