CNN to Host 2nd Libertarian Townhall

[CaptUSA]

Let's hope they practice this time...

On Wednesday, August 3, CNN will host a Libertarian presidential town hall in primetime at 9 p.m. Johnson and Weld will field questions from voters, and Anderson Cooper will moderate.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-med...wn-hall-226498

I don't have high hopes for the outcome, but the inclusion is somewhat refreshing. (imagine if they had done this with Harry Browne...)

UPDATE:

[euphemia]

Of course you don't have high hopes for the outcome. The candidates are not Libertarian. The moderators are liberals.

[notsure]

CNN is putting in alot of extra effort this season trying to promote the Libertarian Party. I don't know if it's "refreshing" or "disturbing". The timing seems a bit odd. Didn't I read an article on this forum that said Johnson/Weld, the Libertarian Party, mainly draw from the Republican Party?
I've never seen the LP get as much attention as they are now. NEVER seen CNN do a townhall for them, and now they're doing 2.
Is this CNN's effort to draw votes away from the right and help tilt the election in Hillary's favor?
Is this CNN's effort to get Gary above 15% and placed into the debates?
Unfortunately, I don't think Gary being included in the debates will do him or the LP any favors.
Debates and public appearances are not his strong suits.

[69360]

This is a big deal. I don't recall any prime time third party since Perot.

[Occam's Banana]

I don't have high hopes for the outcome, but the inclusion is somewhat refreshing. (imagine if they had done this with Harry Browne...)

Ironically, the efforts of great spokesmen like Harry Browne are what have made this sort of thing possible in the first place.

CNN is putting in alot of extra effort this season trying to promote the Libertarian Party. I don't know if it's "refreshing" or "disturbing".

To kill or to co-opt, that is the question ...

[euphemia]

If they want liberty principles they will invite the Constitution party candidate, too.

[jllundqu]

Let's hope they practice this time...



http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-med...wn-hall-226498

I don't have high hopes for the outcome, but the inclusion is somewhat refreshing. (imagine if they had done this with Harry Browne...)

Good for CNN. Will there be any libertarians there?

[euphemia]

Folks on this board criticized Trump/Republicans for not talking about the Constitution during the convention. If Ron Paul is our standard, and if we are going to be fair, then we need to apply the same standard to Johnson/Weld.

Your guy did it too/does it worse is not an argument.

[Suzanimal]

Good for CNN. Will there be any libertarians there?

Bill Weld - the Original Libertarian (thanks, OccamsBanana for the reminder in another thread)will be there

[Occam's Banana]

Good for CNN. Will there be any libertarians there?

[MattRay]

I'm very worried about Bill Weld. I hope Gary speaks more, and I really hope he keeps mentioning the NAP and continues to ditch the "socially liberal: description. If he does that and Weld keeps his low tax liberalism to a minimum, I'll call it a win compared to last time.

[dannno]

Didn't I read an article on this forum that said Johnson/Weld, the Libertarian Party, mainly draw from the Republican Party?

I doubt it.

Gary Johnson continues to pull more from Clinton than Trump
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthr...ton-than-Trump

Ya I have been trying to tell Trump supporters for months that Gary going after leftists is the best possible scenario and not to hate on him too much for it..

[James Otis, Jr.]

I really hope Gary Johnson does a better job presenting himself and libertarian ideas this time. Because the last time he completely failed and it was a big opportunity missed.

[Champ]

CNN assumes that Libertarian votes will steal votes for Trump so they are giving increased exposure here. GJ says that they are taking evenly from both major parties, which would make the assumption by CNN false.

Curious where the Green Party town hall is, especially now that Jill Stein chose her VP. Hint: they don't want disaffected Bernie supporters being encouraged to vote for Stein so the glorious chosen one Hillary has maximum potential to win.

[CaptUSA]

It is quite encouraging how much CNN has been promoting this. They even have had a countdown on the bottom of the screen.

Surely, the DNC thinks this will hurt Trump and CNN is doing their job for them, but who cares?! I don't care who it may hurt. Introducing a third option into the conversation is always good. (Even if that option is Gary Johnson)

[cindy25]

Of course you don't have high hopes for the outcome. The candidates are not Libertarian. The moderators are liberals.

most CNN viewers are Clinton supporters, so pulling votes to Johnson is a good thing. I would like to see a Green (Socialist) party forum, so Stein gets more Clinton votes. Johnson may not be Libertarian but he is better than Clinton

[adam220891]

Just heard a guy on CNN say something to the effect of 'I'd vote for Rand Paul the libertarian, but not Gary Johnson, because he isn't even one.'

Sigh. Such a shame we got stuck with GJ and Weld.

[surf]

don't put too much thought into this networks motivation: CNN is hoping for ratings. hope it does well.

[adissa]

CNN is putting in alot of extra effort this season trying to promote the Libertarian Party. I don't know if it's "refreshing" or "disturbing".

Pretty obvious it's to hurt Trump.

[CaseyJones]

bump

[CaptUSA]

First segment was pretty solid. Libertarian? Probably not. But viable third choice? Yeah, think they nailed it.

[RJ Liberty]

Pretty obvious it's to hurt Trump.

Johnson's pulling about equally from both candidates, though.

[CaptUSA]

Anderson asked the damned gay wedding cake question again.

[Krugminator2]

Anderson asked the damned gay wedding cake question again.

This is by far the best he has done.

His answer to that cake question was so laughably bad though. His answer has actually gotten worse.

[cindy25]

I was watching it on the comp, and stupid CNN International went on and on about 1 person killed in London. ONE, 100. had to find a CNN USA live stream: http://www.zahitvstation.com/watch-cnn-usa-live

[CaptUSA]

So far, they've been pretty good. Not ideal. No red meat for libertarians. But a reasonable alternative for people who don't want Clinton or trump.

[CaptUSA]

All in all, I'd say that was a pretty good night for them. Not really a libertarian display, but they should appeal to a wider audience. I expect their poll numbers to rise a little.

Social media has been fairly positive as well.

Curious where the Green Party town hall is, especially now that Jill Stein chose her VP. Hint: they don't want disaffected Bernie supporters being encouraged to vote for Stein so the glorious chosen one Hillary has maximum potential to win.

Oh, and CNN will be doing a Green Party townhall as well.

[Champ]

Oh, and CNN will be doing a Green Party townhall as well.

Yep, I saw them make the announcement at the end of the Libertarian town hall. I guess they were waiting for Jill Stein to make her VP announcement and she finally did a few days ago. It seemed curious that the Libertarian party had already had 2 town halls, with no mention of any upcoming Green Party town hall, despite slowly rising poll numbers for them.

[RJ Liberty]

All in all, I'd say that was a pretty good night for them. Not really a libertarian display, but they should appeal to a wider audience. I expect their poll numbers to rise a little.

Social media has been fairly positive as well.

Anyone have a YouTube link? I am traveling, so no access to DVR, and couldn't watch the live feed.

Oh, and CNN will be doing a Green Party townhall as well.

That's cool. I don't know whether to feel grateful to CNN for covering the third parties this year, or feel pissed that in other years, they haven't bothered to even mention them. I guess I'll go with "grateful".

[CaptUSA]

Anyone have a YouTube link?

Begins @ about 34:45



Let me know if anyone finds a better one and I'll add it to the OP.