http://www.politico.com/magazine/sto...d-party-214162
Johnson has lost his status as the convention’s undisputed king: Rand Paul has arrived. At an afternoon panel, Paul is asked whether he will vote for his fellow freedom lover. The senator answers that he understands why some voters are supporting a “liberty-minded, third-party candidate”—he does not utter Johnson’s name—but that it is extremely difficult for him, as an elected Republican, to do so.
That evening, somebody in the Johnson campaign decides to arrange a “chance” encounter between Johnson and Paul, scheduling an impromptu signing of Johnson’s campaign tome Seven Principles of Good Government in the exhibition hall to coincide with Paul’s own book signing. As a visibly nervous Johnson motors through the casino with his entourage on his way to the signing, he tells his people to hang back. “Give me a minute to establish myself in the situation,” he says. Johnson walks over to Paul and extends his hand. Paul, seemingly cognizant of the possibility of cameras, refuses the handshake. The men take their places at their respective tables. Standing just a few yards from each other, Paul and Johnson begin signing books—both aware of the other’s presence, but pretending that they are not.
Tom, standing to the side, doesn’t like what he sees. “This was a bad idea,” he says, absorbing the escalating awkwardness of the situation. After a few minutes, Johnson dons a smile and tries his luck again, sneaking up behind the senator and administering a double-shoulder squeeze. Paul pretends not to notice until Johnson takes the hint and returns to his table. Paul then flashes an annoyed look in Johnson’s direction, as if beholding a tenacious mosquito. The final straw comes as a young documentary filmmaker who is also following Johnson asks Paul if he can take a selfie with the two politicians. “No,” Paul says, “we’re individuals.” The senator has had enough and walks away. The filmmaker walks over to Johnson and puts his arm around the perplexed candidate.
“Total stiff-arm,” Johnson says.
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Originally Posted by Matt Collins
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