This morning, I stepped before the microphones at a news conference in
the New Mexico capitol and announced that I am seeking the Libertarian
nomination for President of the United States. The Libertarian Party
nominee will be on the ballot in all 50 states – as was the case in
2008.
It was both a difficult decision – and an easy one. It was difficult
because I have a lot of Republican history, and a lot of Republican
supporters. But in the final analysis, as many, many commentators have
said since watching how I governed in New Mexico, I am a Libertarian -
that is, someone who is fiscally very conservative but holds
freedom-based positions on many social issues.
Frankly, I have been deeply disappointed by the treatment I received in
the Republican nomination process. Other candidates with no national
name identification like Herman Cain, Rick Santorum and Jon Huntsman
were allowed to participate in the debates.
Incredibly candidates with no executive experience like Michelle
Bachmann and Rick Santorum were allowed to participate while I, a
successful two-term governor with a solid record of job creation, was
arbitrarily excluded by elitist media organizations in New York. My
appeals to the Republican National Chairman for basic fairness were
ignored.
I had hoped to lay out a full libertarian message on all the issues in
the Republican contest. I think this election needs a libertarian
voice. While Ron Paul is a good man and a libertarian who I proudly
endorsed for president in 2008, there is no guarantee he will be the
Republican nominee.
When I announced that I was running for president, I promised you I
would be a voice for bold ideas to bring government and its spending
under control. I promised I would put my record as the ‘most fiscally
conservative’ governor in the nation in front of the voters. And I said
that, unlike too many Republican politicians, I think Americans’
government should be smaller and less intrusive and let people make
decisions for themselves.
My Agenda for America is clear:
- I want to end deficit spending and cut federal spending by 43%.
- I want to enact the Fair Tax to stimulate real economic growth and
jobs.
- I want to end the manipulation of our money by the Federal Reserve.
- I support the Second Amendment and oppose gun control.
- I oppose expensive foreign wars in places like Libya and Afghanistan.
- I support a woman's right to choose.
- I support marriage equality for gay Americans as required by the
Constitution.
- I support legalization of marijuana, which will save us billions and
do no harm.
- I support returning strict adherence to Constitutional principles to
our government.
It is clear that the elite national media and the political “ruling
class” don’t want this message heard. It frightens them. It frightens
them because they know our message is one that actually reflects the
true beliefs of millions of Americans – and they don’t want those
millions of people to know there really is a candidate for president
who represents them, whether they are Republicans, Democrats,
Independents or Libertarians.
Sadly neither the Republicans nor Democrats will offer this agenda to
the American people.
They can’t handle the notion of a successful two-term governor, elected
and reelected as a Republican in a Democrat state, who could veto 750
spending bills to shrink government -- while refusing to play the
special interest game or impose a social agenda on people who prefer to
make their own judgments about “values”.
In other words, there is no room in the national two-party club for a
candidate who actually proved that governing as a libertarian works –
and whose platform on every issue is clearly supported by a majority of
the American people.
Sometimes the best answer is the simplest. I’m a Libertarian in belief.
I successfully governed as a Libertarian in everything but the name,
and I am running for president as a Libertarian.
Even before I announced my decision, polls are showing that I would
today gain more votes than any Libertarian presidential candidate in
history – and have a very real impact on the election nationwide. And
that is before our campaign even begins.
If I earn the Libertarian nomination, I will be on the ballot in all 50
states. I will not be held hostage to a system rigged for the
wealthiest and best-known candidates in a handful of states who happen
to have early primaries. And most important, we will offer a political
“home” for millions of Americans who are not finding one in the current
political establishment or its candidates.
I am excited. I am liberated. And I am committed to shaking the system
as it has never been shaken before. Just the speculation that I might
run as a Libertarian has garnered more national media attention than I
ever received as a Republican candidate whose voice they didn’t’ want
to hear.
Depending on which poll you read, at least 40% of Republicans are not
satisfied with the “field” of candidates the media has produced for
them. At least 1 in 4 Democrats is having real second thoughts about
Barack Obama. Do the math, and it confirms what I have seen for months
on the campaign trail: The only political majority in America today is
the one made up of voters who are looking for leadership they haven’t
found yet. America is ready for a President who will restore common
sense to our fiscal and foreign policies and get government out of the
boardroom and the bedroom.
A credible Libertarian candidate for president is the real path to
liberty, opportunity, and a government that is put into its proper and
limited role.
In a recent national poll 63% of Americans said they wished there was a
third choice for 2012. There is, and I intend to educate the voters
about what we offer America.
Together, you and I are going to offer that majority a choice. They
will see that Your support in the past few months has created this
amazing opportunity. I may be the messenger, but this isn’t about me.
It is about seizing a moment in history and bringing America back from
the brink.
I want you to be with me as we launch this great endeavor. I ask for
your continued support. I ask for your advice. And I am asking for your
contribution today to provide the spark for the movement we are
igniting.
You are one of my most generous supporters, and I must depend on you to
be as generous as you can once again. Please send your contribution of
$2,000, $1,000, $500, or $250. It will be used wisely to take our
message to every corner of this great country, and to provide a voice
that will otherwise never be heard in 2012. Go to: Gary Johnson 2012.com.
As a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination my campaign will be
eligible for Federal Matching funds -- which means whatever you send
will ultimately be matched. A $100 contribution is worth $200. A $250
contribution is worth $500. Please send your maximum contribution today.
Thank you for your support and your friendship. It means more to me
than you will ever know.
Sincerely,
Gary
P.S. For those who say my decision to run as the Libertarian Party
candidate will only draw votes from the Republicans and re-elect
President Obama let me predict that, as my full platform based on
freedom becomes known, my candidacy will draw votes from both the
Republicans and Democrats and many, many independents.
December 21, 2011
Friends,
As you may have heard or read in the past couple of days, much is
happening with our campaign – and it is very much OUR campaign.
You have heard me say many times that I am absolutely committed to our
shared goal of taking the message of liberty, economic freedom and
smaller government to the voters of America. Never has it been more
clear that millions of our fellow Americans are looking for real
leadership – the kind of principled leadership that will get government
out of our lives and free us all from the burdens of unimaginable debt.
Next Wednesday, December 28, at 10:00 a.m. MST, I will be holding a
news conference at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At that
news conference, I will be making an extremely significant announcement
regarding the direction of our campaign – a direction that will allow
us to insure that our message is heard and that America will have a
real choice in the presidential election.
I would be both pleased and proud to have you join me next Wednesday
for this announcement. If you can make your way to Santa Fe, that would
be great. If not, my news conference will be streamed live on both our
website, Show your support by going to: Gary Johnson 2012.com.
Whether in person or via the Internet, I hope you can be with us.
Again, it is 10:00 a.m. MST at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
If you can join us in Santa Fe, we have arranged for discounted
accommodations at the Courtyard Marriott, 3347 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe,
New Mexico 87507.
Also, following the news conference at the Capitol, you are invited to
join us from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an informal gathering at the
Eldorado Hotel, 309 West San Francisco, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.
There are big things happening in the Johnson campaign, and your
continued support is very important to me. I hope you can join us,
either in person or “virtually”, next Wednesday.
Thank you!
Gary
P.S. Please remember to send your donation to the campaign as soon as possible. We
need your help to promote the message of liberty.