Paul Stanton wins Florida Libertarian primary

Libertarian Paul Stanton wins big over Augustus Invictus as supporters watch in Tampa Bay - Tampa Dispatch:

August 31, 2016 - "Libertarian voters spoke on Tuesday in an unprecedented party primary in Florida, as Paul Stanton defeated Augustus Invictus and the race was called by Bay News 9 with 92 percent of the state’s voting precincts in.

"As of the time of the election being called by the local affiliate, Stanton held 74 percent of the statewide vote and the voting totals neared 4,000 registered Libertarians....

"'In this historic election we can go from speaking to just Libertarians to spreading Libertarian solutions to all Floridians, our solutions concerning peace, liberty and empowerment,' Stanton said after being declared the winner. 'I’m deeply humbled to be on the same ballot as Governors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld for President and Vice-President.'

"No statewide primary in Florida had ever been held in a Libertarian race. Only Missouri (U.S. Senate) and Alaska (U.S. House seat) also had Libertarian primaries for federal seats.

"The DeLand resident held a watch party in one of the Libertarian hotbeds in Florida — the greater Tampa Bay area. Supporters gathered with Stanton in St. Petersburg and watched as the returns came in."

Read more: http://www.tampadispatch.com/libertarian-paul-stanton-wins-big-augustus-invictus-supporters-watch-tampa-bay-54348/
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Johnson2016 to spend $1M on radio, billboards

Libertarian candidate Johnson focuses on battleground states in ad blitz - Politico - Daniel Strauss:

August 26, 2016 - "Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson’s campaign is spending nearly $1 million on advertising in four battleground states, plus Oregon, Utah and his home state of New Mexico, as part of a new advertising blitz.

"The new ad spending is the first indication of where Johnson is hoping to compete in the coming weeks. The former New Mexico governor’s campaign is spending $806,195 this month on radio ads in Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin, according to a media buying source.

"The campaign also is spending money on digital billboards as part of its advertising push, said Johnson campaign spokesman Joe Hunter. Additional advertising is expected through Labor Day, bringing the total spending to at least $1 million, he said.

"One of the ads features Johnson arguing that 'if a Democrat is elected president, if a Republican is elected president, in four years we will still be at war, America will be four years deeper in debt, we will have four more years of rising taxes.

"A second ad is Johnson arguing against a two-party system.... '60 percent of you have said you want another choice in 2016 and now you have one in me,' Johnson says in the ad. 'We the people have a chance to do something in 2016 that may not come again in our lifetime. We have a legitimate chance to elect one of our own to the highest office in the land.'

"The third ad features Juan Hernandez, an expert on trade policy and economics who’s served as an adviser to Sen. John McCain, former Mexico President Vicente Fox and former President George W. Bush.... 'I’ve always considered myself a Republican, but this year I’ve decided to support Gary Johnson for president,' Hernandez says. 'As a Latino, I’m tired of the insults coming from [Donald] Trump, and I can no longer believe that this the promises of the left will be kept'.... Hernandez goes on to highlight Johnson’s immigration plan."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/gary-johnson-ads-battleground-states-227459

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Minnesota Libertarians put Johnson on ballot

Gary Johnson to appear on Minnesota ballot | Libertarian Party of Minnesota:

August 23, 2016 - "We did it! Former governor of New Mexico and Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson has achieved a spot on Minnesota’s ballot....

"LPMN activists submitted an initial 2200 signatures on August 2, of which 1950 have already been validated. An additional 1000 signatures were submitted on August 22. The two submittals bring the total to over 3200, which all but assures Johnson’s placement on the ballot once certification by the Secretary of State is complete.

"In Minnesota, 2000 signatures are required for a presidential candidate of any alternative party to appear on the statewide ballot. The deadline for submittals was Tuesday, August 23.

"The end of the petition drive culminates a summer-long effort. Public signatures were gathered at numerous outreach events... Additional signatures came from our statewide affiliates, individuals who drew upon their personal networks of friends and family, and from volunteers who took it upon themselves to go door-knocking. In particular, kudos are deserved for superactivists Marge and Norm Beard, who accounted for over 1000 of the signatures at various events!

"Numerous people were shocked to learn that Libertarians must obtain thousands of signatures simply to be on the ballot, especially since the major parties get on the ballot automatically....

"As evidence of the LPMN’s growing organizational strength, it is notable that no petitioners were brought in from the National LP, nor was anyone hired as a paid petitioner, as had been done in 2008 and 2012.  In 2016, all efforts were 100% grassroots and volunteer."

Read more: https://www.lpmn.org/gary-johnson-to-appear-on-minnesota-ballot-2016/
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Abraham Lincoln endorses Gary Johnson (video)

This Hilarious (But Accurate) Ad for a Gary Johnson Vote Is the Best Political Ad Ever | RedState - Brandon Morse:

August 26, 2016 - "BalancedRebellion.com came up with a system that allows Republicans and Democrats who mutually hate their candidates [to] come together to vote for [Gary] Johnson, and balance out the scales so that neither party gets the benefit of a lopsided vote. It's a pretty fun system that pairs you with a Democrat in your area, and makes you feel better about leaving your party to vote for Johnson.

"But while the site alone is a pretty good idea, it's the video promoting the site that sells.

"Acting as part promotion for the site, and part campaign ad for Gary Johnson, Balanced Rebellion has 'Dead Abe Lincoln' get up as their spokesman and give one of the most hilarious speeches I've seen this election season. In it, he reminds you that this year you've been screwed, that you don't have to vote for someone you hate, and that Abe Lincoln himself was third party when he was elected....

"It also gives a very good explanation as to why you should vote for Johnson over the other two. So if you're looking for a good five minute video that will help convince your friends and family to leave the false safety of their mainstream party, this is the video to do it."

Read more: http://www.redstate.com/brandon_morse/2016/08/26/hilarious-accurate-ad-gary-johnson-vote-best-political-ad-ever/
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Johnson, PACs fight to get him into debates

Libertarians hope rallies and ads can nudge them into the presidential debates - The Washington Post - David Weigel:

August 27, 2016 - "Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson ... a two-term governor of New Mexico, has avoided the fringe label that often sticks to third-party candidates. Since announcing former Massachusetts governor William Weld as his running mate, Johnson has risen in polls to the high single digits — and to the mid-teens in some swing states. His rallies draw hundreds of voters, bigger than anything he saw during his 2012 bid. He talks about 'spoiling the party,' and voters cheer.

""Despite that, Johnson is struggling to grab the prize he has eyed all year: To be invited to the televised presidential debates. He needs to close in on 15 percent in an average of polls, and he’s doing what he can. Two super PACs are trying to boost him in. It’s not clear that they can pull it off....

"The Commission on Presidential Debates, which has controlled the process since 1988, has held fast to its 15 percent threshold. A Johnson-backed lawsuit against that threshold was thrown out this month, though, and the voters filing into Johnson-Weld rallies this week were acutely aware that their man might be kept offstage....

"Two libertarian efforts are underway to boost Johnson past the debate commission’s 15-percent hurdle. Purple PAC, steered by former Cato Institute president Ed Crane, began a $1 million ad buy this week, with cable spots casting Johnson as an 'honorable choice' who favors tolerance and free markets.... Alternative PAC, launched by former FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe, is spending $50,000 to kick-start a Web campaign aimed at millennials....

"As Purple PAC’s Crane noted, the two standard-bearers for libertarianism have become some of the least ideological candidates in America.... That’s led to steady criticism from more traditional libertarians, who pounce on every Johnson or Weld sop to the center as a gaffe. Weld, who signed a gun-control bill as governor, struggled to win the Libertarian vice-presidential nomination.... After Johnson refused to rule out a tax on carbon — only if it was revenue-neutral and it replaced income taxes — he was criticized by libertarians on social media.

“'I’m still on the fence about whether I’m going to cast a write-in vote for None of the Above or myself,' said Darryl Perry, a New Hampshire voter who ran against Johnson for the Libertarian presidential nomination. 'I know a few [people] who have said, "Well, he’s the lesser of the evils." The lesser evil is still evil in my eyes.'

"But the dazzling possibility of the debate invite — something no Libertarian candidate has ever achieved — has kept most fellow travelers on board.... At one rally, in Concord, close to 300 people stood in a steady and meteorology-defying rain to hear Weld and Johnson speak about the six-lane highway between the parties.

"'Standing in the rain,' Johnson said with disbelief. 'You honor us. You really do.'"

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/libertarians-hope-rallies-and-ads-can-nudge-them-into-the-presidential-debates/2016/08/27/2517567c-6b9d-11e6-8225-fbb8a6fc65bc_story.html
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Purple PAC spending $1M on TV ads (video)

Super PAC goes on the air for Gary Johnson as he struggles for debate access - The Washington Post - David Weigel:

August 25, 2016 - ""Purple PAC, the Libertarian-friendly super PAC steered by former Cato Institute president Ed Crane, has put $1 million into cable TV spots that will run for at least 10 days.

"The goal: boosting former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson's name recognition to get him polling close enough to 15 percent to cross into the televised presidential debates.

"'This thing can really catch fire," Crane said in a short interview. 'If Gary is in the debates against two people who are very unpopular, it could be quite a dramatic change in how voters look at the election'....

"But to achieve that, Johnson needs to crack 15 percent support — something no third-party candidate has done since 1992, and something made trickier by the splintering of the anti-Trump vote....

 "Meanwhile, a new Quinnipiac poll found Johnson at 10 percent in a four-way presidential race. Six times as many poll respondents — 62 percent — said that Johnson should be onstage at the debates."

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/25/super-pac-goes-on-the-air-for-gary-johnson-as-he-struggles-for-debate-access/
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Voting for Johnson is "treason against Trump"

Editorial: Trump's Virginia chairman Corey Stewart goes ballistic - Richmond Times-Dispatch:

August 20, 2016 - "As more Republicans run from their presidential nominee, some have begun looking favorably on the Libertarian ticket, which consists of two former Republican governors: Gary Johnson and William Weld. A recent poll showed Johnson at 11 percent in Virginia. Retiring Rep. Scott Rigell, a Republican, has endorsed Johnson.

"'This is not a standard two-person race,' says Liz Mair, a spokesman for Republicans for Johnson/Weld, 'and we might see Johnson gain pretty significant traction here pretty quickly.'

"This news is not being greeted calmly by Team Trump.

"Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of Supervisors and head of the Trump campaign in Virginia, called Republican support for Johnson/Weld 'traitorous and destructive'....

"'If we lose, I’ll know where to go to place blame,' Stewart said. 'If they want careers in politics afterwards, they won’t get them. They’ll be destroyed. This is treason against Trump. For whatever reason — their pride, their personal interests — they will damage America permanently by helping elect Hillary Clinton. They are immature babies who are tearing down the Republican Party'....

"The idea that one could commit 'treason against Trump' has some disturbing overtones; it reeks of a personality cult. The bigger question, though, is who bears blame for the GOP’s travails.

"At the start of the campaign, 16 candidates stood for the nomination, including several governors and two U.S. senators. Any one of them likely would be trouncing Hillary Clinton in the polls right now. Instead, voters chose a megalomaniac and pathological liar with zero experience in politics or government and zero fidelity to traditional Republican conservatism.

"The GOP does indeed have a gigantic problem. But the Republicans opposed to Trump didn’t cause it — they were the ones trying to prevent it."

Read more: http://www.richmond.com/opinion/our-opinion/article_304d83a0-cf4e-5725-a0e8-219492f79af8.html

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Johnson & Weld make Ohio ballot

Libertarian Johnson to appear on Ohio ballot | WDTN TV - Paul Rodzinka:

August 24, 2016 - "Ohio’s elections chief has cleared the way for Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson to appear on fall ballots in the critical swing state.

"Johnson’s ballot access had been in question after party activists submitted paperwork and voter signatures earlier this month on behalf of a different candidate. They said they planned to swap in Johnson.

"Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted has said Ohio law neither openly permits nor bars the switch, but he would allow it as long as elections boards validated enough voter signatures.
Husted’s office announced Wednesday that Johnson’s supporters have met the signature requirements.

"Libertarians aren’t recognized as a political party in Ohio, so activists sought to collect enough signatures from voters to get Johnson on the ballot by way of a process for independent candidates."

http://wdtn.com/2016/08/24/libertarian-johnson-to-appear-on-ohio-ballot/
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Facebook removes popular libertarian pages

Facebook Removes Two Popular Libertarian Pages Without Warning | RedState - Goldwater Conservative:

August 19, 2016 - "Two of the biggest and most influential pages on Facebook, Being Libertarian (nearly 120,000 likes) and Occupy Democrats Logic (over 130,000 likes), have been removed by the company.

"It isn't clear why Being Libertarian was removed, but here is a statement from the administrator:

Being Libertarian has been officially unpublished. We continue to contend that we did not break Facebook community standards, and have made an appeal to Facebook to restore the page.

In the past, we received notifications that indicated a post was removed for violating the community standards, though nothing was removed. The warning stood. We remained actively skeptical when there was widespread suspicion that Facebook was censoring non-liberal pages. But in the last 2 days, we have lost Being Libertarian and our friends at Occupy Democrats Logic. It becomes clear that Facebook does not welcome our presence on their platform, despite the opposite being stated in their terms of use.

We are not going to give up. We'll rebuild from the ground if we must. But we need your help. Share this post to your pages, your profiles, and everywhere else you can manage to place it, and tell the rest of the Facebook community what is going on....

"Occupy Democrats Logic, which offers rebuttals to the progressive page Occupy Democrats, was removed for posting the picture on the right.... Explanation courtesy of the Being Classically Liberal page:

Vocal social justice advocate Shaun King shares a picture, which is then liked and shared by 35k people, of a statue of a bare naked Donald Trump.... Apparently, this is just fine and in accordance with facebook's code of conduct. But when Occupy Democrats Logic shared the image to the right, which actually made a valid point, they got permanently banned....

Image idea credit goes to Greg C....."

Read more: http://www.redstate.com/diary/freedomrepublican/2016/08/19/facebook-removes-two-popular-libertarian-pages-without-warning/
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Gary Johnson getting 15% in Colorado polls

Small but growing number of Colorado voters shift to Green, Libertarian parties – The Denver Post - Mark K. Matthews:

August 22, 2016 - "Lauren Brillante of Broomfield ...  is one part of a small but growing shift among Colorado voters toward the Green and Libertarian parties. Between August 2012 and August 2016, the number of registered Libertarian voters roughly doubled — from 18,233 to 35,731 — while the Green Party rose to 11,383 voters, an increase of about 2,600....

"As of Aug. 1, Republicans and Democrats together accounted for roughly 2.3 million voters in Colorado — split basically in half between them. Individually, however, each major party claims fewer Colorado voters than the number of residents who don’t register with any party. Activists with the Green and Libertarian parties say this pool of about 1.3 million unaffiliated voters is ripe for recruits....

"A poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University found that 16 percent of Colorado voters would back Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson for president and 7 percent would support Stein of the Green Party.

"Both these totals are higher than what was found in Iowa and Virginia — the other two states surveyed by Quinnipiac. A separate poll by NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist put Johnson at 15 percent and Stein at 6 percent in Colorado....

"Even now there is a smattering of third-party officials in the state. Beau Woodcock, the mayor of Milliken, is Libertarian, and Art Goodtimes of the Green Party serves as a commissioner in San Miguel County.

“'It really comes down to local empowerment, freedom and citizen engagement,' Woodcock said. 'Unfortunately, both the Republicans and Democrats have strayed from this in favor of big centralized government, which has proven to be ineffective in both preserving freedom and being able to address the needs of the citizens and communities.'

"Nearly 30 Coloradans are running as Libertarian this year, and a handful have taken up the Green banner as well. "Among them: Libertarian Lily Tang Williams and Green Arn Menconi — both of whom are trying to play spoiler in a Senate race....

"'People have been fed up for a while. This is just a breaking point,' said Williams, who also noted the unpopularity of Clinton and Trump. 'That’s why third-party candidates this year are shining.'"

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/22/third-parties-election/
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U.S Olympic athletes taxed on their medals

Uncle Sam goes for gold, too: Up to $9,900 per Olympic gold medal - Athena Cao, USA Today:

August 15, 2016 - "Michael Phelps swims fast, but not fast enough to beat Uncle Sam, who awaits him at the finish line each time he wins a medal. His total income tax bill for the 2016 Games? Up to about $55,000 for his five golds and one silver.

 "Olympic athletes who bring home medals also bring home cash — $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze — paid for by the United States Olympic Committee. Like any prize winner, from a jackpot hitter to a Nobel Prize recipient, the athletes are taxed because Olympic medals and cash bonuses are considered income....

"The maximum possible 'victory tax' on the bonus for each gold medal, using the top tax rate of 39.6% for the nation's highest earners, is $9,900, according to Americans for Tax Reform. For silver, it's $5,940, and for bronze it's $3,960. Athletes in lower tax brackets would owe less — and keep in mind that some or all of their massive training expenses would likely be deductible....

"The medals themselves are taxed, too, but they're not as valuable as their shiny goodness may appear. Based on the commodity prices of the metals involved, gold is worth in the neighborhood of $600, silver about $300 and bronze next to nothing. What they'd go for on the open market is much higher, easily $10,000 or more, but that's not a factor unless an athlete sells or otherwise disposes of the medal....

"Congress has tried to give Olympic athletes a tax break. In 2012, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a bill to shield medals and bonuses from Uncle Sam, but it died. 'We can all agree that these Olympians who dedicate their lives to athletic excellence should not be punished when they achieve it,' Rubio said in a statement then.

"This year, Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sponsored a similar bill to eliminate taxes on Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The bill passed the Senate in July."

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2016/08/15/olympics-victory-tax-gold-medal/88587636/
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We need to stop criminalizing personal choice

Gary Johnson: We Need To Stop Criminalizing Personal Choice | TIME:

August 16, 2016 - "It is shockingly simple — revolutionary, and yet common sense: People should be free to make their own choices in their lives, as long as those decisions don’t adversely affect others.

"I’m a fierce defender of civil liberties, perhaps because individual freedom is very personal to me. I decided at a very early age that I wanted the freedom to do what I want with my life, to achieve whatever my talents and determination would allow without hindrance from the government or anyone else who might want to take my freedom away....

"The freedom to be an entrepreneur and succeed made it possible for me to run for Governor of New Mexico — and to serve two terms. I was able to make a difference.... The financial and personal freedom I earned from my entrepreneurial hard work also allowed me to pursue my personal passions: Being a 'fit for life' athlete, climbing the highest peak on each of the 7 continents, including Mt. Everest — and today, offering a simple approach to leading our increasingly complex nation.

"That approach is financial responsibility, less government, greater individual freedom, and a foreign policy that distinguishes between truly making us safe and engaging in ill-advised interventions abroad....

"When government grows and takes more of our money in taxes, we lose freedom.... when government tries to impose values on society and limit personal choices, it doesn’t work — and it shouldn’t.

"Our nation learned from Prohibition that arbitrarily and unnecessarily banning behavior doesn’t work. The same lesson should be applied to marijuana....

"Fortunately, the Supreme Court finally confirmed that the Constitution protects Americans’ freedom to marry who they wish. That decision was long overdue....

"Freedom isn’t complicated. It just requires us to remember who we are as Americans. Unfortunately, the politicians in Washington, Republicans and Democrats alike, have forgotten that simple, foundational American value."

 Read more: http://time.com/4452373/gary-johnson-personal-choice/
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Johnson money bomb exceeds $1.5 million goal

Gary Johnson raises nearly $1.8 million in money bomb over two days | Independent Political Report - Krzysztof Lesiak:

August 17, 2016 - "Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee, often says that the only way he can win the election is if he is included in the presidential debates along with his major party rivals.

"Yesterday, Johnson’s campaign decided to make a full throttle attempt to get Johnson into the presidential debates by launching a money bomb. The money bomb is called '15for15,' highlighting $15 donations to help Johnson’s campaign get the candidate’s name out there so he can hit the magic number, 15%, to be included in the debates (donations of all sizes are accepted in the money bomb).

"As of 11:48 CT, over the course of just two days, Johnson’s money bomb has raked in $1,804,202, easily surpassing the campaign’s original $1.5 million goal and putting the money bomb well on its way towards the new $2 million goal....

[At Reason, Matt Doherty reports that the $1.7 million one-day total is "the largest single-day take for an official Libertarian Party presidential campaign in small donations ever." - GD]

"The Washington Post reported earlier today that Johnson’s campaign has raised over $2.9 million since the beginning of August. The Post quoted Johnson as saying, 'The fact that we received more than 90,000 individual small contributions is overwhelming.'"

Read more: : http://independentpoliticalreport.com/2016/08/gary-johnson-raises-nearly-1-8-million-in-money-bomb-over-two-days/
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South Dakota state senator endorses Johnson

South Dakota State Representative Stan Adelstein endorses Gary Johnson | American Third Party Report - Krzysztof Lesiak:

August 11, 2016 - "Stan Adelstein is an 84 year old Republican member of the South Dakota State Senate who represents the state’s 32nd district. On August 2nd, 2016, he wrote an article titled “Attacking a patriot mother’s tears” in which he lambasted Donald Trump over the Khizr Khan situation. At the end of his article, Adelstein declared his support for Gary Johnson’s presidential campaign:

In a presidential election year when both major party candidates are so unsuited for the position, many of us are wishing for another option. Fortunately there is one: Gary Johnson, former Republican Governor of New Mexico, and his running-mate William Weld, former Republican Governor of Massachusetts.

"The Johnson-Weld ticket will appear on the ballot in all fifty states for the Libertarian Party. In Johnson we have opportunity to vote for a leader whose values are in-step with our own. With Johnson on our ballot we can enter the voting booth with excitement to cast our vote for a president with the experience, heart, and judgement that this country needs.

"According to Wikipedia, there are currently ten state legislators who have endorsed Gary Johnson, four of whom are members of the Libertarian Party. Johnson has also been endorsed by one member of Congress, Scott Rigell."

https://amthirdpartyreport.com/2016/08/11/south-dakota-state-representative-stan-adelstein-endorses-gary-johnson/
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Jedediah Bila joining The View in September

Jedediah Bila Talks The View and Andrew Breitbart - Amanda House, Breitbart News:

August 10, 2016 - Former Fox News contributor Jedediah Bila says Andrew Breitbart played a major role in her recent decision to join ABC News’ The View.... 'You need to stop preaching to choir,' Bila says Andrew [told her]. 'You need to get out there and get the message out in places where people are inclined to think negatively about libertarians and conservatives.... He even said, you need to go on The View,' Bila added....

"Growing up in New York City as a self-described libertarian, Bila says she’s always been outnumbered (in fact, she wrote a book about it): 'I’m really well received by liberals. I’ve dated almost all liberals and my family is filled with liberals. When I interact with people on the left they typical leave like, "I never thought about issues like this".... 'So when the opportunity came to do The View, I welcomed it as a chance to not only interact with liberal panelists like Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar, but to also speak to an audience that wouldn’t be inclined to agree with me and might have a perception about me that I could change'....

"'If I’m going to talk about freedom and opportunity and low taxes, I want that message to come to an audience that maybe doesn’t get a positive angle from a lot of people in media,' she explained, '[to] represent people at home who feel like when they watch most mainstream media outlets, they don’t feel like their view is represented'....

"Take this year’s presidential election.... A self-described 'Rand Paul girl' she says she’s not voting for Hillary Clinton or Trump, but instead 'for Gary Johnson — not because he’s perfect, but because he’s the least problematic of the three'....

"'I really want to hold both sides accountable,' she said. 'I think there are a lot of talking points and a lot of people who want to protect their candidate or their party. I don’t have a candidate, I don’t have a party. I just have what I believe and I think there are a lot of people in the real world outside the political sphere that really feel that way too'....

"'To that I say to them, a movement is not meant to speak to people who only agree with you – the whole purpose of a movement is to go into areas and outlets where people are inclined to disagree with you and challenge what they think about you'....

"As for what fans can expect this season, which debuts Tuesday, September 6, Bila says get ready for 'a lot of really heated, healthy, fiery debate… It’s going to get spicy for sure!'"

Read more: http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2016/08/10/exclusive-jedediah-bila-talks-the-view-and-andrew-breitbart/
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Libertarian PAC runs TV & radio ads in Maine (video)

Gary Johnson-Supporting PACs Ready TV Ads - Hit & Run : Reason.com - Brian Doherty:

August 11, 2016 - "A newly launched PAC supporting the Libertarian Party's presidential ticket of former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld is ready to run a TV ad starting today (as well as a radio one) in the state of Maine's 2nd congressional district.

"The PAC has the major-party-baiting name of  'Americans Deserve Better' and the web address of http://votefortheadults.com/....

"Chad Crow, who works with the PAC that is managed by longtime Libertarian Party hands Geoff and Nancy Neale of Texas, said he believes this can have a big payoff since 'Maine allocates their electoral votes by CD instead of winner-take-all for the whole state, and that they have a long history of supporting independents'....

"The PAC intends to run the ad for two weeks, then poll to see if it seemed effective. They promise 'a pretty robust buy on broadcast, cable, radio and online.'"

Read more: https://reason.com/blog/2016/08/11/gary-johnson-supporting-pacs-ready-tv-ad
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Latinos give Johnson 16%, new town hall Aug. 18

Gary Johnson Gains Among Latino Voters in New Fox News Poll - Elias J. Atienza, The Libertarian Republic:

August 13, 2016 - "Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson is making inroads with Latino voters, according to a new poll released by Fox News Latino. In the poll, Johnson is tied with Donald Trump statistically, with 16 percent of Latinos saying they would vote for him. Seventeen percent said that they would vote for Trump and 60 percent said they would vote for Hillary Clinton....  Johnson almost doubled his total among Latino voters. In the last Fox News Latino poll, he was polling at 9 percent....

"Johnson has already snagged a GOP advisor as his Latino Outreach Director. In addition to this, a PAC was formed by two prominent Latinos, former Congressman Juan-Carlos Planas and former National Puerto Rican Coalition CEO Rafael Fantauzzi."

Read more: http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/gary-johnson-among-latino/
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Fusion to Host Libertarian Town Hall This Wednesday: Josh Guckert, The Libertarian Republic:

August 13, 2016 - "Fusion announced on Friday that it will host the Libertarian ticket of vice presidential candidate William Weld and presidential candidate Gary Johnson for a town hall this Wednesday, August 18 at 8 p.m. ET. It will be hosted by Jorge Ramos and Alicia Menendez.

"This will mark the third of four thus-far scheduled Libertarian town halls. CNN hosted the first two, on June 22 and August 3, and Fox Business (with John Stossel) will host the fourth on August 26.

"The Fusion channel, which is about three years old, is a Hispanic news and satire channel owned by Univision. Listings for the channel can be found on its website. It hosted Hillary Clinton for a town hall in January. Donald Trump previously agreed to talk with Ramos, but has not yet scheduled the interview."

Read more: http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/fusion-libertarian-town-hall/
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Two libertarian Olympics films

The Olympics and Liberty | Liberty Unbound - Jo Ann Skousen:

March 8, 2016 - "I’m often asked what makes a film 'libertarian.' Does it need to be set in a dystopian totalitarian future? Must the protagonist be fighting a government bureaucracy or authority? Many libertarian films do contain those features. But my favorites are those in which a protagonist achieves a goal or overcomes obstacles without turning to the government to fix things.

"Two such films are ... based on true stories about Olympic athletes who achieved their goals in spite of government interference, not because of government aid. Race tells the Jesse Owens story, and Eddie the Eagle tells the Michael Edwards story. Both are worth seeing.

"Race is the perfect title for this film that focuses on both racing and racism. Owens was one of the most famous athletes of the 20th century. Historian Richard Crepeau (who spoke at FreedomFest last year) described the 1935 college track meet at Ann Arbor in which Owens, in the space of 45 minutes, set three world records and tied a fourth as 'the most impressive athletic achievement since 1850.' Nevertheless, Owens (Stephan James) is not welcome at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Adolf Hitler (Adrian Zwicker) intends to use 'his' Olympics as a propaganda piece to highlight the physical superiority of the Aryan race, and he does not want any blacks or Jews to spoil his plan....

"The film reveals the backstage negotiations between Olympic Committee representative Avery Brundage (Jeremy Irons) and the German organizing committee at which Brundage insisted on assurances that Jews and blacks would be allowed to compete. Brundage’s insistence is somewhat hypocritical, considering the treatment Owens and other black athletes were enduring at home, but he was successful in forestalling a threatened American boycott of the Games."

"Owens faces similar pressure from the NAACP, as he is warned that he ought to boycott the Games ... but in the end he delivers the most resounding protest of all, winning four gold medals and derailing Hitler’s plan in short order. This is as it should be. What good would it have done if Owens had stayed home to protest German policy?...

"Eddie the Eagle tells the story of an Olympic hero of a different sort — one who is remembered for his tenacity rather than his innate skill. Michael Edwards ... simply dreams of being an Olympian; he doesn’t care what sport.... Ironically, Eddie is motivated by a picture of Jesse Owens in a book about the Olympics....

"Eddie settles on skiing as his sport and manages to qualify for the British Olympic team, but the Committee cuts him because he 'isn’t Olympic material'.... Undaunted, Eddie turns to ski jumping because — well, because no one else in Britain competes in ski jumping.... This is the same year that the Jamaican bobsled team slipped through the same loophole — a loophole that was quickly closed before the following season. Now athletes must compete internationally and place in the top 30% of finishers in order to qualify. But in 1988, if you could find a sport that few people in your country competed in, you could literally 'make the team'....

"It’s a great story about overcoming obstacles, sticking with a goal, and ignoring the naysayers. It demonstrates the power of a mother’s encouragement, and the possibility that even a poor, farsighted boy from a working-class neighborhood can achieve his dream — if he doesn’t kill himself practicing for it."

Read more: http://www.libertyunbound.com/node/1527
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The Libertarian down ticket is the key to liberty

The Libertarian Down Ticket is the key to Liberty - Keith Komar, special to GDPA:

August 12, 2016 - With all the excitement around the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has emerged as the third party alternative this cycle. What no one is talking about though, is the vast amount of candidates running down ticket for the party. The Libertarians have over 550 candidates running for various positions all the way from city council up to Governor. Electing Gary Johnson as president would be a major step towards liberty, but without support in the Senate and the House of Representatives, real change will be a very difficult battle.
   
As we draw closer to the presidential debates in September, there is an upward trend in the polling of the Johnson/Weld ticket, reaching as high as 26% in Utah's fourth district in a four way poll conducted by the Republicans internally. It will be impossible to keep them off the debate stage with those numbers and this will bode very well for the party's exposure, and a lot of attention is being paid to this by the party right now to ensure inclusion on the national debate stage, and rightly so. Inclusion in the debates is the number one way to gain national exposure and is paramount to the liberty movement happening right now.
   
That being said, the only way to truly make this change in sentiment live and grow is through electing as many people of principle into office as possible down ticket. As we have seen in the past in the third party runs of Ross Perot and Ralph Nader, without a ground swell of down ticket support, the message gets lost. This is exactly why the Libertarian movement is different from the aforementioned presidential runs. “It is the meat to go along with the potatoes” so to speak. The ultimate potential of this election cycle is to literally rout out the old guard. Electing a Libertarian Senate and a Libertarian House of Representatives would mean more to liberty than Johnson winning a Vegas-style million-to-one long shot at the presidency. With a solid down ticket of Libertarians to support a Johnson/Weld presidency, you would see a lot more of the policy changes that this ticket ultimately espouses. Without having Libertarians in congress you won't see any legislation to repeal income tax, or disband the IRS. Without Libertarian senators there won't be any true oversight of spending.

The alternative to that is voting for those people running in your district who embody these principles of liberty. Even with a Trump or Clinton presidency, that Libertarian minded legislation will exist and will have to be debated. Those people will be there as the checks and balances against the great fears people have in electing either of the establishment candidates. If you are truly scared that either Clinton or Trump will take the White House this election, you must then consider the Libertarian down ticket as the Praetorian Guard against the status quo.
   
True change this cycle isn't in voting for Johnson alone, but in finding your principled candidates down ticket and voting them into office as well. 

Fox Business holds Libertarian town hall Aug. 26

FOX Business Network’s John Stossel to Host Libertarian Town Hall on August 26th | Business Wire (press release):

August 9, 2016 - "FOX Business Network’s (FBN) John Stossel will host a Libertarian town hall with Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson his vice presidential running mate William Weld on Friday, August 26th, the network announced today. Stossel, who moderated the first national Libertarian debate earlier this year, will host the program entitled Stossel: Libertarian Town Hall, starting at 9PM/ET.

"Throughout the town hall, Stossel will focus on the major differences between the Libertarian, Republican and Democratic platforms, as well as on economic, social and defense issues. The event will take place in front of a studio audience comprised of a cross-section of voters, who will join Stossel in posing questions to the candidates. In addition, Stossel will incorporate topics proposed through social media and from FBN reporters based in Times Square and Union Square in Manhattan interviewing passers-by....

"Host of the town hall, John Stossel anchors a weekly program on FBN that airs Friday’s at 9PM/ET titled Stossel. Each week, Stossel highlights current consumer issues with a Libertarian viewpoint....

"FBN launched in October 2007 and is available in more than 80 million homes in major markets across the United States."

Read more: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160809006147/en/FOX-Business-Network%E2%80%99s-John-Stossel-Host-Libertarian
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Nanny State Corner Store opens in Toronto

Libertarian student group takes over Toronto corner store to protest nutrition taxes | Globalnews.ca - Peter Goffin, Canadian Press:

August 11, 2016 - "The chocolate bar wrapper bears an ominous message.

"'Chocolate seriously increases your risk of obesity. Chocolate may kill you!' it reads in black letters on a bright yellow background.

"On nearby shelves, bags of chips and bottles of cola carry similar warnings – all part of a campaign by a self-described libertarian student group decrying what it considers overly protective government regulations.

"The group, Students For Liberty Canada, has made over a north Toronto store to show shoppers what would happen if cigarette-style packaging were applied to junk food.

"The display, which will be open to the public between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday, is titled the 'Nanny State Store'....

"'We’re looking to have people come by the store and get a glimpse of what it’s like if the government is going to hold your hand through life, over-tax, over-regulate, over-ban everything that’s bad for your health,' said the group’s co-ordinator, David Clement....

"The group is the Canadian arm of an international network of libertarian students, and Clement said it comprises around 1,000 members at universities in Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia.

"And it’s not just nutrition advice they object to.

"'Whether it is adding additional taxes on pop, proposing to put graphic labels on alcohol, or plain packaging tobacco products, more laws are being passed that limit consumer choice, and curb individual freedoms,' the organization said in a statement.

"'Consumers should be allowed to make decisions about their health unencumbered by taxes or warnings, it argues."

Read more: http://globalnews.ca/news/2876834/libertarian-student-group-takes-over-toronto-corner-store-to-protest-nutrition-taxes/
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Why is Evan McMullin running for President?

#NeverNeverTrump: What’s Evan McMullin Really After? - Thomas Knapp, Counterpunch:

August 10, 2016 - "For months, voices from the #NeverTrump movement have confidently promised Americans a fifth credible presidential candidate.... Echoing those promises, a shadowy group calling itself 'Better For America,' funded by Mitt Romney associate John Kingston III, has been doing prep work for that unnamed candidate.

"On August 8 the suspense, such as it was, came to an end. The candidate is David Evan McMullin, a name unfamiliar to voters but well-known on Capitol Hill. Starting as an adviser to congressional Republicans on national security issues, he rose to the position of GOP House policy chief. Now he’s running for president.....

"The conventional wisdom says that he’s there to keep Trump out of the White House – even at the cost of a Hillary Clinton presidency – by giving anti-Trump Republican voters somewhere else to go.

"I think the conventional wisdom is wrong. When we look at what McMullin and Better For America are up to, and where, two far more likely reasons leap into focus. Those reasons are:

"First, to help Trump get elected, but with plausible deniability so that the GOP wins the White House without #NeverTrump leaders having to lose face by kissing the ring ('we did our best but he won anyway, guess we have to live with it').

"Secondly, to ensure that Libertarian Gary Johnson doesn’t become the first independent or third party presidential candidate to carry a state since ... 1968.

"McMullin is custom-made for Utah – a native, a Mormon and a graduate of Brigham Young. Better for America seems focused on promoting him there. The organization [has] also made a seemingly unsuccessful ballot access attempt in New Mexico.

"Johnson is the former two-term Republican governor of blue New Mexico. He’s going toe-to-toe with Trump and Clinton in Utah’s polls and endorsements contest. If he’s going to win anywhere, it will be in New Mexico or Utah.

"The most likely purpose of the McMullin campaign is to fragment the anti-Trump vote in New Mexico, Utah and perhaps other states, allowing Trump to win those states with smaller pluralities than he’d need in a race with fewer significant opponents – and to contain the threat of a third party breakout that might carry over into, and expand in, future elections."

Read more: http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/08/10/nevernevertrump-whats-evan-mcmullin-really-after/

Libertarian town hall #1 with 25-54 demographic

Libertarian town hall boosts CNN in key ratings race | TheHill - Joe Concha:

August 4, 2016 - "CNN’s second-ever broadcast of a Libertarian town hall was the most-watched program in cable news Wednesday night among adults in the key 25-54 demographic.

"The event, moderated by Anderson Cooper, ranked first among its cable news competitors, with 642,000 viewers in the demographic that advertisers value most.

"Fox News was second, with 529,000 viewers in the demographic, but did beat CNN in total viewers, 2.18 million to 1.61 million, at that time.

"The CNN town hall featured Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, a former Republican governor of New Mexico, and William Weld, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts.

"Last night's event saw a noticeable increase in viewers in both categories when compared to CNN's first Libertarian town hall. The network increased its number in total viewers by 74 percent — 1.61 million vs. 929,000 — and 101 percent in the 25-54 demographic — 640,000 vs. 320,000.

"CNN will host its first Green Party town hall on Wednesday, Aug. 17 with presumptive presidential nominee Jill Stein and vice presidential nominee Ajamu Baraka."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/290460-libertarian-town-hall-boosts-cnn-in-key-ratings-race
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First congressional endorsement for Johnson

Libertarian Gary Johnson Scores First Congressional Endorsement - Simone Pathe, Roll Call:

August 6, 2015 - "Virginia Republican Scott Rigell is backing the Libertarian candidate for president, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, he told the New York Times . 

"He's the first member of Congress to back Johnson, who's running with former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld.

"Rigell has been a supporter of the "Never Trump" movement for months. 'I’ve always said I will not vote for Donald Trump and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton,' Rigell said.

"The three-term congressman represents Virginia's 2nd District, a military-heavy Republican seat on the coast. He announced in January that he would not run for re-election because he had achieved what he set out to do. 

"His district has since been redrawn, making it slightly more Republican. Neighboring Rep. J. Randy Forbes, whose 4th District became more Democratic in redistricting, tried running for the GOP nomination in Rigell's open seat — with his backing — but fell short in the primary . 

"A handful of vulnerable Republicans have said they will not vote for Trump. Illinois Rep. Robert J. Dold , Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk and Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo have all said Trump won't get their vote. This week, Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger joined them in saying he won't vote for Trump."

Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/libertarian-gary-johnson-scores-first-congressional-endorsement
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Brazilian libertarians help impeach president (video)

How Brazil’s Libertarian Movement Helped Bring Down a President - Reason.com - Jim Epstein:

August 3, 2016 - "A group of libertarian activists and filmmakers known as the Free Brazil Movement (Movimento Brasil Livre) were instrumental in the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, a left-wing populist accused of fiscal impropriety. The group used its massive Facebook presence to help organize a series of pro-impeachment protests. Millions of protesters flooded the streets of Sao Paulo and other cities....

"Students for Liberty, an international organization that brings together libertarians on campus, has a presence in 107 countries including the U.S. But based on the count of local coordinators who've signed up with the group, the Brazilian chapter (Estudantes Pela Liberdade) is bigger than Students for Liberty in every other country combined....

"Can these young activists help remake Brazil's dysfunctional government (on display this week as the Olympic games kick off in Rio)? Reason TV traveled to Brazil for a look at the country's surging libertarian movement."

Read more: http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/08/03/how-brazils-libertarian-movement-helped
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Town hall shows Johnson/Weld are 'best choice'

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Gary Johnson and Bill Weld's CNN Town Hall Last Night | RedState - Brandon Morse:

August 4, 2016 - "Wednesday ... CNN ... hosted both [Gary] Johnson and his VP, Bill Weld, for a Libertarian town hall..... And last night, I'm happy to say he didn't disappoint...too much. Let me begin by saying that this town hall was far and away better than the first one.

"While still maintaining his penchant for avoiding negative campaigning, Johnson tackled Clinton's issues like a pro, citing how she's 'beholden' to many people and groups from all the promises she made. When the subject [of] people finding Clinton untrustworthy came up, Johnson simply responded 'I totally get it.' Weld smartly kept his mouth shut about his friendship with Clinton this time. But he didn't hold back on Trump, calling him 'a showman' and a 'pied piper'.... 'Maybe he should consider another line of work. Anything but the President of the United States,' said Weld to laughter from the audience.

"In terms of Johnson keeping to [his] style of campaigning, he couldn't have performed better in terms of tackling Clinton. He hit all the points that both the right and left can't stand about her, while never resorting to attacking Clinton on a personal level.... Weld's unleashing on Trump, and having a laugh at his expense balanced it out.... Trump's love of below the belt attacks was answered by Weld in kind, causing a moment when the duo really connected with the audience on a personal level. It showed that Weld is not afraid to sling mud, and is not as nice as Johnson is....

"For the most part, Johnson hit all the right chords, especially for people on the right like me. He has zero intention of illegalizing semi-automatic rifles. They're willing to spend money to help combat ISIS at home, but not abroad where we sometimes do more damage than not. He wants to get rid of the Department of Education, and Weld actually has an alternative plan that works. His fiscal conservatism is something that attracts me like a moth to a flame, and both pointing out that they were the most fiscally conservative governors elected, and reelected in blue states is a big draw. And I liked the idea that he acknowledges the issues between police and black communities, pointing toward some attention to criminal justice reform.

"But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.... Johnson's stance on religious liberty is remarkably un-Libertarian. Johnson reiterated that he wanted to strike a balance with religious and LGBT peooples, while saying that he doesn't want to allow discrimination....

"That glaring disagreement aside, Johnson did well. He oftentimes came off as rambling, like he was trying to get across three different thoughts at once, but when he was on, he was on. I was particularly impressed with his reasoning as to why Bernie voters should now back him. He was succinct, direct, and truthful about his contrasts and similarities.

"Weld proved to be a more confident speaker. He gave off an air of charm and charisma that his partner lacked from time to time.... Whenever Weld opened his mouth, he sounded like a man who knew what he was doing, even if you disagreed with him.

"This town hall should do some head turning, especially for independents looking for a home.... Is he  perfect? Not at all. Who is?... Johnson and Weld both have some issues that I certainly would like to do without, but with that said, he's the best choice I've seen.

"I'll be casting my vote for him this November."

Read more: http://www.redstate.com/brandon_morse/2016/08/04/honest-god-thoughts-johnsonweld-last-nights-libertarian-town-hall/
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Cannabis reformers rally at Mass. state house

Mass. pols taking sides as marijuana legalization campaign heats up | NewBostonPost - State House News Service

August 4, 2016 - "[P]roponents gathered outside the State House Wednesday to urge support for marijuana legalization and condemn arguments against it as rooted in fear.... Massachusetts voters will decide at the ballot box in November whether to legalize adult use of marijuana while also setting up taxation and a regulatory structure for marijuana sales....

"Supporters on Wednesday described backing the question as a matter of fairness and racial justice and said the tax revenue could provide an infusion of financial resources for areas like education, infrastructure and addiction treatment.

"'I want to thank my colleagues in government for being here and for their political courage as well, because we see a lot of our colleagues and other elected officials buying into the same old tired arguments around fear,' Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said. 'And we should not be creating public policy by trying to scare people and making them believe this is negative for themselves, for their families and for their communities.'

"Along with Morse, the elected officials who participated in the press conference were Rep. David Rogers and Boston city councilors Michelle Wu and Tito Jackson. Rogers, a Cambridge Democrat, is one of ten lawmakers, all Democrats, who last week endorsed the legalization proposal, Question 4.

"'Sometimes when we make laws, we don’t always have perfect data or the empirical evidence to make good policy. We make judgement calls,' Rogers said Wednesday. 'In the case of marijuana, though, we have decade after decade after decade after decade of data, and our current approach has failed abysmally, and it’s obvious. If the goal was to stop people from using marijuana, how has that worked out?'...

"Wu, Boston’s city council president, said she has never used marijuana ... the first time she smelled marijuana smoke was while attending college at Harvard University, an experience she said she has since reflected on as an example of 'uneven enforcement' of existing marijuana laws.

"'What kind of a system are we building if Harvard kids can smoke pot and continue to enjoy every privilege, but black and brown residents go to jail, face disproportionate impacts in enforcement?' Wu said."

Read more: http://newbostonpost.com/2016/08/04/mass-pols-taking-sides-as-marijuana-legalization-campaign-heats-up/
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Elon Musk's 'libertarian' argument for carbon tax

Elon Musk makes a libertarian argument for carbon tax - Benjamin Spillman,  Reno Gazette-Journal:

July 29, 2016 - "Tesla Motors founder and CEO Elon Musk made a libertarian argument in favor of a carbon tax during a recent visit to Nevada. Musk, who spoke with reporters for about an hour during a visit to the company's battery factory in Storey County on Tuesday, answered a question about tax breaks the company got for moving to Nevada. He also addressed tax incentives for sustainable energy products such as solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs). Here's a transcript of the portion of the conversation in which Musk made a libertarian argument in favor of a carbon tax....

"Reporter: You are building this factory with more than a billion dollars in state incentives. Solar panels get big tax subsidies, cars get by with a lot of subsidies as well. Will these businesses ever be sustainable without these kind of subsidies?

"Elon Musk: With respect to some of the other elements for solar panels and EVs, the big issue we have is that in reality if you accept the scientific consensus every oil burning activity is subsidized, dramatically. If you believe there is a value to the CO2 capacity of the atmosphere and oceans and that CO2 capacity is not being paid for by the price at the gas pump or the coal that is being burned for electricity generation or whatever its use may be then every single fossil fuel burning activity is massively subsidized. This has become sort of an ideological issue because there are people who think that global warming is not true. So if you believe it is not true then it is a subsidy for sustainable energy. If you believe it is true then all we are doing is trying to match the inherent subsidy for fossil fuels....

"The real right way to correct it would be to establish a carbon tax. If you ask any economist they will tell you that is the obvious thing to do, put the correct price on carbon because we currently have an error in the economy which misprices carbon at zero or something closer to zero. It is a fundamental economic error. For people that have a sort of libertarian bent they get a little confused because they need to appreciate the high level principle of why they are opposed to government intervention. They are actually opposed to government intervention because it causes false pricing. If the government says we are going to massively incent the production of corn, so that effectively corn gets mispriced and we make too much corn, that actually then does not benefit the country if you make too much of something because of a government driven pricing error....

"However if you have something where you have an unpriced externality so that you have the case of the CO2 capacity of the oceans and atmosphere priced very close to zero then any government action to increase the price above zero reduces the error in the economy.... So pricing carbon, if you believe in global warming, does not increase the price of the error it decreases the price of the error."

Read more: http://www.rgj.com/story/money/business/2016/07/28/elon-musk-makes-libertarian-argument-carbon-tax/87638264/
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Johnson & Weld get 2nd CNN town hall, Aug. 3

CNN to Host Second Libertarian Presidential Town Hall on Aug. 3 – CNN Press Room - CNN.com Blogs:
August 1, 2016 - "CNN announced today that anchor Anderson Cooper will moderate a one-hour town hall with the Libertarian Party ticket, former New Mexico governor and presidential candidate Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts governor and vice presidential candidate William Weld, at 9pmET on Wednesday, Aug. 3....

"Johnson and Weld will address the current state of the 2016 race and the platform of the Libertarian Party in addition to fielding questions from voters.

"The event will air on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Espanol, and will be live-streamed online and across mobile devices via CNNgo."

Read more: http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/08/01/cnn-to-host-second-libertarian-presidential-town-hall-on-aug-3/
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Another Libertarian town hall scheduled for CNN « Hot Air - Tylor Millard:
August 1, 2016 - "This is really, really good, especially for the disaffected conservatives and Republicans who don’t want to support either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. It gives them the chance to check out Johnson and Bill Weld for themselves, instead of what they’ve read on blogs or newspapers. Voters can decide whether or not they want to support a Johnson/Weld team.

"It also gives the candidates a chance to differentiate themselves from Trump and Clinton. Yes, both Johnson and Weld have made mistakes in previous public appearances (Weld’s comments on Supreme Court justices and which senators he prefers are laughable), and I really hope Anderson Cooper asks them about religious liberty, and follows up with a, 'What happens if federal law runs sideways with the Constitution?' question. That’s certainly a question I really want to hear Johnson answer....

"This is a huge opportunity for the Libertarian Party ticket, especially in an election where both Clinton and Trump have record unlikable ratings. Johnson and Weld can get their 'fiscally conservative, socially tolerant,' message out there and show just why they should be picked over the other two. Just don’t screw it up. It’s fine to 'be nice,' but at least be willing to criticize the political positions of your opponents. That’s going to separate you from the pack even more than just talking nice. Be the adult in the room, but be forceful when necessary. It’s in Johnson’s DNA, he just has to be willing to show it."

Read more: http://hotair.com/archives/2016/08/01/another-libertarian-town-hall-scheduled-for-cnn/
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Montana state legislators endorse Gary Johnson

Montana Republican legislators endorse Libertarian for president | State and Regional | mtstandard.com - Tom Lutey, Montana Standard:

July 25, 2016 - "Two Montana Republican legislators who won’t vote for Donald Trump this election have endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.

"Reps. Daniel Zolnikov, of Billings, and Nicolas Schwaderer, of Superior, on Monday morning endorsed Johnson, saying the former Republican governor of New Mexico is the only candidate speaking about the national debt.... Johnson has made eliminating the debt ... the top priority. He faults both Republicans and Democrats for debt growth to $20 trillion.

"Zolnikov was co-chairman of presidential primary candidate Ted Cruz’ Montana campaign. He said he’s spoken with a few Cruz supporters looking for an alternative to Trump....

"Advocates of the two-party system say a vote by dissatisfied partisans for a third-party candidate is a throwaway vote that could decide an election.

“'I think that’s the dumbest argument, because I’m voting for the actual proven track record,' Zolnikov said. “The reason we keep getting what we get in politics is because people are always saying, ‘You waste your vote, you’re going to get the worst of two evils.’”

"Zolnikov said he wouldn’t be supporting any ... other Libertarian candidates running in Montana political races.

"Three Libertarian candidates are running for statewide office and six for state Legislature.

"Johnson is not recognized as a candidate yet in Montana, according the Secretary of State records. However, the Libertarian Party is a recognized major party in Montana, which means the party merely has to submit Johnson's name. There are no filing fees or signatures required....

"A few Montana Republicans have been breaking away from Trump for the past month. In early July, former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot, also a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, announced he wouldn't support or endorse Trump in a letter to the Washington Post.... Montana's former U.S. Rep. Rick Hill has said he won't support fellow Republican Trump, either."

Read more: http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-republican-legislators-endorse-libertarian-for-president/article_55b8939b-c281-5edd-934a-58dfb7a9d20f.html
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