Blogs For Victory

Gary Johnson. He was governor of New Mexico. No, really. Anyways, he’s running for the GOP nomination for President. From an e mail:

…Today, from the steps of the New Hampshire Capitol, I am announcing that I am formally declaring myself a candidate; I will be actively, passionately seeking the Republican nomination for the office of President.

In announcing my candidacy for President of the United States, I am setting out on the long path ahead, but I am not alone. I’ve always enjoyed climbing mountains, but this one is unique. I’m looking forward to this challenge…

So, what is Johnson’s claim to fame? Actually, a pretty worthwhile thing for the 2012 campaign:

…I had to veto over 750 bills in my quest to limit the growth of government, and many of those vetoes were of bills that were Republican-sponsored. It isn’t always easy to go against your own party, but I felt that my primary duty was to the hard-working, taxpaying people of New Mexico. I felt that our state would prosper with a smarter, more efficient government, and I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish during my 8 years in office…

I don’t know too much about Johnson – I do recall that not too long ago he annoyed me with an e mail in which he lent credence to the absurd stories that “wikileaker” Bradley Manning was being ill-treated in military custody. This view of Johnson’s probably stems from his uber-libertarian streak…perhaps he really believes that governments are not supposed to have any secrets and that any two-bit cretin with a gripe should be able to broadcast to the world whatever he wants, to heck with the consequences. A lot of libertarians are like that – failing to recognize that it isn’t right for an un-elected official to spill the beans on his own hook. Regardless of what you think of Manning or the leaks, the fact is that Manning, himself, did not have the competence to decide if the information should be made public.

Aside from that – and, for me, it puts a gigantic question mark on Johnson’s overall judgment – Johnson’s main thrust could run very strong in 2012. Being anti-establishment, being anti-Big Government, being willing to rock the leadership…all of that will resonate with the voters, especially Republican voters, most especially with TEA Party activists. As I’ve been saying, anyone can come along and win it all in 2012. It could be someone we’ve know for years, it could be someone we never heard of. The main criteria for victory in 2012 is whomever will fight the hardest and put out the boldest reform plan – that is who will both win the GOP nomination and win the Presidency. In this, Johnson is playing his currently weak hand well – and we’ll see where he winds up.