Gary Johnson Announces Libertarian Presidential Bid

Gary Johnson had his much anticipated Press Conference this morning at 10 AM Mountain Time in the Capitol Rotunda of New Mexico.

He formally 'left' the GOP yesterday, and has absolutely milked every drop of PR possible out of the process of changing parties.

Good for him.

Gary clearly brings a new standard of quiet and professional competence and confidence to both the Libertarian Party and the 2012 Presidential Race.

Gary has all of the positives you can say about any of the Candidates in the other two parties, with none of the negatives.

Gary has none of the racist skeletons in his closet that Ron Paul has and none of the Socialist/Big Government skeletons of Romney and Gingrich.

What he does have is a track record of successful Governorship of New Mexico. He spoke today of having vetoed more Bills than every other Governor combined in the other 49 states.

Gary clearly counts better than Obama, who has the USA with 57.

Gary is also clearly pro Israel. He clearly pointed out that his position on Israel is one of the three major points he differs with Congressman Paul on.

Governor Johnson said: "Israel is and has been an important Military Ally."
'It's naive to think that Israel won't address the Iranian problem.'

'The US should not give Foreign Aid to Israel.'

'I wholeheartedly support ...continuing to be Israel's Ally Militarily.' (order of sentence halves reversed for clarity)

Gary wants to cut the Military Budget by 43%. He pointed out this only turns the budget clock back seven years. He also proposed that Military Alliances that cost money are not 'Foreign Aid'.

Gary took many digs at Obama and Paul, not the least of which was when he stated: "It's not the messenger, it's the message - it's the agenda", challenging the cult of personality.

Governor Johnson came across as humble, thoughtful, humorous, relaxed and confident.

Early on, he threw a lot of red meat to the Libertarian crowd stating, "The LP is the Third Party!" He further pointed out 61% of Americans are willing to vote Third Party.

Gary made the case for the Fair Tax, and while I personally disagree, his point that it was 'the best of the worst', and his explanations of how it would be an improvement over the current system are very persuasive and certainly could resonate with voters at least as much as the Herman Cain 9-9-9 plan.

Viewership of the live feed rose steadily throughout the Press Conference that began promptly on schedule. This is in direct contradiction to all LP events starting on 'Libertarian Standard Time'.

I caught the feed when it was in the high 600s, ending up at over 1850 viewers.
He raised $8,675.31 raised from 103 donors at end of Conference. Total event fundraising traditionally will be much higher than the first final number.

The Chairman of the Libertarian Party and several other Libertarians, notably California LP Candidate and big Marijuana Legalization guy Steve Collet were in the Audience.

Gary wants to immediately withdraw from Afghanistan, is against Eminent Domain for the Keystone Pipeline, and for term limits and free markets.

The free market thing may be the fourth place where he and Ron Paul differ, since it seems that Gary is not against NAFTAesque treaties.

The audience was smallish, but enthusiastic, and kept the Governor on his toes with a wide variety of questions.

Governor Johnson for President Website: http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/

Note: as of 45 minutes post Conference: $10,141.32 raised from 112 donors.

Copyright December 2011 - Bruce Cohen
All Rights Reserved
Reprint rights granted with credit given.

Libertarian Trial of the Decade!

Yes, it's far more interesting and complicated than that, but I'm accussed of puffery and egaggeration far too much as it is.

I haven't been blogging for a long time, work, heath, travel, the sun was in my eyes, the other kids don't like me, I have 1000 excuses.

But there is just too much 'inside baseball' not to cover within the Libertarian Party of California that's not really being discussed elsewhere.

So, for the very few people who are interested in filling in the blanks about the ever deepening scandal and problem, this is one more place to go.

If you hate train wrecks, please look the other way.

About my upcoming trial:

First of all, allow me to have some fun.

This is the Defense's Theme song:

The Defense dedicates this to the Prosecution and their leader,

King Naga and his Knights of the Wobbly Table

Heads Will Roll

by the

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Off with your head

Dance 'til you're dead

Heads will roll

Heads will roll

Heads will roll

Heads will roll

On the Floor

You can last

Take the past

Shut your eyes

Realize

Off with your head

Dance 'til you're dead

Where in the World is Wayne? (Allyn Root)

Where in the World is Wayne?

Bruce Cohen - December 3, 2008

There was a lot of concern about

the so-called mainstream

candidacies of Libertarians Wayne
Root and Bob Barr.

This concern came from within the Libertarian

community, echoed in the mainstream press.

The concern was about the overlapping questions of Candidate

motivation, effectiveness and perseverance.

In other words, why are these people running?

How well will they do for our movement, our Party, our Brand?

And finally, how will they do after the election is over and the

bright lights are turned off?

It's no secret I'm a big fan of Wayne's, so don't be emailing

and blogging about how I'm biased. I'm going to stipulate

to that right up front here.

Post Election, Wayne hasn't let up at all.

His assertions that he was not a temp, but the real deal, hold

up just fine when looked at in the post-election light.

Wayne is still pounding the pavement for the Libertarian

Party, promoting our agenda and brand.

And doing so rather effectively.

During the election he shocked a lot of people by being the

first Libertarian VP Candidate to get so much major media

coverage, in fact, arguably more than Bob Barr, the top of

the ticket LP Candidate for President.

So he did well leading up to the election...

Did he go away, and prove right the folks making negative

predictions about him?

Not at all.

Since the election, he's continued to be a regular on

major media, appearing on both TV and radio to major

markets. Wayne has discussed everything from the

non-bailout 'bailout' to what it means for Obama to win.

Recently, he was on Fox News' top-rated business show,

Bulls & Bears. Watch it here: http://snipurl.com/730rc

Instead of giving up, he's increased his commitment to

the Libertarian Party and to our mutual effort to change

America for the better.

Wayne realizes the Libertarian Party is the only remaining

Political Party with any shot at change, or with any leverage

to truly make a difference.

He's still appearing on Neal Cavuto's FOX show, on a regular

basis, and nationally syndicated radio shows, such as the

Mancow Show and The Jerry Doyle Show.

Wayne has been appearing on Neil Cavuto more often

even than Ron Paul, another Libertarian hero.

Some of you may think it's a bit early to think about the

2012 election for President.

Wayne doesn't think so.

I agree.

What we need is a leader, a promoter and an organizer.

We need not just a pretty face, but someone that can

explain Economics to the average American, and make

the case for personal freedom from the standpoint of

a squeaky clean 'Boy Scout'.

And that's Wayne.

It's one thing for Cheech and Chong to make the case

against the War on Drugs, but when the tee-totaling

father of four home-schooled kids make the case, it

starts to gain credibility.

It's one thing for Atheist Penn Gillette to come out for

a wider separation between church and state, but when

Wayne, a born-again Christian with deep Jewish roots

does so, it's a big deal!

As a small businessman turned VP and Presidential

Candidate and Author, Wayne can rail against government

bureaucracy, overregulation and taxes like no one else.

And he does, all over the media!

Wayne is set for life, with a successful business, a beautiful

family and home and all the toys one might want; not to

mention an amazing job, traveling the world.

But he's not satisfied.

His newest book, "The Conscience of a Libertarian" is due
to be released, by one of the biggest publishers in the world,
by Christmas.

Wayne could be enjoying the holiday break. Instead, he's
writing six to eight hours a day- all for our Libertarian cause.

Wayne is someone who loves to build and improve things,
for himself, and those around him.

So, for those Libertarians and Americans who've been

asking themselves where Wayne is, be assured he's getting

less sleep than about anyone I know, working on his

marriage, family, business; for the Libertarian Party,and

on creating a successful Libertarian Presidential Campaign

in 2012.

And the book.

I'm watching Amazon for my first chance

to pre-order it.

Copyright Bruce Cohen - December 2008

Root versus Palin? Smearing the VP Candidates

I read Michelle Malkin's most recent article, and
could not help but think how uncanny the parallels

between the McCain and Barr Campaigns were, as

well as the even deeper irony of how Palin and Root

performed, and in return, were mistreated.

No good deed goes unpunished.

[Note: Sarah Palin isn't really a Libertarian,
she only plays one on TV. Wayne Root is
the real deal, walking away from a near-
certain Senate seat to join the Libertarians.]

Malkin Article:
The cowardly character assassination of Sarah Palin
http://snipurl.com/57m9d

Uncanny the parallels.

The McCain Campaign was stuck in a rut.
Barr's as well.

Palin was inspiring, articulate, funny and likeable.
Root was too.

Palin got bigger crowds and more enthusiasm.
So did Root.

McCain's Staff Blew it on strategy, fundraising and
execution.
So did Barr's.

Palin worked her tush off to support McCain, never
saying a bad word about him or the Campaign.
Same as Root.

McCain's Staff worked to keep Palin out of the
limelight if/when they were both at the same event.
Just like Barr's people did with Root.

Read Michelle's article, but sub the names Barr for
McCain and Root for Palin.

"People who play fair, look good, have

successful lives and families get demonized

by the press and the left"

Libertarians have to get over the jealousy and
nastiness they're famous for.

Sarah and Wayne are both real Americans who know
what it's like to meet a payroll and pay taxes.

They know what it's like to meet the bills on a small
budget and survive in lean times.

They know how to face adversity without a
government paycheck or asking for a handout.

They also inspire jealousy from the left because of
their good looks and personal success.

Be prepared for the slime to come out when they
both run again. Personally, I look forward to a
Palin vs. Obama vs. Root election in 2012.

Partly because Palin has demonstrated her friendliness
and support of Libertarians in the past.

People who play fair, look good and have successful
lives and families get demonized - by the press and
the left. But then, I repeat myself.

Copyright Bruce Cohen - November 2008

Note: Many of Root's detractors said he'd leave the
LP for greener pastures immediately after the
election. But instead, he's already working on
his run for the LP nod in 2012.

Look for his book coming out Spring 2009:
The Conscience of a Libertarian

http://www.rootforamerica.com/

http://www.michellemalkin.com/

What's the Cure for Election Poisoning?

What's the Cure for Election Poisoning?
'We had the best ticket ever and did nothing'

I'm feeling sick to my stomach right about now.

I've had this terrible queasy feeling for a while.

It's not what you think.

Sure, I'm totally disgusted with Barak Obama, the far
more evil of the two lessers.

But that's not it.

You bet I am totally unhappy and disillutioned about
the GOP's miserable choice of John McCain.

But that's not it either.

Yes, I'm disgusted that America is almost certainly
going to elect Obama as our President, a man who
holds no regard for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights,
not to mention personal or property rights.

But that's not why I'm feeling so sick.

I'm used to Democrats being Socialists and selling
everyone down the river, rich or poor. I'm used to
Republicans promising to be Constitutionloving tax
and spending cutters, but doing the opposite.

So what if Obama is a dishonest crook?
America hadthat in Bill Clinton for eight years.

So what if McCain is a kinder, gentler Socialist?
What do you call George Bush?

No, I'm so disgusted because my Party, the
Libertarian Party, has failed so miserably to have
any effect at all in this election.

"We never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. "*

Truly, in an election year, when we had arguably
the very best ticket we've ever had, as far as
saleablility to the American Voter, we did nothing
to take advantage of it.

The Barr Campaign is stuck in Neutral and the LP,
at leastat the national level, and in my state,
California, nothing much at all is being done to
promote what we have to offer to America.

In California, we have the fewest number of
Candidates on the ballot in recorded history.

The least we've had since our founding!

This under the so-called leadership of a CA State
Chair who had 'full slates' of Candidates his priority.

This is the same Chair who has publicly complained
"this job is too hard" (Why did you take it then?) and
"I can't get anyone to help me" (some leadership).

You bet I feel sick.

I've spent the majority of my adult life working for
the LP in one way or another, 20-60 hours a week.

To piggyback on Wayne Root's recent article, I'm
suffering from 'Abused Volunteer Syndrome'.**

"Mister Root is clearly the future of the LP
at the national level. Good looking, friendly,
likeable, ORGANIZED, articulate.. ."

Now it's my own fault, not insisting the things I know
]are needed were in place, but... We need to be prepared.

And we are not.

We need to have the LP on the ballot in all 50 states,
way ahead of time, and not, like we did this time,
operate by crisis management.

Worse yet, fail, then blame others, and then waste
money suing everyone imaginable.]

We need to get more people involved way ahead
of time, phone banking, fundraising, recruiting
volunteers and candidates.

And we need to act like professionals that your
neighbor wouldn't be ashamed of.
(Because we smell bad, dress crazy, have bad
tempers, or support legal child porn.)

But most important of all, we need to stop
reinventing the wheel.

I mean that from two perspectives.

Number one, the 'business of politics' is almost a
turn-key, franchise business.

To set up a solid and successful base ofo perations, we
just need to follow the successful business model
others have already set up.

No creativity required!

Secondly, we have to stop throwing away the work
and effort of this years when next year comes along.

We need to have a legacy plan for this effort.

From Volunteers to Candidates, we ought to set them
all up with guidebooks and guidelines. This way they
don't all get thrown into the water while we hope they
can swim.

Because otherwise they'll give up and not come back.

The LP could have made a very big splash in this
election if anyone took us seriously.

But they don't.

And it's our fault.


Copyright November 2008, Bruce Cohen

*Abba Eban - Past Israeli Prime Minister

** Wayne wearing out several pairs of shoes
campaigning for us, quite successfully; a one-man
army, getting more media than every other LP
VP Candidate in history COMBINED is the one
bright light in this otherwise miserable failure
by the Barr team.

Mister Root is clearly the future of the LP at the
national level.

Good looking, friendly, likeable, ORGANIZED,
articulate.. .

Libertarian Sarah Palin to Debate Wayne Root?

Libertarian Sarah Palin to Debate Wayne Root?


One can only hope.

It certainly would be far more interesting than
seeing her debate Biden, the Dela-where Socialist.

Clearly, this is a good sign for America and the
Libertarian Party. That folks in secret smoke
filled rooms wanted and needed our votes enough
to choose her means a lot.


Both Libertarians, and the larger silent majority of
libertarian thinking and leaning Americans, can't help but
be pleased McCain would choose this very pro freedom woman
as his VP running mate.

Sarah Palin has been touted as a good thing for America
and Alaska for a long time by Libertarian bloggers, not
to mention open minded members of the mainstream media.

I agree.

Sarah is the kind of 'small l' Libertarian I could get
very excited about.

I won't be voting for Sarah this season. Though if she
were heads up against Wayne Root for President the,
the choice would be tougher.

I just can't see voting for Sarah, when it would mean
being stuck with John McCain as President.

McCain just isn't very good on the issues important
to America and Americans today.

Besides, why waste my vote on one Libertarian when
I can get two for the price of one?

More importantly, I want a President who's good
on the Constitution, taxes, spending and equal rights
for all. Bob Barr, for example.

It was a very smart political move to choose Sarah
as a running mate.

This choice underscores how badly American needs
Libertarians. And not just Libertarian voters, but
a Libertarian in the White House.

Copyright Bruce Cohen, August 2008

www.GetBruce.com

www.GetBruce.BlogSpot.com

Root, Barr, Gravel - 1, 2, 3 at Great Midwestern LP Debate

Wayne Root on Top Again!

The predictions of many, of Root fading away to the pressure
of Barr, Gravel and Ruwart seem to be quite overstated.

While it's no secret I have been a fan and supporter of Mr.
Root from the beginning, this is not an opinion, it's the
results from the Midwestern Libertarian Conference.

In a few rushed phone calls with Convention attendees,
I got the news that many of us were dying to hear.

Who won the debate with so many big name newcomers?

Yes, it was a close photo finish, with Barr coming in a close
second and Gravel coming third, but Wayne Root won.

Gravel finishing in the money was a big surprise for me.
Mary Ruwart finishing out of the money was a bigger one.

Bad News for the Extremists in the LP

Those Libertarians who have a narrow view of what it
means to be a libertarian keep having both their
predictions and hopes dashed to the ground.

Their desires for an extreme and non-inclusive
platform seem to be drifting further and further
from their reach. The national LP has polled their
membership several times now, and in virtually
every case, the mainstream Libertarian view has
outpolled the excusivists by a landslide.

[Visit HERE to see some of those polling results.]

And now, with regard to the Presidential
Candidate selection process, every indication
says the mainstream, wide-appeal candidates
have the most credibility among the many
Convention attendees.

Libertarians are tired of being ignored.

Libertarians are tired of being irrelevant.

We have Cato and Reason and plenty of other
libertarian groups that are excellent for policy
wonking and 'education'.

But, a political party, and that's what the LP is,
should influence the electoral process in every
way it possibly can.

Choosing a Candidate that will appeal to Joe and
Jane Voter is the best possible way to do this.

No more boring speakers or angry fanatics need apply.

This is especially important when it comes to selecting
our flagship Candidate, the Presidential nominee.

And the rank and file Libertarian realizes this, now
much more than ever.

Libertarians want someone with real world experience
as a business, military or political leader.

Libertarians want someone who has the magic
combination of good looks, gravitas and charisma,
while still being very likeable.

And, Libertarians want an accomplished and exciting
public speaker.

This is why many of the Candidates some people
were so excited about have fallen off the back of the
pack and have become non-contenders.

They miss at least some of the requirements on
the list I just mentioned.

In my very biased opinion, Wayne Root has the most
complete resume when you look at it from this perspective.

Steve Kubby, clearly does well in this regard, and very well
may surprise us all at the LP national Convention next month.

Certainly the news is the best for Root and Gravel.
Both Wayne and Mike weren't expected to do well against
Barr and Ruwart.

And for Bob and Mary, the news is clearly not good, especially
for Ms. Ruwart.

Expectations were for Barr to sweep things once he formally
declared his Presidential Candidacy.

Mister Barr was notably predicted to 'hurt' Wayne Root, and
'take away votes' from him.

This didn't happen.

In fact, the Root first, Barr second finish, clearly shows people
are looking to after the nomination as to how the Candidate
will perform with American voters.

Finally, the Third Party Watch Polling shows again there
are only a few front runners, no matter how you slice it.

Wayne Root is near or in the lead in every single poll,
election, straw poll, Convention preference election and
State Primary.

There can only be a few people in double digits, and the
rest will be rapidly eliminated by the delegates in Denver.

Some Libertarians are disappointed, even furious.

But, for those of you who think like I do, that a big
picture, mainstream Candidate will be what makes,
or breaks, this election season for the LP, don't get
even the smallest bit complacent.

You must attend the Convention
in Denver next month.

Those who actually show up have the
future of the LP in their hands.

Just because we are doing so extrememly
well right now, doesn't mean we have a
lock on things.

Saturday and Sunday, be there, or don't
complain if we have some fruitcake for
a Presidential Candidate and a bunch of
nutcases on the national Board of Directors.

Rudy Finally Beats Ron Paul - Then Quits!

For those of us who find both Rudy Giuliani and Eric Rittboink
distasteful, tonight is a night to revel in their further elimination
from relevancy.

Rudy did so poorly in Florida today, he and his staff have
informed the media, Giuliani will formally leave the race
tomorrow and endorse McCain.

Yeah, strike a blow for freedom there, guys.

From bad to weird.

Rudy comes in a distant third, and he quits.

And then there were four.

Before Texas Earache starts spinning wildly about this, let's
not forget that Ron Paul's Campaign decided there were not
enough delegates in Florida to spend a lot of time and money
there.

Sure, Ron Paul came in last at 3%, but so have some of the
others previously, but they didn't give up, and neither will he!

No money, no honey.

Let's also not forget that Ron has money, and more is steadily
coming in. My guess is that Mister Huckabee will be out fairly
soon, no matter how much he wants to play kingmaker in a
brokered Convention with his delegates.

He's broke.

Things will get to be very interesting when it's a three way
race between Ron Paul, Romney and McCain.

If Ron survives Stupor Tuesday, we have a real campaign
on our hands.

Rudy checked out two days before the Primary

My people in the Guiliani campaign saw the writing on the
wall days ago, and say a deal was struck with the McCain
camp before the first vote was cast. All the Giuliani folks
have already gone looking for jobs with McCain or Romney.

The LP just got more relevant

Looking further forward, if Ron Paul does not win the GOP
nod, and doesn't stay in as an Independent or Libertarian,
the LP Candidates suddenly take on a lot more significance
in the overall outcome of things.

Wayne Root is very confident he can win, George Phillies
team is busy mailing and calling people, and Steve Kubby
is building his team and gathering endorsements.