In Nevada, Johnson Is Pulling Voters From Obama Camp
By Terri Harel | 10/13/2012 | Elections 2012, Headline, President | 18 Comments
Politico recently reported that Governor Gary Johnson could actually be drawing a statistically significant amount of support from the major parties. Johnson, who is running on the Libertarian ticket, has previously run for public office on a Republican ticket, but most recently served as New Mexico’s Independent governor. He spent 10 years as governor in that state, during which he enjoyed exceptionally high approval ratings. Now, recent polls are showing that his run for president as a Libertarian poses more of a threat to the mainstream race than originally anticipated.
Politico recently reported that in at least one state, Nevada, Johnson is pulling voters from the Obama camp. Other news sources, such as CNN’s PoliticalTicker are saying that he hurts the GOP more than the Democrats, overall. (Although, Reince Priebus, the RNC chairman, says that Johnson is an “almost a nonfactor.”)
Politico adds that this discrepancy in influence could come from geographic location, ”It’s plausible that Johnson could lower support for Obama — especially out west. For example, Johnson — the only pro-pot candidate on the ballot — is running along side as a marijuana legalization initiative in libertarian-leaning Colorado — a state that is definitely in play.” The Tucson Citizen echos this concern, citing Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico as states that could see effects at the polls.
Gary Johnson recently put out a new ad calling on “everyone with a vote and an axe to grind,” including Tea Partiers, Constitutionalists, Greens, Democrats, and Republicans, to “end the two party system.”
The PPP, or Public Policy Polling, has show Johnson gaining percentages in the polls. He holds approximately 3% in Nevada and recently gained in Montana, with 6% total. While the numbers might not seem like something Johnson should cheer about, they are significant and have the chance of upsetting projected outcomes in the states in which he is included on the ballot.





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18 Comments
Chad Peace
10.13.2012
@Chad_Peace
That Johnson and Stein can pull statistically significant numbers with a relative non-coverage of their campaign and with the practicality that they cannot win is testament to the need for more credible voices. Not since Ross Perot has there been a credible third challenger, but he had billions of dollars and thy let him debate!
Trevor Britton
10.13.2012
largely its a foreign policy based in common sense that attracts so many people from the left. and a common sense social policy that attracts people from the right.
Lena Gallagher
10.13.2012
How is he doing in Colorado, I’m in for Johnson 2012′, The GOP has angered me and will not vote for their puppet, either of them.
Donny Zaltzberg
10.13.2012
He hurts the establishment which is a good thing for America
Brian Seveland
10.13.2012
For me, it’s Johnson’s opposition to the Patriot Act and the related eroding of our freedoms — plus his support to remove all of our troops from Afghanistan and refocus on defense on protecting our nation at home.
Stephen Schweter
10.13.2012
@Stephen Schweter
I am 100% for mr Gary Johnson,He is the only adult in the race,Bevis and Butthead are just throwing sand at each other,You will not hear Barack or Mittens talking about our loss of Liberties since both
of them are for taking them away.
Peace
Stephen Schweter
S Chad Peace
10.13.2012
Authenticity brings independent-minded voters together
Paul Grubbs
10.13.2012
The Bloods and the Crips don’t care about fixing what is wrong with America if they are both getting rich off us.
Barbara Byram
10.13.2012
So they’re throwing the race to Romney.
Dave Mckay
10.13.2012
Because neither canidate is doing anything about illegal immigration or jobs.(it’s actually the same issue)
Dan Krawczyk
10.13.2012
A vote for Johnson is a vote for Obama.
Gil Donovan
10.13.2012
@Dan Krawczyk: Cripe…will you Romney supporters PLEASE get a new script?
Gail Lessard
10.13.2012
I don’t believe that any Obama supporters are going to vote for Johnson. I do believe that the votes for Johnson would most likely be from more right leaning people. Let’s just be honest in that respect.
Kody Goodman
10.13.2012
@ Gail Lessard
Libertarians are neither left or right. Look at the Nolan Chart. They’re ABOVE left and right, and according to actual polls you’re wrong, he is taking Obama supporters. I know both Democrats and Republicans. Neither are the hive minds they accuse each other of being. They’re all apathetic sheep who put football and dinner above anything else.
Alex Gauthier
10.14.2012
@alexg
I’ve always been skeptical of the notion that Independents ‘pull away’ votes from mainstream candidates. If Johnson better represents someone’s interests, how is that pulling votes away from a candidate that doesn’t? If everyone voted their interest instead of being fearful that the ‘other guy’ would win, third parties would more closely rival the rep-dem monopoly that now exists.
Michael Higham
10.15.2012
@michaelhigham
“Mainstream” media is labeling Johnson as a spoiler, but I think he’s more than that. I’m not sure I buy into the whole “taking votes away” from the two major parties. I like to think that strong third party candidates mobilize voters that wouldn’t vote for Rep or Dem.
Johnson has a social policy liberals can agree with and a fiscal policy conservatives would agree with. If he’s gains enough notoriety, maybe he could really take votes away from the two parties.
Zachery Abramson
10.17.2012
@zabramso
I don’t think so either, it just reveals how entrenched we are in two-party politics. Regardless, it is still a better alternative to voting for the lesser of two evils.
Lucas Eaves
10.15.2012
@lucaseaves
If he had more coverage, he would pull more voters from both sides.