WATCH: Gary Johnson Courts Sanders Supporters Feeling Burned by "Clinton Machine"

image
Published: 13 Jul, 2016
2 min read

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson released a new video online Tuesday, speaking directly to Bernie Sanders supporters who are disenchanted by the prospect of voting for Hillary Clinton. Johnson notes that there is another alternative and claims he will be on the ballot in all 50 states.

From the Video:

"Do you think Hillary Clinton is going to stand up for your civil rights? Let me tell you something. The ACLU gave me the highest score in American presidential politics. The ACLU scored me higher than Barack Obama, higher than Ron Paul. You know as well as I do that Hillary Clinton voted for the War in Iraq. She regularly boasts about the decision to bomb Libya. And ISIS rushed in to fill the void those conflicts left behind. Is anything going to change if Hillary Clinton is elected president?"Unlike Hillary Clinton, I never supported bombing Libya. I never supported the Iraq War. I've always stood up for drug policy and criminal justice reform. If you're still feeling the 'bern,' and feeling burned 'cause the Clinton machine rolled over your ideals, there is another option." - Gary Johnson

Is his messaging working?

Voters looking for an alternative option to the two major party candidates seem to be paying attention. According to a national Morning Consult survey, support for Johnson has inched up to 12 percent, while Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump poll at 39 percent and 37 percent, respectively.

However, not every poll includes third party alternatives like Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. National media outlets like USA Today and CNN view third party alternatives as on the "fringe" with little clout. If the media determines that a candidate is not "viable," they don't include that candidate in polls -- leaving respondents with only two options.

READ MORE: National Polls Largely Exclude Stein, Johnson as Voters Increasingly Want More Options

Still, with increased media coverage in 2016, Johnson's public support is on the rise. In order to be eligible to appear on the presidential debate stage, Johnson needs to be polling at an average of 15% in 5 polls chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates. That feat appears possible looking at the Libertarian's current polling trends.

You Might Also Like

Caution tape with US Capitol building in the background.
Did the Republicans or Democrats Start the Gerrymandering Fight?
The 2026 midterm election cycle is quickly approaching. However, there is a lingering question mark over what congressional maps will look like when voters start to cast their ballots, especially as Republicans and Democrats fight to obtain any electoral advantage possible. ...
11 Nov, 2025
-
8 min read
Utah state capitol.
Utah Judge Delivers a Major Blow to Gerrymandering
A Utah state judge has struck down the congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers, ruling that it violates the state’s voter-approved ban on partisan gerrymandering and ordering new district lines for the 2026 elections....
11 Nov, 2025
-
2 min read
bucking party on gerrymandering
5 Politicians Bucking Their Party on Gerrymandering
Across the country, both parties are weighing whether to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Utah, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia are all in various stages of the action. Here are five politicians who have declined to support redistricting efforts promoted by their own parties....
31 Oct, 2025
-
4 min read