Your thoughts on the Johnson/Weld Libertarian ticket?

[ChatsworthLady]

What you do all think about the Libertarian ticket's probable chances in this election? Friday's national poll by Fox had Johnson at 10% of the national vote, but he'd need to get to at least 15% in order to participate in any of the debates.

Think he'll make it?

CNN had his VP pick, former MA gov Weld, on for an interview over the weekend, saying basically they are not going to shift into high gear until after their nominatiing convention this coming weekend. After watching it, I was intrigued (was not familiar with Weld, to be honest, and was surprised to learn that he ran for NY gov in 2006!) and discovered that I agree with more of his positions than I would do with Johnson's, LOL -- particularly on gun control. Apparantly he is considered a kind of "Libertarian Lite" which may well have a broader general election appeal than Johnson himself once the ticket becomes better known.

http://reason.com/blog/2016/05/18/william-weld-as-gary-johnsons-vice-presi

What do you think of the ticket's chances overall?

[Former_Member]

I must admit I knew nothing about Johnson. I did some reading. From what I have read so far, I like some of what I read but mostly I don't like his policies. I will have to do more research. As far as Weld, he confuses me. I don't see very much consistency there.

[Former_Member]

Wouldn't it be interesting though, if this ticket gave the other two parties a run for their money?

I am hoping this election season will wake up our fellow Americans and both parties. I am pretty sure it won't happen. If it does, it will only be short lived. They will be back to the ball field mentality of "win at any cost" in no time.

[FAIRLYGHOULISH]

Ilene, I did the same. I read all the platform for the Libertarian party, most of it looks good on paper, as does socialism. I have serious problems with the isolationist ideas and dropping all income tax and making all drugs legal.
As for Weld himself, he seems OK but evoking Godwin's Law against Trump is not a smart thing to do. Johnson is a nice guy but has charisma problems. I would love for a blending of all the good parts of each party to form one intelligent party, but then you have the problem of what are the good parts to each person?

[ChatsworthLady]

Funny thing is that the two positions on which Weld departs from traditional Libertarian policies (drug laws and gun control) are the two that have always been deal-killers for me, LOL. I am completely against making all drugs legal, and am in favor of exactly the sort of gun control measures Weld advocates.

Weld interests me in the same way that Mike Bloomberg (who also blends elements of both Dem and GOP policies) does, and for the same reason: Both have "blended" views rather than being hidebound to a party platform.

(also they are not Trump, LOL)

Depending on who the Dem VP choice is, this may end up being a vote-splitting election for me (Hillary + Weld), LOL

Wouldn't be the first time.

[ChatsworthLady]

Hmmm... the more I'm reading about Weld, the more intrigued I'm becoming, LOL (even putting aside the fact that he was born and raised in my own neck of the woods)

Interesting New Yorker article from 2002 includes this:

"I have to believe Bill's still interested in elective or appointed office. It's what he's done for 30 years," says Mort Zuckerman, Daily News chairman and an admiring pal since the early seventies. "Bill's iconoclastic, he's not someone who fits the constraints of the Wasp world. He's voracious in terms of learning, doing, experimenting. The guy is dazzlingly brilliant." "

not to mention:

"And an eventual Weld race would be fun to watch. As Massachusetts governor, Weld was known as a Jack Daniels-drinking, Grateful Dead-loving pol with a wild streak, once diving fully clothed into the Charles River after signing an environmental bill."

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/politics/national/features/5574/

[Former_Member]

Sounds like many of my friends. lol

[LocoBead]

There is much I like about these gentlemen. I'll have to investigate further into their specific stand on the important issues, but, I could get interested in this election. :)

[FAIRLYGHOULISH]

I do approve of his music and drinking choices. That's two things in his favor.

[LocoBead]

@Mary J..........HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Good one!!!!

[FAIRLYGHOULISH]

Hey, those things are important!!! LOL

[ChatsworthLady]

I thought it was pretty neat that Jon Huntsman once wanted to be a rocker, LOL

http://www.npr.org/2011/10/12/141276651/before-politics-huntsman-aspired-to-rock-star-fame

Maybe we should get a bunch of these pols together from both sides of the aisle and get them to go on tour, LOL. You know, like "The Band from TV" that includes Hugh Laurie. ;-) They could call themselves the Bipartisan Band, LOL

[FAIRLYGHOULISH]

Have you seen 'Jeeves and Wooster' starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry?

I never knew Laurie was such a good comedian.

Bipartisan Band---I like it.

[ChatsworthLady]

I am a big Hugh Laurie fan. :-) I own the full set of Jeeves & Wooster on DVD as well as every season of 'House' even though normally I hate doctor shows, LOL. And did you know that he also has two music CDs on his own, in addition to the 'Band from TV'?

http://www.amazon.com/Let-Them-Talk-Hugh-Laurie/dp/B0055V6EZE

The first is my favorite of the two, and favorite track is You Don't Know My Mind -- it will stick in your head all day. And boy does he rock that piano on 'Swanee River"!

http://www.amazon.com/Didnt-Rain-HUGH-LAURIE/dp/B00BWWA5Z0/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_2

My main complaint about the second CD is that there are too many guest vocalists on some of the tracks. My fave track on this one is his rendition of One For My Baby, which is also one where it's just him and the piano.

[ChatsworthLady]

Let's see, who could we have in the Bipartisan Band?

Bill Clinton (D) on saxophone for sure.

Jon Huntsman (R) on keyboard.

Mike Huckabee (R) on electric bass (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Offense_%28band%29)

John Hall (D) for lyrics and vocals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hall_%28New_York_politician%29)

Lee Atwater (R) for vocals and guitar

Rick Perry (R) on the drums.

Martin O'Malley (D) on acoustic guitar, vocals, and pennywhistle (hey, it's better than having Sarah Palin play the flute, LOL)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/midnight-sun-blog/bal-martin-omalley-omalleys-march-...

[PrincessCanopyShop]

I would love to see the Johnson/Weld ticket given a bit more press