LIBERTARIANS MIXED WITH LOWRIDERS
Libertarian calls for immigration reform, less military intervention
on Saturday as Gary Johnson — the Libertarian Party nominee for president and former New Mexico governor — brought his message of fiscal conservatism and social inclusiveness to a campaign rally crowd in Downtown Albuquerque. A number of lowrider car clubs showed up to support Johnson, who campaigned with his running mate, former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld.
Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson said at a rally in Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon that the presidential race has gotten “crazy.”
“Is this the craziest election ever? You know how crazy it is? I’m going to be the next president of the United States,” Johnson said as hundreds of his supporters cheered at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Johnson, a two-term Republican governor who resides in Taos, brought his campaign message of fiscal conservatism and social inclusiveness to the Duke City. Johnson and his Libertarian Party running mate, former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, said their campaign is gaining momentum and the pair is optimistic that they will soon start polling at 15 percent, which would gain them entry into the presidential debates.
Johnson has pushed for equal rights for LGBT couples, marijuana legalization, criminal justice and immigration reform and for less American military intervention. He has also advocated for smaller government, tax reform, term limits and a reduction in government spending.
His views were well received by his supporters, who filled a conference room at the convention center and held up supportive signs and cheered frequently during Johnson’s speech. There was a festive atmosphere at the campaign stop, with many people parking classic cars and lowriders outside the convention prior to the rally.
Jerry Huckabee of Belen said he used to be a registered Republican and has voted for candidates from both major parties before. He’s casting a ballot for Johnson this year.
“The Republican party has gotten way off track. It’s the party of the rich and the party of bias,” he said. “I hope Gary wins. He’s a stable leader.”
Linda Sawyers of Colorado made the drive down from her home near Fort Collins to attend the event. She said she’s considering voting for Johnson because she doesn’t like Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
“I don’t feel like Hillary is trustworthy,” she said at the rally. “And I never been a fan of Trump. He shoots from the hip too much.”
Michele Clement of Albuquerque said Johnson’s support for personal freedoms is why she’s voting for him.
“I would not ever vote for one of the main party candidates,” she said. “They are not honest, and they have no integrity.”
Johnson and Weld met with media for about 45 minutes prior to the rally.
Johnson was critical of Clinton’s time as Secretary of State. He said the United States shouldn’t be getting involved in regime changes in other countries.
“In my lifetime, I cannot
think of one situation where we have involved ourselves in a regime change where it turned out positive,” Johnson said. “We’re not hands-off. We’re not isolationists We’re non-interventionists . ... If we’re attacked, we’ll attack back.”
He said Trump’s plan to build a wall separating the U.S. from Mexico and to deport people in the country illegally shows that the candidate isn’t informed about the issue. Johnson said immigrants commit fewer crimes than American citizens and work jobs that others aren’t interested in doing.
Johnson said America needs criminal justice reform. He said there are tens of millions of convicted felons who would be law-abiding, tax-paying citizens if not for drug laws. Johnson also said that, on his first day of office, he would take marijuana off the country’s most restrictive list of drugs, which include heroin and cocaine, and leave it up to the states to decide if it should be legal or illegal.
“Just like alcohol. There are still dry counties in this country and there were dry states. That will be the case with marijuana,” he said.
Johnson said he is a Second Amendment supporter but he’s open discussions about how to keep guns away from the mentally ill and possible terrorists.
Both Johnson and Weld said they were optimistic about their standing in the race so far. Weld said Johnson was polling at around 10 percent or higher in the polls that will be used to determine who will get in the presidential debate. He said those numbers should increase because Johnson is gaining name recognition and momentum.
“If you have your choice of money, organization or momentum, in the last month of a major political campaign, any pro will pick the momentum,” Weld said.