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PORTSMOUTH, NH -- When former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson decided to leave the GOP to pursue the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination two days ago, his former New Hampshire staffers chose not to go with him.
This morning, Johnson's New Hampshire staff declared their support for Ron Paul -- with just four days to go until the Hawkeye State votes and 11 days to the New Hampshire primary.
"Like many political observers, we see clear and compelling differences between Congressman Ron Paul and the other candidates who will garner significant support in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary," the staffers said in a statement.
They explained their move to Paul was born out of necessity.
"We think the people who care about the things we care about should get behind Ron Paul....we wish Gov. Johnson well," Matt Simon, Johnson's former New Hampshire communications director, told NBC News on Friday.
The decision to back the Texas congressman came two months after Johnson suspended his New Hampshire-centric campaign in October. His staff left shortly thereafter in search of a new candidate.
Simon added that they would be willing to continue support Johnson in the general election -- assuming Paul does not win the GOP nod and Johnson wins the Libertarian nomination.
But for now, supporting libertarian-inspired ideals as early as possible is the top priority for the former Johnson staff.
"I've never been someone who votes for the lesser of two evils," said Simon, referring to New Hampshire front runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
In addition to Simon, Johnson supporters who are now backing Paul include Brinck Slattery, the former New Hampshire state coordinator; Nick Murray, former Seacoast field coordinator and college coordinator; Andy Hauger, former Merrimack Valley field coordinator; and Eric Jackman, former Southwestern New Hampshire field coordinator to Paul.
The five will simply support Paul -- and, as of now, they will not formally join his organization or be paid. The Paul campaign could not be immediately reached for comment.
Joe Hunter, Johnson's communications director, told NBC: "With the New Hampshire primary coming and with Gary having announced he is running as a libertarian, it makes perfect sense for them to be supporting Ron Paul in the primary."
Leave a Comment:
Anyone but Romney !
That is a shame . Ron is poisoning the minds of our future; our youth.
Bev, I do hope that was sarcasm....
Oh I see Beverly, so principles like abolishing corruption, ending wars, restoring confidence in our currency, adhering to the constitution, and limiting the size of government are, "...Poisoning the minds of our future; our youth".?
Beverly, you do know angel dust is illegal, right? But Ron Paul will not throw you in jail for smoking it. Roll another one Beverly.
LOL
"Santorum surges from the rear" actual headline in Iowa newspaper.
sandy-1851937
LOL
"Santorum surges from the rear" actual headline in Iowa newspaper
Uh, oh
@ Sandy - LMAO & just tossed my breakfast! ;o))
A frothy fellow !
I just hope it wasn't to messy. It could be hard to clean up. I hope it never hit anyone. Only in America.
Sounds like that could be really messy
@Sandy - what a great headline to (rear)-end the year on .. that one needs an award.
What a lot of drama from all these staff people! I guess the real issue is "how long can I stay employed?"
I'd go for the easy line about the rats deserting the sinking ship, but in this case, I don't think this ship ever even left the dock.
But hey.....best to get those resumes out there now and avoid the rush from the rest of the fleet, right?
It appears that working for Dr. Paul must pay well.
Hey, now that's a thought - Paul doens't like super PACs but maybe that's who's footing the staffing bill!
Having them jump over is nice, but, taking two months to "Decide" Really? Who else in the race espouses libertarian principles?
It's the GNOP version of creating jobs.....and they too will know what it means to be unemployed soon.
Glad someone else has come to their senses.
I swear...the people who comment on this site can't even read. Look at how many of you refer to these people as joining his staff or garnering employment through this decision. It says very clearly in the article, "The five will simply support Paul -- and, as of now, will not formerly join his organization or be paid."
It speaks to how so many of the perceptions on this website are incredibly misguided, misinformed and obviously devoid of research or knowledge. You all just go from headline to headline throwing down whatever juvenile insults you can come up with. So much for caring about the future of this country!
""I've never been someone who votes for the lesser of two evils," said Simon, referring to New Hampshire front runners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich." - This will be the seed germ for a story tomorrow about how a defectiong traitor Paul supporter prefers more evil to less.
The MSM has destoryed the last vestiges of their credibility already this election cycle.
Neither Johnson nor Paul will make it and both Libertarian's will sink in the polls. US president Ronald Reagan, who was a self-declared conservative, is widely seen as a symbol of American conservatism. In an interview, he said "I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism." Here's a known individual who openly stated the virtues of Libertarian conservative. While many religious conservatives believe that government should have a role in defending moral values, libertarian conservatives such as Barry Goldwater advocated a hands-off government where social values were concerned.
Libertarian conservatives support strict laissez-faire policies such as free trade which is what Rand and Ron Paul adhere to to the point of discrimination and bigotry. 81% of American believe the federal government's "Social Programs" are worth maintaining and in fact Romney has voiced his approval in many stump speeches.
Eh? How so?
Gee Libertarians supporting a Libertarian for office. How odd does someone thik this is? No news here folks.
Short of the economy tanking, carving off chunks of Obama's support is the only way to beat Obama.
Ron Paul is able to do this like no other candidate.
THE YOUTH VOTE
The youth vote which Obama won by 34% in 2008 is abandoning him. Ron Paul has proven strong appeal with the young voters. He is by far the best candidate capable of not only appealing to this demographic but energizing it towards defeating Obama. Anyone who thinks the youth vote will abandon Obama for one of the other candidates is kidding themselves. This is one of Obama's Achilles heals and ONLY Ron Paul can
not only exploit it - but use it against Obama.
MILITARY
Most Americans think that with Bin Laden dead, our job is done and we should bring the troops home. Obama is vulnerable on this issue against Ron Paul. Any other GOP candidate will galvanize these supporters to Obama. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who appeals to these voters disenchanted
with Obama - carving away votes.
DRUG WAR
76% of Americans agree with RP that the federal war on drugs is a failure, in fact, only 8% think it has been a success. 89% of the people who voted for Obama 4 years ago believe the war on drugs is a failure. Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate who is positioned to cleave off a chunk of these Obama supporters. Any other GOP candidate will galvanize these supporters to Obama.
POLITICIANS
A record number of Americans do not trust politicians. Obama is a status quo politician, Romney is the poster child of insider politician. Ron Paul is the anti-politician and a doctor - and Americans have a high level of trust in doctors. Ron Paul is the candidate who can appeal to these voters and most effectively take votes from Obama while taking on Obamacare. Consistent on opposing mandates and ObaMass-care.
ENERGIZED ARMY OF SUPPORTERS
Obama is not going to be defeated by a slick DC Beltway campaign alone. It is going to take a nationwide passionate, energized army of supporters. Ron Paul has clearly demonstrated that he can energize his base of supporters like no other candidate can. You and I both know that if Ron Paul isn't the nominee, this army of energy disappears. But with Paul as the nominee, this army will mushroom.
Ron Paul's message isn't engineered to win a GOP beauty contest - it's engineered to beat Obama.
Edho,
BRAVO!
A masterful bit of analysis.
The MSM sorely lacks 'journalists' with the skills to be clear, concise, and 'REAL'......or perhaps they just refuse to showcase quality in favor of 'master's will'! You're not hiding credentials somewhere are you?
Voters who want wars, torture, assassinations, "humanitarian" bombings in oil rich countries, indefinite detentions, drone attacks that kill the innocent, erosion of civil liberties, domestic war on the people (drug war), out-of-control debt and spending, graft and greed, crony capitalism, pandering to special interests, bailouts, more of the same, must not vote for Ron Paul.
Voters who want peace, a humane foreign policy, restoration of civil liberties, sound money, balanced budgets, honesty, integrity and transparency in government, and a President wholly committed to Constitutional government can vote for Ron Paul.
Ain't that difficult a choice.
"Surges from the rear" uh oh, Mr. Hate Speech might have to disqualify himself. We can't have any backdoor shenanigans in the race for the nomination, can we?
"Surges from the rear" uh oh, Mr. Hate Speech might have to disqualify himself. We can't have any backdoor shenanigans in the race for the nomination, can we?
CIA Head Of Bin Laden Unit (Michael Scheuer) Strongly Endorses Ron Paul for President (12/30/11) MUST READ
"Notwithstanding the damnable lies about Dr. Paul’s foreign policy constantly proclaimed by his fellow Republican candidates, leading pro-Israel/pro-intervention U.S.-citizens and their journalist friends, and most of the media, only the gentleman from Texas speaks for the Founders’ non-interventionist vision of America’s role in world affairs and for plain common sense."
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