Iowa Caucus

[Star_Cards]

It certainly wasn't in August. They manufactured a crisis. Reckless, no matter how you describe it.

But answer me this (if you can). Bringing the thread somewhat back to the topic, why did Gary Johnson get like, zero Republican support throughout his campaign in 2011? Republicans love to talk a big game about fiscal responsibility (which, in most cases, is a load of crap), but Johnson, when he was Governor of New Mexico, actually did it. He slashed the size of the state government and left New Mexico with a huge budget surplus coming out of the 01-02 recession. Then he pretty much celebrated his accomplishment by climbing Mount Everest. The guy is awesome.

I agree with your statement about fiscal responsibility. Republicans typically are no more fiscal responsible than any other typical politicians. They just want to spend the money on their own pet projects.

[AUTaxMan]

It certainly wasn't in August. They manufactured a crisis. Reckless, no matter how you describe it.

But answer me this (if you can). Bringing the thread somewhat back to the topic, why did Gary Johnson get like, zero Republican support throughout his campaign in 2011? Republicans love to talk a big game about fiscal responsibility (which, in most cases, is a load of crap), but Johnson, when he was Governor of New Mexico, actually did it. He slashed the size of the state government and left New Mexico with a huge budget surplus coming out of the 01-02 recession. Then he pretty much celebrated his accomplishment by climbing Mount Everest. The guy is awesome.

Just about all of the republican candidates are fiscal conservatives. Gary Johnson didn't get any traction because he is looked at as a nut, probably because of the pot thing.

[pghin08]

Just about all of the republican candidates are fiscal conservatives. Gary Johnson didn't get any traction because he is looked at as a nut, probably because of the pot thing.

That's dumb. Johnson says he would "re-evaluate" the war on drugs. Which makes total sense to me. Our prison population is astronomical, thanks in large part to said "war". How legalizing pot makes Gary Johnson a "nut" in the eyes of Republicans shows me exactly illogical some of the Republican base is.

[AUTaxMan]

That's dumb. Johnson says he would "re-evaluate" the war on drugs. Which makes total sense to me. Our prison population is astronomical, thanks in large part to said "war". How legalizing pot makes Gary Johnson a "nut" in the eyes of Republicans shows me exactly illogical some of the Republican base is.

There are logical arguments to be made for not legalizing it. It's an issue that two reasonable people can genuinely disagree on. I think we should end the drug war.

[pghin08]

There are logical arguments to be made for not legalizing it. It's an issue that two reasonable people can genuinely disagree on. I think we should end the drug war.

I agree with that totally. But why disregard him over it? Johnson has some major fiscal conservative street cred. Is it because it violates conservative family values? So does Newt Gingrich's entire existence. I just don't get it. If it were Gary Johnson running against Mr. O, I'd pull that lever for Johnson pretty quickly.

[AUTaxMan]

I agree with that totally. But why disregard him over it? Johnson has some major fiscal conservative street cred. Is it because it violates conservative family values? So does Newt Gingrich's entire existence. I just don't get it. If it were Gary Johnson running against Mr. O, I'd pull that lever for Johnson pretty quickly.

I think the importance of conservative family values spoke pretty loudly last night in Iowa.

[pghin08]

I think the importance of conservative family values spoke pretty loudly last night in Iowa.

It's Iowa. Of course they did. But several of the players during the Republican campaign this past year had issues with racism and sexual deviance. My point is that when Johnson was still in the Republican hunt, and seemingly ignored for his stance on pot, why were other candidates with legitimate character issues leapfrogging each other for the #1 spot?