Difference between revisions of "Gary E. Johnson"

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'''Gary Earl Johnson''' (born January 1, 1953) is an entrepreneur who served as the [[Republican]] [[Governor]] of [[New Mexico]] from 1995 through 2003. He graduated from the University of New Mexico at [[Albuquerque]] in 1975 and would go on to launch his own business, Big J Enterprises, which became one of the most successful construction companies in New Mexico.  
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'''Gary Earl Johnson''' (born January 1, 1953) is an entrepreneur who served as the [[Republican]] [[Governor]] of [[New Mexico]] from 1995 through 2003. He graduated from the University of New Mexico at [[Albuquerque]] in 1975 and went on to launch his own business, Big J Enterprises, which became one of the most successful construction companies in New Mexico.  
  
Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. As Governor he cut [[tax]]es 14 times (annually $123 million), vetoed over 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined), cut the rate of [[government]] growth in half, reduced [[welfare]] spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half the state prisons, was a national advocate for school vouchers, while increased the budget for the state's [[education]] system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When leaving office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer government employees. <ref>http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php</ref> Johnson was called "the most [[fiscal conservative|fiscally conservative]] governor" during his two terms.  <ref>http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/about</ref>
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Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, becoming the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. He is a triathlete and the first governor to compete in Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon.  
  
However, Johnson's views on some issues are quite [[liberal]]. For instance, Johnson is [[pro-choice]] regarding [[abortion]], although supports overturning [[Roe v. Wade]], "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." Johnson opposes a government-mandated definition of marriage (either recognizing or refusing to recognize [[same-sex marriage]]s), saying "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." Instead, he supports [[civil union]]s for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples offering the same benefits currently granted to married couples, and feels it should be up to the churches and the private individuals to determine what is or isn't "marriage".  
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As Governor he cut [[tax]]es 14 times (annually $123 million), vetoed over 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined), cut the rate of [[government]] growth in half, reduced [[welfare]] spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half of the state prisons, was a national advocate for school vouchers. He increased the budget for the state's [[education]] system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When he left office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer government employees. <ref>http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php</ref> Johnson was called "the most [[fiscal conservative|fiscally conservative]] governor" during his two terms.  <ref>http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/about</ref>
  
Johnson's positions are [[libertarian]] leaning and some of his views are outside the mainstream of the Republican Party, he opposed the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. <ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1</ref>In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed [[Ron Paul]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]]. Johnson has declared himself a candidate for the 2012 election.  
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Johnson's views on some issues are at odds with [[conservative]] values. For instance, Johnson is [[pro-choice]] regarding [[abortion]], although he supports overturning [[Roe v. Wade]]. He has said, "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." Johnson opposes a government-mandated definition of marriage (either recognizing or refusing to recognize [[same-sex marriage]]s), saying "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." Instead, he supports [[civil union]]s for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples offering the same benefits currently granted to married couples, and feels it should be up to the churches and the private individuals to determine what is or isn't "marriage".  
  
Considering his highly conservative fiscal stance, but his liberal or even libertarian stance on social issues, Johnson is probably better described as a libertarian than a traditional Republican. He is similar to fellow libertarian-leaning Republican presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]], and Paul is far better-known and expected to get the bulk of the libertarian vote in the primaries. So, barring a surprise withdrawal by Paul, it appears Johnson has virtually no chance of securing the nomination.  
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Johnson's positions are [[libertarian]] leaning, and some of his views are outside the mainstream of the Republican Party; he opposed the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. <ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1</ref>In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed [[Ron Paul]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]]. Johnson has declared himself a candidate for the 2012 election.  
  
Johnson is a triathlete and the first governor to compete in [[Hawaii]]'s Ironman Triathlon.
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Considering his highly conservative fiscal stances, but also his liberal or libertarian stances on social issues, Johnson is probably better described as a libertarian than a traditional Republican. He is similar to fellow libertarian Republican presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]].
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Paul is far better-known and so is expected to get the bulk of the libertarian vote in the primaries.  Barring an early withdrawal by Paul, it appears Johnson has virtually no chance of securing the Republican nomination. His situation has been made worse by the refusal of the sponsors of most of the 2011 Republican Presidential Debates to allow Johnson to participate. As a result, there has been increasing speculation that Johnson, who unsuccessfully sought assistance from the Republican National Committee, will seek the nomination of the [[Libertarian Party]].  
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 17:30, November 27, 2011

Gary E. Johnson
Garyjohnson.jpg
Governor of New Mexico
From: January 1, 1995 – January 1, 2003
Predecessor Bruce King
Successor Bill Richardson
Information
Party Republican
Spouse(s) Dee Johnson (1977-2005)
(divorced)
Religion Lutheran

Gary Earl Johnson (born January 1, 1953) is an entrepreneur who served as the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995 through 2003. He graduated from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque in 1975 and went on to launch his own business, Big J Enterprises, which became one of the most successful construction companies in New Mexico.

Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, becoming the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. He is a triathlete and the first governor to compete in Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon.

As Governor he cut taxes 14 times (annually $123 million), vetoed over 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined), cut the rate of government growth in half, reduced welfare spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half of the state prisons, was a national advocate for school vouchers. He increased the budget for the state's education system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When he left office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer government employees. [1] Johnson was called "the most fiscally conservative governor" during his two terms. [2]

Johnson's views on some issues are at odds with conservative values. For instance, Johnson is pro-choice regarding abortion, although he supports overturning Roe v. Wade. He has said, "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." Johnson opposes a government-mandated definition of marriage (either recognizing or refusing to recognize same-sex marriages), saying "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." Instead, he supports civil unions for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples offering the same benefits currently granted to married couples, and feels it should be up to the churches and the private individuals to determine what is or isn't "marriage".

Johnson's positions are libertarian leaning, and some of his views are outside the mainstream of the Republican Party; he opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. [3]In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed Ron Paul during the 2008 Presidential Election. Johnson has declared himself a candidate for the 2012 election.

Considering his highly conservative fiscal stances, but also his liberal or libertarian stances on social issues, Johnson is probably better described as a libertarian than a traditional Republican. He is similar to fellow libertarian Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Paul is far better-known and so is expected to get the bulk of the libertarian vote in the primaries. Barring an early withdrawal by Paul, it appears Johnson has virtually no chance of securing the Republican nomination. His situation has been made worse by the refusal of the sponsors of most of the 2011 Republican Presidential Debates to allow Johnson to participate. As a result, there has been increasing speculation that Johnson, who unsuccessfully sought assistance from the Republican National Committee, will seek the nomination of the Libertarian Party.

References

  1. http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php
  2. http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/about
  3. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1