Libertarian presidential hopeful Gary Johnson called on conservatives Thursday to get him into this year’s presidential debates, saying he’s the candidate for people serious about reducing the size and scope of government.
“A request to all of you — you have the ability to do this: get me in the presidential debates,” Mr. Johnson said at the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). “Get the Libertarian nominee for president in the presidential debates.”
“I am the third party,” said Mr. Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico. “The Libertarian Party will be on the ballot in all 50 states. There are only three parties in November that will be able to lay claim to that — Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians.”
He said Democrats and Republicans are both responsible for the country’s “unsustainable debt.” He also called for eliminating income and corporate taxes and abolishing the IRS, while instituting a federal consumption tax.
“I took third place in 2012 with 1.3 million votes,” he said. “I heard from many that they didn’t want to waste their vote. Wasting your vote is voting for somebody that you don’t believe in.”
“Google me — Gary Johnson,” he said. “If you’re serious about reducing the size and scope of government, I’m your guy.”
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• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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