Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson: ‘Philosophically, we speak for the majority of Americans’

NEWS AND OPINION:

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson summed up his campaign in one sentence during a Libertarian town hall moderated by Fox Business Network host John Stossel on Friday night.

“Philosophically, we speak for the majority of Americans,” Mr. Johnson told an enthusiastic live audience. “We are fiscally conservative, we are socially inclusive.”

Mr. Johnson also pushed back at critics who say he is prompting Americans to “waste” their votes by backing a third party run in an important, likely close race.

“A wasted vote is voting for somebody you don’t believe in. That’s a wasted vote,” Mr. Johnson said, adding,”We’re not running for king, we’re not running for dictator. We’re running for president and vice president.”

His running mate Bill Weld also noted, “We are the only ticket that is not isolationist.” See clips of the event here

Major press coverage of third-party candidates has increased, and voters have harkened to alternative voices as the presidential race roars toward its conclusion in November. This is the second Libertarian forum Mr. Stossel has moderated. He also conducted a debate in March featuring Mr. Johnson - then just a hopeful - plus pro-life Libertarian Austin Petersen and software kingpin John McAfee. The combatants enjoyed themselves, and the inaugural bout drew some splendid ratings.

Since then, there have been a half-dozen other debates and forums on other networks showcasing the Libertarian candidates.

Which makes one wonder: Has third-party fever increased in America?

“Sure hope so,” Mr. Stossel tells Inside the Beltway. “It ought to, given that the Democratic candidate is a liar who wants to crush innovation and micromanage our lives and the Republican nominee is an irresponsible bully. But Americans are used to voting for just two parties.”

The third-party field has expanded as well. Green Party nominee Jill Stein is garnering attention from a curious press, and “independent conservative” newcomer and former CIA officer Evan McMullin declared his intention to run for the White House just over two weeks ago. Mr. Stossel does not see the pair as serious threats to the Johnson/Weld ticket.

“I assume some protest votes the two might have gotten will go to Jill Stein — but few to McMullin. Stein would bankrupt America even faster than Bernie Sanders would,” Mr. Stossel says. “Johnson is the only third-party candidate on the ballot in all 50 states. The Green Party is on 36 and working on more. McMullin is on fewer than 10. Gary Johnson is the only third-party candidate with a chance.”

TRUMP’S DIMENSIONS

“I think the height could be 35 to 45 feet. That’s a good height. That’s a good height. Anywhere in that neighborhood. Could be higher.”

— GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, musing over the height of his proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico, to Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Media coverage for Mr. Trump, incidentally, continues to be hostile. Sample headlines over 24 hours: “Trump, wavering on immigration, finds anger in all corners” (The New York Times); “Trump’s real problem is with white people” (NPR); “To broaden his base of support, Donald Trump humiliates Ann Coulter” (New York magazine); “Donald Trump: The politics of fear and violence” (The Huffington Post); “5 ways Donald Trump is making money off his campaign” (Fortune).

FOR THE LEXICON

“The Laundromat for Cash”

— Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh’s description of the Clinton Foundation, to his nationwide audience on Thursday.

WEEKEND CANDIDATE TRACKER

A lull before the storm? The actual campaign trail is fairly quiet over the next 48 hours, though this will change once summer wanes, Congress returns to Capitol Hill and the White House shifts into legacy-building mode for President Obama, sure to annoy assorted Republicans.

And about the Democrats. For now, the allure of celebrity-enhanced fundraising is on Hillary Clinton’s to-do list. There were already a dozen private fundraisers in eight states for her campaign this week, attended by Mrs. Clinton herself, a family member or a close representative.

Here’s what’s planned over the next few days: Chelsea Clinton will appear at an event in a Long Island vineyard. There’s also a “family garden party” out on the distant east end of that very tony island, plus a private dinner hosted by “Margaritaville” crooner Jimmy Buffett and pop rocker Jon Bon Jovi; the pair also will entertain the dinner guests. Over in New Jersey, New York Giants co-owner Jonathan Tisch and a local real estate titan will host another private dinner. Ticket prices on these soirees can range up to $100,000.

On a more modest level, former Democratic presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley has surfaced. On Friday, he hosts both a “happy hour” at an Irish pub and rally for local volunteers, both in Minneapolis.

Donald Trump’s schedule is quiet after a rambunctious, busy week. That could change at any moment; stay tuned. Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence will be at a rally at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia, on Saturday. Let’s not overlook Libertarian Gary Johnson, who will appear at a brunch and rally in Portland, Maine, on Friday, followed by a rally in Boston on Saturday.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: The Reuel Smith House, Gothic Revival lake-front showcase, built in 1850 in Skaneateles, New York, about 23 miles west of Syracuse. Four bedrooms, four baths; 2,680-square-feet, completely restored, on National Register of Historic Places, architect was 19th-century “country home” Alexander Jackson Davis. Original wood floors, moulding, woodworking, fireplaces, curved staircase, built-ins, unique windows and ceiling details. Multiple verandas, ornate gables, manicured landscape, 50-foot lake frontage. Priced at $1.9 million through 28westlakestreet.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 83 percent of Americans are “proud” of their ancestry; 83 percent of Republicans, 81 percent of independents and 84 percent of Democrats agree.

• 64 percent overall say their ancestry is important to their identity; 65 percent of Republicans, 56 percent of independents and 77 percent of Democrats agree.

• 59 percent overall say they know “a lot” about their grandparents; 58 percent of Republicans, 61 percent of independents and 58 percent of Democrats agree.

• 38 percent say they know “a little” about their grandparents; 40 percent of Republicans, 36 percent of independents and 37 percent of Democrats agree.

• 51 percent overall say their family has “moved up” in the world in the last 100 years; 49 percent of Republicans, 51 percent of independents and 53 percent of Democrats agree.

• 36 percent overall have done formal research on their ancestors; 31 percent of Republicans, 39 percent of independents and 35 percent of Democrats agree.

Source: A YouGov poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 18-21.

• Polite chitchat, gibberish to jharper@washingtontimes.com.