Libertarian Candidate Wants Taxpayer Money For Campaign

Gary Johnson is suing the Federal Elections Commission

You'd think the Libertarian presidential nominee wouldn't have much use for taxpayer funds to help his campaign. Not so much with party standard-bearer Gary Johnson, the Miami Herald reports.

The former New Mexico governor is suing the Federal Elections Commission for $750,000. The small government advocate claims the agency is unlawfully holding back public funds. No matter that while Libertarians generally oppose taxes and entitlements, they're filing suit to get public money to fund a political campaign.

Johnson claims that, as a minor-party candidate, he's entitled to a set amount of funds that are supposed to be distributed by the commission. The amount is set forth in a complicated federal formula that awards public funds to parties based on their candidates' prior performances in other elections.

The two major party candidates are entitled to as much as $92,241,400, Johnson's suit says. Still, the campaigns of both President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney have spurned the public money, since they can raise far more on their own.

Via The Miami Herald.

Is it hypocritical for the Libertarian presidential candidate to request public funds for his campaign?

[Cheenoguy]

Opposed to tax payer money being given away? Don't ask for tax payer money.

[Speedieg]

It is hypocritical and disingenuous.

[bsking]

Yes.this guy is a joke. he should be doing a remake of guilligans island

[Len_in_NY2]

The only "joke" is on those who believe that the Republicrats actually have any knowledge of what real people go through in this country.$200 - 250K is middle class? Both of your major candidates seem to think so.
As another poster pointed out, the funds are voluntarily paid money is money that Gov Johnson is entitled to. Seeing as how he'd been shafted by the RNC and CNN, which has drasticaly limited his exposure, it's the very least that they can (and are supposed to) do.
Also, if he is such a "joke" then why are the republicans challenging his petitions every chance they get?
BTW, it's Gilligan's Island

[bsking]

@Len_in_NY2 if you want to re-elct obama just vote for him. johnson/perot...same difference.both of them are funny little men who helped to screw the country with their foolishness

[Len_in_NY2]

@bsking
Truth of the matter is that a vote for Romney is a vote for Obama and vice-versa. Either one of these morons as President is going to help screw things up moreso than they are now. Neither has shown that they have a clue about the pulse of the majority of this nation. The only vote that is "wasted" is one that you don't believe in. You call Johnson a "funny little man" yet his credentials to be president far outweigh Romney. He's everything the hypocritical GOP say that they want in a president yet because he believes in personal liberties, he doesn't fit into their "moral police" genre. This country is doomed if we don't wake up and realize that the republicrats are the real problem.

[Jack-Black]

I thought he was a libetarian? He is a hypocrite

[puppybrownie]

He's not a "real" Libertarian, just trying to be a third party candidate, and they never stand a chance!

[BrickInTheWall]

I'd rather have a fair election funded by nothing but tax dollars as opposed to lobbyist funding, back scratching, and candidates getting into office owing favors. Crazy right?

[dances-weebles]

i can see your point, but i, personally, would rather see candidates fund their own campaigns with their own out of pocket cash.

[BrickInTheWall]

@dances-weebles That would be nice, but we'd still find ourselves in a situation where someone got into the white house with ill-gotten gains.

[ConcernedParty]

Not to mention the fact that the rich would win even more than they do now. I think the system at the moment is right, but it should be mandatory for parties to use only that money. New parties and obvious 3rd party candidates should get a slightly inflated weighting because of the enormity of the two major parties, and the fact that the media only ever discusses those two parties. Also, 3rd party candidates should be invited to debates, of which there should be more.

[MrGrey]

Amen, candidates would finnally have to listen to what voters wanted

[dances-weebles]

@BrickInTheWall you're probably right, but it'd be less blatant.

[CanisCanemEdit]

I would perfer that any candidate seriously desiring consideration be given $1,000,000 and no other funds be allowed. Period.

In that way, there would be equal time for all messages.

The single source of debate should be PBS.

Between Obama and Romney in Ohio alone they spent over $100,000,000.00.

Think of all that wasted money and how much good it could have done.

[BrickInTheWall]

I absolutely agree with you.

[AceLuby]

Totally agree, a billion of wasted money on these elections when it could have been making our country a better place. It's a sad state of politics.

[Joelpalmer]

The money comes from the voluntary Presidential Election Campaign fund contribution on your 1040 tax form. It is intended for this very thing and did I mention its a voluntary contribution?

[Lpguy]

Yes, I think its a bad move. this is the problem with Libertarians, always suing to be included. To better effect change, they/we should focus on local level influence, rather than be in such a hurry for everything

[tomincali]

anyone else want to run and ask for that 750,000.

[Graydog]

Johnson is right, get the private money out. We have a corrupt system now and we pay for it in the long run.

[DARSB]

First he jumps ship from the GOP to a third party to keep his name in the game, now he wants a check from the FEC to fund his failed campaign. I'd say he has the necessary instinct for self-promotion every politician should have. Now if he only had a resume...

[Len_in_NY2]

He "umped ship"ecause the GOP and CNN kept him out of the debates even though he was more qualified than some that were invited (Bachmann, Huntsman). As for his "resume", he has more terms as a Governor than Romney, he left the state in the black and controlled the size of state Gov't. He was also a small businessman. How hypocritical of the GOP to not give him more respect when these are the values they constantly tell the people they want in a president. I guess it's because he favors personal liberties and abhors the hypocricies that are so prevalent that the GOP left him hanging.

[Len_in_NY2]

"jumped ship"

[Stratton]

They know there is no way such a suit will be settled in time for any additional monies to be spent. The point of the suit is to gain a little free publicity and point out the stranglehold that the two major parties have on the process.

[Decent-Dissent]

Condemming something for being wrong, and exploiting it while it isnt condemned. Sounds like a politician! Go Gary!

[ir0nw0lfe]

In a word, Yes.

[mimi57]

I thought Libertarians believed in individual freedom, etc.. That being the case
he should come up with his "individual" way of paying for his campaign...

[seedtick]

This is exactly why I don't designate any of my income tax money to political funds.

[Sonny]

Yes it is.......So let him raise his own damn campaign funds...or get out of the race!

[bsking]

he is probably high.

[marine1]

Tell him to get in lihe, EVERYBODY wants taxpayer money...