Could Gary Johnson Debate?

I've been getting a lot of updates from the Johnson campaign recently about getting Gary on the debates this election season. For those who do not know, Gary Johnson is the Presidential nominee for the Libertarian Party in 2012. He served as Governor of New Mexico as a Republican and governed successfully under a libertarian philosophy. He is currently polling very high for a third party, showing around 6% nationally and as high as 12% in his home state of New Mexico. The reason that he is talking about participating in debates is because the debate rules show that a candidate must be polling at 15% nationally to be able to participate. Now, while it is unlikely that Governor Johnson will get to 15%, it is an interesting possibility. Imagine a third option on the stage in the months before the General Election. The chances of a third party winning the election are near none, but having a libertarian voice on stage is key. This is why I am encouraging all of you to answer "Gary Johnson" to any poll that you participate in, even if they don't offer him as an option and even if you are not planning on voting for him. It will be enough of a victory to simply get him on stage this fall.


Now, let me assure you, this is not an endorsement. I do not plan on making a Presidential endorsement this November. This is because there is not a candidate on the ballot that identifies with my goals, being to make libertarianism part of mainstream political thought. This is not possible through Mitt Romney because he is not a libertarian, and it is not possible through Gary Johnson because he is splintering off, which will not make the philosophy mainstream. I will also not endorse a write-in choice unless that individual starts a formal write-in campaign. However, my purpose for this post is clear. I do not agree with Gary Johnson's route of going after the presidency, but it is absolutely essential that we have a libertarian voice on stage at the debates this year. That is why I am bringing this to your attention and that is why I encourage you to tell pollsters that you support Gary Johnson for President of the United States.