Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson
Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson “takes New Mexico off the table for Mitt Romney,” one Democratic strategist is asserting.
The quote from Jill Hanauer, president of the Democratic firm Project New America, appeared in a weekend profile of Johnson by Politico.
There’s lots more in the profile, and it’s not all about how he might hurt Romney. From the article:
“Poll after poll shows lackluster enthusiasm for Obama and Romney, along with continuing voter disgust with Washington and most national institutions. That probably isn’t enough to push even a single electoral vote into Johnson’s camp. It could, however, put just enough ballots in Johnson’s column — in a kind of disaffected, ‘throw-the-bums-out’ way — to affect the outcome in a handful of states.
“Early polling has shown Johnson taking more from Romney, although pollsters say he’s peeling off votes from Obama as well. Johnson has said he expects to be on the ballot in all 50 states.
“If there’s an opportunity for Johnson to make a difference anywhere, it’s likely in Mountain states such as his native New Mexico, and Colorado and Nevada, where he could shave votes from the major-party candidates. In a close race that neither side thinks will be an electoral landslide, Johnson could make a real difference — especially with Ron Paul’s libertarian-leaning backers now up for grabs.”
You can read the full article here.