Changes

Johnson's views on some issues are at odds with [[conservative]] values. For instance, Johnson is [[pro-choice]] regarding [[abortion]], although he supports overturning [[Roe v. Wade]]. He has said, "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." At first, Johnson opposed a government-mandated definition of marriage (either recognizing or refusing to recognize [[same-sex marriage]]s), saying "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." Instead, he supported [[civil union]]s for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples offering the same benefits currently granted to married couples, and felt it should be up to the churches and the private individuals to determine what is or isn't "marriage". However, during an online town hall meeting on December 2, 2011, Johnson announced that he had changed his view on the issue to support outright government recognition of both same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. <ref>[http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/02/gary-johnson-comes-out-in-favor-of-gay-m]</ref> Johnson would clarify that he did not see a difference between civil unions and marriages, but that the former would "require amending every federal code and law that says 'marriage' to instead say 'civil union'".  

Johnson's views on some issues are at odds with [[conservative]] values. For instance, Johnson is [[pro-choice]] regarding [[abortion]], although he supports overturning [[Roe v. Wade]]. He has said, "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." At first, Johnson opposed a government-mandated definition of marriage (either recognizing or refusing to recognize [[same-sex marriage]]s), saying "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." Instead, he supported [[civil union]]s for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples offering the same benefits currently granted to married couples, and felt it should be up to the churches and the private individuals to determine what is or isn't "marriage". However, during an online town hall meeting on December 2, 2011, Johnson announced that he had changed his view on the issue to support outright government recognition of both same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. <ref>[http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/02/gary-johnson-comes-out-in-favor-of-gay-m]</ref> Johnson would clarify that he did not see a difference between civil unions and marriages, but that the former would "require amending every federal code and law that says 'marriage' to instead say 'civil union'".  

Johnson's positions are [[libertarian]] leaning, and some of his views were outside the mainstream of the Republican Party even when he was a member. He opposed the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. <ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1</ref>In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed [[Ron Paul]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]]. Johnson has declared himself a candidate for the 2012 election.  

Johnson's positions are [[libertarian]] leaning, and some of his views were outside the mainstream of the Republican Party even when he was a member. He opposed the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. <ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1</ref>In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed [[Ron Paul]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]].  

Considering his highly conservative fiscal stances, but also his liberal or libertarian stances on social issues, most Republicans described Johnson as more libertarian than truly conservative.  He is similar to fellow libertarian Republican presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]].

Johnson initially sought the Republican nomination in the [[2012 Presidential Election]], but was not very successful. Considering his highly conservative fiscal stances, but also his liberal or libertarian stances on social issues, most Republicans described Johnson as more libertarian than truly conservative.  He is similar to fellow libertarian Republican presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]]. However, whereas Paul supports the [[Defense of Marriage Act]], Johnson believes marriage is a right guaranteed by the [[Equal Protection Clause]] and that therefore, same-sex marriage should be legalized on a federal level. Johnson is also [[pro-abortion]], whereas Paul is [[pro-life]]. However, both believe [[Roe v. Wade]] should be overturned and the laws should be left up to the states.  

Paul is far better-known and so was expected to get the bulk of the libertarian vote in the primaries.  Barring an early withdrawal by Paul, it appeared Johnson had virtually no chance of securing the Republican nomination. His situation was made worse by the refusal of the sponsors of most of the 2011 Republican Presidential Debates to allow Johnson to participate. As a result, there was increasing speculation that Johnson, who unsuccessfully sought assistance from the Republican National Committee, would seek the nomination of the [[Libertarian Party]].  

 

Paul is far better-known and so was expected to get the bulk of the libertarian vote in the primaries.  Barring an early withdrawal by Paul, it appeared Johnson had virtually no chance of securing the Republican nomination. His situation was made worse by the refusal of the sponsors of most of the 2011 Republican Presidential Debates to allow Johnson to participate. As a result, there was increasing speculation that Johnson, who unsuccessfully sought assistance from the Republican National Committee, will seek the nomination of the [[Libertarian Party]].  

Months of rumors were confirmed on December 28, 2011, when Johnson announced he would switch parties and seek the Libertarian nomination. Johnson stated that the Republican party "snubbed" him because they "didn't want more than one [libertarain] messenger on stage" (a reference to Paul). <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70906.html Politico.com article: "Gary Johnson launches Libertarian presidential bid"]</ref> He is considered the front-runner for the party nomination, which will be determined at the convention May 4-6 in [[Las Vegas]]. Although there are at least five other candidates, Johnson is by far the most experienced and well-known and is widely expected to be nominated. <ref>http://www.lp.org/event/2012-libertarian-party-convention-at-red-rock-resort-in-las-vegas</ref>

Months of rumors were confirmed on December 28, 2011, when Johnson announced he would switch parties and seek the Libertarian nomination. Johnson stated that the Republican party "snubbed" him because they "didn't want more than one [libertarain] messenger on stage" (a reference to Paul). <ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70906.html Politico.com article: "Gary Johnson launches Libertarian presidential bid"]</ref> He is considered the front-runner for the party nomination, which will be determined at the convention May 4-6 in [[Las Vegas]]. Although there are at least five other candidates, Johnson is by far the most experienced and well-known and is widely expected to be nominated. <ref>http://www.lp.org/event/2012-libertarian-party-convention-at-red-rock-resort-in-las-vegas</ref>