Realistically, no Objectivist or libertarian is going to be elected President, even if they run as a major party candidate--because the American electorate is scared silly of anyone with a shred of ideological consistency, no matter what sort. Those of you old enough to remember what happened to Barry Goldwater and George McGovern know I'm right.

None of the 3 remaining Democratic candidates want a smaller less intrusive government. Why would you vote for any of them over a Republican?

It depends on the Republican nominee. If an establishment candidate wins the nomination I would vote for Johnson. He is not a viable alternative, however, because he won't get the attention Perot did and has no chance of winning. Trump would have a shot as a third party candidate but most likely we would be stuck with Hillary.

Rand Paul would definitely make the more attractive candidate in that scenario because he has ample name recognition. As for Gov Johnson, by all means he should consider a run because it all depends on how the Republican primaries and how the R establishment handles this election.

Keep in mind, in this climate and time a 3rd party candidate who espouses Conservative (notice I did not say big R Republican) ideals will have a strong candidacy because there is so much disgust with the Republicans who are in control in Washington. With the exception of a few (I.e., Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Ben Carson) the rest are pretty much "go along to get along" types who do little if anything to restore the Constitution, fiscal responsibility, or a limiting of an out of control leviathan called the "Federal Government".

The problem with a viable 3rd party candidacy is that it will drain votes from the "R's" however, because of the sorry state of our country, the destruction of a moribund apparatus may be a good thing because out of the ashes perhaps a new and revitalized party that understands where it must go will come into being.

Right now, we have a status quo even with R's in power for the most part that has done absolutely nothing to stem our slide into a Socialist morass. If they are not going to resist as the "loyal opposition" then what does it matter which label they give themselves. All trickery that outsiders can and must highlight and defeat!

For what its worth!

I am delighted Gary Johnson is running again. His name already has recognition from his previous elected post as governor of New Mexico. His experience will be invaluable. I am told he would ban the burqa! After thinking about it and listening to all the people moan and groan about stepping on rights to practice your religion, I suddenly realized he was right. The burqa is not a matter of choice for these women, their rights are violated being made to wear it. Why should we allow their community to violate their rights?

I voted for former NM governor Gary Johnson for president before. I will probably do so again.

Your comments on a bunch of looters and thieves in the GOP don't indicate anything about an independent candidate. I can't discern from your comments what "situation" you are referring to.
A simple Google search on "Gary Johnson libertarian" (without the quotes) returns 831,000 results including lots of details on him. Give it a try and you will likely find good and bad about him, lots more than the MSM will cover since they serve the state, and Johnson (if elected) would likely start to dismantle it.

I have libertarian values love Ron Paul and Harry Browne but they've been around as a party for almost 50 years without success... My libertarian friends and I are infesting the GOP with far greater success than I've ever seen in the Libertarian Party. Ultimately a libertarian takeover of the GOP has a far greater chance of achieving my goals of a limited and microscopic government but I just have a hard time believing the US won't crumble before folks finally 'wake-up' and see freedom as the ultimate solution.

I don't see anything you said that is applicable to Johnson.

I'm curious how many people would vote for a moderate libertarian candidate if there were some instant runoff system that allowed you to vote a 2nd choice if your 1st choice did not get a majority. I would vote libertarian (or some moderate form of libertarian that respects IP rights) every time if I weren't afraid of indirectly helping a Republican.

"he denied he would be siphoning votes only from the Republican candidate"
I agree. I'm certainly not the only Democrat who wants a smaller, less intrusive gov't but would rather settle for a traditional establishment Democrat than risk getting a Republican.

Johnson would be the most rational choice for individual liberty and free markets.