CNN Town Hall article: Gov Weld targets Trump. plays nice with Hillary.

Posted by freedomforall 8 years, 10 months ago to Politics
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I did not see the interview.
Is this just biased reporting from CNN or part of a plan on the part of the Johnson campaign?
SOURCE URL: https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2016/06/22/cnns-libertarian-town-hall-bill-weld-says-vote-hillary-clinton-donald-trump


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  • Posted by DrZarkov99 8 years, 10 months ago
    I think Johnson made a mistake choosing Weld as his VP candidate. Governor Weld is an establishment toad, which shows in his support of Clinton, despite her Wall Street ties and corrupt Clinton Foundation dealings.
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    • Posted by $ allosaur 8 years, 10 months ago
      That was a major turn-off for the old dino.
      Also, I'm not for being flooded with jackass party voters, who will have us all speaking Spanish at show up or else Muslim prayer meetings in 30 years or so.
      The old-fashioned dinosaur is knida joking now. Well, kinda.
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    • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
      Dr, I agree, from the standpoint of a objective free market enthusiast. Based on his "performance" thisfar, I think Weld is a statist snake. His actions are inconsistent with the impression he gave to voters at the Libertarian convention (although weasel-Weld actually made no real promises to follow libertarian principles.) That puts him in a class with Trump and the Clintons.
      imo, Johnson chose him to only to bolster the impression of being a mainstream ticket for voters. Its a compromise that I wouldn't have made either.
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    • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
      Pothead Johnson who gives up pot just to look better to voters, yet wants to legalize it but not other drugs is TOTALLY intellectually inconsistent. Weld is an establishment hack, period.
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      • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
        Strange how you give that repulsive jackassTrump infinite latitude to weasel speak when he has a proven record of looting and bankruptcy and using government to steal property from the legal owners to enrich himself, but you hold the Libertarians to a much higher standard.
        YOU have a bigger problem with inconsistency than Johnson does.
        I disagree with some of Johnson's statements, too, term, but he knows from experience that the strict Libertarian approach does not win elections and he can't do a damned thing to return government to constitutional limits if he gets the 1% of voters who understand and agree with the libertarian free market platform.
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        • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
          Maybe you should change your handle to "freedomfornone", which is what will happen with Hillary at the helm, long before "freedomforall" will ever happen with Johnson.
          The reality of the situation is that Trump is the ONLY one at this point who can beat Hillary- not that he is perfect by any means.
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          • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
            Voting for lesser evil results in more evil and the past 30 years are evidence.
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            • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
              voting for less evil to prevent more evil doesnt seem to be that bad, since there are ONLY two choices. Will you at least agree Trump has less evil than Hillary?

              The frist thing that is needed is to un-corrupt the system so that there ARE more than two legitimate choices that have a chance. THEN, its education so people actually appreciate individual rights and private property. This is a long term thing, not something that will happen this election.

              Sanders is being stupid by falling in with Hillary. He started an anti-establishment movement, which is necessary for him to not be squashed by the establishment like it was this time. He should have gone third party when he found out he couldnt unseat Hillary and kept his movement intact for next election. NOw, the establishment is just stronger than it ever was.
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              • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
                Voting for evil will not un-corrupt the system. Trump won't do it. Hillary won't do it.
                Voting for evil keeps evil in power and they just keep increasing their power.
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                • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
                  but by that logic, wouldnt Johnson also be evil for supporting the drug war in general (not marijuana)
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                  • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
                    No. As previously explained, Johnson has been on this Merrygoround before and knows there is no way to fix things unless you get on the stage. I think he is avoiding the direct confrontation that libertarians like in order to have a chance to get the ideas to more people. He does need to have a better method of explaining how he will solve problems than he has shown thusfar.
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        • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
          Libertarians are supposed to be held to a higher standard. My major problem with Johnson is NOT his intellectual consistency at all, its that he CANNOT win in November mostly because of his persona. He just wont get the votes. If I thought he stood a chance, I would vote for him in November. He is going to get zero electoral college votes because the system is rigged to elect a democrat OR republican. THAT part of the system needs to change first to give third party candidates a chance.

          Look what it took to get Trump this far, who is essentially a third party candidate (the repubs hate him and he just hijacked the party out from under their noses with HIS persona and anti establishment stance).

          Given we will get Hillary or Trump, I choose Trump. We are all probably going to get Hillary with her control over the party, contributors, and money. Her face is everywhere and the whole campaign now is "keep the status quo" or "fear the unknown with Trump". Its sickening and a real distortion, given she will do tremendously more damage to the country than Trump ever would.

          I hope in the quiet of the voting booth, the voters are anti-establishment and finish off the evil witch Hillary once and for all.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 8 years, 10 months ago
    So...Weld likes Mrs. Clinkton over the Trumpeter.
    Goodbye Libertarian Party as far as I'm concerned. The rest was a typical political yawner. There are at least a dozen persons in this forum who could do better than Johnson and Weld. It looks to me that This Libertarian Party, with These candidates are barely a step above the party of that old despot, Abie Lincohen. (Our first Jewish president?)
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  • Posted by Esceptico 8 years, 10 months ago
    I saw the CNN Town Hall. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Libertarian Party. They blew it. Johnson, as you may recall, stated on the Stossel show debate that a baker should be forced to bake for a customer the baker did not like — a clear violation of LP’s principle of non-initiation of force and pro individual liberty. He made just as big a mistake when talking about the war on drugs. But, to me, this is not the problem.

    The problem is Johnson and Weld came off as Dumb and Dumber. No personality. No charisma. No explanation of the LP principles and how the LP differs from both factions (Dems and GOP) of the Big Government Party. No “fire in the belly” enthusiasm for the jobs for which they are running. The whole show was a major disappointment to me.

    The LP needs somebody like John McAfee to run. McAfee presents well and has all the things Johnson and Weld combined lack. Too late now, the milk is spilled and I think this will cost the LP dearly not only in donations and votes, but hurts the party long term. This is one of the many times I hope I am wrong.
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  • Posted by mia767ca 8 years, 10 months ago
    i tapped the show...i was not impressed by the two ex-republican governors...they let themselves get side-tracked by the interviewer, Chris Cumo...and spent little time giving details on what they wanted to accomplish, finally saying they just wanted to reduce govt by 20%...essentially wanting to re-arrange the chairs on the titanic as it went down...they contradicted themselves on prohibition of drugs and legalization of only marijuana and the freedom to choose for yourself...nothing about cutting taxes or balancing the budget or dealing with the Fed or the gold standard...they were vague or contradictory most of the whole show...they wanted an air-tight defense of the u.s., but did not want to build a fence on the borders to keep terrorists out...or deal with terrorists among the immigrants...Johnson received 1% of the vote in 2012 as the Libertarian Presidential candidate...he thinks that his only chance is to get into the debates...he needs a 15% polling to be included...falling that, he does not know what to do to get elected...my prediction...not in the debates he gets 2% in 2016...he and Weld are failed politicians not serving liberty or freedom for anyone...
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  • Posted by $ Olduglycarl 8 years, 10 months ago
    Scratching my head...thought these guys would be in favor of honesty and abiding by the rule of law.
    Haven't they heard about the 42 page document of hilteries criminal perversions just released?
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    • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
      imo, they are following a plan to look presidential and mainstream. trump turns lots of people off and they want those votes, and they are not going to lose votes with this approach. The other big block of low hanging fruit are Sanders supporters. By not attacking Hillary they look more acceptable to those voters, imo. In the immortal words of Han Solo, "I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around." but this is a 21st century American presidential race and that's not going to happen, at least not this early in the race.
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      • Posted by $ CBJ 8 years, 10 months ago
        Actually, attacking Hillary for her Wall Street connections and hawkish foreign policy would have appealed to Sanders supporters even more, as well as to Republicans who are thinking of jumping ship. I think Weld's backhanded endorsement of Hillary was a mistake.

        I wish the media would ask Hillary, "If you had to choose between Johnson and Trump, who would you choose?" And ask Trump the corresponding question. If they answered truthfully, I'll bet that Gary Johnson would be both candidates' second choice.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 10 months ago
    I will be done with this Libertarian platform if they target Trump over Hillary. There is no way a Libertarian can prefer Hillary, and if they want to educate the US and take a bite out of anyone, it has to be her.

    If they get into this and take votes from Trump vs Hillary, they suck.
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  • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
    The libertarians are dead in the water this election after that terrible town hall appearance. It was pretty disgusting actually. Essentially endorsing Hillary was something that makes no sense. She IS the posterchild for the liberal establishment, is a very challenged politician, and is against pretty much ALL the assumed positions of the libertarians (maybe the libertarians are not so free market oriented after all?) Their drug policy answers were totally conflicted and stupid. Particularly when Johnson says he used to smoke pot, but stopped a few months ago so he "would have a clear head" to run for president !!!! (translation- he thought it would be politically incorrect to be a pot head and run for president at the same time- intellectually challenged at best).
    The VP pick appears to be an idiot. Neither of them would EVER be able to debate Hillary OR Trump in a 3 way TV debate. Too bad actually. This WAS a good chance for libertarian ideas to be floated in national media.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 10 months ago
    So how was the conduct of the town hall. A hit job. I don't want to take CNN's word for it. I'm wondering if other than right prez candidate and wrong veep unless they are running him against Biden there was any redeeming moments or just their 5 seconds of fame and being framed.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 10 months ago
    Oh well you give them every chance they screw it up. Looks like 15% is a long long long ways off. And i only read the pro lib reports.
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  • Posted by dukem 8 years, 10 months ago
    Reminds me of Robert Redford's character in The Candidate when he surprisingly wins: "Now what do we do?"

    Same crap all over again. At least England sent a strong message yesterday.
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    • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
      There would be some of that, I'm sure, but the basic underlying libertarian goals are there in Johnson, imo. I wouldn't wipe my shoes on Weld.
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      • Posted by term2 8 years, 10 months ago
        Honestly, few of the good points about libertarianism came out. Too bad. It was a good chance to really talk about individual rights and freedom and pick up on Trumps support for anti-establishment. Instead, they went after Trump and liked Hillary. Crazy
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  • -1
    Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
    My guess is they're going after fiscal conservatives. Some fiscal conservatives are in the Republican party holding hands with the rural stereotype in this picture. https://postimg.org/image/ocvp19jyv/
    Fiscal conservatives unwilling to hold hands with that guy are independents or Democrats. By criticizing Trump and not Hillary, they show Democrats who are Democrats out of aversion the rural stereotype, that Johnson/Weld really are not part of that stereotype. The rural voter is voting for Trump no matter what, so they Weld doesn't lose anything by criticizing Trump.

    In one interview, I heard Weld go out of his way to bring up the topic of Clinton's e-mail saying it was bogus. That sounded so refreshing to me because it sounds like a huge nothingburger when they have nothing else to criticize her for. If you think the e-mails are a serious scandal, this won't work for you, but for me it seemed like dropping the political nonsense and stating the facts that we would all agree on if this weren't a game to manipulate people.

    There is a good chance my guess is wrong b/c it's based on my own narrow experiences, not studying surveys of actual voters, but it rings true to me.

    Bottom Line: I want Johnson to win. I don't care that we don't agree on everything. I don't think he's serious about addressing global warming, which is one of the biggest threats we face. Gov't scope creep and exec power creep are worse. I want him to win.
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    • Posted by lrshultis 8 years, 10 months ago
      The history of the Earth for the last million years shows that it is not global warming that is the danger but the periodic glaciations (the next is a little late) where atmospheric CO2 drops sometimes to a dangerous low of 150 parts per million where photosynthesis no longer is able to function. Those who run green houses know that the best CO2 level is around 1000 parts per million which is 2 and a half times the concentration at present. It all depends on whether you want future populations to eat or not. The cold temperatures are much more difficult to live with than a bit more rise in global average temperatures, what ever that is since average temperature is not a causative agent. Only actual physical things like the weather and its air can cause an effect.
      For those who believe that Trump's wall is a good idea, consider that the size of the cell does not mean that you are in a prison.
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      • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 10 months ago
        Especially now they have broached the next idea of internal passports. What you thought that was a joke? Testing in five States to get the national ID chip carried by everyone. National ID does not mean 'a card.'

        I read the ' it will never happen here' posts and LMAO think about the last few years. First the idea of embedded chips. Then everyone runs out and buys a cell phone AKA tracking device. No prob just turn it off. Whoops it doesn't turn off, No prob just pull the battery...next generation are solar http://powered.No internal on off capability...But not to worry it will never happen here.

        How about the phone rings and a voice says you are leaving home without you Drivers License Citizen ZX345776. Actuially it wil ssay something like 000-00-0000 using your National Name rather than your street name.

        We used those in the transportation industry a few years ago. That provided a very wide sampling test . TWIC or Transport Workers Identification Card. That folded into having your license to do what ever in my case Merchant Sailor. Same chip with added information.

        I like the feature on shopping., Ring ring . Your wife's shopping list specified sourdough bread and your grocery bill did not list that item. before you leave the parking lot at Safeway....And you may want to stop by the bank or ATM we note you only have $37 on your person.

        Or we have turned off the start circuits in your automobile as your insurance has not been paid. Wait...All good new we charged it to your credit card for deduction from your next paycheck with a fine.
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    • Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 10 months ago
      Global warming? You'd paint that as a problem at all let alone a bigger problem than the disintegration of fundamental rights in the Constitution?

      The rest of your analysis about why Weld said Hillary is spot on, even though he's going to cancel out much of his panache with disaffected Republicans by saying so.
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      • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
        "You'd paint [Global Warming as] a bigger problem than the disintegration of fundamental rights in the Constitution?"
        In my comment, I'm saying they're both very important, but the Constitution, in particular "gov't scope creep" and "exec power creep", are more important.
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        • Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 10 months ago
          Okay, but I think what I was getting at is that global warming is a hoax. The data has been fabricated to scare people into allowing more governmental control. It isn't a real issue in the first place.
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          • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
            I would find it surprising if the world supporting 7.4 billion people wanting an affluent lifestyle didn't have some broad effect on the planet. So global warming and the current holocene mass extinction do not surprise me at all. Since most economic activity is tied to burning things, it's not surprising that people will go through extreme mental gymnastics to understate the problem.

            It's a large scale problem, so it lends itself to people who never let "a serious crisis go waste." https://youtu.be/1yeA_kHHLow

            People who try to exploit the problem are indirectly making the problem worse. I read part of Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything, and it reads like an unintentional parody of exactly what you say: "scare people into allowing more governmental control". She almost comes out and says just that.

            The Rahm Emanuel's and Naomi Klein's of the world do not change the fact that this is one of the biggest problems the human race faces.
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            • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
              So without any supporting data you arbitrarily conclude that governments must crush liberty, destroy industry, and fraud to loot even more from every productive individual.
              You have a proven record of supporting socialist politicians whose actions only serve to incrrease their personal power and wealth at the expense of every productive individual.
              Take you irrational socialist rubbish and get out of the Gulch. You do not qualify to stay. Every time you post you prove your ideological ignorance.
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              • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
                "You do not qualify to stay."
                Why don't you call me or come by here. Because you're a disgrace, and books I love are your fig leaf to be a jerk and pretend like it's for a higher purpose. Of course you won't talk to me like this in person. Take your disgraceful attitude and leave.
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                • Posted by 8 years, 10 months ago
                  The disgrace is your irrational ongoing rubbish. Repeatedly people have asked you to provide evidence to support your faith in anthropomorphic climate change and all you do is repeat the rubbish that you believe it.
                  Your irrational faith doesn't belong on an objectivist site.
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            • Posted by Lucky 8 years, 10 months ago
              CircuitGuy says:
              ' most economic activity is tied to burning things '
              well no,
              the major part of human economic activity is growing things.

              " scare people into allowing more governmental control".
              The biggest problem is not from the scammers and cronyists who put out the scares, it is from the do-gooder class whose misplaced altruism leads them to believe that stuff.
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              • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
                "the major part of human economic activity is growing things."
                It was until the industrial revolution. I think that led the way to modern capitalism because with agriculture, there's only so much arable land. The world's religions developed in this environment and came up with moral ideas about sharing the god's earth, not charging others interest, etc. Industry allowed infinite goods and services to be produced. I think we're moving to a post-industrial age where production of value is less correlated to energy use. In the meantime, though, we need sustainable energy.
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            • Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 10 months ago
              You would find it surprising, but have no evidence, so you proceed based on your own bias without confirmation or investigation into the issue? [cringe]
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              • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
                I don't get what you're saying. I'm saying there's strong scientific evidence, which in the one case agrees with my intuitive prediction, that 7.4 billion people pursuing an affluent life would affect the earth in costly ways. If the scientific evidence went contrary to my intuition, I would not make an argument from personal incredulity. Sorry if I missed your point. I might be confused.
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                • Posted by $ blarman 8 years, 10 months ago
                  What "strong scientific evidence" exists? Are you talking about the UN studies based on manipulated and fabricated data (google East Anglia data manipulation)? Are you talking about all the estimates from the 1990's that turned out to be horribly inaccurate? Are you talking about the 18-year pause in rising temperatures - a pause strictly contradicted by the theory? Or the fact that in the 1970's these very same scientists were clamoring about the impending "ice age" and global cooling?

                  This is truly a hoax. I strongly recommend you do some more research. You are being duped.
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