Fmr. Gov. Weld Joins Johnson on Libertarian Ticket
The Libertarian Party now has a larger presence in the field of presidential candidates.
Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld announced he will be running alongside Gary Johnson, as the two look to offer an alternative to the Republican and Democratic candidates.
“It may make it a little more comfortable having two, two-term governors, both economically conservative—cut taxes a lot and governed in blue states and both social liberals,” Weld told the FOX Business Network’s Neil Cavuto. “So we’ve got half what the Republicans have—economic and fiscal conservatism—and half what the Democrats have which is social tolerance and freedom and moderation.”
Weld said recent poll data has shown that he and Johnson would do well with millennials, if they are not still with Bernie Sanders.
The former Massachusetts Governor, who served from 1991-1997 as a Republican, said he and Johnson will campaign hard in the west, but see northern New England as a “possibility.”
“Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, maybe Massachusetts—Reagan carried it twice,” he said. “So we’ll try to pick up a few states even if we’re not in the debates.”
Though Weld said he gives the Republican presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, credit for his campaign so far, the Libertarian vice presidential candidate said he is concerned with some of Trump’s stances.
“I think the immigration proposal is hugely dangerous,” Weld said. “The sanctions on China, the treatment of Mexico, a lot of the international relations suggestions, nuclear weapons in Japan, nuclear weapons in South Korea.”
Weld explained his political views by referencing part of a speech he made at the 1996 Republican National Convention.
"I want the government out of your pocketbook and out of your bedroom," he said, quoting his speech. "That’s a pretty concise statement of my political philosophy and pretty unmistakable.”