Ex-Republican Gary Johnson To Run As Libertarian In 2012

The Libertarian National Committee released the following statement in response to former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson’s announcement today that he’ll run for President next year as a Libertarian:

“The Libertarian Party welcomes Governor Gary Johnson to the race for the Libertarian nomination for president. Governor Johnson has an outstanding record for vetoing legislation as former governor of New Mexico. He vetoed more bills than all other governors in the country combined, stopping the expansion of Big Government.”

“Governor Johnson has also proposed a substantial reduction in federal spending. Libertarians look forward to learning the specifics and the time frame of that reduction. Governor Johnson appeals to fiscal conservatives -rank-and-file Republicans, libertarians, independents and even many Democrats - who see most Republican candidates as agents of Big Government and high taxes.”

“Governor Johnson also appeals to non-interventionists of all political stripes who are disappointed with President Obama’s surge in Afghanistan and his involvement in Libya.”

“Free market advocates understand that third parties provide essential competition for the entrenched two parties. Without the Libertarian Party, Republicans typically nominate a Big Government, high tax candidate such as Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich — which results in guaranteed further expansion of Big Government.”

“The Libertarian Party will be on the ballot in nearly all, if not all, 50 states - including Virginia. At least 99% of the population of voters in the United States will have the opportunity to vote Libertarian.”

“The party’s nominating convention will be held in Las Vegas May 4th and 5th.”

“Regarding the charge that the Libertarian Party could “spoil” the election for the Republican nominee, Carla Howell, Executive Director said, “You can make that case only if Ron Paul is the Republican nominee. If any other remaining contender in the GOP primary were to win, then the Republicans will offer a choice for more Big Government and higher taxes. You can’t spoil tainted meat.”

“All of the Republican Party presidential candidates ” except for Ron Paul ” have a track record of voting for higher levels of government spending. Many have raised taxes, supported bailouts, and/or voted to expand Big Government.”

“Mitt Romney went one better in Massachusetts when he championed ObamaCare Part I,”said Howell.”

“Should one of the non-Paul candidates prevail, then the Libertarian Party will be our only means to restore fiscal sanity, to create a friendly business environment and to create desperately-needed new jobs,” said Howell.”

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson Retiring

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday, according to various media reports.

Nelson’s decision to leave the upper chamber bodes poorly for Democrats, many of whom fear that his seat in the heavily conservative state will likely be taken by a Republican, thus decreasing Democrats’ chances of keeping the Senate. Five Democrats and one independent, the Democratic leaning Joe Lieberman, have already announced that they will not run in 2012.

Nelson, a former Nebraska Governor, was elected to serve in the Senate in 2000. He has gained headlines in recent years for being at odds with his party over key pieces of legislation, particularly health care reform.

Nelson is expected to formally make the announcement during a press conference Tuesday.

Gingrich Won't Be On Virginia Ballot

GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has failed to turn in the 10,000 signatures necessary to have his name appear on the Virginia GOP primary ballot.

The state’s Republican Party tweeted on Friday evening, “After verification, RPV has determined that Newt Gingrich did not submit required 10k signatures and has not qualified for the VA primary.”

Gingrich’s campaign director, Michael Krull, reacted to the news.

“Only a failed system excludes four out of the six major candidates seeking access to the ballot. Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading candidates. We will work with the Republican Party of Virginia to pursue an aggressive write-in campaign to make sure that all the voters of Virginia are able to vote for the candidate of their choice.”

Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, made a last-ditch effort to drum up support amongst Commonwealth voters this week, holding a couple campaign events in various parts of the state.

Texas Governor Rick Perry also failed to land on the ballot, the state party announced. Republican voters in Virginia will head to the polls on March 6, also known as ‘Super Tuesday.’

Gingrich visited South Carolina yesterday, but will take a break this weekend to celebrate the Christmas holiday before heading back out on the trail on Tuesday.

House Approves Senate Payroll Measure

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) issued the following statement after the House voted via unanimous consent to pass the Senate’s two-month payroll tax cut extension:

“Today’s vote ensures that on January 1st, 160 million Americans will not see their taxes go up, over 2 million Americans will not lose unemployment insurance as they look for work, and 48 million Americans will not lose access to their doctor. Now we must immediately focus on extending these critical policies for a full year. I am hopeful that Republicans will work with us to do so quickly, and not take Americans to the brink once more.”

Boehner Brushes Off Political Toll Of Payroll Fiasco

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) Thursday shrugged off complaints from Conservatives over the handling of payroll relief.

“Politics will be politics,” Boehner said during a press conference. “If you do the right things for the right reasons, the right things will happen.”

The Speaker added that the House was simply trying to complete what both the White House and the bulk of lawmakers initially sought- a one year extension of payroll relief.

House leaders, particularly Boehner, have taken a bashing from a number of Senate Republicans as well as the Conservative leaning Wall Street Journal Editorial board.

“[Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Boehner] might end up re-electing the President before the 2012 campaign even begins in earnest,” the editorial reads.

On Wednesday, former Bush adviser Karl Rove endorsed the editorial, imploring Boehner to salvage his image by passing the two-month extension and then criticizing the President and Democrats for refusing to come back to the negotiationg table.