In today’s Charleston Gazette, former Senator and Libertarian presidential candidate Mike Gravel wrote an Op-Ed piece supporting a gubernatorial candidate. That candidate is Jesse Johnson, of the Mountain Party, the West Virginia affiliate of the Green Party. Gravel had previously endorsed Johnson and campaigned for him. You can read the article here.
Here is an excerpt:
I’m proud of Jesse Johnson. He’s his own man — a real maverick. Jesse has the courage and integrity to put the interest of the people above political party and special interests. That’s the kind of a person West Virginia should have for governor.
Jesse grew up in the West Virginia hills and knows its problems first-hand. The main thrust of his campaign is dealing with the problem of mountaintop removal and its impact on the state’s water resources and scenic beauty. He is not opposed to the coal industry, but he is opposed to absentee owners ripping off the state’s resources and leaving their physical and unemployment mess behind.
He’s an local community actor and small-time entrepreneur. But as you know, third parties picking famous names isn’t necessarily a recipe for success.
I don’t think there was anything wrong with picking McKinney, but I doubt she’ll be around again in four years. Other than that, we’ve got Mesplay and Swift, who are like stereotypical caricatures of Green Party members — the nerdy scientist, the freewheeling hippie.
Jesse Johnson is well-spoken and connects with middle America in a way that neither of the others ever could. I’m not saying he’s the ideal candidate, but he’s certainly the best one I can see going forward.
Is Jesse Johnson well known for something? Is he rich? Or a former city councilman? Or something? Or is he jst a joe-shmoe with good speaking skills?
Jesse Johnson must be Gravel’s secret grandson or something.
What’s with Gravel’s obsession with Jesse Johnson?
I agree with him. I happen to think Jesse Johnson is the best candidate the Greens have right now. I don’t like McKinney, which I think people can disagree with, but I don’t think anyone can really argue that Mesplay or Swift is a saleable candidate. Johnson is. He’s articulate, powerful, and mainstream enough to really get out the Green message.
If I were to join the Green Party — something I’m thinking about doing — I’d actively support Jesse Johnson for President in 2012.
Sorry, he may vote for Obama. Sorry, I am tired.
I cover this in my interview with Gravel. Mike will do whatever it takes to keep McCain out. If it looks like McCain is going to win he said he may win Obama. But he is not very enthusiastic about ANY of the presidential candidates.
Hillary Clinton endorsed Obama. That’s because democrats understand the purpose of a political party. It’s to unify around a common cause. Gravel doesn’t understand that, I was surprised you even called him a Libertarian.
Yes, as a matter of fact, he wasn’t too busy back and May and swung by the convention to see the show.
You know, this guy who also ran from the Democratic nomination this year, you might as well have called him a Democrat.
I have often complained about the lack of unity in the LP, but lets not go overboard. Of course most LP members are pushing for Barr, and why wouldn’t they. When you see the government voting for 700 billion, no waitaminute, the Senate version is now over 800 billion and counting…..bailout bills…you have to rally around the opposition.
Watching the country go down the tubes, and whining that you supported Mary Ruwart, is….well, maybe slightly foolish. Lets unify, and get the message of liberty out.
What’s with Gravel’s obsession with Jesse Johnson?
I have been told by someone close that he has no plans to endorse Barr. I don’t remember if he said also he won’t vote for him, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
Anyone who might care to do so can listen to an interview with Jesse here
He endorsed Jesse Johnson when he was running for the Green nomination, and he said that he’ll probably vote for Obama if the race is close in Virginia. If it isn’t, my personal guess would be that he’d vote for Nader, because of Nader’s support of the National Initiative for Democracy.
Still no presidential endorsement.
Now that Ron Paul has made his decision, we should push Gravel to make his public. Although I’m afraid I’ll hear something that I don’t want to.