President Barack Obama isn’t the only politician who has learned the value of gaining support from college students. Gary Johnson, a Republican former governor of New Mexico who recently announced his candidacy in the 2012 presidential race, said that he is counting on, and has received, support from college students who are “volunteering everywhere for whatever they can do.”
Johnson has visited colleges across the country, preaching fiscal conservatism, social tolerance, and peace. While his commitment to reducing the country’s $14 trillion deficit might not seem like a winner on traditionally liberals campuses, his libertarian views on censorship, internet restriction, civil liberties, the Patriot Act, and drug reform are likely to draw enthusiastic responses from politically inclined students.
“There’s an awareness right now that I’ve never seen in my lifetime across the country, and certainly in college campuses,” he said.
The Cato Institute and Tea Party activists are two other sources of support for Johnson, though he expressed reservations about the latter, calling them “a mixed bag.” To the extent that they prioritize economic issues, he agrees with them.
“Based on being about the check book and cutting spending and saving this country when it comes to financial collapse, I’m a Tea Partier,” he said.
Johnson is known for his stalwart advocacy of libertarian views similar to those of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and is likely to run again.
“I would have endorsed him last go-round,” Johnson said.
Johnson isn’t concerned about running against a candidate with similar ideas. He is concerned about seeing these ideas grow within the Republican Party.
“I’m running as a Republican,” Johnson said. “I’ve been a Republican, and will remain a Republican. I’m trying to grow the Republican Party. The Party needs to grow its base and include libertarianism and the Tea Party to be able to be successful in the next election. It must get beyond what can be perceived as a very narrow base.”
Johnson’s sentiments are shared by many libertarian students. Blayne Bennett, communications manager of nationwide libertarian student group Students For Liberty, said both parties must take into account the popularity among young people of libertarian candidates like Johnson and Paul.
“The libertarian ideology is definitely on the rise, and both parties should be cognizant of it,” she said. “Students are finding refuge in a philosophy that is both compassionate and logically sound.”
SFL Vice President Clark Ruper echoed her sentiments.
“Students today have seen the failure of the status quo and are upset by the lack of any substantial difference between Republicans and Democrats,” he said. “More and more are embracing libertarianism as an alternative.”
Whether these factors will translate into Republican primary victories for Johnson or Paul remains to be seen. Both are schedule to participate in the Fox News Republican Presidential Debate tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. EST.
Adam Schwartzman is an editor of the Dartmouth Review. He is a member of the Student Free Press Association.
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