Gary Johnson Relishes Spoiler Role

"Both campaigns should be looking over their shoulders," says Joe Trippi

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson almost certainly can't win the presidential election this year. But his supporters claim he could determine who does. 

Johnson, the former New Mexico governor who briefly and unsuccessfully competed for the Republican presidential nomination before joining the Libertarians, is polling barely above 5 percent nationwide. Yet his numbers in key battleground states suggest he could make a difference in what is shaping up to be a tight contest between President Obama and Mitt Romney. 

He was rating at 13 percent in New Mexico and 9 percent in Arizona in recent polling — not enough to win, but certainly enough to disadvantage whichever major-party candidate he's drawing votes away from.

Comments

[Brian from Texas]

Good friend of mine, 50 years old, lifelong Liberal Democrat to the core. This year he's voting for a non-Democrat for President for the first time in his life. He's joining me in support of Libertarian Gary Johnson. He enthusiatically supported Obama in 2008 but Obama, he says, has let us all down.

[Homple]

Your good friend thinks Obama let us down, so he will vote third party to help ensure that Obama is elected again.

Dunce, or false flagger?

[Joe R.]

False dilemma. Twice.