Onetime Libertarian presidential nominee Ron Paul said Monday he isn’t planning to support Gary Johnson, the party’s nominee for 2016.
Instead, the former Texas congressman told MSNBC that he agrees with Green Party candidate Jill Stein on many issues.
After he was introduced as a Stein supporter, Paul was quick to point out that he is not endorsing Stein or anyone else. But he said he feels Stein’s policies have a libertarian bent.
“Liberty is all chopped to pieces,” Paul said. “Liberals defend some parts of liberty and conservatives other parts and progressives are pretty good too on foreign policy.”
“I said if the independents who don’t know what to do and who should they pick, I say if you tend to lead progressivism and liberalism and you are interested in expressing yourself—you can vote for the Green Party,” Paul clarified.
Paul said he doesn’t feel that Johnson embodies a libertarian message. He also doesn’t feel there’s anyone in the 2016 field who people that want to vote “for liberty” can feel good about supporting.
“(Stein’s) probably the best on foreign policy at the moment,” Paul said. “On Gary Johnson, he does not come across with a crisp libertarian message. If you wants to express yourself—I am voting for the non-aggressive principles that create the libertarian message. And that is, nobody can commit aggression. Individuals cannot, nor the government. Unfortunately, there’s not a crisp answer— this individual represents liberty and if you vote for this person, you will be voting for liberty and truly expressing yourself.”
Paul did come to Johnson’s defense for his now-infamous “Aleppo” gaffe, however.
“It does not build confidence in the individual but should not be disqualifying,” Paul said. “When that is done, the politician is embarrassed. I would like to ask the interviewer some snap questions, like ‘Who’s the president of Switzerland?’ Most people don’t know. But, it should not disqualify you. It does raise eyebrows and put question marks out there. =”
Watch below via MSNBC:
Shorter Ron Paul - I don’t stand for anything.
Yet more reasons not to like Stein.
Disqualify you from being a news interviewer? No, I don’t suppose it would. But a candidate for president really should know the name of the key battleground in Syria, FFS. And he should be able to name one - ONE - foreign leader he admires, also FFS.
(Stein’s) probably the best on foreign policy at the moment," Paul said
So he’s a Putin fan?
Who knew?.
“When that is done, the politician is embarrassed. I would like to ask
the interviewer some snap questions, like ‘Who’s the president of
Switzerland?’ Most people don’t know. But, it should not disqualify
you.”
Is that a trick question or does Ron Paul know less about foreign affairs than Johnson?
FYI…
Switzerland has 7 Presidents as Head of State. Yes. Switzerland doesn’t have a President or Prime Minister acting as a Head of State nor a Head of Government like in USA, UK, Nigeria, or Zimbabwe. The country is managed by a seven-members Council which is considered as a collective Head of State.