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  • Take the quiz at 2012 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector
  • SelectSmart.com Gary Johnson
    (born January 1, 1953) is a businessman and former Governor of New Mexico.
  • The St. Petersburg Times' Politifact researched and rated the truthfulness of this politician's statements. On average, the Truth-O-Meter determined that his statements are "Mostly True".
  • Foreign policy and war issues: He is opposed to the United States' involvement in the War in Afghanistan and the Libyan Civil War. Having opposed the Iraq War from the start, he has called for the continued American presence in the country to end. Source
    Johnson also says Iran’s nuclear program isn’t a threat to the United States because the principle of “mutually assured destruction” would keep the Iranians from attacking. Source Views on Centrality of Israel to U.S. Foreign Policy Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Security/liberties: "Chris Wallace: So just to be clear, the three of you, under individual case-by-case basis, would support water boarding?… Gary Johnson: I would not." Source The first Republican debate at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina.
    "[T]oday, government has created for itself sweeping powers to monitor the private lives of individuals and otherwise intrude upon our daily activities, our households and our businesses. The extent of the government’s reach today would be unrecognizable to the Founders." Much of the recent erosion in civil liberties has occurred in the name of national security. But we can – and must -- combat threats to our safety while adhering to due process and the rule of law. Source
  • Social Security: He supports "slashing government spending", including Social Security. Source
    Fix Social Security by changing the escalator from being based on wage growth to inflation. It's time for Social Security to reflect today's realities without breaking trust with retirees. Source
  • Stem cell research: Stem cell research should only be completed by private laboratories that operate without federal funding. Source
  • Same sex issues: Government should not impose its values upon marriage. It should protect the rights of couples to engage in civil unions if they wish, as well as the rights of religious organizations to follow their beliefs. Source
  • Trade issues: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Budget issues: He cut the 10% annual growth in the budget by using his gubernatorial veto on half of bills in the first six months. Johnson is in favor of simplifying and reducing taxes. During his governorship, Johnson didn't increase taxes once and cut them fourteen times. Due to his stance on taxes, David Weigel described him as "the original Tea Party candidate". Source
    Government spends too much because it does too much. Unchecked deficits are the single greatest threat to our national security. Unless we take significant steps soon, our federal debt will equal the entire economic production of the United States. We should start by reassessing the role of the federal government, and always asking the question: Should the government be doing this in the first place? Source
  • Business & labor issues: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Abortion issues: Life is precious and must be protected. A woman should be allowed to make her own decisions during pregnancy until the point of viability of a fetus. Source
  • Capital punishment: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Marijuana: Campaigns for marijuana decriminalization Source
  • Gun control: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Minimum wage: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Health care: Repeal ObamaCare, as well as the failed Medicare prescription drug benefit. Source
    He supports "slashing government spending", including Medicare and Medicaid. Source
  • Environmental issues: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Immigration issues: Views unknown, unreported or unclear. Source
  • Education issues: In his second term, he concentrated on the issue of school voucher reforms. Source
  • Campaign website