Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson is riding high in the polls these days, probably because Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two of the worst candidates in the history of democracy.
The former New Mexico governor is closing in on the 15 percent polling average that would qualify him for the network presidential debates, which would give him significant exposure to a national audience hungry for political alternatives.
Google searches for third-party candidates increased dramatically during this week’s Republican convention in Cleveland, where Trump officially accepted the GOP nomination.
Google searches for a third-party candidate spiked by 1,150%
during the Republican National… https://t.co/H4LwHnYZG6 pic.twitter.com/XUUBg0FcBt— Nitya PN (@nitya_pn) July 22, 2016
The convention was hardly a demonstration of Republican unity, and Johnson will reportedly get a big-name endorsement next week from former Gov. Jeb Bush, one of Trump’s bitterest rivals during the GOP primary.
#BREAKING: Former Florida Governor and Presidential candidate Jeb Bush is expected to endorse Gov. Gary Johnson for President next week.
— TRAVIS AKERS (@TopRopeTravis) July 20, 2016
Johnson is also raking in the cash. The “Money Comet” campaign he and running mate William Weld launched during the Republican convention blew bast its original goal of $25,000 and has currently raised more than $160,000.
A significant percentage of voters would presumably be happy to vote for a candidate who isn’t a New York plutocrat surrounded by sketchy advisers. If Johnson continues to ride this momentum, he could exceed all expectations and become a legitimate factor in the race, even if he’s unlikely to win. But in 2016, who knows what could happen?
