Bill Weld: Clinton camp ‘planted’ rumors of Libertarian collapse

Boston Herald ^

[outpostinmass2]

Libertarian vice presidential candidate Bill Weld said he was inundated with dozens of phone calls and emails last week telling him to drop out of his campaign for the White House, after rumors were “planted” by Hillary Clinton’s team that he might drop out of the race and endorse Clinton.

“Obviously the call had gone out from somewhere,” Weld, the former Massachusetts governor, said today during an appearance on Boston Herald Radio. “And I’ve got to think directly or indirectly, it’s from the Clinton campaign.”

[utahagen]

While Gary Johnson does deserve criticism for his, “What is Aleppo?” response, I did think the way that interviewer — Mike whathisname from Boston? — posed the question, “What are you going to do about [dramatic pause] A...le...ppo?” was odd and was designed to throw Johnson off. I semi-believed Johnson when he later explained, “I thought ‘Aleppo’ was some kind of acronym.” Wouldn't most interviewers have said something more along the lines of, “The situation in Syria has been a powder keg for a decade and doesn't seem to be improving. How do you plan to tackle things in Aleppo?”

[ek_hornbeck]

That’s when he confirmed a lot of folks opinion of who Libertarians really are; Immature Coke Heads in three piece suits. This is not always true. Rand Paul wouldn’t have done this. I know Rand is now known as GOP, but he still leans Libertarian and probably always will. As Hank Williams sang; “It’s (being a libertarian) A Family Tradition”.

Unfortunately, most "Libertarians" are either establishment Republicans who like to smoke weed, or else Democrats who want somewhat lower income taxes. Johnson and Weld seem like they're trying their best at being walking stereotypes of the first and second type of libertarian.

Rand Paul had a chance to introduce libertarian ideas into the Republican and conservative mainstream, which he blew thanks to running an inept campaign combined with a lack of charisma. Lack of gravitas is fine if you're running for the nomination of a fringe third party, less so for the Republican nomination. It's a shame, because even though Rand Paul is a mixed bag on some issues, he takes the right stand on many Constitutional issues much more consistently than most of his Senate colleagues.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Or do a “national unity” thing like Lincoln did in 1864 and give Johnson and Weld minor roles in the Trump administration. Suggestions?

[Mjreagan]

Johnson is certifiable. Give some voice to Rand Paul and other Libertarians...the top of their ticket is the pits.

[Terry L Smith]

Hillary didn’t have to do a thing.

As long as that buzzard Johnson lives, he thinks ‘the iron throne’ is his on a platter, thereby screwing the pooch for all the next generations of would-have-been Libertarians, and those, like me, that ditched and switched, rather than stay in a party that is rotting from the inside.

[backwoods-engineer]

I hope the Trump camp was smart enough to actually be the source of this rumor about Weld dropping out and endorsing Her Highness. That would indicate they are playing 3D chess to Clinton checkers.

[Elsie]

Clinton camp ‘planted’ rumors of Libertarian collapse

Oh it did NOT!

This story is a rumor started by the Bernie losers!

Snerk!!

[boop]

Why WOULDN'T Hillary supporters be afraid of Johnson-Weld?

They are MORE left-wing than she is.

Pro-coal tax, open borders.

Even Hillary isn't stupid enough to run on gun control.

These two characters are as far from "libertarian" as you can get.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

They tried so hard to drain conservative votes, but now they and Hillary are polarizing against each other.

[Disestablishmentarian]

>>Immature Coke Heads in three piece suits. <<

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Mark Cuban

[MaxFlint]

Or do a “national unity” thing like Lincoln did in 1864 and give Johnson and Weld minor roles in the Trump administration.

Johnson is an open borders globalist who'd sabotage any conservative administration by leaking damaging information to the press. He should stay in the political wilderness where he belongs.

I like Weld personally but he seems to share Johnson's views. We're far beyond the point where tax and spending cuts can solve our problems.

[MaxFlint]

Even Hillary isn't stupid enough to run on gun control.

What campaign are you watching? She even brought it up in the debate.

[Neoliberalnot]

Johnson turns out to be worse than a RINO, far worse in some cases.

[ek_hornbeck]

I don’t like Johnson or Weld either, but if they can convince some PO’d Sanders supporters and liberal-leaning independents to vote for them instead of voting for Hillary, I’m all for promoting their candidacies. I’d be happy to see them included in the debates for this very reason.