Posted by Brian Moore under libertarian
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Since Gary Johnson is now running for president, this occurred to me: how has no one done a study on the effect of medical marijuana dispensaries (which are now quite common in some states) on the illegal pot trade? Does it hurt their business? Does it cause them to alter their prices, or quality? Do they compete with the dispensaries, or do they just open one themselves? Do they try to occupy a different market segment? This seems like economics study gold.
Alternatively, if someone has done this study, let me know!
Wait, sorry, that’s step 3! Conor is trying to figure out step 2, in discussing the political likelihood of a Gary Johnson presidency:
Then the Republican base embraced Sarah Palin, and all the same people who mocked Obama’s celebrity enthused about her star quality. One step forward, three steps back. Gene Healy’s book The Cult of the Presidency (magazine version here) is a great first step in pushing back against this trend. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the right second step is.
I do! If Conor and Marc (Ambinder) think Johnson would be a good president, and a suitable tonic to the cult of Palin or Obama, they should do the same things everyone else does when they find someone they think would be good for the job. Start a website advocating for him. Write articles on their blogs describing his wonderful policy points. Talk to their contacts in Johnson’s party about him. Show how he’s better than the other candidates. Do all the things Ambinder mentions in his post:
Johnson has plenty of tools available to build a grassroots following. Doing so requires creativity, work, charm, and a bit of luck, but it does not require the media.
Marc and Conor could help do that. And finally:
People vote for politicians who sparkle, or who harness their anger; politicians who make them proud to be Republicans … or proud to be Americans.
Agreed. So, for people who prefer Johnson to the alternatives: get to it! Show how much he sparkles. Show how voting for him will be an expression of anger at, well, whatever things anger you. Show how his policies exemplify what America stands for, so a voter could be proud of their choice. Sure, this all sounds tacky and formulaic, but if it’s works in today’s politics, then go for it. While you’re at it, play up the non-visceral qualities that appeal to the same people who dislike Palin.
There is a sizable group of people in this country who don’t like Obama or Palin that much — and even more who might be convinced that the parts of those two they do like could also be accomplished by a different candidate. Maybe a candidate named Gary. Get to work!
