Gary Johnson Is Human? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Gary Johnson Is Human?

Who wants an honest human being as president, anyway?

10
Gary Johnson Is Human?
KQED News

As many now know due to an outpouring of media coverage, Gary Johnson was asked about Aleppo during his interview on Morning Joe at MSNBC. He asked, "What is Aleppo?" and needed a small definition before being able to provide a fitting answer.


Many are using this blunder to suggest an end to Gary's campaign. However, I implore you to consider a few things before writing him off the ballot.

1. The question was given out of context.

The interview abruptly switched from talking about polls to a question about Syria. Now, while Johnson has already openly taken ownership for mistaking it as an acronym and insisted anything is fair game when running for president, I think we could all relate to the same situation. When asking my daughter which friends she wanted to invite to her party, she asked for Ashley. Just Ashley. I had no idea what she was talking about. I don't know a single little girl in her life named Ashley. After a small fit and a few probing questions, I was able to determine she was referencing her Aunt Ashley. In the context of talking about friends and without the context of "Aunt," I never even thought about family. Sure, this is far less important, but very much the same brain processing. It was a hiccup. Hiccups are human.

2. He was unapologetically honest.

Johnson could have acted just like every other candidate in the history of presidential races and pandered his way through the question, not really answering what was asked. Instead, he asked a clarifying question in order to answer the original fully and properly. To be completely honest, I would take honesty over bullsh*t any day. Johnson didn't pander. He owned up to his brain fart instead of attempting to fool the American public. That, to me, is admirable.

3. He still answered the question.

After understanding what the interviewer was asking when referring to Aleppo, he was able to give a pretty good response. To say he doesn't know Aleppo would be entirely inaccurate, as he was able to discuss it afterward. Rather, the correct headlines should read: Johnson Doesn't Understand Interviewer's Question. That wouldn't be much of a headline, though, huh? Misunderstandings happen often and reporters would have to address his honesty in not understanding, so that story wouldn't push their propaganda.

4. This isn't the only blunder on the campaign trail.

To take this one gaffe of Johnson's as disqualifying without even considering or discussing the many blunders from other presidential nominees is partisan at the very least. Presidential candidates' mistakes have occurred so frequently, The Atlantic now keeps a running tally of them on their "Gaffe Track." They're a little biased in their analysis of the gaffes, but any critical thinker can look the gaffes up themselves and come to their own conclusions. Did we already forget Trump's clear confusion on the nuclear triad?

5. Johnson still offers so much for his constituents.

While Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson "cut taxes 14 times while never raising them. He balanced the state’s budget, and left New Mexico with a billion-dollar surplus." It is very hard finding any kind of unbiased fact-check website to confirm these statistics, so what better source other than the good people of Reddit from New Mexico?

Reddit user Runfumaster said, "I thought he was a great Governor, he went above and beyond to avoid anything that might suggest corruption."

Emteeboyd said, "I loved the guy for a number of reasons (tax cuts, balanced budgets, and education reform just to name a few) but what I liked most was his sincerity in his convictions."

He is fiscally conservative and liberally inclusive. His proposed stances on the major issues lie perfectly in the middle of both extremes. Johnson offers something for everybody and I guarantee you that you'll find something you agree with.

I leave you with this comment from the same Reddit feed: "This Election truly reminds me of how he won the Governorship in New Mexico, although he was included in the debates. I hope people really give him a look, if they do I have no doubt they will realize that he's the best by far of the three candidates."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190923
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15269
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458133
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26768
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments