The Libertarian Party ticket of Gary Johnson and Bill Weld is trying to seize the opening for an alternative to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump with an introductory video meant to burnish their credibility.
In doing so, there's one thing the ad doesn't do: mention that they are Libertarians.
After an initial introduction by the two, the screen defines them as, "a credible alternative to Clintrump." The two tout their records, highlighting achievements and using phrases designed to portray themselves as transcending the left-right ideological spectrum. "I vetoed wasteful spending 750 times, cut taxes 14 times and left the state with new highways, bridges, schools, hospitals and a billion dollar surplus without raising taxes a penny." Weld tries to one-up him: "I cut taxes 21 times, and took unemployment from the highest rate among the 11 industrialized states to the lowest." Johnson generously offers, "And he did that in his first term!" Weld nonchalantly boasts, "It was easy."
Johnson touts his electability: "As a Republican I was re-elected by my Democrat state in a landslide." Weld pithily adds: "Ditto!" The word "Libertarian" still isn't mentioned, perhaps leaving the impression the two are still Republicans.
"What say America, you in?" says Johnson, followed by a chummy nudge from Weld: "Come on!" After two minutes, the word "Libertarian remains unuttered.
So if America is intrigued, its only challenge will be figuring out where to find Johnson and Weld on the ballot.
In doing so, there's one thing the ad doesn't do: mention that they are Libertarians.
What Party Are Gary Johnson and Bill Weld In?
The two are simply presented as, "Governors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld" stressing their governing experience instead of their newfound party.After an initial introduction by the two, the screen defines them as, "a credible alternative to Clintrump." The two tout their records, highlighting achievements and using phrases designed to portray themselves as transcending the left-right ideological spectrum. "I vetoed wasteful spending 750 times, cut taxes 14 times and left the state with new highways, bridges, schools, hospitals and a billion dollar surplus without raising taxes a penny." Weld tries to one-up him: "I cut taxes 21 times, and took unemployment from the highest rate among the 11 industrialized states to the lowest." Johnson generously offers, "And he did that in his first term!" Weld nonchalantly boasts, "It was easy."
Johnson touts his electability: "As a Republican I was re-elected by my Democrat state in a landslide." Weld pithily adds: "Ditto!" The word "Libertarian" still isn't mentioned, perhaps leaving the impression the two are still Republicans.
Johnson and Weld Transcend Left and Right
The screen reads, "They think like America thinks," followed by the two embracing equal marriage rights, abortion rights, term limits, "intelligent immigration reform" and "small, efficient government that treats the American people like family instead of livestock." Johnson ends with a salesman's pitch: "Give us one term America, and if after four years you decide you don't like peace, prosperity and freedom, you can always vote a Trump or a Hillary back into office again.""What say America, you in?" says Johnson, followed by a chummy nudge from Weld: "Come on!" After two minutes, the word "Libertarian remains unuttered.
So if America is intrigued, its only challenge will be figuring out where to find Johnson and Weld on the ballot.