The vice presidential candidate for the Libertarian Party, William F. Weld, told the Boston Globe on Tuesday that he would be putting all of his efforts on bringing down Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Weld said he still supports Gary Johnson, the Libertarian presidential nominee, but how much is unclear.
Though Johnson has never had a substantial lead in the 2016 presidential campaign, or even close to one, there has been a substantial shift in Gary Johnson’s run after some “high-profile gaffes” over the last month. In one interview with Chris Matthews, the Libertarian presidential candidate couldn’t name one foreign leader he respected, and not because he didn’t have any he respected—he just couldn't name one on the spot. This might have been the breaking point for Weld and for Johnson’s campaign.
Weld, who was the former Republican governor of Massachusetts, says he’s very concerned with Trump’s agenda and calls it so objectionable, it’s “in a class by itself.”
“I think Mr. Trump’s proposals in the foreign policy area, including nuclear proliferation, tariffs, and free trade, would be so hurtful, domestically and in the world, that he has my full attention,” Weld said, “I’m certainly not going to drop them this year,” Weld said.
Globe reporters Mark Levenson and Frank Phillips say Weld’s comments are “sure to reignite suspicions among Libertarians who have questioned his loyalty to the party and have accused him of using the ticket for his own political aims.” But the missteps by Johnson are proving Weld has a better command of foreign affairs.
At one point, Weld strategists researched Libertarian Party rules to see if it were possible for him to take over the top of the ticket. The rules state the vice presidential nominee automatically assumes the presidential spot if there is a vacancy. But Johnson, peeved at the suggestion, flatly rejected the idea.
Weld said he disagrees with Clinton on “fiscal and military issues” but last said he’s:
“not sure anybody is more qualified than Hillary Clinton to be president of the United States.”
Okay, then. That’s a nice kudos for Hillary—and a blatant dig to his presidential running mate Gary Johnson. It’s funny when they eat their own.