by Andy Weddington
Thursday, 04 August
When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor. Elon Musk
Channel surfing last evening I happened upon CNN's Town Hall with the Libertarian Party ticket for the presidency - Gary Johnson and William Weld.
Anderson Cooper hosted.
But for the first five minutes, I watched and listened (somewhat distracted plucking at an instrument) as they fielded audience questions. And questions from Mr. Cooper, too.
These two men (not known to me), once Republicans and two-time governors, were calm, articulate, and civil - in tone and volume.
How refreshing a couple of adults are running for high office.
In contrast to the major party tickets, stark.
Their answers were thoughtful, direct, and on point.
Granted, I do not know the platform so felt duty to listen. Though not in agreement with all said, much made sense.
Believe it or not, Mr. Johnson at one point said, "I could be wrong." And it was not a flippant, token comment.
Goodness, we've not heard those four words from Mrs. Clinton nor Mr. Trump. And certainly not from the sitting president.
More interested, I set the instrument aside.
And then about ten minutes before the end a middle-aged gent stood and asked a question about FBI Director James Comey's summation of the investigation (and recommendation) into Hillary Clinton's email crimes.
His question, wanting to know if they agreed with Mr. Comey (and the DOJ decision), was directed at both but only Mr. Weld, a former prosecutor, answered.
He said he did agree with Director Comey's decision that no reasonable prosecutor would have indicted. And gave a sentence or two in quasi legalese as to why.
It sounded like political gobbledygook (especially after putting in context to Rep. Trey Gowdy (R, SC), too a prosecutor, shredding Mr. Comey's logic under oath).
The common man's (common sense) conscience acid test on this issue is simple. It comes down to right and wrong and legal versus illegal, and one simple question:
"If there was not deliberate intent on behalf of Mrs. Clinton, then why did she set up a private system; destroy records; and lie, lie, lie, and continue to lie vice saying, from the onset, she made an honest mistake?"
Has Mr. Weld not considered that question?
He didn't bother to say, "I could be wrong."
So, "Feel the Weld"?
No!
Mr. Johnson should have answered the question.
That he remained silent leads to the logical conclusion he agrees with Mr. Weld.
With that, lack of common sense, he's not fit to be president.
"Feel the Johnson"?
No!
For me, it's that simple.
In closing ...
The two gents are polished. They look, speak, and carry themselves as confident executives and, as such, came across as casual and authentic not scripted and rehearsed.
Will they continue to do that if popularity grows and under relentless attack from opposition and media?
We'll not know the answer to that question unless they're able to garner 15% in polls to make the debates stage - with that being the critical step in their goal to win the election outright.
The odds are absolutely not in their favor but that does not diminish the importance of their campaign.
If making the stage, who knows.
But if not making the stage, they're history - their names to be but an obscure footnote. Maybe.
That's the safe bet - even in this odd election year.
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