Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin did not choose his actual vice-presidential running mate until early this month. She is Mindy Finn. Because she was chosen so late, her name is not printed on any state’s ballot. Instead, McMullin’s vice-presidential running mate in all eleven states where he is on the ballot is stand-in Nathan Johnson.
This Utah news story discusses this matter, but the reporter did not seem to know that George Wallace acted in a similar fashion in 1968. Wallace didn’t choose his vice-presidential running mate, Curtis LeMay, until early October 1968. Only five states printed LeMay on the ballot. In the other states, Wallace’s stand-in, Marvin Griffin, former Georgia Governor, was on the ballot. But that didn’t matter. Wallace carried five states, and his presidential electors in all five states voted for LeMay in the electoral college.
I attended Gary Johnson’s event with the Washington Post today (The Daily 202 Live). Johnson was asked about McMullin. He didn’t say much about McMullin, other than to note that he is free to run, and to remind the live audience, and the viewers, that McMullin is only on the ballot in 11 states. He also reminded us that McMullin’s running mate is on the ballot in zero states. I guess that qualifies as a dig from Johnson (and a well-deserved one, IMO).
re: “Nathan Johnson.”
Out of all the possible last names in the country, what are the odds he would just happen to choose a “stand in” with the same last name as Gary Johnson? What are the odds its an attempt to get accidental mis-votes? If so, why didn’t he choose someone named Trump or Clinton? I’m guessing he figured there might be too many objections if he went all the way and had chosen a “stand in” with the same complete name Gary Johnson.
I tend to think McMullins campaign was a cynical attempt to grab any #NeverTrump GOP defectors and prevent them from voting for Johnson to try to deprive the LP of getting 5% and getting federal matching funds, and in general building up an alternative party. McMullins campaign is a 1 shot so its not a threat to the GOP since its not building a party.
I say that partly due to the weird articles that appeared where McMullin claimed he wouldn’t have run if Johnson were a “real libertarian”. Obviously McMullin isn’t a real libertarian so that isn’t going to get him any votes, at most it might depress votes for Johnson for people who won’t vote or will write in a “real libertarian”. Its useful to depress Trump&Clinton votes, but it doesn’t seem too useful for him to have wasted time on trying to depress Johnson votes.. unless his whole goal is to depress LP/Johnson votes.
Yup, I know they have since talked about the possibility of an alternative party, but I’m guessing that is to undermine the argument “why vote for McMullin, a vote for the LP at least builds an alternative party”. I think the odds are high they won’t attempt to build another party after the election.
I voting for Gary Johnson .I live in a Republican county .Dade County Missouri.i really don’t care about this Election.Its the worse I have seen.