Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson made an appearance on the national progressive talk show Democracy Now! Wednesday. He spoke about the presidential primaries and why he left the Republican party in 2012.
The show’s host Amy Goodman asked Johnson if he felt the Republican Party left him.
Related: NM politicos talk Clinton, Sanders and, yes, Trump
Johnson said his former party “did not stand up” for him when he was shut out of debates by networks due to his low polling numbers when he originally ran for president in 2012. He also said that he believes most people in the United States share his political views.
The video of Johnson’s segment is available below.
“I think the majority of people in this country are classic liberals,” Johnson said. “Which is, speaking with a broad brush stroke, being fiscally conservative and socially liberal.”
Goodman also asked the two-term governor about the possibility of Bernie Sanders running as an independent presidential candidate, to which Johnson responded, “To run as a third party starting today you will not be on the ballot in all 50 states.”
Johnson is seeking the Libertarian Party nomination for president.
Goodman’s question about Sanders came after Donald Trump’s statement on Tuesday night that the Democrats have not treated Sanders well. Trump suggested the former independent senator from Vermont would be better off walking away from the Democratic Party.
Johnson also explained his position on big government.
“It spends too much money, it tries to do too much, so it taxes too much,” Johnson said. He went on to say that more taxes means limited personal freedoms. He also told Goodman that he is pro-choice and is critical of “boots on the ground” warfare.
Johnson was joined by three other former and current New Mexico political figures figures for show’s taping, which occurred in Albuquerque early Wednesday morning.
The other guests included former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque and Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Sandia Park.
