Former NM Gov. Gary Johnson's Vision For a Truly Free America

Former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson was the top elected official in New Mexico from 1994 through 2002. He took office after beating a primary opponent backed by the Republican party and he won election twice in a state that has two-to-one Democratic registration.

Born in 1953 and a one-time competitive skiier, Johnson was not your typical governor. Instead, he governed as fiscally responsible and socially tolerant. He didn't raise taxes at all during his time in office and pushed through an aggressive privatization agenda that reduced costs while improving services.

He vetoed 750 bills and trimmed the state workforce by 1,000 positions at the same time. He was also the highest-level elected politician and one of the most vocal proponent of drug legalization during his tenure.

Johnson is now fronting the Our America initiative, which is dedicated to advancing the public debate on topics ranging from immigration to civil liberties to free enterprise to the federal deficit to the war on drugs to Afghanistan and Iraq. He is frequently mentioned as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012.

Reason's Matt Welch and Nick Gillespie talked with Johnson about the issues of the day—and what it was like to climb Mt. Everest shortly after busting his leg.

Approximately 10 minutes. Shot by Dan Hayes and Meredith Bragg; edited by Bragg.

Note: This is a condensed version of a longer interview. For the full half-hour version, go to http://reason.tv/video/show/1038

Back in 2001, Reason called Johnson "the most dangerous politician in America." Find out why at http://reason.com/archives/2001/01/01/americas-most-dangerous-politi

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• new mexico
• gary johnson
• matt welch
• nick gillespie
• reason magazine
• reason
• reason.tv
• reason.com
• our america

[032125]

High production creates wealth, not high spending (no matter what the Keynesians tell you.

Spend less, produce more.

[MisterLibertarian]

We don't need to tax and regulate drugs. Private accreditation firms can do that more competently than a monopolistic, tax-eating government bureau.

[sapient254]

Gary Johnson for President!!!

[john639]

im voting for this guy period. Im so tired of electing the same ole politicians who are only @ spewing the same irrational and uneffective solutions and growing government power.

[gimmeliberty1]

I love Gary Johnson.... BUT.... cannot..... understand... haircutttt.t...

[signalfire6]

Good interview, thanks for this. It's nice to see a real discussion and not a shout fest.

[MooseOfReason]

Johnson had one of the highest job growth rates in the country, second only to Texas.  He needs to stress that.

[MEpianist]

This guy is pure class.

[FRSFreeStateNow]

@MooseOfReason

Actually Ron Paul raised more money in the Republican Primary's in 2008, then anyone else except for Mitt Romney. So clearly he was getting plenty of Media Attention. Plus I remember seeing him all over the news.

[MooseOfReason]

@pSychOAtDawn Make sure to watch him and Ron Paul in the debate this Thursday. It should be on Fox News.

[MooseOfReason]

@FRSFreeStateNow I think so. He's getting a ton of coverage now, but got barely any during the campaign. That was the whole reason for the blimp.

[FRSFreeStateNow]

@MooseOfReason

Are we talking about the same Ron Paul