Gary Johnson Could Appear in Presidential Debates

It appears that the noise that Gary Johnson and his supporters are making for his inclusion in the debates is being noticed. We must continue to keep the pressure on.

For those who have seen The Shawshank Redemption, we all remember what Andy Dufresne said after his once a week letter writing campaign to get funding and supplies for the prison library was successful, "From now on, I send two letters a week instead of one."

In other words, now that we know they are sick of hearing from us, we need to make twice as much noise.

US News

After weeks of angry protests on Reddit, Facebook and Twitter to get Libertarian party nominee Gary Johnson in the presidential debates, Janet Brown from the Commission on Presidential Debates tells Whispers he might appear there.

Supporters of Johnson, a former New Mexico governor, have repeatedly said their candidate has been unfairly excluded from presidential election coverage by the mainstream media, hurting his chances to appear in the debates.

That anger only heightened last week when a electoral map generated by data from ISideWith.com, an online app that connects voters with candidates based on their platform stances, showed that Johnson would be the next president if voters cast ballots based solely on the issues.

But Brown told Whispers no decisions on candidate selection have been made yet. Those lobbying to get Johnson in the debates, she said, are "making assumptions about something that has not [happened]."

According to the commission site, a candidate must fulfill three criteria, and Johnson seems to meet them.

Johnson, of course, fulfills an age and nationality requirement, and he has recently met the second criterion as well: That a candidate's name must "appear on enough state ballots to have at least a mathematical chance of securing an Electoral College majority in the 2012 general election."

But the third requirement could lead to Johnson's exclusion. The commission requires a candidate to secure at least 15 percent in selected polls, which Johnson has not yet done. (Gary Johnson polled at 5.3 percent in a poll earlier this month by JZ Analytics; an April Public Policy Polling poll showed him at 6 percent.)
Johnson campaign spokesman Joe Hunter told Whispers of the 15 center benchmark: "We're certainly working towards that and hoping to achieve it."

Johnson's supporters have centered much of their polling frustrations on CNN, which has not included the candidate in their polling since last September. A Twitter hashtag #BlackoutCNN has been used hundreds of times over the last several weeks. Earlier this month, 100 protesters stood outside CNN headquarters in Atlanta with signs and T-shirts asking the network to "Include Gary!" according to the Independent Voter Network.

A request for comment from CNN was not immediately returned, but Hunter told Whispers that whether CNN includes Johnson or not, the campaign is "optimistic" Johnson could appear at the first debate, which will take place Oct. 3 at the University of Denver in Colorado.

Blackout CNN For Gary Johnson

Blackout CNN

THE PROBLEM

CNN has never given Gary Johnson a fair shot. At first, CNN refused to include Gov. Johnson in their polls for Republican primaries. After complaints, they included him one time, and he polled higher than Rick Santorum, Herman Cain and Jon Huntsman. So CNN removed Gov. Johnson from their polling choices. They made a rule that said that only people polling at more than 2% could be in the televised debates. But how could Gov. Johnson meet their thresholds if he was not included in the polls? CNN shut Gary Johnson out of the Republican primary debates.

Now they are at it again! As a Libertarian, Gov. Johnson cannot appear in the national debates unless he polls at least 15%! But once again, CNN refuses to include Gov. Johnson in their polls.

FACT: Gary Johnson will be on the ballot in all 50 states as a third choice for President.

FACT: Gary Johnson has significant polling numbers in numerous states – between 7% and 12%.

FACT: Gary Johnson is a major factor in the 2012 election, is newsworthy and is a voice that reflects Americans and democracy. The people have a right to know about him.

So why is CNN blacking Gary Johnson out? Is CNN so biased that they want their 2-party candidates to be the only candidates? Will they abandon all journalistic integrity, fundamental fairness and their viewers?

Ask them WHY! Demand that CNN cover Gov. Johnson and include him on the polls. We the People have had enough of this media blackout.

And to show them we mean it, we are going to BLACKOUT CNN!
THE PLAN

1. Protests at CNN Headquarters and Local Stations [July 15 and 16]

2. Twitter and Social Media Blackout [July 16]

3. Telephone Blackout [July 16]

4. Grassroots Fundraiser (aka Money Bomb) [July 15 and 16]

PROTESTS

Who: Everyone!

What: Protests at CNN Headquarters (or local stations for those who can’t make it)

When: July 15 – July 16, 2012. Starts at 10:30 a.m.

Where: 190 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Notes: It’s very important to have as many people as possible at this protest. Publicize this widely – email, Facebook, Craigslist, bulletin boards, local media, etc. No idea is a bad one – get the word out! Bring as many people as you can! This is our one shot to really make a difference and be heard, grassroots style. Bring signs!

http://www.facebook.com/events/332156006861343/

We are outraged that CNN would control information and try to pick our candidates for us!

TWITTER AND SOCIAL MEDIA BLACKOUT

Who: Everyone!

What: Take to Twitter and other social media and call on CNN to include Gov. Johnson

When: July 16, 2012, 11:00 a.m. Eastern

Where: Twitter, Facebook and everywhere!

Notes: The most powerful of these tools is Twitter, followed by Facebook. But all Social Media mentions are welcome! Everyone take to their computers and phones and demand that CNN take notice. We start at 11 and continue all day.

Tweets to: @CNN , @CNNPolitics , @CNNBRK (breaking news)
Hashtag: #BlackoutCNN. Please do not use this tag until July 16 at 11 am EST.

EXAMPLE: “#BlackoutCNN like they have blacked out @GovGaryJohnson ! Include him in your polling @CNN .”

The more we do, the more likely it is that we will be picked up by other media, as well, who will pressure CNN to pay attention!

PHONE BLACKOUT

Who: Everyone!

What: Call CNN and demand that they include Gov. Johnson

When: Beginning July 16, 2012, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern (See Schedule)

Where: CNN (404) 827-1500

Notes: States are paired up to work together for 30 minute intervals. We will work at this EVERYDAY until CNN includes Gov. Johnson, but July 16 is important to make an impact. We are asking for only a few minutes of a lot of people’s time. We need as many people as possible to call.

· Stay on the line until you talk to a live person.

· Ask to speak to whomever is in charge of polling and debates for the Presidential Race

· Sample script: “I would like for CNN to include Libertarian Nominee Governor Gary Johnson in their polling for the general election because he represents my views on many subjects, ________ being one of them. Will you please begin including him in your polling?”

· If enough people call at once, we can jam their phone lines, which will also get their attention. Libertarians did that to Herman Cain’s radio show, and he included the candidate after that, so this can be very effective.
Schedule

(All times are listed as Eastern time so adjust for each state’s time accordingly)

9:00 to 9:30 am: Florida, Connecticut
9:30 to 10:00 am: Delaware, Georgia
10:00 to 10:30 am: District of Columbia, South Carolina
10:30 to 11:00 am: North Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts
11:00 to 11:30 am: Maryland, Alabama
11:30 to 12:00 pm: Pennsylvania, Maryland
12:00 to 12:30 pm: New York, New Jersey
12:30 to 1:00 pm: Vermont, Virginia
1:00 to 1:30 pm: West Virginia, New Hampshire
1:30 to 2:00 pm: Ohio, Rhode Island
2:00 to 2:30 pm: Mississippi, Illinois
2:30 to 3:00 pm: Michigan, Indiana
3:00 to 3:30 pm: Missouri, Wisconsin
3:30 to 4:00 pm: Louisiana, Arkansas
4:00 to 4:30 pm: Kentucky, Tennessee
4:30 to 5:00 pm: Oklahoma, Iowa
5:00 to 5:30 pm: Kansas, Minnesota
5:30 to 6:00 pm: Texas
6:00 to 6:30 pm: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska
6:30 to 7:00 pm: New Mexico, Montana
7:00 to 7:30 pm: Colorado, Wyoming
7:30 to 8:00 pm: Utah, Arizona
8:00 to 8:30 pm: Idaho, Nevada
8:30 to 9:00 pm: Alaska California
9:00 to 9:30 pm: Hawaii, Oregon, Washington

Blackout CNN moneybomb

Show your support for a candidate who really represents the people. No more elistist-picked, big government candidates! Show CNN that we have the voices and the dollars to support Gov. Johnson and Judge Gray.

Every dollar counts, and is a huge assistance for the campaign. Please donate $10, $25, $50 … up to $2500 per individual towards the campaign. Every dollar we raise shows the media and the two-party establishment that we are fed up with the “choices” they force upon us.

http://www.facebook.com/events/258328790944065/

New JZ Analytics Poll - Gary Johnson At 5.3% Nationally

If the election for president were held today, for whom would you vote?

Democrat Barack Obama .....43.6%
Republican Mitt Romney.....38.0%
Libertarian Gary Johnson....5.3%
Not sure...................13.1%

According to the poll Gary Johnson pulls more away from Mittens (4.1%) than he does from Barry (1.3%). Most polls where the former New Mexico Governor has been included generally showed that Johnson pulled equally from both, within 1%, so maybe this means that people are waking up to the fact that the Mittster is a horrible choice and is Obama-lite when it comes to most issues.

While this is down from the 7% Gary Johnson was pulling in a March PPP poll, he is still pleased, as he told Capitol Report New Mexico. "It’s all good, from our vantage point a lot more money is coming in. If people get the notion that I could win, that could be a game-changer. We’re not there yet, I’m not saying that, but these numbers are encouraging."

What Gary Johnson needs right now is money and exposure. It's encouraging to hear that a generous Libertarian supporter has recently donated $1 Million to a GJ2012 Super Pac but more is needed.

One way you can help is by participating in the #BlackoutCNN Twitter Bomb on Monday July 16th to @CNN, @CNNPolitics and @CNNBRK urging CNN to give Gary Johnson fair coverage.

The more people that hear about Gary Johnson, the better his chance to be included in the polls and hit the 15% mark that he needs to get into the national debates.

Supporters Of Gov. Gary Johnson To Organize CNN Protest

Gov. Johnson’s supporters in the Southeast are planning to converge on CNN Headquarters in Atlanta July 15-16. Here’s an email from Chris Hill with the details:

“FRUSTRATED BY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA’S REFUSAL TO GIVE GOV. GARY JOHNSON A CHANCE TO BE HEARD?

Here is an opportunity to do something about it!

July 15 & 16, supporters of Gov. Johnson – and folks who just believe in fairness – are gathering at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta to let the network know that voters deserve the chance to learn that there is another choice in November besides President Obama and Gov. Romney.

People need to know that there IS a voice for social tolerance and fiscal sanity in the presidential race, and that voice is Gary Johnson.

This isn’t just about Gov. Johnson. And it isn’t just about CNN. If the major media organizations across the country don’t even include Governor Johnson in their polls, much less their coverage, millions of Americans who are ready for a third choice in 2012 will be robbed of their opportunity to be heard.

We want to let CNN – and all the other networks – know that we will not be shut out.
Join us in Atlanta July 15-16! Then support our Twitter Bomb on July 16th at 11 a.m. EDT by using the following Hashtag: #BlackoutCNN.

For details, carpooling options, and everything else you need to know about our “protest”, visit: CNN Protest For Fair Coverage of Governor Johnson.

Please donate to this cause at: fundly.com/ChrisjonHill or at www.GaryJohnson2012.com.”