Gary Johnson And Jim Gray Sue The Commission On Presidential Debates

If you believe Gary Johnson and Jim Gray should be included in the debates, sign the petition.

Examiner.com

On Friday, the Libertarian presidential ticket of former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson and former California Superior Court judge Jim Gray filed an anti-trust lawsuit in U.S. District court to ask the court to force the Commission on Presidential Debates to include all presidential candidates who have enough ballot access to have a mathematical chance of winning the presidential election to have a spot on the debate stage.

The lawsuit accuses the Democratic Party, Republican Party, and Commission on Presidential Debates of violating the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, which prohibits certain business activities that reduce competition, and requires the federal government to investigate and pursue trusts, companies, and organizations suspected of being in violation. The relevant part of the law is Section 2, which reads:

“Every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $100,000,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $1,000,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or by both said punishments, in the discretion of the court.”

If the lawsuit is successful, this year's CPD-sponsored debates will either expand to include the Libertarian candidates as well as the Green Party ticket of Massachusetts physician Jill Stein and Pennsylvania anti-poverty advocate Cheri Honkala, or be canceled.

Via Memeorandum

LP VP Judge Gray Announces $1,000,000 Donation

Independent Political Report

Judge Jim Gray, at the Gary Johnson fundraiser held at former VP Nominee and current LNC member Wayne Allyn Root’s home, before a crowd of about 80 donors gathered around the outdoor pool on an unusually cool and humid Las Vegas evening, announced that a generous Libertarian supporter had recently donated $1,000,000 to a super pac supporting the Gary Johnson 2012 campaign to “keep us going.”

Judge Gray then repeated his statement that he accepted Governor Johnson’s invitation to become his VP running mate on the condition that the Governor run the race to win it. Judge Gray then outlined what he sees as a strategy to win — fighting “tooth and nail” to get into the debates, providing a message that Americans are “craving,” and running national advertising reminding voters that the hundreds of millions spent by Obama and Romney represent dollars that they owe others for political favors, while a vote for Johnson/Gray is a vote to represent real people, not special interests. He also encouraged everyone present to urge their friends not to hang up on polling companies, and to tell them they were supporting Governor Johnson . . . at least long enough to make the 15 percent polling hurdle for being in the debates.

Prior to Judge Gray’s announcement the Root family hosted a perfectly executed dinner party in their spacious Henderson NV home. BBQ Ribs, alcohol, fine desserts and all the extras flowed abundantly. LNC member Brett Pojunis introduced the first speaker who related a story of fishing in Alaska with a friend who was so (either fatigued, or inspired by) hearing stories about Gary Johnson that he eventually donated $2,500.00. Wayne was next, mentioning that he had never been fishing, but in what may have been his most adamant and passionate endorsement of the Johnson/Gray campaign urged everyone present to “give till it hurts” and to support the campaign because “while the Democrats are driving over the cliff at 180 mph, the Republicans are driving at that same cliff at 120 mph” and “we’re heading over the cliff either way” and “we can’t let that happen.” Wayne urged everyone present to support Gary Johnson.

Gary then gave an impassioned appeal for support declaring his intention to win and relating how he was also given zero chance of being elected Governor of New Mexico. His success there was due to running cutting edge videos and catching the support of both disaffected Republicans and Democrats. He described himself not as a “third choice” but as the ONLY choice given the similar positions of Romney and Obama on wars, taxes, health care, social tolerance, domestic spying, the police state and liberty verses massive government intervention into all areas of American life.

Judge Gray made remarks as summarized above and then introduced long-time Republican political operative Roger Stone. Stone related his conversion to Libertarianism following work on 8 Republican national elections and declared that he “plays the odds” and that the odds are moving strongly in a libertarian direction. He described Johnson/Gray as the most qualified, most articulate candidates in the race, clearly credible and missing only the cash (or “mother’s milk of politics”) needed to break through for a win. He encouraged everyone present to give the maximum of $2,500 per individual or more through the PAC identified by Judge Gray. He mentioned, to laughter, that there were people with baseball bats at the doors waiting for those who failed to give as much as they can.

Brett then thanked everyone for coming. Wayne reminded everyone that this is Las Vegas, and there were “really people with baseball bats” and again asked everyone present to support the campaign. He also introduced a professional photographer who was present to take photos of anyone who wanted one with the Governor, Judge or anyone else.

In this reporter’s experience the event was perfectly executed, very well attended and an apparent unqualified success. The crowd seemed energized and was reluctant to leave. Several small buses were used to transport attendees from Freedom Fest to Wayne’s home and back. The bus ride back was, at least for the bus this reporter was on, highly energized with expressions of gratitude to the Roots, the million dollar donor and for the very real possibility that Gary Johnson and Judge Gray could actually be in the debates.

Gov. Gary Johnson Endorses Judge Jim Gray For LP VP Nomination

Gary Johnson 2012

April 30, 2012, Newport Beach, CA – Former Judge of the California Superior Court of Orange County Jim Gray has announced he is seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination for Vice-President of the United States. The Libertarian Party will nominate its candidates for President and Vice-President at its national convention this week (May 2-6) in Las Vegas, NV. Former New Mexico Governor and Libertarian Party candidate for President Gary Johnson has strongly encouraged Gray to seek the nomination for Vice-President.

The Libertarian Party nominees for President and Vice-President will be on the ballot in all 50 states in the November election, the only party other than the Republicans and Democrats expected to appear on all 50 states’ ballots.

Judge Gray, who was appointed to the California Superior Court bench by Gov. George Deukmejian and served from 1989 to 2010, is a nationally known and respected author and speaker who has long advocated the reform of both California’s and the nation’s drug laws. Gray was the 2004 Libertarian candidate for the US Senate from California. He is the author of three books, including Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed: A Judicial Indictment Of War On Drugs, a critique of the failed war on drugs.

Prior to his tenure on the bench, Gray served both as a federal prosecutor and as a staff judge advocate for the U.S. Navy’s JAG Corps in Guam and California. For his Navy service, he was awarded National Defense, Vietnam Service and Combat Action Ribbons.

Endorsing Judge Gray’s candidacy, Governor Johnson said, “Jim Gray is not only a highly-respected jurist, but he is also a proven leader on issues of concern to Americans – from drug policy to civil liberties to ethics. I am proud he is joining me to offer America a real choice in this election, and excited that his forceful and extremely credible voice will be a vital part of our campaign. Judge Gray is a reformer with the track record and credentials to prove it, and I urge the Libertarian Party to nominate him for Vice-President of the United States.”

Announcing his intention to seek the LP vice-presidential nomination, Judge Gray said, “Virtually my entire career – as an attorney, prosecutor, judge, writer, speaker and public policy advocate – has been devoted to the cause of putting government, through its laws and policies, in its proper role as a defender of individual liberty and rights. From drug policy reform to competition and choice in education, I believe and have worked to advance the idea that smaller government, living within its means, is key to not only freedom, but opportunity and prosperity.

“Especially with the candidacy of former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, the 2012 election offers an historic opportunity for libertarian ideals and policies to be a very real part of the national debate. I am committed to that debate, and excited to join Governor Johnson in providing the voters with a credible, proven alternative to the business-as-usual that will be offered by the two ‘major’ parties in November. Gary Johnson is an experienced Chief Executive with an eight-year record of putting libertarian principles into practice, cutting the size and cost of government while creating a record number of jobs.

“As the only candidates for President and Vice President who will be on the ballot in all 50 states who will cut Federal Spending by 43%, oppose the war in Afghanistan and the failed and expensive war on drugs, repeal the Patriot Act, support gay marriage equality and the legalization of marijuana, we will offer voters a choice voters crave.

“Millions of Americans are looking for leaders who will reject the wrong-headed direction the country is being taken by the Republicans and Democrats. They realize both parties have become ‘big government’ parties. They are looking for leaders who will not only stop government from spending too much, but from doing too much when it comes to our personal lives, our families, and our businesses. Our task is to offer the voters that choice, and I am proud to join Gary Johnson in taking on that task.”