Former Gov. Gary Johnson
Election Night Remarks
Hotel Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM
November 8, 2016

Bill Weld introduction...

Gary Johnson: Bill Weld.  Wow.  Beyond my wildest dreams that guy was my running mate.

Eight major newspapers endorsed our campaign to be president and vice president.  Trump 1, Johnson-Weld 8.  And if I could summarize those eight papers, and one of them was the Chicago Tribune -- Cubs won the World Series right -- Chicago Tribune's claim to fame endorsed Lincoln, the last third party candidate to win.  Two days ago the largest newspaper in South Carolina, Charleston, they endorsed our campaign.  And you know what the eight newspapers said?  They said these guys might not win, but we as newspapers have an obligation to point out the best candidates for president.

And that's two former Republican governors that served in heavily Democrat states, got re-elected by bigger margins the second time than the first time, weren't wallflowers, actually did stuff when they were governors, and they are talking about an agenda that everybody that intends to run for political office better study, better understand what it is they're saying, because anybody that's going to be successful politically in this country in the next ten years is going to have to mimic what these guys have to say because there saying it, they're telling the truth, they're being honest about this, that you can't continue to spend the amount of money that we're spending, you can't not address the entitlements, Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security.

You know Bill and I are pledging a balanced, we were pledging a balanced budget in the first 100 days.  Why is that important?  Well it's important for young people.  All of this is important for young people.  Young people are getting, young people are getting screwed.  I'm going to get my health care, I'm going to get my retirement, and, oh, you're going to have to pay for it, as a young person you're going to have to pay for it.  And, oh, it probably won't be around by the time you need to take advantage of it.  And President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act, dependent on young, health people paying for those that are older and not so healthy.  And then when it comes to our military interventions, when it comes to regime change, we're asking young people to put their lives on the line, and with no real reason, with no real clear objective.

So what I would like, what I would like everybody here to walk out of here tonight thinking is, you know what, we came to dance and let's dance.  There is a lot to celebrate, a lot to celebrate.  This is a celebration.  I think it is just the start of a really big movement, the Libertarian movement.  Yeah.  Yeah, it is.  I think the next election cycle, I think they're going to be so many wonderful candidates lined up all from top to bottom on the Libertarian ticket, and I think that there is going to be a third voice. 

And you know what.  We weren't in the presidential debates.  And that sucks.  And so if there's one thing that comes out of this campaign, it's hey the presidential debates commission wears no clothes.  Republicans, Democrats that have no desire whatsoever to see anyone else on stage other than a Republican and a Democrat.  And when you consider the fact that today 50-percent of Americans that are going to register to vote are registering as independent, well where is that representation?

And if you vote for the lesser of two evils, what do you end up with?  [Audience: "Evil"]

But here we are.  We didn't win tonight, so let's wish the eventual victor tonight best wishes to bring America together.  Let's hope that that takes place.  But every single one of you, by voting conscience, that's how you change things.  You change things by voting for who you believe in.  That's how you change things.  And think about it.  Two days from now, who did you vote for?  Two months from now, who did you vote for?  Two years, twenty years, always hold your head high.  All of you, you absolutely rock.  Thank you very, very, very much for being out here and supporting this campaign.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Thank you to every veteran out there.  Thank you to all active members of the military.  My 97-year old father is here.  Paratrooped into Normandy before D-Day.  Thank you father.  And my mother is here.  Mom, thank you.  We wouldn't be in New Mexico if it wasn't for my mother.  And my sister is here and my brother-in-law is here.  My mother-in-law Betty.  Betty, thank you.  Everybody, everybody thank you.  Everybody here is connected and it's all family and thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

[chants: We love Gary.]

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STATEMENT FROM GOV. GARY JOHNSON 

Nov. 9, 2016, Albuquerque, NM -- The following statement was released by Gov. Gary Johnson this morning: 

“It is a rare privilege to play a part in shaping the future of a great nation. By offering Americans an honorable, principled choice in this election, and being joined by thousands of supporters and volunteers to make a credible third party ticket part of the national conversation, we took significant steps toward reshaping the political landscape. For that, I am both proud and grateful.
 
This campaign was not about Bill Weld and me. It was not even about 2016. It was about a small government, greater freedom movement that I am confident will take hold and grow well beyond this election. It was about showing millennials, young people and all Americans that they do not have to blindly accept a two party duopoly. We have hopefully set the stage for that movement to flourish and have real success at the polls. 
 
This is a great nation filled with great people. Bill Weld and I are honored to have provided a voice for millions of those great people, and deeply grateful to all those who made this historic effort possible. 
 
Today is a day to wish the President-elect our best wishes, and a sincere hope that, together, we can get about the business of addressing the challenges this great nation faces.”