Two weeks ago, the Libertarian Party, "whose platform opposes all gun laws," held its presidential nominating convention in Orlando, Florida, Samantha Bee said on Monday's Full Frontal. It was a contested convention, Bee said, and Full Frontal was there to get a look at the 18 colorful candidates trying to be the party standard-bearer in what Libertarians hope could be their election. "All eyes are on us this year — as Libertarians, all we have to do is not screw it up," said candidate Austin Petersen, 35, whose pitch is: "I'd like to live in a world where gay married couples can protect their marijuana fields with fully automatic machine guns."
The goal of most of the candidates was to stop former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, "their white whale, the establishment LINO [Libertarian In Name Only] fighting for his life against a deep bench of party purists," Bee explained. In the debate, Johnson was booed for saying he would have voted for the Civil Rights Act, thinks the federal government needs some tax revenue, and supports driver's licenses. Johnson won on the second ballot, much to the chagrin of some. "I was hoping to make the Libertarian Party libertarian again, and they're nominating a Republican who smoked pot," James Weeks II, a candidate for Libertarian Party chairman, told Full Frontal. "That's all he is. He's not a Libertarian."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The growing US movement to end child marriagesUnder the Radar Practice is 'surprisingly widespread' but only 12 states have so far banned it
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
6 stylish homes in Portland, OregonFeature Featuring a wall of windows in Collins View and a historic ballroom in Portland Heights
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
