Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson is pretty sure that when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told the Republican National Convention to "vote your conscience," what he meant to say was "vote for Gary Johnson." In an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo on Thursday morning, the former New Mexico governor clarified just how big of an opportunity he thinks Cruz's refusal to endorse Trump might have created for him.
"Well he did say to vote for Gary Johnson didn't he, and that was vote your conscience," Johnson said, promptly breaking out in self-satisfied laughter.
Cuomo surfaced an alternative explanation, mentioning that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had interpreted Cruz's remark as an endorsement of Trump, since Trump is "the only candidate in the race who will uphold the Constitution." Johnson responded by saying that he, too, "certainly would uphold the Constitution" — and then proceeded to remind Cuomo about Trump's plans to make it easier to sue the media. "First Amendment?" Johnson said. "What's that? First Amendment, that's in the Constitution of the United States."
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.
Watch the exchange below. Becca Stanek
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.