Libertarian VP nominee William Weld makes an unexpectedly strong pitch for Hillary Clinton

Bill Weld essentially endorses Hillary Clinton — (Image credit: MSNBC/YouTube)

William Weld, the former Republican governor of Massachusetts and current Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee, is voting for himself and his running mate, Gary Johnson, this year, but on Tuesday night's Rachel Maddow Show he more or less gave Libertarian-leaning voters in key swing states the green light to vote for Hillary Clinton.

Maddow kicked things off by asking Weld if his and Johnson's goal at this point isn't really just hitting the 5 percent threshold. "In the real world, that's probably correct," Weld said. "That would give federal matching funds, it would mean no more ballot access woes. You know, we thought for the longest time we might have a chance to run the table because we're such nice guys and centrist party, etcetera, but not getting into the debates really sort of foreclosed that option. So now it is the 5 percent, you're right."

Maddow asked Weld if he believed voters in the swing states that will decide this election — Ohio, North Carolina, Florida — should vote Libertarian, given his strong opposition to Donald Trump. He said he thinks "on the merits we have the best ticket," but "I fear for the country if Mr. Trump should be elected." For anyone deciding not to tempt fate by voting Libertarian in key swing states, "I have a lot to say about Mrs. Clinton that has not been said by others recently and I think needs to be said," Weld added. "I mean, I've known her for 40 years, I've worked with her, I know her well professionally, I know her well personally, I know her to be a person of high moral character, a reliable person, and an honest person, however much Mr. Trump may rant and rave to the contrary. So I'm happy to say that and people can make their own choices."

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Maddow appeared a little confused. "Do you honestly believe that Gary Johnson would be a better president than Hillary Clinton?" she asked. "I think he'd be capable of being a good chief executive and yes, a commander in chief, Aleppo to the contrary notwithstanding," Weld said, laughing. "He was a strong governor. You know, I believe in the platform of the Libertarian Party," he said, and wants to see it have "a seat at the table" in Washington, but there's a "massive difference between the two establishment party candidates." Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.