Podcast Summary: Special Preview: Gary Johnson’s Bid for the White House

Podcast: The New Yorker Radio Hour
Host: David Remnick
Guest: Gary Johnson, 2016 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Date: August 30, 2016

Episode Overview

In this special preview, David Remnick interviews Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party’s candidate for president in the 2016 election. The conversation delves into Johnson’s perspectives on the current state of the Republican Party, his own campaign themes, and his positions on central policy issues—from social security and health care reform to gun rights and drug policy. Johnson also offers insight into his personal philosophy and what has shaped his approach to life and politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of the Republican Party

• Johnson’s Take: Johnson criticizes the Republican Party, forecasting its demise due to Donald Trump’s candidacy and alienation of core principles and members.
  • Quote:
    “I think this is the demise of the Republican Party. I think Donald Trump alienates more than half of Republicans.” (01:01, Gary Johnson)
• On Donald Trump’s Policies: Describes Trump’s positions as incoherent and extreme, referencing ideas like mass deportation, building a border wall, and imposing tariffs.
  • Quote:
    “He’s all for free trade, but you know, he's going to impose a tariff on imported goods. Who's going to pay for that? And you’re going to force Apple to make their iPads and their iPhones in the United States. It just goes on and on and on.” (01:27, Gary Johnson)
• On Clinton: Johnson reassesses his earlier, more charitable assessment of Hillary Clinton, now viewing the Clinton Foundation as problematic.
  • Quote:
    “I think, you know, sometimes you misspeak a little bit...this whole Clinton foundation is pay to play.” (02:34, Gary Johnson)

2. Third-Party Impact & The Question of ‘Spoiling’ Elections

• Johnson does not fear being a “spoiler,” referencing the polarizing nature of Clinton and Trump.
  • Quote:
    “A wasted vote is voting for somebody that you don't believe in.” (03:20, Gary Johnson)

3. Debate Stage and Campaign Themes

• Johnson emphasizes his executive experience and desire to discuss substantive issues, not just attack opponents.
  • Quote:
    “Having been governor of New Mexico for two terms, having more executive experience than the two of them...” (04:00, Gary Johnson)
• Core Platform:
  • Smaller government
  • Balanced budget—including entitlement and military cuts
  • Entitlement reform without cutting benefits, but raising eligibility age

4. Policy Specifics

• Social Security:
  • Proposes raising the retirement age, suggesting 72 as a “good starting point.” (05:32)
• Medicare & Medicaid:
  • Wants to devolve Medicaid to the states.
• Obamacare:
  • Sees fully reversing it as unrealistic; advocates for a free-market approach, alluding to a lack of global models.
  • Quote:
    “Health care is as far removed from free market as it possibly can be.” (06:06, Gary Johnson)

5. Drug Policy, Legalization, and Harm Reduction

• Johnson candidly discusses his past recreational marijuana use and his current total abstention, emphasizing honesty with voters.
  • Quote:
    “My whole life is about health and wellness and fitness, and I take great pride in it...if you tell the truth, you know, it’s really hard to do harm to somebody who’s telling the truth.” (07:10, Gary Johnson)
• Drugs Beyond Marijuana:
  • Acknowledges the war on drugs as a failure, stresses harm reduction (e.g., heroin testing clinics).
  • Quote:
    “Drugs are a health issue rather than a criminal justice issue.” (08:14, Gary Johnson)
  • Quote:
    “If communities really cared about [the heroin epidemic], they’d set up a clinic. Bring your heroin in, you’re not going to get arrested. Bring your heroin in and we’ll test it to tell you whether or not it’s going to kill you or not. And that would be a harm reduction strategy.” (09:29, Gary Johnson)

6. Gun Rights and Mass Shootings

• Clarifies his stance, rejecting the idea that he advocates for “more guns” but reaffirms strong Second Amendment support:
  • Civilian access to semi-automatic rifles should remain legal
  • On arming teachers, leaves the decision to individual educators
  • Quote:
    “We should be allowed to exercise our Second Amendment rights, David. Which would be the ability to own a semiautomatic rifle.” (11:42, Gary Johnson)

7. Environmental Policy & Government Role

• Though a small-government advocate, Johnson supports the EPA’s role in protecting citizens from environmental harm.
  • Quote:
    “I do think that the EPA comes under the fundamental heading of protecting us...And I put pollution in the category of harm.” (12:56, Gary Johnson)

8. Personal Philosophy & Influences

• Formative Experiences:
  • Entrepreneurship, athletics, and family shaped his values.
  • Embraces optimism and views failure as integral to success.
  • Quote:
    “It’s ultimately how you deal with failure that determines success.” (13:58, Gary Johnson)
• Book Recommendations:
  • Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead (favorite) and Atlas Shrugged as touchstones of his philosophy. (15:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump & the Republican Party:
  “I think this is the demise of the Republican Party.” (01:01)
• On marijuana honesty:
  “I hope more than anything that people would just recognize that here’s a guy who tells the truth.” (07:10)
• On gun rights:
  “We should be allowed to exercise our Second Amendment rights, David. Which would be the ability to own a semiautomatic rifle.” (11:42)
• On government and the EPA:
  “I do think the EPA comes under the fundamental heading of protecting us… I put pollution in the category of harm.” (12:56)
• On personal growth:
  “It’s ultimately how you deal with failure that determines success.” (13:58)
• On philosophy:
  “I love the Fountainhead. I love Atlas Shrugged… Fountainhead is my favorite book.” (15:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Republican Party & Trump Critique: 00:27–02:13
• Thoughts on Clinton & Spoiling: 02:25–03:37
• Debate Prospects & Campaign Themes: 03:37–04:36
• Entitlement & Budget Reform: 04:36–06:01
• Healthcare System/Obamacare: 06:01–06:29
• Marijuana Use & Drug Policy: 06:31–09:09
• Gun Rights & Regulations: 09:57–12:35
• EPA & Environmental Policy: 12:35–13:48
• Formative Life Experiences & Philosophy: 13:48–15:35

Episode Tone and Style

Throughout the conversation, Remnick’s probing-yet-conversational style brings out Johnson’s frankness, especially when discussing controversial topics. Johnson’s responses blend libertarian philosophy with pragmatic governance, marked by a commitment to honesty—even when it becomes personally revealing.

This summary encapsulates the substance and spirit of Gary Johnson’s 2016 presidential bid as discussed in this preview, providing clarity for listeners or readers new to the conversation.