Gamesmanship 101: Why Trump should want Gary Johnson in the debates
From the latest NBC/WSJ poll:
Hillary leads Trump by 5% in a two-way race – Hillary 46, Trump 41.
Hillary leads Trump by only 1% in a four-way race – Hillary 39, Trump 38, Gary Johnson 10, Jill Stein (Green Party) 6.
Conclusion: Awareness of third-party candidates improves Trump’s chance of winning. Their inclusion in the debates would raise awareness of them and benefit Trump.
How does this benefit Gary Johnson?
It gives him a chance to make the Libertarian case to a huge national audience.
It strengthens the LP’s credibility by having its candidate on the same stage as the nominees of the two major parties.
It allows Gary to contrast his positions, principles, executive experience and personal behavior with those of the two major party nominees.
For those considering voting third party, it enables him to contrast his social and economic platform with that of Green Party candidate Jill Stein. The LP’s values are much more in tune with those of most American voters than the values espoused by the Green Party.
What if Hillary does not agree to a 3-way or 4-way debate?
It will make Trump look more “inclusive” than Hillary and more tolerant of “diversity”.
It will make Hillary vulnerable to charges she is “afraid” to debate the third-party candidates.
Trump has said he is open to having more than the usual three debates with Hillary. If Johnson/Stein are not included in these debates, Trump could challenge all three other candidates to additional debates, and showcase an “empty chair” if Hillary fails to show up.
The number one priority for the LP should be getting Gary Johnson into the debates. In this instance, both Trump and Johnson will benefit from Johnson’s inclusion. Therefore, libertarians should be encouraging Trump to press for inclusion of Gary Johnson in the debates. Whether or not Jill Stein is also included, it’s still a great idea.
Hillary leads Trump by 5% in a two-way race – Hillary 46, Trump 41.
Hillary leads Trump by only 1% in a four-way race – Hillary 39, Trump 38, Gary Johnson 10, Jill Stein (Green Party) 6.
Conclusion: Awareness of third-party candidates improves Trump’s chance of winning. Their inclusion in the debates would raise awareness of them and benefit Trump.
How does this benefit Gary Johnson?
It gives him a chance to make the Libertarian case to a huge national audience.
It strengthens the LP’s credibility by having its candidate on the same stage as the nominees of the two major parties.
It allows Gary to contrast his positions, principles, executive experience and personal behavior with those of the two major party nominees.
For those considering voting third party, it enables him to contrast his social and economic platform with that of Green Party candidate Jill Stein. The LP’s values are much more in tune with those of most American voters than the values espoused by the Green Party.
What if Hillary does not agree to a 3-way or 4-way debate?
It will make Trump look more “inclusive” than Hillary and more tolerant of “diversity”.
It will make Hillary vulnerable to charges she is “afraid” to debate the third-party candidates.
Trump has said he is open to having more than the usual three debates with Hillary. If Johnson/Stein are not included in these debates, Trump could challenge all three other candidates to additional debates, and showcase an “empty chair” if Hillary fails to show up.
The number one priority for the LP should be getting Gary Johnson into the debates. In this instance, both Trump and Johnson will benefit from Johnson’s inclusion. Therefore, libertarians should be encouraging Trump to press for inclusion of Gary Johnson in the debates. Whether or not Jill Stein is also included, it’s still a great idea.
