Presidential Candidate Visits Minnesota (No, Not Romney or Obama)

Don't tell Gary Johnson he's a long shot to win the 2012 presidential election.  The Libertarian presidential candidate says he'll be on the ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  He's a former two-term governor of New Mexico who initially ran for the GOP presidential nomination before dropping out and switching to the Libertarian Party last December.  On Friday he brought his message to Macalester College in St. Paul, advocating elimination of the income and corporate taxes in favor of a federal "consumption tax."  He also wants all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan immediately.  Dressed in a sports jacket and a t-shirt with a peace sign, Johnson also said, "I am the only candidate that does not want to bomb Iran."  

Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura campaigned with Johnson today.  Ventura won the 1998 Minnesota governor's race by assuring voters a vote for him wouldn't be a "wasted vote." So it was fitting that Johnson ended his speech today with this question: "What if you all waste your vote and vote for me? I'm the next president of the United States!"  

Johnson says he's on the ballot in 47 states right now, including Minnesota, and is confident he'll soon be included in all 50 states.