Johnson Exits GOP Race to Run as Libertarian

Republican with libertarian leanings could harness Tea Partiers

(NEWSER) - Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, hoping to catch the rising tide of Tea Party-style populist anger, has been polishing up his quirky libertarian bona fides for what looks like a run at the presidency in 2012. Though Johnson is cagey, he has made it clear he’s sticking with the Republican Party, drawing inevitable comparisons to Ron Paul. But insiders agree the younger, suaver governor is a more viable candidate. More»

Former NM governor will seek Libertarian nomination

(NEWSER) - Gary Johnson formally launched his bid to run for president as the Libertarian candidate today, declaring himself "liberated" and fed up with the "elitist media organizations" that largely ignored his attempt to run as a Republican, reports CNN . "I'm a Libertarian in belief," said the former New Mexico governor. "I successfully governed as a Libertarian in everything but the name, and I am running for president as a Libertarian." Among other things, he wants to eliminate the IRS and legalize marijuana. More»

Libertarian could be kingmaker if he wins Iowa

(NEWSER) - Not many Republicans believe Ron Paul will win their party's nomination, but as he tops polls in Iowa , his power has become impossible for the GOP to ignore, the Washington Post finds. The libertarian congressman has a solid organization, and a big, committed—and largely young—base of followers that could make him a kingmaker or, if he decides to run as a third-party candidate, hand President Obama a potentially decisive advantage. More»

Mitt Romney basically has 4 of the 10 states in the bag

(NEWSER) - Tomorrow is looking good for Mitt Romney, who will likely take more of the 422 delegates up for grabs in Super Tuesday contests than his opponents (an additional 15 super delegates aren't bound to tomorrow's wins). He may even walk away with a delegate majority, writes Nate Silver. A look at the landscape, from the New York Times , Politico , Public Policy Polling , and the Wall Street Journal :

• Georgia (76 delegates): Newt Gingrich will almost certainly win, but Romney could "win by losing," Politico notes: A Gingrich win could keep Newt in the race, where he'll continue to siphon conservative votes from Rick Santorum. (Plus, Romney could still take up to a third of the delegates due to distribution rules.)
• Ohio (66 delegates): Romney has been closing in on Santorum here, and though the race is too close to call , some think Romney's momentum will propel him to a win. Even if it does not, he will likely take the most delegates, since Santorum may be ineligible for 18 of them.
• Tennessee (58 delegates): Romney is also closing in on Santorum here, and an upset victory—which is possible—would be symbolically huge for him, showing he holds appeal even in the South.

Comparing our investments is like comparing mouse, elephant, says Newt

(NEWSER) - Tonight's Jacksonville, Florida, debate is a biggie for more reasons than one: It's the last before the state's Tuesday primary; it does not, like Monday's debate , feature a ban on applause; Newt Gingrich knows he needs to bring it ; and ... after a seemingly endless stream of GOP debates, it's the last one for nearly a month! And here we go:

• In the first real tussle of the night, Wolf Blitzer asks Gingrich if Romney is anti-immigrant: "I think of the four of us, yes." Romney rips into him: "That's inexcusable ... and repulsive." Gingrich keeps returning to the idea that Romney wants grandmothers and grandfathers to be kicked out. "Our problem is not 11 million grandmothers," Romney fires back.