The Libertarian Party’s presidential ticket will get a real shot at primetime exposure Wednesday evening when CNN hosts a town hall to discuss the party’s policy goals and what it can offer as an alternative to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Former Gov. Gary Johnson and his running mate, fellow ex-Gov. Bill Weld, will sit down with CNN anchor Chris Cuomo at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Johnson has already begun polling near 10 percent nationally, leading many to wonder whether the popular third party will play a major role in the 2016 election—as a spoiler for either the Republicans or the Democrats. The conversation will force the Libertarian candidate to offer up his pitch to both disaffected #NeverTrump conservatives and liberals who supported Bernie Sanders and cannot abide by a Clinton candidacy.
As a pro-choice, pro-marijuana, anti-intervention candidate, Johnson will have difficulty selling himself to hawkish social conservatives; but his pro-gun and free market economic beliefs could also hinder his palatability to progressives.
The town hall will be available to live stream on CNN Go, beginning at 9 p.m., with cable authentication required for access.
