New Johnson Ad Features Unlikely Critics of Debate Criteria

Johnson Shows Trump, Sanders as Critical of 15% Requirement

by Josh Guckert

In a new ad from the Gary Johnson campaign, clips of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are merged to criticize the 15% debate threshold. The Trump clip is taken from a 2000 interview with (ironically, IAVA veterans’ forum moderator) Matt Lauer. At that time, Trump was pursuing the Reform Party nomination for President. He would eventually change his mind, leading to Pat Buchanan instead running. Trump states (correctly) that the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) consists only of Democrats and Republicans.

In the other (much more recent) clip, Democratic presidential runner-up Bernie Sanders discusses with Chuck Todd the debate criteria. When pressed on whether he believes that 15% is “too high,” the Vermont Senator that it probably is.

With only 20 days until the first debate, Johnson is on a mission to get into the event. Though he has not yet reached the 15% requirement, a majority of American have indicated that they would like to see him debate. This combined with Johnson’s near-unprecedented polling numbers will make for a tough decision for the CPD in the coming weeks.

This newest commercial is one of many which the Libertarian campaign is likely to push in its final effort to qualify for the debates.

Watch the new ad below: