Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson became incensed in a recent interview after a reporter pressed him about his low poll numbers and corrected him when he overstated his polling strength.
In a recent interview with the Guardian released Thursday, Johnson openly wondered why the British publication was even interviewing him after reporter Paul Lewis pushed back against his claim that he was at 10 percent in the polls, even though he now hovers around 6 percent.
“Both of the mainstream candidates are more unpopular than any mainstream candidates in modern history. So I guess the question is why are you doing so badly?” Lewis asked the former New Mexico governor.
“I would argue just the opposite. This is phenomenal! We’ve got $12 million bucks. We’re at 10 percent plus in the polls and we’re leading among independents, among young people, among active military personnel. This is a celebration!”
Lewis then told Johnson that he was not at 10 percent anymore, where he sat in August prior to a series of gaffes. According to the latest RealClearPolitics average, Johnson holds 5.5 percent support.
“Why are you even interviewing me? I don’t get it. If I’m doing so poorly, is this to preside over a funeral here? It’s not a funeral! It’s a celebration!” Johnson said, getting animated with the reporter.
Johnson also panned independent Evan McMullin, who he says is handing Utah to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even though McMullin is tied with Clinton for second in the polling averages behind Trump, who leads by 5.8 points.
“It’s a bit of a stretch to be comparing my candidacy with his,” Johnson said. “He’s ensuring that Hillary Clinton will win Utah. You know what? He is what he is, and I begrudge no one for entering the race.”
At the very end of the interview, Johnson blew up at Lewis during a discussion about his tax policy, in which Johnson repeats that if he had a “magic wand,” he would eliminated income tax, corporate tax and replace them with one federal consumption tax, to which Lewis says that he hasn’t found a single credible economist who think those are good ideas.
“Look, I don’t want to argue. I don’t want to argue, really,” Johnson said before getting in Lewis’ face. “Look, I came out for the legalization of marijuana — let me just use that as an example , and I will tell you I had people in my face for years and years and years telling me how stupid and idiotic it was that we should allow marijuana to be legal.”
“What does that have to do with tax policy,” Lewis asked.
“It is about leadership,” Johnson replied tersely. “It’s about leadership.”
