There’s ample justification for welcoming former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson as he takes his rightful place onstage with the rest of 2012 GOP presidential field in tonight’s debate.

First off, Johnson promises to present his principled libertarian vision – and contrast it with the more traditional conservative takes offered up by the rest of the voices onstage – with a more cogent, coherent delivery than Ron Paul and “the good Dr.’s” own peculiar, sometimes-rambling, version of “constitutionalist” gold buggery.