Libertarian Presidential Candidate Debate

Washington, DC
Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Libertarian Party holds their 2012 National Convention in Las Vegas this weekend, where they will choose their Presidential nominee.
Today, the nominating process has begun. Supporters of Lee Wrights along with Wrights himself spoke first, followed by Carl Person, an attorney, and Jim Burns, neither of whom participated in Friday evening's debate. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson was the last to present his case before balloting began.
In the first round of balloting, the delegates overwhelmingly selected Fmr. Gov. Gary Johnson as their presidential nominee.
The convention will now move to the vice presidential nomination. In his acceptance speech, he asked the convention to nominate retired California Superior Court Judge Jim Gray.
Two additional candidates were nominated for vice president, including Lee Wrights. The convention agreed to suspend the rules and eliminate the state-by-state announcement of votes. Instead, the states submitted their votes to the party secretary.
In the first round of balloting, Jim Gray was selected as the Vice Presidential nominee.
The party is celebrating their 40th anniversary at this year's convention, themed "Liberty Will Win."
The Libertarian Presidential candidates, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and Libertarian activist Lee Wrights, debated a wide range of issues on Friday night.
Johnson, who ran in the Republican presidential primary before dropping out in December 2011, said during the debate that he would abolish the IRS and the Education Department if he were President. He’s expected to be chosen as the party's nominee.
To take part in the debate, candidates had to receive at least 10% of support from convention delegates.
Saturday, the candidates will make speeches to convention delegates, who will then vote to choose the nominee.

Updated: Monday at 7:17am (ET)