When Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) consciously decoupled from the Republican Party on the 4th of July, he also left open the possibility that he might run for president in 2020 as either an independent or a Libertarian. If he chooses to do that, he will most definitely make it harder for either President Donald Trump or the eventual Democratic nominee to eke out victory. Obviously, the next president will be either a Republican or a Democrat, but his presence will make them work much harder for victory.
As Amash’s former policy adviser Kurt Couchman explains in a column at CNN’s website, the congressman presents an alluring policy profile that would certainly draw from both of the major parties:
As a constitutionalist, consistent proponent of liberty, devoted family man, and faithful Christian, the now-former Republican could easily attract votes from otherwise reluctant Trump voters. And in competitive states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and, of course, Michigan, small margins make a big difference. Also, he would draw votes from Democrats. He opposes corporate welfare and other forms of corruption, he vocally backs civil liberties against both parties’ leadership, he stands against global militarism, and he frequently engages bipartisan coalitions to advance reforms.
Recall that had Hillary Clinton pulled just 80,000 more votes in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, she would have beaten Donald Trump. Amash might have limited name recognition right now, but he’s definitely a known quantity in the Wolverine State and his appeal is going to be strongest in Midwestern states such as Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana (the western part of Pennsylvania is effectively part of that region too).
Yes, it’s early, but none of the Democratic candidates has anything approaching the charisma and upside potential of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, despite hitting a “career-high approval,” is still disliked by a majority of Americans. I think that Trump, absent a recession or a new scandal of immense proportions, is likely to win in 2020, but the race will be as razor thin as the one against Clinton. Having the heartland-resident Amash in the mix could easily swing things one way or another.
The Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson pulled a record 4.5 million votes in 2016, the equivalent of 3.3 percent of the overall vote. There’s a strong argument that a character like Amash, especially if he’s running as a Libertarian with ballot access in all 50 states, will be able to replicate or even improve on those totals. He’s young (39 years old), charismatic, and articulate. Every bit as much as younger characters such as South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg (a a married, gay veteran) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (a Latina democratic socialist), he represents a new generation of outspoken idealists who are bringing new identities to national politics.
Amash is the child of Syrian and Palestinian parents, an Orthodox Christian, and unabashedly libertarian. Even if you believe (wrongly, in my opinion) that libertarians make up at most 4 percent of the vote, the winner in 2020 is going to need every vote he or she can scrounge (for a better estimate of the proper size of the libertarian electorate, read this). Amash’s presence will change how all of that sorts out.
Amash talked with Reason a year ago. Take a look below.
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