Regardless of what one thinks of his policies, it is difficult to argue against the fact that Barack Obama is hardly the superstar he used to be. During the last presidential election, he was more of a rock-star than a candidate; his face adorned t-shirts, posters, and music videos. Today, many Americans have come to the realization that the economy hasn’t improved, we are now waging three foreign wars, and nothing has changed since the days when Obama’s predecessor occupied the Oval Office.

And yet, the sad truth is the Republican Party will most likely lose in 2012. The reason? The establishment candidates aren’t electable. Indeed, it is very difficult to become enthused about the candidacies of folks like Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Michelle Bachman. None of these people can beat Obama and most Republicans know it.

There is, however, one Republican who could conceivable beat Obama if given the chance to square off against him during the General Election. Well liked, well spoken, and well informed, this former Governor has all it takes to send Obama packing, and yet most voters have never heard of him.

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Photo: Gary Johnson Campaign.

His name is Gary Johnson. Voters are likely unfamiliar with the libertarian who spent the majority of his two terms as New Mexico’s Chief Executive vetoing almost every bill that landed on his desk.

“We are facing some really huge problems,” said Governor Johnson. “All the candidates are doing a good job at identifying them, but I am the only one who actually presents solutions!”

While such a statement may seem bold, there is a great deal of validity to Johnson’s claim. Every Republican candidate falls into one of three groups:  an establishment figure, a neo-conservative, or a career politician. None of these individuals enjoy widespread appeal and the likelihood that any of them would actually be electable is low at best.

One need only remember that many of these candidates are still regurgitating the same failed ideas that they have championed for two decades. Others are running on socially exclusive platforms, throwbacks to a bygone era that will never resonate with young voters. Almost all of them are in favor of the War on Terror, a conflict that has witnessed a serious decline in public support since America’s initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

Governor Johnson, arguably the most fiscally conservative of the GOP contenders, embraces a socially open message. While such ideas may shock the Republican establishment, his platform advances a bevy of issues that appeal not only to young voters, but also to anti-war Democrats and the few remaining Goldwater conservatives. He is courageous, tolerant, and most importantly, electable.

So why is the Republican establishment ignoring him?

“I do think I am up there offering a different voice than anyone else,” said Governor Johnson, who adds: “I think I represent the majority of Republicans, but I am putting that to the test!”

And that is likely the issue: Johnson does represent the majority of Republicans, but not their leadership. The GOP establishment is much more comfortable with neo-conservatives like Rick Perry than they are with an individual who would likely take the party in a new direction.

“My focus as Governor was to really make a difference and do the best job I possibly could,” said Governor Johnson. “I would like to think when you look at the position I took on legalizing marijuana…it speaks volumes for the fact that it was about doing the job and not furthering my political ambitions.”

It is very likely that his support for issues like marijuana legalization and gay marriage are why Johnson was excluded from most of the televised debates. The GOP is frightened. I Gary Johnson, who received a thunderous response at last year’s CPAC convention, had the potential to reach a wide enough audience, his ideas just might catch on!

In the midst of a Republican establishment blackout, Johnson had traditionally relied on appearances on nighttime TV programs like “Stossel” to bring his message to the masses. All that changed on September 22nd  when Fox News allowed the former Governor, who had reached one-percent in the previous five polls that included his name, to join the establishment candidates on stage.

It was Johnson’s time to shine, and although the moderators largely ignored his presence, he still managed to impress the audience with his witty and innovative answers. Since that appearance, his campaign has enjoyed a good deal of media coverage.

But there is still a long-way for Gary Johnson to go. He is far from being a household name, and his campaign is operating on a markedly lower budget than most of his rivals. And yet Gary Johnson has no plans of exiting the race. He will keep soldiering on, moving forward because he wants to be president.

“I would do a really good job at it,” said Governor Johnson. “And I happen to think I am the right guy for the job!”