David Shuster just tweeted this about Gary Johnson being a spoiler for Romney

[Phx_Dem]

I hope it's true! Nothing would piss Romney off more than some little pissant 3rd party candidate causing him to lose.

http://www.lp.org/news/press-releases/gov-gary-johnson-could-cost-romney-5-battleground-states-74-electoral-votes-need

Libertarian Presidential candidate Gov. Gary Johnson is polling at 5.3% nationwide. (JZ Analytics/Washington Times).

But look at the numbers when he’s included in statewide polls against Obama and Romney. 13% in New Mexico. 9% in Arizona. 7% in Colorado. 7% in New Hampshire. 8% in Montana. (PPP and others)

Governor Johnson’s poll numbers – and his votes this November - may be the critical factor in “Tipping Point” or battleground states like North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Nevada, and Colorado – where Obama and Romney are 1% to 6% apart. Mitt Romney needs these 5 states, these 74 Electoral votes to win the White House.

[DCBob]

1. Johnson and Virgil Goode may have a bigger impact than many realize.

In some states all it may take is a few thousand votes.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. That Is Much More Likely Than Johnson Getting > 1.2% Nationwide./nt

[Warpy]

2. It should be a no brainer for no brain Republicans

Johnson didn't manage to fuck up his state over two terms.

Romney fucked up his state in one term, to the point he ran with his tail between his legs and didn't seek a second term.

[Samantha]

4. Where is David Shuster now?

Haven't seen him recently. Last sighted on Current TV but I am not sure where he is now.

Sam

[Phx_Dem]

5. He's on Current -- at least as a guest and on CNN recently. Also, active on Twitter.

I miss him. He's one of my favs.

[sarcasmo]

6. I have said since the convention, Romney screwing with the Paul delegates cost him the election.

The Paul fanatics will vote for Johnson and screw Romney.

[LisaL]

7. If my choice was between Romney and Johnson, I sure as hell wouldn't be voting for Romney.

[renate]

8. yup

They are not a forgiving bunch. They do loathe Obama, but they were really mistreated and disrespected all through the campaign and at the convention.

[politicaljunkie41910]

16. Agreed. Besides Paul's supporters are not intellectually dishonest like the Romney backers.

Paul supporters just have a different vision of the role of gov't that doesn't change if they were in office like the rest of the repugnants, who suddenly wouldn't have a problem with deficits and starting a war in the middle east with Iran.

[renate]

9. does Nate Silver take the Virgil Goode/Gary Johnson effect into account in his predictions?

Or are they just counted as undecided voters? Because I bet they aren't undecided...

[Cha]

10. KICK

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Don't forget...those Million plus people who signed a pledge to write in "Jesus" too

[justiceischeap]

12. I think we'll see a lot of Ron Paul write-ins too

which may, I say MAY, hurt President Obama with the youth vote.

[TroyD]

13. Nate Silver, PPP etc. claim that support for 3rd Party candidates

Usually goes down by the time of Election Day.

Polls tend to overestimate their support.

But it's certainly possible in close states that a small number of votes can make the difference.

That's the frightening situation we were in during the 2000 Election (and to some extent in 2004).

Perhaps we will be again in 2012.

[justiceischeap]

14. I'm thinking we'll see a bit more this time around

'cause there are some Republicans that just won't be able to bring themselves to vote for R/R.

Plus, there's that pledge from the 'Vote for Jesus' crowd, we'll see how they stand when they're actually in the polling place.

[oxymoron]

15. God, let's hope he's right. nt