Johnson said those areas are where government needs to look, and he noted he liberally used the veto pen as New Mexico’s governor (750 times) allowing him to hold spending down and prevent tax increases.

Outside of fiscal issues, Johnson strays from the Republican mainstream on several issues.

He opposed the war in Iraq. He is critical of continued operations in Afghanistan.

He also backs a woman’s right to choose an abortion until viability of a fetus, although he noted he signed a ban on late-term abortions as governor.

He also supports means testing for Medicare and thinks the retirement age needs to be raised to get Social Security.

Hard choices have to be made, he said, if the country is to cut its growing budget deficit.

“If we don’t right the financial ship, we’re going to be left with nothing,” he said.

He also supports legalizing marijuana.

In addition to meeting with the Times editorial board, Johnson also made a stop at Thunder Bay Grille to meet with Quad-Citians, including some who have been active in the libertarian movement.