Kaitlin L Lange

IndyStar

If you don't like Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump, there's a third option for president.

Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate, made his pitch Monday to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, arguing that he is a viable alternative.

“Is this the craziest political election that you’ve ever seen?" asked Johnson. "And here’s how crazy it is: I might be the next president of the United States."

In his speech, Johnson emphasized lowering taxes, embracing immigration, supporting marriage equality, focusing on free markets and ending the war on drugs. He also called for the legalization of marijuana and limits on military action.

"(The military) has the unintended consequence of making the world less safe, not more safe," Johnson said. "I am not isolationist, but I’m noninterventionist."

On the issue of guns, Johnson called for a discussion on how to keep terrorists and people with mental illness from obtaining firearms.

The third-party candidate, who said he is socially liberal and fiscally conservative, is working to build name recognition, hoping he can capture the attention of voters who are turned off by both major party candidates.

Right now, polling shows he is supported by about 10 percent or less of the electorate.

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In order to be part of the presidential debates in the fall, he needs to poll at 15 percent. Part of the problem, Johnson said, is many polls measure only support for Trump and Clinton.

While he admits he's at a disadvantage, not just in the polls but also with campaign donations, he's hopeful for any victories, even winning one state during the election.

“Oh, if I could just be the spoiler," Johnson said after his speech. "This is a party that needs spoiling, and I’m talking about the two-party system really. It’s the dinosaurs, and maybe I’m the comet."

Both Trump and Clinton have fairly high unfavorability rates. There is a 14-percentage point spread between those who have unfavorable views of Clinton rather than favorable, according to the Real Clear Politics average. Trump is doing worse: a 27-percentage point spread between those with unfavorable views versus favorable, according to Real Clear Politics.

Johnson's speech to the mayors came a day after Clinton told the gathering that cities are “where things are happening and getting done." She spent most of her speech criticizing politicians for inaction on both gun control and immigration.

Each of the presidential candidates were invited to speak at the U.S. Conference of Mayors this weekend. While Trump did not attend, Clinton addressed a full room of mayors Sunday. On Monday, the turnout was about half as large for the Libertarian nominee.

Kevin Richardson, the mayor of Lake Barrington, Ill., was appreciative of the candidates who spoke at the convention.

“I think all of the candidates who come to talk to mayors have an appreciation for the importance that cities play in driving our economy and helping us grow as a nation," said Richardson, a Republican. "(Johnson) clearly wanted to make sure we understood where he was coming from, and I think he was very concise and very direct.”

Roy Buol, mayor of Dubuque, Iowa, said Johnson's speech couldn't compare to Clinton's, whom he said has a "real grasp of the issues, both nationally and internationally."

“I certainly respect him as a Libertarian," said Buol, a Democrat. "He has a lot of views I don’t necessarily agree with, but I can see where a lot of people would take his point of view.”

Johnson was the Libertarian nominee for president in 2012. He also was the governor of New Mexico, as a Republican.

He said this election cycle is different than 2012 because he has been given more opportunities to share his message, such as addressing the mayors.

“This year, arguably, the two most polarizing figures that have ever run for president, are running for president," Johnson said after his speech. "And there is a big wide middle ground here that kind of encompasses what I’ll say is the best of both parties: Libertarian."

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at (317) 444-6487. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.