Your editorial calls the Libertarian Party’s Gary Johnson-William Weld ticket an “honorable alternative” to the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees, and indeed it is (“The Libertarian Alternative,” May 31). If Messrs. Johnson and Weld were the Republican standard bearers rather than the Libertarian ones, they would enjoy the full-throated support of conservatives and classical liberals who cherish the GOP’s legacy of free markets and limited government. They are two successful former governors with unimpeachable conservative credentials on economic matters, tolerant views on social issues and bipartisan appeal to boot. In this election cycle, where the major parties offer voters a poor choice, the Johnson-Weld ticket is a no-brainer—or it would be if so many Americans weren’t conditioned to dismiss the idea of a third-party candidate out of hand.

Donald Trump’s ascendancy has demonstrated that on too many major issues, the GOP no longer offers a coherent message to counter Democratic dogma. Republicans pay lip service to the goal of smaller government, but no progress has been made on that front since the 1980s.

On the most important issues of the day—how to fix America’s ailing economy, America’s role in foreign affairs and the extent to which government should be allowed to curtail liberties to ameliorate perceived social problems—Libertarians, not Republicans, offer the starkest and most principled alternative to the Democratic Party.

James Liddell

Washington