Justin Amash Wades Into 2020 Presidential Pool as Libertarian Party Scapegoat

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
AP featured image
File-This March 28, 2017, file photo shows Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., followed by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, leaving a closed-door strategy session with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis. A top aide to President Donald Trump is urging the primary defeat of a conservative House member from Michigan. A tweet Saturday, April 1, 2017, by White House social media director Dan Scavino Jr., comes two days after Trump threatened conservative lawmakers who thwarted a House vote on health care legislation. Scavino targeted Amash, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus criticized by Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
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Tonight, the ranks of the Never Trumpers are celebrating what they likely see a great victory against their nemesis, President Donald Trump.

Former Republican (now-Independent) Michigan representative Justin Amash has declared that he’s decided to make himself a scapegoat– I mean, launch an exploratory committee to seek the presidential nomination for the Libertarian Party in 2020.

Maybe it shouldn’t be much of a surprise, though. Last September, before the roiling waters of the House Impeachment hearings started to swirl, Matt Welch asked in Reason, “Will Justin Amash Run for President as a Libertarian in 2020?”

In the piece, Welch also shared a conversation Amash had with editor at large Nick Gillespie at the 2019 Freedomfest event in July:

Amash has until May 21, 2020—when the L.P. national convention kicks off—to make up his mind. What will drive the decision? By “thinking about where I can use my skills and influence best,” Amash told Reason‘s Nick Gillespie. “And I feel like if I can be most effective on the national stage spreading the message of liberty and the message of respect and love, then that’s what I do.”

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May 21, 2020. Talk about cutting things close.

Just a month before Freedomfest, RedState’s Thomas LaDuke told you about Amash ditching the liberty-loving group he helped create, the House Freedom Caucus

Our Streiff reported on Amash hinting he might run independently for president a mere three days after quitting the GOP on July 4, then gave you the rundown on Democrats’ attempts to persuade Amash to be one of the impeachment managers. And it’s hard to forget Amash was the only Republican to vote for impeachment

Just a month ago, as my colleague Bonchie reported, the Man Without a Party clashed with Dan Crenshaw over the Wuhan coronavirus relief bill.

Guess his betrayal of the GOP is complete, with this cowardly move.

There is some consolation, though. Within minutes of Amash’s pronouncement, the usual suspects were chiming in:

While some were less than enthusiastic or noncommittal:

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Rep. Paul Gosar speaks for many conservatives, including me, here:

No doubt about it. The Never Trump crowd is excitedly congratulating one another, like characters from Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, “Bravo, bravo, bravo! You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it, and indeed you did!”

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