Gary Johnson Feels the Love in Cleveland

4 minute read

Gary Johnson says he’s trying to keep a low profile.

The former governor of New Mexico is wearing Nike sneakers and jeans in a coffee shop in Cleveland outside the security perimeter of the Quicken Loans Arena where the Republican National Convention is being held, and says he ditched the tie he wore yesterday to look even more unassuming today.

“I didn’t want to come, I really didn’t,” Johnson tells TIME of the convention. “And being here, I really want to keep the lowest profile possible. I really want to be respectful. I want to be respectful of the Republican National Convention and I want to be respectful of Trump winning the nomination.”

Johnson wants to respect RNC boundaries because it’s a party he’s now challenging for the presidency, running as a Libertarian. (He was a member of the Republican Party when he served as governor from 1995 to 2003.) But he’s been underwhelmed so far by the perception that most convention speeches have focused on attacking Hillary Clinton rather than promoting Donald Trump.

“It’s a lost opportunity to actually tell us, what do you stand for, Republicans?” Johnson says.

Of course, he didn’t exactly want to keep a low profile; he came to the convention to drum up media attention. “The idea here is to win this, but the only chance of winning is to be in the presidential debates,” he says of raising his poll numbers to the point where he would be automatically included.

But he does seem genuinely surprised by the Johnson fans that have come out of the woodwork in Cleveland. Before we spoke, he did a quick television hit outside the coffee shop, which was interrupted by people wanting to take selfies with him. By the time the camera stopped rolling, ten or so people were gathered on the sidewalk to watch, barely blinking when Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch’s motorcade blocked traffic and let the President pro tempore of the United States Senate out right beside them.

Scenes from the Republican National Convention

Republican National Convention, Cleveland, Ohio.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence stand with their families at the end of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Republican National Convention, Cleveland, Ohio.
Attendees celebrate as the Republican National Convention comes to a close on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Duck Dynasty reality TV star Phil Robertson on the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
Duck Dynasty reality TV star Phil Robertson on the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Donald Trump kisses running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence at the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland.
Donald Trump kisses running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence at the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
TIMEPOL RNC
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
TIMEPOL RNC
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
TIMEPOL RNC
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Donald Trump with his children Eric and Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, on July 20, 2016.
Donald Trump with his children Eric and Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, on July 20, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME
A man poses at Instagram's "Mini Oval" office at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
A man poses at Instagram's "Mini Oval" office at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Donald Trump supporter Rachel Day, from Akron, stands outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
Donald Trump supporter Rachel Day, from Akron, stands outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
TIMEPOL RNC
Troopers monitor protests outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
Mounted police from Fort Worth, Texas monitor the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
Mounted police from Fort Worth, Texas monitor the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Attendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Attendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
A man attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
A man attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Attendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Attendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
A Texas delegate tallies up the votes for the Donald Trump's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
A Texas delegate tallies up the votes for the Donald Trump's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Delegates cheer at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Delegates cheer at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Comedian Eric Andre is escorted from the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Comedian Eric Andre is escorted from the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Boxing promoter Don King attends the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Boxing promoter Don King attends the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Donald Trump Jr. speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Donald Trump Jr. speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Tiffany Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.
Tiffany Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
A screen displays the state flag of Mississippi, the only state that includes the Confederate battle emblem in its official state flag, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
A screen displays the state flag of Mississippi, the only state that includes the Confederate battle emblem in its official state flag, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
TIMEPOL RNC
Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Buttons are displayed for sale outside the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
Buttons are displayed for sale outside the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME
A pair of men interact with protesters in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
A pair of men interact with protesters in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
Trevor Leis, of Lime, supports open carry at the Cleveland Public Square amidst various protests at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.
Trevor Leis, of Lime, supports open carry at the Cleveland Public Square amidst various protests at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
A police officer stands on a protective crowd control line in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.
A police officer stands on a protective crowd control line in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
Delegates pose for a group photo at the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.
Delegates pose for a group photo at the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
A man dons a "Make America Great Again" hat at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
A man dons a "Make America Great Again" hat at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.Benjamin Lowy for TIME
Melania Trump kisses her husband, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, to the applause of the ecstatic crowd, on July 18, 2016.
Melania Trump kisses her husband, Donald Trump in front of an ecstatic crowd, on July 18, 2016.Ben Lowy for TIME
Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.
Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Donald Trump appears on stage at the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.
Donald Trump appears on stage at the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME

“At least a dozen people with ‘Trump for President’ buttons on said they were going to vote for me,” Johnson says. He says he gave more than 70 media interviews yesterday and estimates that hundreds of people have also pledged their support to him this week.

Among other issues, Johnson wants to raise the retirement age for Social Security, abolish the I.R.S., scale down the military and, of course, legalize marijuana. (He’s the former CEO of a marijuana products company) “I’ve always maintained that you shouldn’t show up on the job impaired,” Johnson says of his decision to swear off pot while running for (and potentially as) president.

In 2012, Johnson also ran as a Libertarian, but got just about 1% of the vote. This year, with the momentum he’s seen in evidence at the convention, Johnson believes he could win some states outright. He lists Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas and Alaska as options, and says his running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, could help with more states in the East. In some recent national surveys, the Johnson/Weld ticket has cracked double digit support.

Read More: Can Libertarian Gary Johnson Be a Factor in 2016?

And he says that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s decision not to endorse Trump Wednesday night was, in fact, an endorsement for him.

“That was a backhanded Johnson endorsement,” he says. “‘Vote your conscience,’ but OK, so you go into the voting booth, it’s not an essay on vote your conscience. It’s multiple choice.”

For now, Johnson’s immediate goal is being included in debates with Trump and Clinton. When asked how he would handle an unpredictable Trump on the debate stage, Johnson laughs. “I think the unpredictable is going to be Johnson,” he says. “Johnson is the comet here when it comes to the dinosaur two-party thing. Boom!”

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Write to Tessa Berenson / Cleveland at tessa.Rogers@time.com