PHILADELPHIA—Libertarian presidential
nominee Gary Johnson made a brief appeal Monday to a handful of
people attending a civil rights event sponsored by the National
Union of American Families at Independence Square in the heart of
Philadelphia.

The former New Mexico governor delivered an abbreviated version
of his stump speech that touched on his non-interventionist foreign
policy, support for civil liberties, and dire view of the current
fiscal climate. Johnson emphasized his opposition to the drug war,
too.

Johnson, wearing jeans, a blazer, and a t-shirt with the peace
sign on it, spoke over an hour later than scheduled due to some
complications with the event.  

“I think that we need to balance the federal budget now. If we
don’t balance the federal budget now we are going to find ourselves
without a country. I think we’re going to find ourselves in the
midst of a monetary collapse. A monetary collapse is, very simply,
when the dollars we have in our pocket don’t buy a thing,” he
said.

Johnson drew the strongest response from the crowd when he
talked about his position on legalizing marijuana. 

“Let’s end the drug war, let’s legalize marijuana now. Let’s
stop the incarceration of 2.3 million people in this country. Let’s
stop with arresting 1.8 million people a year in this country,” he
said.

Johnson spoke for approximately four minutes before departing
for New York City for a slate of media appearances. He was
introduced by longtime civil rights activist Jesse Epps.

The issue of ballot access also came up. Johnson’s goal of

nationwide ballot access is not out of the question but his
campaign was dealt
a significant blow by the Oklahoma Supreme Court when it ruled
that he could not be on the Americans Elect ballot line in that
state.

“It’s definitely not over. It’s still in litigation,” said
Johnson campaign spokesman Joe Hunter.

If Johnson was bothered by the late start to the event he did
not show it. He smiled, mugged for the camera, and shook hands with
all who passed by.

“Hey, it is Constitution Day after all,” he said while talking
with people that stopped by the historic venue.

One passerby was puzzled as he was in search of the local Occupy
Wall Street event.

“Hey do you guys know where Occupy is?” he asked.

“Ah, no,” responded Johnson’s impressively dapper body man
Andrew Miller, a protégé of longtime Republican strategist Roger
Stone.

Johnson is at the beginning of a multi-week nationwide tour of
college campuses. He spoke earlier on Monday in the Philadelphia
suburbs at West Chester University.

Here’s video of his speech in Independence Square.